“What the…” Jasin’s voice said from behind me, interrupting the moment.
Auric and I broke apart, although he kept his hand on my back as we turned to face Jasin. My soldier looked stunned and maybe a little angry, but he was still mouth-wateringly handsome. That would never change, I supposed. And with lust already coursing through me thanks to Auric’s kiss, it was hard not to want Jasin too. An image flashed in my head of being pressed between them with both their hands and mouths on me that sent heat straight to my core.
“Jasin.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. I didn’t know if I should feel guilty for kissing Auric or not. Soon I’d be kissing all of them, if everything went according to plan, but I still had no idea how to handle this or how to juggle the feelings of four men. Or my overwhelming attraction to each of them.
“Could we have a moment alone?” Jasin asked Auric.
Auric glanced at me. “Are you all right with that?”
I nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for making sure I was okay.”
“Any time.” He brushed his lips across mine, then straightened and gave Jasin a smug look before heading into the inn. I could practically feel the tension crackling in the air between them, and this new development would only make it worse.
Jasin swallowed, and my eyes couldn’t help but linger on his strong neck dusted with stubble. “You kissed him.”
“What? Jealous?” I asked, throwing his earlier words back at him.
“I am, yeah.” He looked down at the ground, with a strand of hair falling over his forehead that I itched to brush away. “I thought I would be the first.”
My heart softened at the vulnerability in his voice. “You’re going to be the first in other things.”
“I know. And I’m sorry about what happened in there. I swear, all of that is in the past. Nothing is going to happen with Minda or her sister or any other woman.” His words warmed my chest, but then he blew out a breath. “But seriously, that guy?”
And now my heart hardened again. “What’s your problem with Auric?”
“He’s a stuffy nobleman!” Jasin’s eyes flared, his jaw clenching. “Although maybe you like that sort of thing. He is rich, after all.”
I propped my hands on my hips. “I like him because he’s smart and kind and attentive, not because of his money. I don’t care about any of that. And if you want to stay in this group, you’re going to have to find a way to get along with him too.”
I brushed past him as I made my way into the inn, my whole body flushed with both desire and anger. I’d never understand how Jasin could be so damn sexy while driving me crazy at the same time. And I was supposed to bond with him in only a few days? Not likely.
21
Slade
I sat on the windowsill and observed the empty town lit with only moonlight and a few torches. I’d been on guard duty for an hour, but everything had been quiet so far. Nevertheless, I would remain vigilant to protect Kira and her other mates from any possible threats for the next few hours, when Auric would take my place.
Kira rose from the bed beside me and silently headed into the washroom. Jasin slept in the other bed, face down and completely out. He was a true soldier, able to fall into sleep the second his head touched the pillow and instantly alert the moment he got up. I had no doubt if I woke him now he’d be ready to fight on a second’s notice. The boy was a hothead, but I never once doubted his loyalty to Kira or his willingness to do whatever it took to keep her safe.
The other two, I wasn’t so sure. Auric seemed a decent fellow, but I was wary of him due to his background. I didn’t have any great love for noblemen, but he was smart, I’d give him that. He seemed to be interested in Kira as well, but was it for the right reasons? Or did he only want to be a part of this for the knowledge and power he could uncover along the way?
And Reven? I didn’t trust him at all, but he could have walked away a hundred times already, and he hadn’t. I planned to keep an eye on him, but I didn’t think he would put Kira in danger, not after how he’d defended her from the bandits. Even though he was distant now, I had a feeling he would come around eventually. If not, I’d be happy to show him the door. We had no room on this team for people who weren’t committed to our mission.
As I watched through the window, something caught my eye outside the stone fence. An air elemental. It glided along the perimeter of the town and looked like a swirling tornado with arms and glowing eyes. I’d seen a few elementals before, mostly rock and water ones, but never an air type.
Elementals were immune to their own element, so Auric would be useless against this one, but they were weak against the others. The Dragons were supposed to keep us safe from them, but elemental attacks were common enough that people had learned how to defend themselves from them. Of course, that hadn’t helped the village we’d visited last night. They’d clearly been unprepared for whatever had hit them and had fled the village instead of fighting back. But larger towns like this one were well fortified against elemental attacks. Other than the stone wall and the small moat, they also had a line of kindling next to a brazier they could easily light. I had no doubt that the guards were all trained in how to handle elementals as well, but I kept watch on the one below anyway.
We were just lucky it wasn’t a shade. They were even more rare than elementals, but deadlier—and very little could stop them.
When Kira returned from the washroom, she spotted me and paused. She wore her one chemise, which was thin enough to show off her curves and the outline of her pale breasts, though I forced myself not to stare. If I looked at her like that I might start feeling things I had no desire to feel.
“Can’t sleep?” I asked, my voice low so it wouldn’t wake Jasin.
She shook her head as she sat beside me on the windowsill. “How’s guard duty?”
“Quiet so far, although now we have a visitor.” I pointed at the air elemental as it hovered outside the wall.
