Broken Fae

by Caroline Peckham

  S omething was wrong. I should have been having the time of my life. And admittedly, I was. I was fucking my girl seventy eight ways 'til Sunday in the huge ass bed we'd been gifted while she screamed my name and I forgot to put a silencing bubble up for the millionth time. I tried everything to stop feeling like there was a giant hole in my chest. I did her missionary, doggy, cowgirl, reverse cowgirl, I even tried to get more creative by doing the Harpy spread, the landing Dragon, and the eight-legged Calonian Octopus tango. But none of it worked to make that feeling go away. Like I was missing something.

  Elise had her legs tangled around my neck when she finally threw me off of her and used her Vampire strength to shove me down on the bed. She snarled at me with her fangs bared as she straddled my waist.

  "What's up with you?" she panted. "Pick a position."

  "I can't." I threw an arm over my face. It was hopeless. Whatever this feeling was, it wasn't going away.

  Elise slid off of me, curling up at my side and tugging the sheet up over us. She used her air magic to cool the room, a breeze gusting around us and chilling my burning flesh. She gently pulled my arm off of my face and I looked down at her with a frown.

  "What's going on, Leo?" she asked, kissing my chest as I pulled her close.

  "I don't know," I said seriously and she brushed my hair away from my face before running her fingers through it. It felt so good that I sighed and let my eyes fall closed. It wouldn't be long before a Mindy arrived with our wake-up call and we'd have to get dressed and head to class. I'd only made Elise come eight times, and I'd only come twice, it was abysmal.

  Elise continued to run her hands through my hair until I was purring deeply and starting to relax. My little monster always knew how to make me feel good. I just didn't know why I couldn't enjoy this fully. But ever since we'd been mated and I'd claimed her time and again, this feeling was growing more intense. I couldn't bear to tell her that though because then she might think she wasn't fulfilling me. And that wasn't true. She was fucking everything. I wanted to lick her all day long. Everywhere. And I mean everywhere. I’d worked my way through each of her toes not half an hour ago while she screamed at me to stop. I swear at one point I'd considered cooking her up and eating her. But Elise was a meal I wanted to devour forever, piece by delicious piece. It made my mouth water just thinking about it.

  "Maybe it's like an adjustment period, you know?" Elise suggested.

  "To the mate bond?" I frowned.

  "Yeah," she said with a note of hope in her tone.

  I opened my eyes, pulling her up to sit over my waist and I stared at my perfect mate with my heart beating out a thundering tune. "You're everything, you know that right? I want this. I'm so fucking happy with this." I leaned up and kissed her, hugging her close so her soft curves pressed against my hard muscles. Man I was lucky. I’d always known I was an ace thief, but stealing Elise’s heart was the best heist I’d ever pulled off. And yeah that shit was cheesier than a ritz cracker piled high with a wheel of cheddar, but it was also true. Note to self: have Mindy bring cheddar.

  Elise sighed against my lips, nodding in agreement. "I'm happy too. So happy, Leo."

  "Maybe I just need to try the hungry Basilisk position again," I murmured into her neck and she giggled as I lifted her off me and pushed her face down on the bed. I started pulling her wrists and ankles together, hunting for the tie I'd used to tether them before. Where is that slippery little bastard…?

  A knock came at the door and a Mindy started singing the Batman theme tune, except instead of saying Batman, she said Catman.

  Best. Wake-up call. Ever.

  I was having fun giving them different songs each day to wake us up to. This may have been the most epic one so far.

  "Damn," I growled. "Let's miss classes today and stay here until I figure out why I feel weird."

  Elise wriggled out of my hold and cupped my face in her hands as she knelt up in front of me. "That's not going to help and frankly, I need a break. I feel like an asteroid has struck between my thighs."

  I snorted as she climbed off the bed, then my gaze fell to her perfect peachy ass and I had to stop myself from pouncing on her again. I had been kind of unstoppable with her lately, and if I was being totally honest, my dick could probably use a time-out too. But fuck, since the stars had bound us, I'd been hornier than a Pegasus with three heads.

  She grabbed a robe and slipped out of the room to head to the shower and a couple of Mindys appeared a minute later with our breakfast. One of them brought our uniforms too, freshly washed and folded, and placed them down on the desk.

