by Ginna Moran
The world shifts with a wave of ice water. It swallows us whole, stealing my breath. My lungs burn with the need to breathe but if I open my mouth, I will inhale the sparkling blue water and drown. I can’t even get my arms to swim. If Quillon were to let go, I’d get dragged into the blue depths of this strange body of water.
I think I pass out.
One moment, my eyes burn while my body trembles, and in the next, everything turns dark. The darkness consumes me for what feels like eternity or seconds or who the hell knows how long. Time stops in the darkness, the glow of the light now gone. Loneliness consumes me, and I wonder if this is it. If this is the true prison of my existence. I wish I knew what I did to deserve such a fate. I wasn’t a bad person. All I wanted was to live my life free from things that bound me. I just wanted to live.
I still want to live.
A wave of heat cascades over my spirit, lighting the darkness threatening to imprison me forever. Warmth blossoms from my chest to flow through the rest of me. Relief and happiness and something unlike anything I’ve ever felt wraps me in a blanket of emotions that I know don’t belong to me.
“Again,” Maddox says, his voice sounding in my ears. “All together.”
Bright flames light the air above me, warming the remaining ice in my veins. Three silhouettes hover around me, and feeling returns to my body. Rowan and Kash each hold one of my hands while Maddox cradles my head on his lap. Their fiery eyes rove over me, searching me from head to toe.
I squeeze my eyes shut, clearing my vision from the water still dripping from my hair. Is this real? Are Maddox, Rowan, and Kash here or am I fantasizing it?
“If you were fantasizing, kitten, it would be a lot hotter than this,” Kash says, responding to my thought. He squeezes my fingers and pulls my hand to his mouth to kiss my knuckles. “You wouldn’t be the only one naked.”
I bolt upright, but Maddox doesn’t let me get even a few inches of space between us. He pulls me close, nestling me between his legs. I sink into his embrace, my body wanting nothing more than for him to continue to hold me like this. Rowan scoots closer and drapes his big shirt across my naked body and sandwiches me to Maddox like he can’t resist.
“I love your doe eyes, but I never want to see them so scared again, Nova,” he whispers, easing back only to meet me for a kiss. “I’m sorry I failed you. Lazlo should’ve never gotten within arm’s reach. Inmate D6—Quillon’s ass might’ve survived the fall despite my intervention.”
I tense at Quillon’s name. “Fuck. Quillon—”
“Saved your life, Red,” Quillon says. “I also kept up my end of the bargain. I got you all through. Now it’s time to pay up.”
My eyebrows shoot up on my forehead. “What?”
Maddox releases a growl and gets to his feet. Kash takes his spot and nuzzles his chin into the crook of my neck, snuggling me close. His cinnamon breath sends a good shiver through me, but it quickly dissipates at the sight of Maddox balling his fist.
“We owe you nothing. You didn’t open the gate,” Maddox says, his voice echoing through the quiet forest. It looks strangely like the one outside the prison walls, but something is off. The night seems duller, the moon doesn’t shine as bright, and I can’t see many stars through the sparse trees.
“But I brought her through,” Quillon says. “I helped you free her. The deal stands. You owe me a cure.”
Rose hums, drawing my attention to her as she leans against a tree trunk. “He’s right, Drekis. If you fail to hold up your end, your brother will bow and he gets a piece of Nova.”
Maddox responds with a holler, grabbing Quillon by the front of his shirt to hoist him off his feet. A loud crack sounds through the air, startling me. Maddox drops Quillon to the ground in time to turn toward the noise coming from the trees.
Electric purple light ignites out of nowhere, spiraling in his direction.
My muscles tense and spasm at the sight of an unfamiliar man blasting his way toward us through the forest. The world shifts, an ache shuddering through my body as my dragon breaks free.
The man stops in his place and cocks his head at me.
I open my dragon mouth and engulf him in vibrant flames. My dragon craves to consume him completely and to protect the Drekis. In this moment, they feel like the most important things in the world to me—at least to my dragon.
