Humor lit both of their faces, but they did a commendable job of holding back their laughter as Neel moved to stand behind me. His hands were gentle on my wings. “Of course we’ll show you. I’m sorry, I should have thought of it before. We all had lessons right after our wings appeared, it was thoughtless of us not to give you one too. Let’s start with curling them.”
Chapter Fourteen
By the time Neel and Hunter had drilled me in the basics and assured me the control of them would become second nature soon, Flynn had begun to stir. The muscles in my chest and back were screaming, and I was grateful for the reprieve in my exercises to focus on something else. Hunter shot me a cheeky grin as he glanced over at Flynn stretching out on his bed. With a wink, he bounded around me and threw himself fully on top of Flynn, knocking all of the air out of him. Hunter rolled off of him, laughing like a loon, as Flynn struggled to draw a breath into his lungs.
“Fucker. I’ll get you back for that,” Flynn muttered around his gasps.
Hunter continued to laugh as he ground out, “You got to hold Emberly for hours. You didn’t think we’d find a way to get you back for it?”
A deep sigh came from the doorway. “Why am I not surprised you are getting into trouble? If you’re going to be around Emberly so frequently, I may just have to assign you a babysitter.” Blaine’s voice was dry as he spoke. I looked over to see he and Jett had both arrived in time to watch their brothers wrestling on the bed. I offered them a bright smile and a wave. I had missed them, though I assumed they had either been working or in their own bedchambers.
Jett came over to give me a hug, his warmth radiating from him as he curled his arms around me. “Did you sleep well, Starshine?” He murmured softly into my ear, his lips tickling where they brushed against the tender shell.
“Oh absolutely! Flynn made a wonderful pillow!” I smirked at Flynn as I made my comment. He simply looked up from where he was holding Hunter in a headlock and stuck his tongue out at me.
Blaine strode forward to pull Flynn off Hunter who had begun to turn a little blue as his brother cut off his air supply. “Now that your antics are out of the way and everyone has gotten a little sleep, what is the plan for the day?” His rough voice was warm, and all eyes turned to me as if waiting for me to make the decision.
I twisted my hands together as I chewed on my lower lip. “I’m not sure. I’m sure you all have duties to attend to that you’ve probably been putting off…” I trailed off, sweeping my eyes across each of their faces. The shuffling and shifted gazes assured me that I hadn’t been far off in my assumption. “I really want to start researching, see what other information there is on Guardians. Master Jaison said he had found some information, and Blaine seemed to know a little as well. Maybe you could give me an idea of where to look, and I can study while you guys attend to your responsibilities.”
Jett smiled at me and stroked my hair back out of my eyes. “Alright, Starshine. But on one condition. You need to have Tesha with you at all times. Everyone has work and training that we all need to catch up on. You can research, but Tesha remains with you, and don’t wear yourself out. You’re still healing. Please, bear that in mind and be reasonable.”
My smile was bright as I looked up at him. “Of course!” I ran to get dressed before realizing I had no idea where I could gather clothing for my day. I turned sheepishly back towards my guys who were doing their best to cover their smiles. “Ok, can someone show me where to get clothes? I’m dying to get started, and I’m sure you’re as anxious as I am.”
Neel’s smile was a little wicked as he strode towards me, wrapping a strong hand around the back of my neck and pulling me in for a deep, searing kiss. His mouth was hot and hard on mine causing a fever to rise of in my blood as I pressed myself deeper into his hard chest. “Oh, we’re definitely anxious.” His voice was rough as he smiled down at me, his thumb tracing my now swollen lips. I tried to breathe normally as I studied him, shaking my head a little to clear it.
Flynn chuckled and came to take my hand. “I won’t be separated from you too much. Tesha and I will be starting your weapons and fighting training. I can’t wait to see what you look like with a weapon in your hand.”
I smirked at his joke but was surprised when I saw the heat in all their eyes. Evidently, they truly did like the idea of me holding a weapon. “Why in the world has that gotten you all heated up?”