  “Would you like your horoscope read to you this morning, Leon?” Blonde Mindy asked and I nodded keenly.

  She took my Atlas, smiling like I’d just offered to let her bathe me. I’d had Mindys flocking to me to do that in the past, but now I had Elise, I was keeping this six foot set of muscles and golden mane for her eyes only. But a Mindy could dream.

  “Good morning Leo, the stars have spoken about your day,” Mindy said flatly.

  “Jeez, is a meteor about to crash into the earth and destroy us all in a fiery blaze this morning, Mindy?” I asked and her eyes widened as she shook her head fiercely. “Then what’s with the I-have-no-will-to-live tone? Try again. With gusto this time.” I smiled as I waited and she nodded quickly, eager to please.

  “Good morning Leo! The stars have spoken about your day!” she cried, doing a little twirl too which was a nice touch.

  I nodded my approval and she grinned from ear to ear.

  “There is something bothering you, Leo, and deep down you know it is time to confront it. With Jupiter in your chart, you not only have luck on your side to deal with the demons haunting you, but now is the perfect time to create new friendships, or nurture old ones. A run-in with a Capricorn may leave you reeling, but seek the good in every interaction. You never know when your warm nature could rub off on those in close proximity. Tread carefully though, your calm and centred nature could spark the wrath of those under the influence of more volatile planets at this time of year.”

  I clapped as Mindy did another twirl then dismissed her and her friend from the room so I could contemplate that.

  As I swiped up a perfectly golden brown, buttery piece of toast and took a bite out of it, I decided I was going to deal with what was plaguing me by the end of the day. The planets were aligned for me, so now was the time to fix it. And I wouldn't rest until it was done - barring a mid-morning nap and an afternoon siesta - but apart from that, so help me, I would be the most alert Lion on campus today.

  ***

  After my brain was put through a meat grinder in a spontaneous Astrology quiz that Professor Rayburn decided to spring on us, I wasn't any closer to figuring out what was bothering me. And before that, I’d had one seriously action-packed Potions class which hadn’t left me any room to think about anything. I took out my Atlas, reading the comments for the post I’d written about it as I walked across campus to Elemental Combat with Elise at my side.

  Leon Night: Hear. Me. Out. Professor Titan totally just gave me detention – DETENTION!!- because I maaaay have swapped @DanteOscura’s eckles sap for Faesine during Potions class before he brewed it up and added a fire crystal to it. But is it MY fault Eugene Dipper happened to be walking by at that moment? Is it MY fault that I’d fallen asleep and not screwed on the Faesine lid properly so it had leaked out of my pocket and left a puddle on the floor which Eugene was standing in at that time? Is it MY fault that he went up in flames and started running around so fast that none of the water Elementals could put him out before it burned off all of his clothes, his hair, pubes and eyebrows? Is it MY fault that Dante was also knocked over by the blast and electrocuted three people in the back row including Mrs Cuffkins from the school board who was assessing Titan’s teaching? Is it MY fault that Titan now has to take an online course and attend weekly health and safety lessons to prove he can ‘handle the dangers of a room full of potions and teenagers�
�?

  I mean really, people just can’t take a joke these days.

  Rebecca Diaz: Ohmystars Leon! Of course it’s not your fault, you only wanted to have some fun. #longlivetheprankking

  Heather Cameron: I heard Mrs Cuffkins likes to visit the Black Hole and get down and dirty with the horny end of a Minotaur. I reckon she’s #hotforTitan and can’t wait to spend those one-on-one safety lessons getting him to tour her labyrinth ;) #minowhore #hornyforthehorn

  Hollie Dunn: Well this Mindy saw it all! Eugene practically bathed in that Faesine on purpose! #dippertookadip #someratslikeithot #notguilty

  Delilah Whiskers: As a fellow Tiberian Rat in this school, I’m growing tired of our persecution!! #ratsarebetterthancats #letDipperbechipper #dontopressthenest

  Ashleigh Clare: I’ll take the fall for you Leon! #putmeinchains #ididit #blameme #lyingformylion

  Telisha Mortensen: I heard Eugene was asking for it because rumour has it he’s been making a nest out of a certain Storm Dragon’s boxers and boasting about it #someonethinkofhiscoldballs #swinglowsweetchariot #dragondongledangling

  I snorted as we walked onto the Empyrean Fields, wondering if I should tip off Dante about his new roommate’s boxer munching escapades as he rarely checked FaeBook himself. Nah. It’s funnier if he finds out himself.