“Delphia, stop!” Maddox rushes toward me, facing the wrath of my fire to get between me and the unfamiliar man. “Stop. It’s okay. He’s a gatekeeper. Rhett’s coven brother.”
“I felt the collapse of the shield. What the fuck, Dreki? There isn’t a gate here,” the man says, stepping closer.
I release a growl from deep in my throat, my dragon-self needing this guy to stay the fuck back from Maddox. My overwhelming desire to protect him surprises the hell out of me. Maddox swivels on his feet and raises his hand, backing until I shadow over him and he can rest his palm to my belly.
“Down, cookie,” he says, tipping his head up to smile at me. “I have this under control. Be a good girl and try not to murder him. We just got you out of Max. I’d prefer if you didn’t drag any more damn attention to us.”
His scolding annoys me, so I stretch my long neck to curl my head around to face him. The fucker continues to smile and has the nerve to lean in and kiss me on the nose. I huff a steamy breath and nudge him hard enough to send him falling on his ass.
Rowan laughs. “Time for payback, brother.”
The man clears his throat. “One of you get her under control before I link to the damn collar on her neck and do it for you. This area isn’t protected, and the last thing I need is to deal with a mortal stumbling upon a damn dragon out here.”
Kash releases a guttural noise from his throat, stomping from his place. Neither Maddox nor Rowan stop him as he swings his arm and uppercuts the man, knocking him off his feet. “Touch her and I’ll rip your head off. She doesn’t know how to control it yet. She didn’t grow up in Magaelorum nor does she know her clan. Now get your ass up, apologize to Nova, and get that damn magical collar off her, Baker.”
Kash shoves his hands into Baker’s chest and pushes up. Rowan intervenes, ensuring the warlock doesn’t retaliate and offers his hand to him, helping him to his feet. Strolling up next to Maddox, Kash rests his palms on the side of my face, hugging me like it’s no big deal that I’m in my towering dragon form.
“I know you’re on the defense, but it’s going to be okay. I swear on my life that I won’t let anything happen to you.” His voice trickles into my mind, prodding at the imaginary steely shield protecting me. “Close your eyes, kitten. Close your eyes and just imagine the form you want to be in. It’s that easy. Your dragon will listen.”
I huff out a breath.
“Stop being so damn stubborn and do it,” Maddox says, patting my snout. “Don’t make me transform and make you.”
Kash play-punches his brother. “Knock it off. She loves testing you.”
Motioning for Baker to stay near Quillon and Rose, Rowan joins his brothers. He offers me a smirk and shoves between them to rest his hand on my chin. “If you transform, I’ll pin Maddox down and you can punch him in the cock for his bullshit...or I’ll let you pin me down and you can have your way with me.”
“And I’ll join,” Kash says, teasingly. “But you have to transform into your sexy, mortal form or we’d risk turning this forest into fields and the hills into valleys.”
Maddox groans and rests his forehead against my scaly skin. “Close your eyes and remember that you’re strong and fierce no matter what form you take. You’re our mate and surely the most powerful being in the universe.”
My soul swells at their closeness, my heart and mind aligning, feeling more content than I ever knew possible. Closing my eyes, I huff another breath through my nostrils and embrace the strange heat diminishing in my body. My muscles spasm with my transformation, the world shifting around me. I gasp a cool breath of air through my lips, tasting the cinnamon flavor
of Kash’s mouth as he steals my breath with a kiss.
He shrugs out of his undershirt and tugs it over my head to ensure no one apart from his brothers gets another look at my naked body. “That was fucking incredible. Perfect. You’re a natural.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Hardly, but thanks.”
“All right, Baker,” Maddox says, resting his hand on my shoulder while turning toward the warlock. “Time to get the collar off of her.”
Baker cautiously steps forward, keeping his hands at his sides. Rowan doesn’t let him get within reach and forces him to take a look at me from over his shoulder. Gathering my hair, Kash piles it in his hand, lifting it from my neck. He gently nudges me to turn around so that Baker can see the strange necklace glowing on my neck.
