Fire & Ice

by Aurelia Skye

  That should’ve been reassuring, but it just left her disgruntled. Perhaps she had a plethora of choices, and there really wasn’t a good excuse not to hone the skill, but she still didn’t want to do it. She supposed fear wouldn’t count for much of anything as a reason. Even to herself, she knew it wasn’t a good motive to avoid training to control her shifter abilities.

  There was a knock on the door then, and she let out a startled gasp as she got to her feet. The fae fabric responded by forming a robe just in time to cover her before Ryland and Marek slipped inside. That made her realize neither she nor Eli had locked the door.

  She could tell from their frowns that they knew something had happened, but perhaps hadn’t identified what. No doubt, Eli’s sharper sense of smell would’ve told him if any of them before him had been engaged in a similar activity when he came in, but perhaps they lacked that sense.

  “Kriss wants to take you on a tour of this godforsaken side of the planet,” said Marek. “Spoiler: It’s hot.”

  Forcing a smile, and soon feeling excited to see them, she moved a little closer. “That sounds fun.” The fae fabric must’ve sensed her capitulation to the idea, because it quickly formed into khaki shorts and a khaki short-sleeved shirt.

  Eli burst out laughing. “You look like you’re ready for a scout meeting.”

  The fabric must have a sense of humor, because another change happened. Something that looked like an embossed badge appeared on the chest of the shirt. She bent closer to see it, but Ryland must’ve been the one to read it first, because he started laughing.

  “What does it say?” asked Eli.

  “Werewolf killer.”

  Eli grumbled, glaring at the shirt for a moment before shrugging. “Tell that thing I’m not a werewolf. I’m a shifter.”

  She fell into step between the three of them as the exited the room, asking, “Is there a difference?”

  “Not really, but we don’t use the term were- anything. Just a shifter. It’s only in Earth folklore and fiction that you find the word werewolf.”

  They occupied themselves with conversation as they exited the castle and met the others in front of a massive vehicle that was taller and longer than the one that had transported them to the castle the day before. That allowed all six of them to fit in there, and once they were surrounding her inside, she was completely content once more.

  Each offered something different, and made her feel differently, but together, they offered something she hadn’t realized she was missing—a sense of completeness, the totality of filling the hole she’d carried with her over the years without awareness. As the tour got underway, she privately decided to herself that she wasn’t letting go of any of them. Now she just had to get them to accept it, and to inform the Council. She had no intention of asking permission. Rather, she was just going to tell them how it would be—assuming her men were equally on board with the idea.

  Chapter Nine

  They were back at the Bolos’ palace by midafternoon of the next day, where she kept her eyes peeled for an opportunity to catch Milo alone. Marek had requested she join him in the courtyard for training, so she was headed down the stairs to meet him when she saw Milo coming her way. She put out a hand for him to stop, and he paused a couple of steps below her, which brought them both to equal eye-level. “I have something for you.”

  He looked unaffected and practically uninterested, except for the gleam in his eyes. “Oh, what might that be?”

  She removed the letter Lyssa had entrusted to her for Milo, and its burst of floral scent filled the air between them.

  He took it with his eyes shining and snatched it a little too hastily to maintain his front of disaffection. “Was her response favorable?”

  North shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. I didn’t read what she wrote, but she seemed intrigued by the idea.” With a nod in his direction, she bounded down the stairs in search of Marek.

  It took her a few minutes to find him in the winding maze that comprised the gardens and led to the correct courtyard, but she froze at the sight of him. His back was to her, and sunlight drenched him, illuminating the perfection of his profile while lending it a warmer glow than he usually possessed. He was breathtaking, even more so than usual, especially when his wings unfolded, and the light sparkled on the crystalline feathers.

  “Are you just going to stand there?” He never turned around.

  She frowned as she started moving again. “How did you know I was here?”

  He did turn then, with a slight flourish and flutter of wings. He looked impressive and regal, underscoring he was a prince, though that might not have been his intention. She thought she was past being intimidated by that, but it rose in her again—the uncertainty combined with the knowledge that she was practically an imposter. She was no royalty, or even a pseudo-princess. How was she supposed to pull this off, let alone learn all the magic tricks they wanted to show her?

  “Take a breath.”

  She quirked a brow as she focused on her breathing. “Is this some sort of warm-up?”

  He smiled slightly. “No, it’s to quell your panic. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s clearly upsetting you. You need your thoughts and senses clear to be able to tap into the water magic.”

  She nodded. “I know, but…” She trailed off, deciding there was no point in sharing her worries or concerns with him. He would either dismiss them as unwarranted, which wouldn’t do much to reassure her, or he would acknowledge they were accurate—dashing all hopes of her being with him despite what the Oracle claimed.

  “Come with me.” He held out a hand, curling his fingers around hers as he led her from the courtyard and down another path. She gasped when they emerged onto the shores of a large lake. There were glaciers floating in the distance, the water was choppy, and it looked like ice. She was relieved to have the fur cape she’d claimed from the closet.

  “You did so well last time that I think you need a challenge.”

