Harmony of Their Souls

by Serena Lindahl

  I agreed. “It makes sense to combine resources, even if two households aren’t bondmates. The city housing does that to some degree by sharing the usage of the kitchens and baths, but so much more could be done to create community and lessen the stress on the adults.” I shuddered. “When I am Queen, the Commoners will no longer live in that manner. I never thought their conditions would be so deplorable. I’m going to need your assistance, and Clay’s, to enact my ideas and help them.”

  We neared the trickling stream that ran through the back of the farm. Small copses of trees grew sporadically, and presented looming shadows in the darkness. The insects buzzed and chirped, and in the distance, a coyote howled. The lights of the house were visible, but we were far enough for privacy. I stopped and faced Seb, holding both his hands in mine.

  “I will help you, Kee, whatever you need,” Seb said fervently.

  I knew he would. My hand rose and trailed down his cheek, sweeping over the light stubble. His beard didn’t grow as fast or as thick as the others. It gave him even more of a boyish air. My hand dipped lower and pressed against his chest. I could feel the steady thump of his heart and the glow of his soul.

  “What demons haunt you, Sebastian?” I asked softly. “Why do you hide behind your smiles and your laughter when darkness plagues you?”

  He took a deep breath, but it shuddered with pain. His eyes closed. “Most of the time I am happy,” he began. “I try to see the good in people; I try to see the good in life. I always hope for the best. There are moments, though…” he paused. “You know this bond between us, the feeling you had when Ian was facing trouble?”

  I nodded but didn’t say anything, not wanting to rob him of the bravery he must need to reveal his darkest fear. His voice was quiet when he spoke again. “My parents must have felt that before they died. Reed’s parents said they felt uneasy. They knew something bad was going to happen, but they still went into the lab.” His breath hitched, and my heart broke for him. “Did they not care enough about me to stay home? Did I mean so little to them that they chose to ignore the danger?”

  I wrapped my arms around him, my head resting on his chest. His heart beat harder; the pain he had carried since he was a child hovered in the air around us. “Oh, Sebastian,” I murmured. “Of course they wanted you. But they were a man and woman of science, and the bond is not scientific. I’m certain they didn’t think the warning was real or important. They would never have gone into the lab if they had known what was going to happen.”

  He inhaled deeply once more, his arms tightening around me. “And then Rowan left. And I thought Reed might leave me, as well, when he decided you were his Soul Match.” Seb held me at arm’s length, his hands biting into my upper arms. His dark eyes were passionate. “I can’t lose you, Kee. I’m afraid to lose anyone else.”

  Chapter 8

  Seb

  Seb had never told anyone about the fear he held deep within him, that everyone would leave him like his parents had. Now that he had new brothers, a new Soul Match, and new friends, he was even more scared. Kiarra’s eyes met his, their deep green appearing almost black in the darkness. Her skin glowed, and the golden highlights in her hair burned brightly in the moonlight. She was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen. All his pain was evident in his voice, bared for her to hear.

  She gripped his arms as tightly as he held hers. Her eyes promised him the world. “I’m not going anywhere, Seb. You belong with me. You belong with us. You are within me already.” She pressed his hand to her chest. Her breasts heaved with her breath, and her skin was warm despite the chill of the night. He felt the truth of her words and shut his eyes tight against the hope. He wanted it so badly it hurt; he wanted her so badly it hurt.

  “Kee,” he groaned, his voice thick. He opened his eyes again, and a switch flipped within him. Lust overtook the worry, the pain, and the fear. It arrived fast and strong, his cock hardening so swiftly, it was almost painful. He experienced a sudden, overwhelming need to cement their bond. “Kee,” he repeated, “I want to fuck you.”

  Her eyes darkened further in response, color rising to her golden cheeks. “Then take me, Seb. I’m yours.”