Baker purses his lips. “How the hell did she get that control collar on her? The High Council banned the use of those a century ago. I thought it was one of the standard restraints or a damn CO training tool. But she’s not training is she?”
“We cannot discuss such matters. Just know that Delphia is our mate.” Maddox gets in front of me protectively. “If you cannot help us, then we will find someone who will.” Growling, he motions to his brothers to go to Quillon and Rose.
Kash points at Baker. “You did not see us, understand? Consider it one of your debts paid. If you can help with the collar, I’ll clear all debts.”
Baker groans and laces his fingers behind his head. “I will need to discuss it with my high priestess. I’ll need her guidance as I’m unfamiliar with this dark of magic.”
Maddox dips his head in agreement. “Good. There are other matters which I need to discuss with her. Show us the way.”
Chapter 19
Fugitives
I CAN’T STOP staring out the window, wondering how long until Maddox returns from his meeting with the Lioht High Priestess. A grand mansion glows across an expansive lawn and away from the small cottage Baker led us to. I can’t blame the Drekis for wanting him to be as discrete as possible, considering they’ve abandoned their duties at the Maximum Magical Penitentiary to help three convicts escape.
“It could be hours, kitten,” Kash says, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “Come let us give you the attention we desperately need to after everything. Rowan drew a bath, and I brought you a few things to eat from the kitchen.”
“And after, maybe you’d like us to snuggle you for a bit,” Rowan adds, drawing my attention away from the window to glance at him.
A smile creeps on my face as I drink in the sight of him only wearing a pair of boxer-briefs, which gives me a delicious view of his ripped body. Kash turns me around completely, and I drop my gaze to all his naked sexiness. His well-hung dick already hardens under my attention.
I reach between us and graze my fingers along his shaft. “Do you plan on joining me or something?”
“If you’re inviting me. I can handfeed you anywhere you please,” he says, hooking his fingers to my hip to slide them farther up my body and under the long T-shirt of his I’m wearing. “And as much as I love seeing you in something of mine, I can’t wait to see you out of it.”
“We could all use a bit of distracting, don’t you think?” Rowan asks, opening his arms to me. “If you don’t allow us, you’ll be forcing us to break Maddox’s orders, and you know what an asshole he is when we don’t listen to him.”
I bite my lip between my teeth. “So you both want my attention?” It’s something they’ve brought up before, but it never occurred to me that it might actually happen. How I’m going to handle such an adventure leaves my body yearning to at least try.
Kash hooks his fingers to the hem of my shirt and tests to see if I let him pull it up. I do, shivering under the sensation of his fingers grazing over my stomach. “Actually, we want to give you our attention, Nova. Seeing that asshole stab you and take your life, even if only temporary, it messed me up. A piece of me died in that moment, and I never, and I mean never, want to ever experience such pain again.”
My breath catches, and I tilt my head up to lock my gaze to his, searching his face for the truth. “I-I died?” It’s nearly unbelievable, but a part of me knows it’s true.
Kash leans forward and groans against my bare shoulder, drawing his fingers up my ribs, leaving a trail of heat behind. “One sure way to escape Max is through death. The brands react to your life force, and if you don’t have one—fuck. I can’t lose you, kitten. I can’t even think of that again. It makes me want to live every second giving you everything you could ever want and desire...which is hopefully us.”
“Because you’re all we want,” Rowan says, wiggling his fingers until I come to him. “You’re our mate. More mesmerizing than I ever imagined. Beyond my heart’s desire. Seeing you in your true form, Nova, made my existence feel complete.”
“And if you’re nervous...we’ll do things how and when you want in your own time. We just want to be with you.” Kash nudges me closer to Rowan. “However you please.”
I step into Rowan’s arms, sliding my hands up his chest and over his shoulders to play with the tousled strands of his hair. “What about Maddox?” My mind keeps drifting to him as I wonder what he’s arranging with the Lioht High Priestess.
“He’d be angry if we didn’t take care of your needs. He wouldn’t dare want you to wait on him.” Leaning in, he caresses his lips to mine, linking his fingers to my hip to tug me with him while Kash guides me forward from behind.