  As I tucked my Atlas away, my heart pulled in several directions and I had a sense I finally knew what was up with me lately. Elise's hand was locked in mine and I tugged her closer as my gaze found Dante in the class, then moved to Gabriel, then Ryder. I growled low in my throat as I was drawn to the three of them. So maybe I’d gotten attached to Elise’s other guys. Maybe I missed hanging out with them all. And maybe it was time I reunited us Avengers style. It was kinda exciting. Tummy flutters and all.

  Mars was splitting everyone into pairs and as we drifted closer, he noticed us. "Callisto, pair with Galaxa today and Night, I want you with Draconis."

  I squeezed Elise's hand before she shot off toward Cindy Lou with a challenging smirk on her face and I headed towards Ryder with my heart lifting. For some reason, despite the stars having bound me to Elise, I had retained my Lion instincts too. The ones that encouraged me to make a pride. And apparently, Ryder, Dante and Gabriel were just what I needed to fulfil that desire. I knew my little monster cared for them, but I didn't know quite what had changed for her since the stars had mated us. Or if anything had at all. Our night with Dante proved she still desired him, but did that mean she wanted him as much as me now? I didn't like the idea that there could be such an imbalance between us. Especially with Dante. He was my best friend. We'd chosen to share Elise from the start, and I knew it was cutting him up inside that she was marked as mine now. And it just felt all kinds of wrong.

  "Hey," I said, smiling at Ryder and getting a predictable scowl in return. My instincts urged me to rush forward and hug him, but it probably wasn't worth the head injury he'd give me for it. Tempting though. Ryder was always so closed off with me, but I knew this macho bullshit was his way of guarding his big smooshy heart. He was just as hurt by losing Elise as Gabriel and Dante were. I only wished he'd admit it. And maybe there was one way I could make him...

  "I want you to focus on footwork and technique today," Mars called, the sun beaming off of his shaved head. I swear the guy was legit the Rock’s bigger, beefier Fae cousin. And that was saying something. "No big attacks, no shows of power. Being smart and subtle can be just as effective if not more so against strong opponents. Never forget that. Begin."

  Ryder raised his hands and the earth shuddered beneath me, making me stumble sideways.

  "You must really wanna hurt me," I commented, toying with a few flames in my palms as I pranced away from the foot-sized holes he made beneath my shoes.

  "Yeah, I wanna rip your intestines out and strangle you with them so you shut up," he growled, flicking his fingers so the earth started to rip apart beneath me.

  I danced aside again, getting closer to him and he hissed, snaring my legs with vines to try and hold me back. I casually severed them with fire and even disintegrated the one he had poised to strangle me from behind.

  "Naughty little viper. Is it my eyes you hate seeing the most, or is it just that you know I'm fucking the girl you want every night of the week?" I asked with a casual smirk, waiting for the moment he snapped. Come on, Rydikins, show me your heart.

  "Fuck you," he hissed, a dangerous rattle sounding in his chest. That was a warning most Fae would heed immediately, but not me. I liked poking the snake. And I was definitely going to keep poking until I got him to admit the truth.

  "Is it me that's the problem specifically or would you be this mad at anyone else who had been mated to her?" I asked, quickly blasting away two thick vines as they shot towards me.

  "I don't give a shit that you're mated to her," he snarled in a way that said he definitely did give a shit. Probably several shits. "Maybe I'm just sick of you strutting around campus like the fucking king of Pride Rock when really the only kind of cat you are is a pussy." He threw a blast of stones at me and I was knocked to the ground under the onslaught. I growled, losing my cool. If the snake wanted a fight then fine. Because no one called me a pussy and walked away with a full set of teeth.

  “Watch it, Ryder,” I warned, my smile falling a little.

  “Do you and Elise take turns to finger each other?” He smirked and I growled, anger rising in my chest.

  I bared my teeth, fighting the urge to shift.