  Her declaration, the promise of possession, unraveled his tightly held composure. He crushed her mouth to his, kissing her so hard he tasted blood. The passion rode him so fiercely, he could think of nothing else. He had to be inside her, on top of her, around her. His hands tangled in her unbound hair, pulling her head back so he could nip a line of kisses and bites along the curve of her throat. His other hand grabbed her breast, the tight point scorching a line of fire in the center of his palm.

  “Kee, I can’t control myself around you,” he gasped against her throat. “I need your cunny squeezing my cock. I need to feel your wetness soaking me.”

  Kiarra groaned. Seb loved how his words affected her. Her heart beat faster, her pupils dilated, and her chest heaved with her breaths. Seb grasped a handful of her shirt, ripping it over her head in one quick motion. He heard fabric tear but didn’t care. She helped him remove his shirt just as quickly, and then he lowered her to the soft ground. It was a little cold and wet, but their matching desire erased the discomfort.

  Her breeches went the way of her shirt; and he forced himself to stop, sitting back on his heels. His eyes scorched trails of fire up and down her body. He memorized every curve, every mole, and every dimple. She looked beautiful bathed in moonlight. She glowed from within, her eyes dark with night and passion.

  Unable to bear the constraint of his pants, he ripped them off and delighted in her appreciation as her eyes focused on his jutting erection. He kneeled closer to her, trailing his lips down her throat again and to her breasts, nipping every so often. Her hands found his head and held tight, grasping handfuls of his wavy hair.

  Her breasts were perfect, spilling out of his hands. She tasted of salt and sunlight even in the dark of night. He took one tight nipple into his mouth, rolling it on his tongue, and rejoiced in the moans and whimpers that escaped her parted lips as she arched her body off the ground. He plucked her other nipple between his finger and thumb, pinching just enough to cause a sting of pain mingled with pleasure. She squirmed beneath him, her motions and sounds revealing her satisfaction. She liked that he took control, and the knowledge made him feel powerful and strong.

  Dripping with need, he positioned himself between her legs. The first time he took her, he’d taken her from behind, her perfect ass in his hands. Tonight, he would look into her eyes as he fucked her. Her hair spread around her; a line of red love bites trailed down her throat. The sight made him even harder; something he didn’t think was possible.

  “Tell me you want me, Kee,” he demanded.

  “I want you, Seb.” His name on her lips caused his groin to tighten further. His cock jumped, and he placed the head against her entrance. Her juices coated the tip as she wiggled against him, trying to get closer. He grasped her hips, holding her in place.

  “Don’t move, love,” he commanded. She stilled, her chest heaving with the effort as he stroked his cock along her wet cleft. Her tight, erect bud pressed against the head of his shaft with delicious pressure. Her nether lips kissed the sides of his cock, and he gritted his teeth to prevent himself from pounding into her. He leaned over, his breath hot on her flesh as he bit one of her nipples. She cried out in surprise and pleasure.

  “What do you want, love?”

  “I want you, Seb. I want you inside me.” His eyes met hers, waiting. She swallowed and licked her lips, an innocent gesture so provocative he almost spurted all over her stomach. “I want you to fuck me,” she said finally, her low voice throaty with need.

  Seb grinned and grasped her hips, lifting her ass off the ground. He rammed his hard length deep inside her with one swift stroke. She cried out loudly, her head thrown back in ecstasy. He forced himself to stay that way, just for a second, reveling in the tight walls of her cunny clenching around him and the drip of her juices down his balls
as he kneaded the curves of her luscious ass. She whimpered with need and his control snapped. He pounded into her over and over again; his grip on her hips was bruising.

  The passion rose within them, arcing like lightning between their bodies and drowning out everything beyond them. Each stroke fulfilled something more profound within Seb, answering a need he’d carried with him since he was a child. He needed to be loved, wanted, and desired; and she gave it all to him. The power of her yearning settled inside him, aching in its intensity. He released her ass to guide her hand to her clit.