“Plus, he still deserves a bit of sweet retaliation for his hesitation. If you keep your thoughts open to him, it’ll be the perfect brand of punishment,” Kash teases.
I giggle and bump my head to his chest. “I do like to drive him crazy. Get him all hot and bothered.”
Rowan kisses me again. “If that’s what you want.”
Warmth and excitement spark between my legs, my desire ignited by the soft candlelight illuminating the dimly lit bathroom. A floral fragrance permeates the air, and I inhale a small breath, the scent mixing with Rowan and Kash’s as they both memorize my body with their hands.
Kash runs his fingers over my breasts while Rowan slips a finger between my legs to rub my body in a way that makes me moan. I break from his mouth and kiss down his throat, letting his neck go only so I can feel the hardness of his dick in my hand. Tugging his underwear down, I lace my fingers around him and stroke him, making him moan.
He backs up until we reach a lounge chair situated in a corner of the grand bathroom where a dressing area divides the room. Sitting down, he scoots back, guiding me with him so that I rest on my knees. I kiss him again, slipping my tongue into his mouth, tasting the spicy-sweetness of his lips.
Kash lifts my long hair and brushes his lips to the back of my neck. Drawing his tongue over my sensitive skin, he licks a line down my spine before lowering himself to his back. Rowan hooks his fingers to my hips and lifts me up a few inches, and I moan so fucking loud as he lowers me onto Kash’s face. My mind spins with lust and need and desire, my body exploding under so much attention I can’t believe I’ve had to live my life without up until now.
Silencing my moan with a passionate kiss, Rowan explores my mouth with his tongue while rubbing my nipples with his fingers. I grab his dick again, sliding my hand up and down the length of his shaft, my movements desperate because of the wave of pleasure Kash ignites inside me by sucking and licking and flicking his tongue over my clit like it’s his sole duty in life to make me orgasm.
“It is now,” Rowan murmurs against my lips, responding to my thought.
Another wave of intense desire crashes over me, stealing my breath. Rowan and Kash open themselves to me to experience them on a level that feels like we’re a shared soul between our bodies. The intensity of our emotions mingling and the pleasure rolling through my body brings me to my peak. Rowan kisses me as I orgasm from Kash’s attention, holding me as I shudder through the amazing, mind-blowing sensation gripping every molecule inside me while making me squeeze Kash between
my thighs.
If Rowan didn’t ease me up, I don’t think I’d ever move. Because fuck. I need to experience the kind of pleasure I had no idea existed until I allowed these sexy men into my life. No man before them can even compare. I’ve never had anyone wanting to ensure that I got what I wanted and needed first. Every man before only wanted a quick way to get off with nothing much for me.
“Now, I need to make you forget all those selfish bastards and show you what it’s like being a dragon clan’s mate.” Kash tugs me toward him by my hips and rubs his hand up the length of my back, getting me to rest on my elbows. Sliding his hand around my waist, he adjusts my legs to tuck them beneath me.
Releasing a soft giggle, I shake my ass at him, making him hum. He kisses each of my ass cheeks and swats me playfully from behind.
I extend my arms out and caress my fingers over Rowan’s thighs, getting him to move closer. He gathers my hair into his hands and twists it out of the way to watch as I lace my seemingly small hand around his astonishing girth. He moans at the sensation of my tongue gliding over him, tasting the skin of his smooth balls. Kash purrs deep in his throat from behind me, aligning his body to mine. He doesn’t enter me right away but watches me pleasure Rowan. I listen to Rowan’s moans, letting his voice guide me on what he likes best. He plays with my hair, his muscles flexing and rippling under the exploration of my free hand as I trace his abs.
“Ready for me, kitten?” Kash asks, slipping a finger inside me to tease and test me.
I hum my agreement, continuing to work my mouth over Rowan’s raging boner, enjoying as he plays with my nipples like he can’t help touching me while I pleasure him. The room fills with the melodic sounds of our passion, our pants and moans so hot and sexy it turns me on even more.