  She eyed the water uncertainly. “If your challenge includes me doing something with the lake, I think you’re overestimating my ability—but maybe not yours.” Feeling shy, she licked her lips. “I could kiss you again, and we could see what happens?”

  Marek laughed. “I know what will happen, but I have an even better idea. I have a theory I’d like to test.”

  She arched a brow. “What theory is that?”

  “I think the more pleasure you feel, the stronger your surge of power will be.”

  She hesitated for a moment, debating if she should mention what happened yesterday with Eli. Finally, she decided she should be honest and upfront. “Your theory’s accurate.”

  He paused and turned from the lake to look at her. “How do you know?” His tone was oddly flat, revealing nothing.

  “Eli…” She trailed off and cleared her throat. “That is, yesterday…”

  His lips tightened, but then he relaxed. “I see. Do you mind if we replicate the experiment? I’d like to see if the intensity varies with someone else, and I’d like to feel the surge for myself, unless you’re uncomfortable with that?”

  It was difficult not to sound petulant. “It’d be a lot more comfortable if you made it seem like doing this is something besides the need to rev up our powers.” There was a hint of snark in her tone, but she couldn’t help feeling hurt at the scientific way he approached the topic, as though giving her an orgasm was a prospect he dreaded, or wanted to rush through, so he could measure the end result.

  Marek frowned and moved closer. “I’m sorry if I give that impression. It’s certainly no chore to touch you.” He put his hands on her upper arms, pulling her against him to claim her mouth in a long kiss. His tongue stroked hers as his hands moved over her body, first smoothing down her arms and back up again before moving inward slightly, so that his thumbs flicked across her tightened nipples. Then one of his hands slipped lower, pushing aside the section of cape that blocked his path, and slid into the waistband of the
warm wool pants the fae fabric had configured for her.

  North clung to him, devouring his mouth with hers as she pressed against his fingers when they slipped under the elastic to stroke the soft flesh within. She was slick and hot for him, pressing eagerly against his hand as he started to pump his fingers lightly in and out of her. A dusting of snow started to fall, but she barely noticed.

  The heel of his palm was positioned just perfectly to rub against her clit, especially when she bore down and arched against it. She reached out blindly for him, stroking the bulge in his pants through the fabric when she couldn’t get her fingers to work well enough to plunge inside. A hint of hesitancy arose from never having touched a cock before. She was intimidated by the prospect, even though the idea of touching him left her wetter than ever. The snow was swirling around them now.

  “Come for me,” he whispered against her ear as he moved his mouth from her lips. He pressed firmly on the spot deeper inside her, and his thumb circled her clit at the same time. North came with a sob, burying her face against his shoulder to keep from vocalizing her pleasure too loudly. She shuddered and shook against him before collapsing against his chest a moment later. Only his arms held her up for a second until she regained the ability to stand on her own. For a moment, the snow was so thick she couldn’t see anything around her when she finally lifted her head.

  He didn’t take a step back. He just wrapped his arm around her waist and held her against him. When she looked up at him, she frowned at his grimace. He seemed to be in pain. “Are you injured?” The snow seemed to be gradually thinning, but it was still impossible to see the sun that had been visible moments before.

  He let out a sound that was somewhere between a choke and a laugh. “No, but I’m not quite comfortable at the moment.”

  She looked down at the bulge pressing insistently against his pants. “Because you haven’t come yet?”

  He nodded once, and it was a terse gesture. “You should focus on training.”

  Perhaps she should, but she was suddenly overcome with curiosity, and it was enough to cripple her inborn shyness that would normally keep her from reaching out to touch him. He stiffened, but didn’t protest even when her fingers slipped under the waistband. She was able to stroke the length of him with her fingertips. The snow picked up again.

  Her fingers were nimbler now, but still restricted by the fabric, and she was frustrated. Without conscious thought, she ripped the pants from him just by visualizing the seams tearing apart. He let out a startled cry, but she was too focused on her goal to pay much attention to the sound or the snow.

  North dropped to her knees, shivering for a moment in the snow that was now at least an inch thick. Moved by an instinct that was far more primal and feminine than magic, she gripped the root of his cock and brought it to her mouth, hesitantly sliding the head between her lips. She stroked him slowly, exploring with the tip of her tongue.

  He grunted and groaned, at first sounding like his pain had intensified, but when she started to suck in earnest, he stopped moaning and just started thrusting his hips against her mouth. He jarred her body, and his cock went deeper in her throat than she would’ve thought she could take, but in the heat of the moment, she took it all and wanted more.

  He put a hand on her hair a few moments later. “I’m about to come.” The wind whipped fiercely around them, and the snow had taken on a stinging edge as it pelted them.

  She froze for a moment, uncertain if she was supposed to pull away, or if she even wanted to. As she hesitated, Marek stiffened and then twitched inside her mouth. Warm jets of fluid escaped him seconds later, and she swallowed without thought, once more moved by instinct.