Blaine surprised me; his laugh was deep and rolling as it caressed me. “Sweetheart, the idea of you golden and avenging is hot. You have absolutely no idea. You looked gorgeous and glowing when you took a guard stance for Flynn in his bedroom. Now, with your wings spread behind you, each tip glowing with our marks…” He trailed off, his eyes gleaming and his voice thick. “You’re iridescent, glowing, powerful, magical. Ours. Imagining you holding a sword or a whip, a vengeful angel by our sides, it’s just an amazing blow to our libido.”
I could tell he was telling the truth, could see the way their faces flushed and their chests heaved as they took in the picture that Blaine painted for them. I started to say it made no sense to me when I remembered the way they had looked as they gathered with their weapons fearing an attack the day before. The way the muscles in their arms and chests had rippled as they took on fighting stances, their weapons raised in hard hands. The way their jaws had set and their wings had spread, each foot placed to perfectly balance them and take on any enemy that may be coming at them or me. I felt a flush creep up my face as I let the memory roll over me. Hunter and Flynn sent me nearly identical grins as they watched my reaction.
“Clothes.” I tried very hard to make the word an order, but I wasn’t quite sure I succeeded. Neel, however, took pity on me and steered me to a nearby chest. Reaching in, he pulled out a fresh, soft tunic and a pair of leggings which he tosses my way. Both were in the traditional black of the Valkyrie warriors.
“They’ll probably be a little large. We all keep extra clothing for our staff in chests around the palace. The Valkyries frequently get torn up in training, and you never know when they’ll need to perform as guards for us. It’s easier if they have clothing available to blend in. You’re tiny though so they’ll still probably bag on you a little.” I sent him a smile for his thoughtfulness, not just for me but for the people who most would see as too far below their station to really care about.
“Thank you. Really, it’ll be wonderful.” I wanted so badly to get to those books. I didn’t like not having answers in my life. In this case, I wanted answers for my princes as well. I hurried towards the door without thinking about my actions, my only focus on getting to wherever may hold the answers I needed so desperately. I tore the tunic I wore from my chest, slightly cursing as I struggled to tie the new top in place. It was really much harder to dress with wings.
Snickers and moans echoed from behind me. Whoops. I had forgotten that the princes were waiting to guide me to the library for the day. This is what happened when I let my brain focus on only one task rather than allowing myself to gather all the information that surrounded me. I made stupid mistakes. I flushed but didn’t rush to cover myself. They had seen, and touched, most of what I had. I wouldn’t mind them doing so again. In fact, that idea was quite appealing. I slowed my movements, purposefully fumbling with the ties on the back of the shirt and wiggling as I pretended to fail at fastening them. The pants I had slid on under my tunic were extremely tight, molding to my ass as I shook and twisted, “trying” to get the fastenings done correctly.
“Let me.”
Jett’s voice was a mere whisper as his fingers stroked slowly up my spine, picking and choosing feathers to rub against as he trailed his fingers to the clasps at the base of my neck. I arched back against him, loving the feel of my wings brushing against his wings and flesh. He moaned behind me, his hands wrapping around my throat, pinning me to him as he fastened the closures to the top I would be wearing. He squeezed my throat lightly, running his lips up my neck to nibble at the sensitive skin behi
nd my ear. I groaned softly, falling backward into his hold. I wanted him to undo that button again, wanted to let this top fall to the floor so I could feel all of him against me. I tilted my head back, shivering at the hold he had on my throat. It was possessive, dominant, and so damn hot I could barely see straight. He wasn’t holding tight enough to control my breathing, just collaring me. And I loved it.
Dark chuckles wrapped around me and I felt the others gather close, hungry hands reaching out to stroke against my skin.
“We really do have work to do, and I know you have research you wanted to focus on. It’s your choice, Sweetheart. You seem to like the way Jett’s dominating you. Do you like it?” I assumed Blaine’s question was rhetorical. I arched my body more fully under their hands, straining into their touch.