Her eyes widened as she caught sight of it. “Should we be worried?”
“Not yet. It seems to be alone, and it can’t get through the town’s wall. If it did, the guards could probably handle it. But I’m keeping an eye on it in case I need to help fight it off.”
She nodded. “Let’s hope it’s just the one.”
I leaned back and let my gaze linger on her a little longer. Her long red hair hung about her shoulders and a frown touched her lush lips. She’d worn that frown ever since she’d run out of the inn earlier tonight. I had a feeling Auric and Jasin were involved, judging by their similar expressions, but I wasn’t sure if it was any of my business. Still, I didn’t like seeing her upset.
“You seem troubled,” I said.
“Is it that obvious?” She sighed. “Auric kissed me, Jasin’s an ass, and Reven won’t talk to me. You’re the only one I can stand to be around at the moment.”
“I’m honored,” I said, with a low chuckle.
She took a piece of her hair and began idly twirling it as she looked out the window. “I don’t know how to do this. I wasn’t prepared to be involved with one man right now, let alone four.”
I couldn’t stop staring at her. She was too damn beautiful, and she made my resolve to keep my distance from her crumble. “You’ll figure it out.”
“I have to, I suppose.” Her bright eyes found mine again in the darkness. “Do you ever wonder why we were chosen and not someone else?”
“Every damn day,” I muttered.
“Me too. I can’t stop questioning it all. Was I chosen for all of you, or were you chosen for me? What if the Gods chose wrong?”
“I’ve considered that too, but we must trust that they have a plan for us.”
Her lips quirked up slightly. “Your faith in them is inspiring.”
I shrugged. “I need to believe, otherwise I question everything too. Especially my place in this. I’m a simple blacksmith, nothing more. I don’t belong here.”
“Do you want to leave?” she asked sof
tly.
“No. Not at all.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry if I made it sound that way. I’m loyal to you and to our mission. Have no doubt about that.”
“But you don’t really want to be here.”
“It’s not that.” I ran a hand along my beard as I considered my words. “It’s more that I had a life I was content with already. A life I had no desire to leave behind.”
“I see.” She said, her voice quiet. “Did you leave someone behind?”
My chest clenched and at first, I couldn’t respond. “No,” I finally said. “There was someone once, but it’s over.”
Outside the window, the air elemental began moving toward the hills, leaving the town alone. My shoulders relaxed as he drifted out of sight. I didn’t want to fight anyone unless it was absolutely necessary, even an elemental.
“It’s gone,” I said, turning back to Kira. “And you should head back to bed.”
“I don’t know if I can sleep.”
Before I could stop myself, I said, “I can help. Turn around.”
She shifted on the windowsill so that her back was to me. I took hold of her luxurious red hair and considered wrapping it around my hand and pulling her head back so I could claim her mouth, but I restrained myself and simply moved it over her shoulder. Over the chemise, I rested my hands on her upper back, immediately feeling the tension in it. Her upper body was strong, probably from her skill with a bow, and I smoothed my hands across her, slowly kneading her muscles. She tipped back her head with a breathy sigh that made me instantly hard.
“That’s it, relax,” I said, my breath close to her ear.
“I’m the one who is supposed to be healing you,” she said.
“This is a different kind of healing.” My hands moved up to her shoulders and she let out a soft groan as I worked the muscles there. I hadn’t touched a woman like this in so long, and I hated to admit that I was enjoying it as much as she was. Compared to my large size she was so small and feminine, with soft skin and an inner strength that made her even more irresistible.
She relaxed against me and I trailed my fingers up the back of her graceful neck and into her hair. As my hand slid along her scalp, she leaned back against my chest and turned her head toward me. I caught her chin with my other hand, my eyes falling to her lips, which were open slightly and very inviting.
I stopped myself with my mouth only an inch away from hers. Gods, what was I doing? They’d surely put some kind of spell on me to make me desire her so. It took every ounce of self-restraint I had to release her. I quickly stood up and put some space between us before I could reach for her again.
She opened her eyes and looked at me with obvious disappointment. “Are you okay, Slade?”
“Fine,” I said tersely, while trying to gain control of myself again. “That should be enough to help you sleep.”
She rose to her feet and straightened her chemise. “Thanks for your help. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I pointedly looked away, my heart hammering in my chest. “Glad I could be of assistance.”
She slipped back into bed and I forced myself to sit back down and look outside again, when all I really wanted to do was crawl in bed beside her. I’d wrap my arms around her and keep her close to me all night, making sure she was safe and happy. I’d gladly do more too, if she wanted it.
I shook my head, disgusted with myself. I’d loved someone once, and I would never go down that path again. Especially not with a woman whose heart would be divided between four of us. I knew where that would lead, and it was nowhere good.
From now on, I had to keep my distance from Kira.