  “When I look at you, it’s actually pretty obvious that she was always into girls. Does she braid your hair before or after she sucks on your tits?”

  I roared angrily, launching to my feet and blasting a fireball at him that spun through the air in a twisting inferno of death. Ryder cast a wall of dirt to block it, but it wasn't enough to stop the fire ripping through it to the other side.

  Ryder grinned as the wall crumbled and the fireball whizzed past him. He tore the earth apart beneath me and several people screamed somewhere behind us as I tumbled into the hole. My back hit the ground hard and the air was forced from my lungs as Ryder leered down at me from above, vines curling around my arms and legs as he tried to drag me down into the earth. I burned them away fast, lifting a hand and sending a tornado of fire spinning up towards him. He dove away just as Mars appeared on the edge with a stern expression and I hurried to distinguish the flames, but they flared in his angry ass face and he yelped as they singed his eyebrows clean off.

  "Night! Draconis!" he bellowed. "What did I say about being subtle?! Detention with me tonight at seven o'clock. And you can sit out the rest of this lesson and practise casting subtle spells."

  I groaned as Ryder cursed, getting to my feet and moving to the closest wall of earth to try and climb up.

  "Help him out Draconis," Mars snapped before striding off, rubbing his fingers over his brows as he healed away the reddened skin. But if he wanted those bad boys to grow back, he was going to have to make a potion that needed to be left to brew under the light of the moon for two full nights. Sucked to be him.

  I was suddenly flung out of the hole on a pillar of dirt and I smacked into the ground beside the hole, catching myself at the last second so I didn't break my damn nose. I scowled over at Ryder as he gave me his back and walked away. Elise caught my eye, a frown on her face and I offered her a smile to say I was fine, determination filling me. I watched her fight Cindy Lou for a while and laughed when my girl kept slapping her with whips of air while she danced away from Cindy’s return fire. I hated that Dragon worshipping dickbitch.

  I looked over at Ryder who was sitting on the ground, his gaze continually trailing to Elise. He might have pissed me off, but I wasn't done befriending him yet. One day soon we were going to be having sleepovers and pillow fights and he'd giggle like a school girl at my jokes. If it wasn't written in the stars already, I was going to get my Sharpie and scrawl it up there to make it so.

  ***

  I stood outside Mars's office
just before seven o'clock and Ryder came walking down the corridor in black jeans and a dark blue shirt. Almost the exact same outfit I'd chosen myself. He looked me up and down then his lips tightened.

  "For fuck's sake," he muttered, looking like he was about to turn back and risk being late for the sake of changing his clothes when Mars opened the door.

  He nodded at us, his eyebrows firmly back in place, so I guessed Titan must have had some hair-growing potion in stock. Lucky for him.

  "Follow me," he clipped, clearly still pissed at us.

  We followed him out of Altair Halls and across campus past the Acrux Courtyard and along a path that skirted the library.

  "When are Pitball try-outs, sir?" I asked Mars and he glanced over his shoulder at me.

  "Soon. I've been assessing the freshmen to seek out some talent, but there's not many who stand out to me and the only one who does..." He glanced at Ryder then didn't continue.

  "What?" I asked as Ryder pointedly ignored both of us.

  "He's Lunar," Mars murmured to me, dropping back to walk at my side. "Ethan Shadowbrook. Powerful kid. He took out four freshmen with a single water strike in his Elemental class the other day. And he wasn't even paying much attention, he was too busy flirting with his classmate."

  "Maybe Dante would..." I trailed off, shaking my head as I realised it was pointless. He wasn't going to play alongside some Lunar guy even if he was just what our team needed. Their animosity ran too deep. Though it put Mars in an awkward position because it was his job to make the team the best it could be. But I'd already heard the rumours about Shadowbrook and he wasn't even some second rate, hang-around-in-the-back cheering on the Lunar crowd kinda guy. He was the sort looking to rise through its ranks fast. Ryder paid him more attention than he did almost any other person in his little club lately, apart from Bryce. And that meant he was going to be a fully-fledged enemy of Dante soon enough. Sometimes, I wondered how any Fae could waste so much time and effort to hate anyone. It must have been so tiring. I could take a nap just thinking about it.