A low growl sounded, and Jett’s handed tightened briefly on my throat before stroking down my collarbone and returning to collar me. “Blaine asked you a question, Starshine. Do you like me holding you like this? Controlling you like this?”
“Yes.” The word was no more than a breathy whimper, but murmurs of approval surrounded my announcement.
“Good girl. Neel, she’s done well. I think she deserves a kiss. What do you think?”
Neel strode forward, curling his wings tightly against his back. “Oh, I definitely think she deserves a kiss.” He leaned forward, a wicked glint in his sapphire eyes as he feathered his lips against mine again and again, only the slightest brush of pressure. I arched against Jett, straining for more contact, wanting to taste Neel’s mouth. Jett chuckled darkly, maintaining his hold on me and preventing me from grabbing Neel and dragging him where I needed him.
“Need more, Sunbeam?” Flynn’s voice was hot and thick, his fingers reaching out to rub the tips of my wings. I gasped in surprise, nearly going boneless in Jett’s arms at the sensation. The only sound I could make was a mewl of need. Neel’s mouth was suddenly hard on mine, his body pressed in tight and pinned me against Jett as his lips parted my own, his tongue sliding in to twine with mine. Fingers massaged the tips of my wings while another hot mouth latched onto my shoulder, sucking and licking. I was utterly consumed in them, drowning in heat.
As one they all pulled away, leaving me shaking. I gasped for breath, reaching my fingers up to lips that were now swollen and tender from Neel’s bruising kisses. The heat I knew was in my eyes was reflected in all of theirs, yet they stood aside, waiting to see what I wanted. Torn, I tried to breathe deeply to regain some sense of balance. Hunter stepped forward, his eyes softening as he stroked a finger down my cheek. “There’s no rush, Flower. We’re right here, wanting you. We’ll still be here tonight or when you’re ready.”
I sighed, straightening my shoulders. I wanted more. However, I also needed answers. If they could wait, then so could I. We’d let our responsibilities go for long enough. “Show me to the library.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Is there anything else you need, my lady?” Tesha’s voice was cool as she laid the giant pile of books I had requested onto my worktable.
I sighed, leaning back and rubbing my eyes, trying to adjust my wings. I hadn’t expected the strain they would cause on my back muscles. Tesha had been utterly silent at the start of our day together and had moved to coldly polite when it became necessary for her to enter into conversation with me, mainly at my insistence. While confrontation was not something I enjoyed or sought out, as I had no idea how the library was organized, I needed all of the help I could get. Tesha had shown no hesitance in retrieving book after book from the shelves in my desperate, and mostly fruitless, search for information. I could not believe that any records regarding the Guardians had either been destroyed or lost. I had initially considered the idea that I was looking in the wrong areas; but even with Tesha’s extensive knowledge and a quick conference with Master Jaison, I was merely finding more of what we had already known.
No information seemed to be available as to why the Guardians had stopped producing, powers they may have had, or the laws in regards to their role in our society. It was as if they had been erased from existence, relegated to a legend and an ideal of our people. Tesha’s eyes were turned away, her hand gripping the edge of her weapons belt as her eyes scanned the library. I hesitated, but couldn’t resist the tug. Tesha had shown me support and friendship in one of the darkest periods of my life. While I wasn’t sure what I had done to incite the change in her behavior—outside of growing wings—I knew that I couldn’t allow the changes to continue without at least attempting to address them. Part of me wished that my princes had been there, able to help step up and question Tesha as to her reasoning. However, it was my duty and not one I would shirk from either as a woman or a friend.
“Tesha.” I kept my voice calm, not letting the tremor I could feel in my throat slide out into my speech. I waited for her to meet my eyes, hers cold and distant as she studied me. “Have I offended you in some way?” Her eyes widened for a moment, her shoulders stiffening as she studied me from her guarded position.
“Of course not, my lady.” No warmth had infused its way into her tone.