22
Kira
In the morning we had a quick breakfast at the tavern, where I tried to ignore the way Minda looked at Jasin, before we headed to the market to get supplies and some new clothes. We passed by dozens of covered stalls with people yelling about their goods, from stoneware to cloth to fruits and vegetables. Reven, Jasin, and Auric all went separate ways, while Slade stayed by my side for protection, though he didn’t say much to me. We’d almost kissed last night and I’d felt a real connection with him finally, but then he’d erected even more walls between us. Now his face was as hard as the stone he could control.
We passed by a stall selling weapons, and Slade took a moment to compliment the owner on their fine craftsmanship. I eyed a sword that would be the perfect size for me, and even held it in my hand briefly to feel its weight, before I put it back and turned away with a heavy heart. I longed for a sword of my own to be able to defend myself better, but I only had a few coins to my name and didn’t want to abuse Auric’s generosity.
As we continued through the market to pick up the supplies we needed, I tried not to get off track, though it was hard not to be tempted. There were dozens of things I wanted, including some new clothes and a horse, but the more frugal we were now the longer the money would last us.
After Slade and I picked up all the supplies we needed, we found Auric at a stall selling old books, which made me smile. Where else would he be, after all?
“Find anything?” I asked.
Auric closed the book he was flipping through. “Not here, unfortunately. I did get some new clothes, and I bought you a present as well.”
He handed me a long, heavy package, and I immediately knew what it was. I tore the paper open and found the sword I’d been looking at earlier. The blade shone under the bright sunlight, while the hilt was simple and black, but it was exactly what I wanted. Auric had also gotten me a new sword belt made of black leather, which I couldn’t wait to strap onto my waist.
“Thank you so much,” I said to Auric. “But this is too much, really.”
“Nonsense. I saw you admiring the sword earlier and knew you had to have it, for your own protection if nothing else.” He slid his hand around my waist, drawing me close as his eyes gazed into mine. “If things were different, I’d buy you everything you could ever want. Gowns of the finest silks. Jewels to complement your beauty. An entire library full of books, or a whole arsenal of weapons, if that was more your style. But unfortunately, none of those things are practical right now, so this will have to do.”
“I love it.” I slid my arms around his neck. “Thank you, Auric.”
He brought his lips to mine, while Slade crossed his arms and looked at everything except us. I pulled away from Auric quickly, feeling awkward about kissing one of my mates in front of another. I wasn’t sure any of us were ready for that yet.
Slade cleared his throat. “We should get back on the road soon.”
We returned to the inn and found Reven waiting outside by the stables, looking impatient and bored. I couldn’t tell if he had bought anything or not.
“Have you seen Jasin?” I asked.
“He’s upstairs, first door on the right,” Reven said, with distaste. “Might want to knock first though.”
“Thanks.” I headed inside to find our wayward soldier while the other men loaded our supplies onto the horses. The place had cleared out since last night, and I didn’t see any sign of Jasin anywhere. My stomach sank as I realized what he must be doing. And with whom.
“Jasin?” I called out, as I rushed up the stairs.
I knocked on the first door, but then threw it open with a burst of anxious energy. Jasin stood inside without a shirt on, while Minda, the waitress from last night, sat on the bed with a smile. My jaw fell open and I could only glance between the two of them, completely speechless. Even though I’d suspected this was what he was doing, it was still so much worse seeing it in person.
“It’s not what you think,” Jasin said quickly. But I’d already turned on my heel and walked out of the room.
He rushed after me into the hallway, then caught my arm to pull me back to him. He moved close, his naked chest only inches away. Muscles rippled across his skin, showing all the contained strength and power in his body. I swallowed as I forced my gaze up to his face, but that wasn’t any better becaus
e he was so handsome he made my chest ache. Especially when I thought of him with that other woman.
“Her brother is about my size and I was trading my clothes for his,” Jasin said. “Getting rid of my uniform, like you suggested. That was all. Nothing happened, I swear it.”
“She was watching you change!”
“I was trying on a shirt to make sure it fit. She saw nothing more than you’re seeing now.”
I glanced down at his words, taking his body in again. He was so warm I could feel the heat radiating off him, and he smelled good, like a bonfire on a cool night. I had the strongest urge to press myself against him, tilt my head up to his, and ask him to give me some of that warmth too. But then Minda walked out of the room and gave us a smirk before heading down the stairs back to the tavern, and jealousy and hurt rose up in me again. I pulled away.
“Kira?” Jasin asked.
“It’s fine,” I said. “I just came to tell you we’re leaving soon.”
“No, it’s not.” He took my hand and led me into the room, then shut the door behind us. “I can tell you’re upset. What can I say or do to make it better?”
“I have no right to be upset. What you do with other women is no business of mine. We’ve never made any promises to each other and I know you didn’t choose this life with me.”
His dark eyes were intense and serious as he gazed into mine. “Kira, I’m yours and yours alone. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be but by your side.”
Gods, how I wanted that to be true, and how I wanted to believe him. But no matter how much I desired him and wanted him for myself, I wasn’t sure I could trust him. I pressed my back against the door, my heart racing. “You don’t need to say that. You don’t even know me.”
Stroke The Flame Page 9
