by Nikki Hunter
She lifted her heated gaze to Lance’s face. His dark caramel eyes a mix of sorrow and humor. The crowd parted around them and ignored the two as they stood there a foot away from each other not speaking for what felt like hours.
“Dance with me?” Lance finally rasped out.
“Forget it. I’m clearly not in the mood.”
The tempo slowed and couples began to form on the dance floor. The mass dissolving into small romances; some not so shy as others about their love.
“Just one. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Then I won’t give you an answer at all.” Camila pulled her hand away from him quickly. Taking two steps away before he wrapped his arms around her waist stopping her as their bodies aligned.
“Then don’t say anything,” he whispered into her ear.
Camila turned to face him. That one piece of hair that was always just too stubborn to stay slicked back fell over his forehead.
“Are you going to keep at this ‘til I dance with you?” She sighed, balancing one hand against her hip.
As Lance nodded, a smirk lifted the corners of his full lips.
“You know this is called harassment.” Camila took his hand, stepping up to him. His large grasp stayed on her waist as they stepped together into the crowd of lovers. Loudly, he laughed, startling the nearest couple.
Camila continued, ignoring his amusement. “I thought when I first met you lot that it would be fun and flirty. Four guys… five once Bekket joined the party, was like an exciting fantasy. Turns out it’s just a lot like having five giant children.”
“Is it now?”
As the music swelled, Lance led them. Though Camila wasn’t familiar with their dance or their music, this was her element. Never did she stumble or miss a step.
Lance cleared his throat, “I never got to tell you how stunning you look tonight. Though, I am starting to miss the lingerie.”
“Oh, so now you like the lingerie? That won’t be happening anytime soon, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“Why not?”
Her eyes narrowed, “Tell me why you were banished. Why did you steal?”
“I don’t want to talk about that.”
“Oh, really? Now isn’t a good time? You only had the opportunity, like, five million times before now. Well, Lance, what do you want to talk about then?”
His thumb rubbed against her hand as they waltzed. His gaze shifting from the floor to the crowd and back to the floor again before he settled it on Camila with a small smile.
“I mean, you could tell me how nice I look tonight.”
Camila barked a laugh. “I think your bow tie is stupid.”
“What, this?” He pulled away, tugging at the white bow. “It makes me look fucking grand.”
“It makes you look like a huge nerd. But I suppose if that’s the part you play, you might as well dress it, right?”
His dark eyes rolled as he slowly pushed her away and spun her. Her shoulders leaned into his wide chest upon her return.
“So now you are calling me a nerd?”
“Mmhmm.” Camila raised her eyebrows.
As the music slowed to a stop, couples paused to give quick applause to musicians. Pulling away from Lance, she nodded. Lance’s eyes drifted over her body and she turned and walked away without another word.
In her absence, Kade appeared at his side. His attention also followed the sway of Camila’s hips as she disappeared into the crowd.
“Did you tell her about Layla?” Kade’s voice was rough as he spoke; strained as he fought with his magic.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t need her pity.”
Kade bowed his head. His hand lifted to cup his friend’s shoulder for a minute. “It’s not her pity you need, it’s her forgiveness. Tell her the damn story.”
Lance glanced at Kade. As their eyes met, a small reassurance passed between them before they parted ways to sway this kingdom to their cause.
Chapter Eleven
Clean
Camila rubbed at the ache within her shoulders as she stumbled toward the bathroom. The bathing pool, really, she thought as she entered. The room was just as big as their shared quarters, with multiple tubs that were as deep as a swimming pool and round enough to seat three to four people in each. She began to undress, letting the silky dress she wore fall to her feet. A sound caught her attention, and she whirled herself around to find Yehven leaning against the wall.
“Oh, just you. Thought it might be slutzilla.”
“Slutzilla?” Yehven smiled. His eyes took in her bare body.
She straightened, dropping the remnants of her clothing to the floor. “That’s what I’ve decided to call Kym.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, seems to really fit her character.” Camila smirked, “How was your night? Did you rally the people?”
Laughing quietly, his hand skimmed the blonde scruff over his chin. “No, not many. Hard to do that when Kym has years of boring, unhelpful stories to spew out at me.”
Yehven’s smile turned into a smirk as his attention began to devour Camila’s image. He pushed himself off the wall and pulled his own shirt up and over his head.
Camila tried to contain herself, tried to control the need of the bond that demanded their bodies be touching at all times, but as his clothing fell away she had to focus all of her attention on his face. Not the perfect planes on his abs that led… down.
Her eyes flickered over his image and back up in a moment of weakness that left her knees wobbling at his perfection. Even his scars added to it and made it somehow better.
Holding her head high, Camila turned to walk into the nearest tub. Warm water licked up her calves until she submerged the rest of her body.
Yehven sauntered up behind her and followed her into the tub. Finding himself a spot to lean against along the edge, he tilted his head at Camila.
“Come,” he rasped out.
Oh, I just fucking might before I even touch you. Camila thought, terrified by the trembles that began to race through her body.
But she continued forward, inching until she stood in front of him, steam rising up in clouds between them.