I arched an eyebrow at her. “Tesha, I had considered us—well, not friends exactly—but two females with the potential for a friendship. Is my change in status a problem for you?” I knew I was dragging the bottom of the barrel, but I couldn’t think of any other reason for her rapid shift in behavior.
Tesha shifted her feet, gripping her belt tighter as if to avoid interlocking her hands. I recognized that gesture. I did it when I was uneasy or upset. I cocked my head to consider her. Maybe I had been closer than I realized with that last guess. “Tesha, it didn’t bother me when you ranked far higher than I could ever possibly hope to rank. While my rank is far higher than it was prior to the growth of my wings, an actual decision on it has not yet been made. I am not going to turn into a Valkyrie ruled by ranking decisions. I am hoping that now I am closer to your level we truly will be able to be friends.”
“I failed you.” The words seemed to fall from her lips against her will as her face turned ashen. Her grip on her belt tightened, but she did not pull her gaze away from mine. She was strong, the kind of Valkyrie I had always admired and wished I could be.
“How do you figure?” Failing people was typically my purview in life. I had no idea how she believed she had failed me.
“I told you I would protect you. I swore to my prince I would protect you. Yet, under my care—and the care of my chosen Valkyries—you barely escaped with your life. The fact that you did is beyond a miracle.”
I leaned forward, not pulling my eyes from hers, allowing her to see the tears that welled. “Tesha, you did not fail me. There is no way that you could have been aware of the motives of your Valkyries. Nor could you have been responsible for my care all day and all night without putting me in greater jeopardy.” I took a deep breath, ready to address something I hadn’t yet had a chance to. “If I hadn’t been taken, if I hadn’t been subjected to what I had been, there is a high probability I would not have gained my wings.” I refused to back down, no matter how much I wanted to. “Should I be thanking you for that? Technically, I probably should be. Yet, it would be just as irrational for me to thank you for the abuse I suffered as it is for you to try and accept the blame for something that you had no control over.” I stood from my stool, flexing my wings. Tesha’s eyes flicked, taking in the stream of colors as the light hit them before bringing her eyes back steadily to mine.
“My lady, if you’ll excuse my correction, that is not an accurate comparison. Prince Blaine ordered me to protect you, making it clear that you were the highest priority. Should injury or betrayal of this severity have occurred to my prince or his brothers underneath my care, I would have been severely punished. Although Prince Blaine has decided that I shall bear no punishment in this case, it does not meet with our laws.” Her eyes were serious, her mouth firm as she studied me. “I didn’t believe when I first met you that you were worth less than other
Valkyries. I don’t believe so now that you have been gifted with your wings. It is not your potential as a Guardian that has me in this state. It is simply my belief in what our law—and my duty—is. Despite an outcome that none of us could have foreseen, it does not change my inability to accurately judge my personnel.”
“Tesha, if I had my way, I would ask for you to be my personal guard. My princes have already requested that you continue to train me. My view on our relationship has not changed. I want to learn from you. I want to learn about my princes through your eyes. I want to see if a friendship can be built between us.” I reached out to clasp my hand around her wrist. I could feel the tension radiating up the defined muscles of her arm. Ever so slowly the tension began to leak from her frame.
“My lady, it would be an honor to train you.” Tesha’s voice was warmer than it had been since our conversation in my rooms. Her smile was shaky as she winked at me. “Though you’re probably back to being out of shape.”
“Thank you.” I squeezed her wrist lightly before gesturing behind me. “We can figure out a training plan while we get these put away.”
Chapter Sixteen
“You and Master Jaison have to get your noses out of those books.” Flynn’s voice was exasperated. I flicked my wings at him, too involved in my research to turn around and pay attention to his teasing. My book was pulled away, and I turned with a hiss.
“Flynn! I need those. We’ve found out little more than what we knew days ago! It’s all legend.” I was exhausted and frustrated. I felt like I had been reading the same sentences over and over again. I hated messy record keeping, and that was what this entire situation was turning out to be.
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