  The wind roared for a moment, and when she looked up, all she saw was a solid sheet of white descending on them. She pulled her mouth free and braced herself for the onslaught. She huddled against him for a moment as he trembled. Only when he stopped shaking against her did the snow withdraw. It didn’t lessen. It simply stopped.

  Still marveling at the weather, it was only when he tucked his shaft back into his pants and offered her a hand up that shyness returns. That mysterious, instinctive feminine power had faded, leaving her feeling awkward and inexperienced. She was certain she’d done something wrong by the way he didn’t look at her for a moment, and she bit her lip to keep from crying.

  With a deep breath, he looked at her, and his eyes shone with approval. “Sorry. I had to regain control before I took things to the next step. Thank you for that, North. I certainly didn’t expect it—at least not until you chose a husband, and only if I was lucky enough to be him.”

  She licked her lips, about to tell him her thoughts on keeping all six, but the salty taste of him in her mouth held her back. She was afraid he would be angry or even disgusted by the idea, and she didn’t want to ruin the moment between them—especially since she was humming with power and suspected it was the same for him.

  “Look at the water and do something with it.”

  “Wasn’t the snow enough?”

  He shrugged. “Was that you or me? Or both of us?”

  Not knowing, North frowned as she turned to focus on the lake, sighing when Marek came to stand behind her. His hands settled on her hips while his body curved behind hers. “Let’s see what you can do.”

  “Like what?” She pressed closer to him.

  “Whatever you’d like. Do what comes naturally.” His tone dropped an octave, taking on a smoky tinge. “I think you’ve proven your ability to do so.”

  She giggled even as she flushed with a hint of embarrassment. After a moment, she took a deep breath and tried to focus simply on the water before her, and the power surging through her. When she focused, it went from a low thrum to a seething wave that demanded escape.

  The thought of waves must have generated a large wave in the lake. It started several hundred feet away from them, but crept closer without losing height or momentum. The closer it got, the more frightened she became.

  “Just imagine it stopping.” He sounded perfectly calm.

  North tried, but couldn’t seem to focus well enough to do so. She let out a little bleat as the first wave splashed over her, soaking her in freezing water. There was a much higher one behind it, and she braced herself. It never touched her though.

  Marek held out a hand, keeping it at bay before sending it back the direction from where it originated with a careless flick of his wrist. It zoomed back, crashing into the water around it with a splash loud enough to hurt her ears on the shore.

  “Being with you is amazing, North. It’s not just that you enhance my magic to do things I never thought possible. It’s you yourself. I can’t get enough of you.” He whispered the confession against her ear before lowering his mouth to kiss her neck.

  She shivered, partially in reaction to the sensual feelings that swept through her at his touch, but mostly because she was soaking wet. “I’m freezing.” The words came out as a stutter through her chattering teeth.

  He immediately moved back, turning her so she was facing him. “Dry yourself.”

  She gave him a shrug. “How?”

  “Visualize the droplets of water evaporating. You can do it.”

  She tried to picture it, and the surge of power was still flowing through her, boosted by their mutual orgasms. It was enough to help her feel the water drops, but she couldn’t quite make them evaporate.

  “Close your eyes and really focus. I’m going to put a hand on you and see if I can loan you a little magic.”

  She nodded to indicate her acquiescence as she closed her eyes. Straining as harder she could, North imagined the water droplets sizzling and evaporating. They were moving off her, slowly flowing away, but when he touched her shoulder—his bare hand against her bare skin after he moved aside her shirt and cape—there was a hissing sound of steam. She opened her eyes in time to see the water droplets appear to boil off of her. She was dry in under a minute and eyed the results with her mouth agape. “It work
ed.”

  “And the snow’s gone too.”

  She looked down at the ground, seeing streams of steam rising upward, but no remaining snow. “Whoa.”

  He let out a sound of joy and lifted her off her feet, spinning her around before finally setting her down, but held close to him. “That’s pretty unusual in any realm. It usually requires two beings with a deep connection and strong magic to be able to share any of their magic, and it’s impossible to share with someone who’s not of your element.”

  “So, you couldn’t share with Kriss?” Was she talking about magic or her?

  He shook his head. “Fire and water would never be able to exchange power or share our energies.”

  She licked her lips and looked up at him through the cover of her lashes. “Do you think you could share me?”

  He scowled, his brow looking heavy as it wrinkled under the weight of his rejection. She expected him to bite out an angry retort, but he took a deep breath and sounded calmer than he looked when he spoke. “It wouldn’t be my first choice, but I wouldn’t reject the idea out of hand. I don’t think you’d get Kriss to agree though.”

  Her lips twitched she realized he was trying to put the decision on Kriss to avoid making it himself. She didn’t push him about it though, since there was no point. She hadn’t fully decided yet what she wanted, and she didn’t even know if the six of them would be willing to try the unconventional relationship she was envisioning. All she knew was she couldn’t pick among them. That was a more impossible task than stopping the huge wave that had nearly crushed them.

  North was about to meet Eamon for a swim when Milo intercepted her that afternoon. He seemed to be in a hurry, and she paused to focus on him.

  “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” He sounded equal parts exasperated and anxious.