Yehven reached behind him to the pile of soaps, perfumes, and sponges that sat next to the water. He found a small white sponge and lathered it up before he slowly stroked it over the makeup and perfume on Camila’s skin. Her breath caught as the sponge ran over the crest of her breasts before trailing lazily over her stomach.
His smile lifted at her reaction, but he whispered, “It’s just a bath, Camila.”
She nodded standing still as he washed away the pain, even the hurt of thinking of him ever loving another woman when their bond was so strong.
“Turn.” His voice rose quietly with the steam in the room.
As she rotated, he ran his fingers through her hair, massaging against her scalp with soap. She lowered herself into the water and dipped her hair to rinse when he was finished.
Still facing away from Yehven, she felt his hands wrap around her waist as he tugged her onto him. The soapy water was slick between their bodies as she slid into his arms. She marveled at how good they felt; almost a homey feeling.
Soft lips met the base of her neck, caressing her damp skin until heat scorched underneath their touch. One hand firmly held her hip, while the other skimmed the skin on her thigh before Yehven’s fingers slid over the sensitive bundle of nerves on their way to her entrance. He rubbed up and down a few times before the slickness of the water assisted his fingers as they slid inside her. Camila practically purred, and she rolled her hips against his hand. The pressure of his cock against her ass was a reassurance of his own feelings.
“Take it slow,” he almost growled into her as he pressed his mouth against her shoulder. However, it was too much for Camila and going slow just wasn’t her thing.
Pulling away, she turned before crashing into him, her lips finding his. His tongue chased
hers as his hands kneaded against her breasts. The hardness of his length was pressed between them, reminding Camila even more of both of their needs; of the mate bond that hadn’t been consummated yet.
With shaky fingers, Camila wound her hands into his hair and pressed him further into her as she deepened the kiss. His chest rumbled as he moaned into her.
“I said slow,” he whispered as he pulled away, his dark eyes blazing.
She chewed her lip, reaching between them to stroke him, his skin even silkier within the water. The feeling of his hardness in her hands, throbbing under her touch, only turned her on more.
Water splashed as he disappeared, moving faster than Camila could catch, from his spot in front of her to stand behind her. Camila gasped as one of his rough hands knotted into her hair while he bent her over the edge of the tub. She gripped at the edge, closing her eyes with a heavy breath as his other hand reached around to draw circles over clit. Her body was humming with the need to be filled, and she moaned while gripping Yehven’s hand that played between her legs.
He pressed himself forward, the tip of his cock teasing over her once, twice, then three times before he eased his length into her.
“Fuck.” He growled into her as the steady pace of his hips picked up.
Camila cried out as he slid in and out of her, the water lapped against their bodies with the movements. She shook as pleasure rolled within her. Her knees threatened to give out under her weight, but Yehven wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him as he ravaged her body again and again until he found his release.
***
Stepping out of their room for some fresh air, far away from her mates that seemed to muddle her mind, Camila smiled into the dark and empty hallway. She only wanted to take a small break. A smile played on her lips at the thought of the moment of pleasure she had with Yehven only minutes before. Her smile turned wicked as she thought of the just-fucked wetness that still lingered.
Camila’s body forcefully crashed against the wall as something rammed against her side. Someone pushed against her violently. A quiet yelp tumbled from her lips just before bone cold fingers found their way over her mouth. Her breath was hot against the hand. The stranger’s slim figure held Camila tightly as she tried to push away. With a sideways glance she caught the voluminous curls of Kym.
“Genie,” she hissed into Camila’s ear. “You’ve brought earth’s war to the wrong realm.”
A heavy pressure formed in Camila’s abdomen, a sensation that confused her senses as adrenaline coursed through her body. Kym held a sharp blade that she plunged into Camila’s stomach two more times.
Blood soaked through the cloth of her shirt as her knees buckled under her. They cracked against the tiled floors as she hit the ground; the sound less scary than Kym’s steps as she stalked around her. Looking up into Kym’s eyes, she didn’t flinch as Kym brought the blade to her neck and smoothly sliced it across her throat.
Chapter Twelve
As Fate Would Have It
Black smoke curled under and over Camila’s fingertips as she knelt on the porcelain tiles. She’d been here before; crouched at the foot of their throne, her memories fogged. It’s where it all began and it’s where it always ended. Regeneration always came with a visit to the fates. Not her favorite part of being in the jin alliance.
Camila took a deep breath and kept her face pointed down with her eyes focused on the dark mist that danced around her palm. Annoyance ticked under her skin as she tried to prepare herself the best she could.
“Oh, rise now, child.” His dark, heavy voice rang across the space. “Camila, you have done us good.”
Standing, Camila held back her shudder from the cold that brushed against her bare skin as an odd, empty feeling churned in her gut. Regeneration was much like rebirth. The jin were born into this world naked, and that’s exactly how they were to be reborn.
“Hello, Abaddon.” She licked her lips, placing her hands on her hips. He sat on his charcoal throne with his inky hair hanging down over the lean muscle of his chest with that grin; the one that left it’s impression on the world.
“Now, he doesn’t deserve your attention, our dearest Camila. Eyes here,” the other man sang, gesturing to his own umber colored skin from where he sat on his porcelain throne.