  “Touch yourself, Kee. Come with me.” Her eyes were wide, but she complied, rubbing her clit and moaning aloud as he continued pounding into her, beads of sweat rolling down his face. The sight of her touching herself only elevated his already fierce passion. He knew the moment she neared her climax in the way her back arched, the intensity of her breathing, the volume of her moans, and the strength with which her body grasped his. He hardened further, his balls drawing tight. Her clenching muscles milked his seed from him.

  He reached his climax as she shattered around him, calling out to the stars. The stars seemed to fall around them, but it was only his mind shuddering with the power of their shared orgasm. He blinked, confused when her chest glowed with a golden light. He looked down, surprised to see his chest shining as well. The bond settled solidly within him. The knowledge that she was his and he was hers secured and linked their souls. His ears rang as he lowered himself slowly beside her.

  Gently caressing her body as she continued to shiver with the aftershocks, he brushed his fingers against the red marks lining her throat. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Her eyes met his, and he saw the answer, but she shook her head. “No.” Her voice was still breathless. “That was amazing.”

  “You are amazing,” he countered. He pulled her body flush against his, enjoying the heat where their skin touched and the tingles that still spread along their skin. He didn’t know how long they would continue to burn when they touched each other, but he would cherish every spark. More than anything, that connection between them reminded him this was real. “Thank you, Kee.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

  “For accepting me as I am, for loving me, and for helping me banish my demons.”

  She trailed a hand down his cheek. “I am yours, Sebastian. Your demons are my own now. We fight them together.”

  Tears threatened his eyes. He held her tighter, pressing his face to her hair. He had never felt so accepted or wanted as he did in her arms. She couldn’t erase the pain of years with one session of lovemaking, but she had started the healing process. She forced his demons deep within him, decreasing their control over him. He never wanted to lose this feeling of being accepted and loved. Suddenly, Kiarra stiffened in his arms. The immediate change fluttered along their bond.

  “What?”

  She sat up quickly, fear on her face as she scrambled for her clothing. “Something’s wrong,” she gasped.

  Seb didn’t question her. He rose with her, pulling on his own clothes. He could feel the fear now, the dread filtering through their connection. Mason was worried about something. As he was the first one to know when the King was murdered, they trusted his warnings.

  Mostly dressed, Seb took Kiarra’s hand and they flew towards the house. He saw a shadow in the woods to the side and knew intuitively that Ian followed them, that he had watched them the whole time. It didn’t bother him. He would do anything to keep her safe.

  Chapter 9

  Kiarra

  I couldn’t even enjoy the aftermath of Seb’s frenzied loving. His carefree, fun nature hid an intensity and passion I never would have guessed at when I first met him. I hoped completing the bond and assuring him he was a part of this family we had created would begin to heal his wounds. I barely had a thought to spare towards that, however. Something was happening at the farmstead, and I needed to hurry back. Ian had watched us make love; he was close now.

  “Ian,” I called out softly, knowing he would hear me. Seb raced behind me, his energy confused and scared because of my fear. My Spy emerged from the shadows, keeping pace beside me. I glanced at him. “Do you know what’s wrong?”

  He shook his head. “Nay. I can only feel your concern. Who are you linking to?”

  I furrowed my brow. Whose emotion was I feeling? “It has to be Mason.” The fear was not overwhelming; it was overlaid with a protective, defensive quality that was singular to the Soldier. The house wasn’t far, but it felt like forever before we reached it. Ian barely prevented me from rocketing around the edge of the building.

  “Stay here. I’ll scope out the situation,” Ian said firmly. I clenched my fists and nodded, resisting the urge to run from the shelter of the shadows. The need to protect my men was overwhelming. Seb joined me, breathing heavily.

  “Can you hear anything?” I asked him, mostly because I didn’t know what else to do or say.

  He shook his head. Now that I was connected to three of my men, I felt stronger, smarter, and more anchored than I had ever felt, even more than after our first bonding. My nerves twitched. I refused to stay in the dark when I could help. I stepped from the shadows and assessed the scene within seconds, thanks to Mason's swift thinking.