“And they call me the vain one, Nazar.” Abaddon turned his hungry eyes away from Camila.
Nazar waved his hand at his friend. His shaggy chestnut hair fell across his forehead. Camila noted that the two fates were here, but they were missing their wife.
“Where is Octavia?” she blurted, a blush creeping over her cheeks.
Abaddon bolted out of his seat, onyx dust following his naked form.
“Speak her name no more!” he bellowed, the force of his words sending a wave of power from him like a wind meant to sweep Camila away to hell.
“Oh, Abbi.” Nazar’s lips parted in a humored grin, “Don’t frighten the poor girl. She is one of our very best. Isn’t she?”
Abaddon nodded his head before running his hand over his face in attempt to control his features.
“Got a temper, my friend here.” He wagged his finger at Abaddon. “Octavia is a bit preoccupied with our lesser species. She’s been a bit uncontrollable these days.”
Nazar stood from his throne, strolling up to Camila. The unblemished hands of his reached out to cup her face, his thumb stroking along her cheek.
Camila forced herself to be still under his touch, even when a wave of nausea swept over her. Averting her eyes, she listened to the two ramble and waited for her reassignment.
“You know,” he continued, “a thunderstorm here, a hurricane there. If the humans didn’t do so much harm to her beloved planet, perhaps they wouldn’t receive the wrath of Mother Nature herself.”
As she inhaled, Abaddon disappeared from her sight and reappeared behind her. The hard planes of his body pressed against her. His want was evident as his length pressed against her back.
“Can we keep this one for a bit?” Abaddon whispered into her hair as his fingers drummed against her shoulder. “It’s been too long without our Octavia.”
With pursed lips, Nazar stepped away, dropping his arms from Camila. “Do you know not of commitment? Nothing at all?”
Abaddon hummed and slowly wrapped his hands in Camila’s hair. “Just been too long…”
With a hard yank, he pulled Camila to her knees.
“Abaddon!” Nazar shouted, his palm pushing against Abaddon’s chest with a burst of power that sent Camila backwards on her ass, her hair falling out of the fate’s hands. Quickly, she scrambled forward until she was on all fours.
It was then and there, under the sound of the fates’ squabble, that slivers of Camila’s memory returned. Her head began to throb as scene after scene played in her mind’s eye. Snippets of the her time with her last bonded came hurtling forward.
The cocky twitch of Zayn’s lips. Yehven’s rough hands combing through her hair. Looking up at Bekket from his lap in the driver seat of a silver van. The tart scent of pine as Lance stared down at her. Kade wrapping his arms around her in the far off kitchen of their home. Home.
They hadn’t been home. They had been in the castle of a fae queen with that terrible ex of Yehven’s. No- not just an ex; a demon. She was a demon, Camila realized. How had she concealed it so well? Camila should have been able to sense her magic the moment they stood in the same room.
Camila jumped to her feet. “Mates. My Mates. There is a demon.”
The two stopped, their chests rising and falling in the heat of the argument. Abaddon snarled at her, his hair fanning out from the wind of his turn.
“They aren’t your mates.” Nazar cocked his head, and a smile teased at his lips. “Did you really think a genie could be the “mate” of not one but five fae males?”
“I know it’s crazy, but it’s true,” she continued.
Both the men before her leaned back, laughing loud enough that a
power driven air current began to pick up her hair. Goosebumps formed along her arms.
“Lovely, they are not your mates,” Abaddon purred. Turning, he casually walked back to his crumbling seat and plopped down in a cloud of black smoke.
Nazar stood alone before her now. “We could satisfy your needs if that is what you are looking for.”
“No, you don’t get it. There is this bond...it’s different than the bond of the jin. I could feel it!” She exclaimed throwing her hands in the air, feeling for the bond that was no longer there. Her chest started to tighten, a terrible ache burning inside her.
“No, you don’t get it.” Abaddon spat.
“Camila…” Nazar said, “that ‘mate’ bond was only part of the plan to get one of our own into their realm with no questions asked. Why would you even serve the fae? You bow down to humans. You bow down to us.”
“Your loyalty is blind,” Abaddon said as he ran his hands up and down the length of his thighs. His statement earned a disapproving glance from Nazar.
Nazar continued, “We had to keep you locked up in that stinking clock for so long before those goofs even found you. Talk about having patience for your plan to pan out.”
“What?”
“Demons have weaseled their way into the high ranks of the fae. They are making a power move against us. We won’t stand for it. So we sent you.” Nazar's casual shrug sparked an angry fire in Camila.
“You couldn’t tell me? You just used me?” she growled. Channeling the sparks she had seen dance against Zayn’s skin, electricity began to roll in her palms.
“Hun, you can’t win against us. I don’t understand your anger. You would serve for any other reason, what is different about this?” Nazar looked bored as he, too, returned to his seat. They glanced at each other over the floral covered chair that Octavia would normally be in.
“You dabbled with my emotions. You forced love on me, then you ripped it away.”
White bubbled and sparked before her and reached out to tease at the fates’ feet. The pair smirked at her threat; at her rage that took the stage before them.