  Three horses with darkly cloaked riders pranced before the farmhouse. They were men, judging by the breadth of their shoulders. Mason stood off to the side, his sword drawn but not lifted. The Accleshian stood guard not far away, his beefy arms crossed over his chest. His massive ax hung from his belt. I didn’t see Ian, but I could feel him in the shadows behind the unknown men. He had circled around in the darkness. Reed and Clay were still inside the house.

  “Give us the woman, and we’ll go,” the lead rider called. I wondered how long they had been having the same conversation.

  “Which woman?” Mason asked. I had never heard his voice sound so threatening. It made me tremble, and it should have struck fear within the three men if they had any wits or sense of self-preservation.

  “Any woman who has multiple partners is in violation of King Everett’s decrees. We are ordered to bring them all to the capital.”

  I barely suppressed a surprised gasp. This was bad, even worse than if these men had been expressly sent to capture me. It astounded me that Everett had worked so quickly. He must have dispatched riders at the exact time we left Treleaven. There could be many groups like this across the country, ferreting out women who dared to follow their hearts and find their destined Soul Matches. The Baldonian had obviously prepared him well for the crimes he must commit when he took the throne.

  Mason cocked his head, but tension coiled in his muscles. The ease with which he stood was merely a display. “I don’t know who King Everett is,” Mason commented offhandedly.

  One of the horses sidestepped. Only the man in front had spoken. Their faces remained hidden, and I couldn’t sense anything about them, unlike other people we had encountered. Darkness covered their souls, and a shudder shook my form. They were under a spell. The Baldonian had performed evil magic to hide their inner selves from me and force them to enact his orders.

  I wondered if I pulled the darkness from them if they would forget their orders and become the men they once were. If they were not corrupt at heart, I didn’t want to kill them. I cursed the fact that magic had been denied and hidden so long in our Kingdom. If I had studied it as a child, or at least heard of it, I might have some knowledge of how to manipulate it.

  “King Demetrius Caden and the Queen have died. King Everett has taken the throne,” the man explained. Mason still wore his guard uniform, although without the jacket. His sword was the standard issue of Military House. Either the men couldn’t see well, they were not very intelligent, or the spell dulled their senses. I’d wager on the second or third explanation since the moonlight still shone brightly upon us.

  I remained in the shadows, just watching. I could pinpoint the location of each of my men. I didn’t
move, but something attracted the speaker's attention. They muttered something under their breath, and the leading man’s attention turned to me. His dark eyes faded into the shadows of his hood.

  “You, woman,” the spokesman called. He pointed a sword in my direction, the blade reflecting the moonlight. The sudden increase in my matches' fear forced my jaw to clench. I tried to soothe them as best I could through the bond. I had a theory, they just had to trust me, and that included not letting their emotions overwhelm me to the point of inaction. Mason, Sebastian, and Clay, who watched from within the house, understood through our enhanced bond. Although Ian and Reed remained afraid, the others subdued their emotion enough that I could breathe again.

  “Yes?” I asked innocently, stepping into the glow of the moon and the gas lamps of the house. I peered under their hoods.

  “Any woman who has multiple partners is in violation of King Everett’s decrees. We are ordered to bring them all to the capital,” the man repeated. The wording was exactly the same, reinforcing my suspicion that he was under a spell. A breath of relief whooshed through me. I had hoped our Soldiers’ loyalties couldn’t be changed that quickly. If they had, it would be almost impossible to retake the Kingdom. I knew the three men who had guarded the gate were spreading the word about me. Hopefully, they weren’t attracting the dark Sorcerer’s notice.

  “Why?” I asked, trying to determine how deeply the enchantment went. I stepped between Mason and Drummond. Though I couldn’t feel the Accleshian like I could feel Mason, I sensed both men’s irritation that I was putting myself in danger. The man on the horse shifted and didn’t answer. I pressed on. “Did Everett release this decree or was it through his Advisor?” I could only guess that Everett had made the Baldonian an Advisor. It was the only position the citizens of Treleaven would recognize as a position of power.