Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection

by C. M. Stunich

  None of the four men jumped on my offer, but each one seemed as though they were considering it. I didn’t blame them—it was a huge decision that would impact the rest of our lives. Yet with each passing minute, my path became clearer and I began to accept that this was my true calling. I only hoped they agreed to be part of my destiny.

  I rose to my feet. “Think on it tonight. I plan to leave at dawn.”

  “So soon?” Derel asked.

  “The sooner I get to the temple the sooner the town will be safe from the volcano.”

  “What of your family?” Falon asked.

  “I’m going to miss them terribly, but this is something I have to do. And my mother agreed—she said our family is descended from the last High Priestess. Besides, we’ll be able to visit now and then, and our families can come to the temple anytime to see us too. I’ll still see my family when I can.”

  Blane ran a hand through his dark hair. “This is a lot to take in.”

  “I know, and I’m so sorry. If you’re outside my house in the morning, then I’ll be honored to have you at my side on this journey. If you decide to stay, I completely understand and won’t hold it against you.” I gave them all a weak smile. “We’ll always remain friends, no matter what you choose.”

  I stepped off the rocks and began the trek back toward my house to finish packing and try to get some sleep before my long walk to the volcano, though I knew sleep would elude me tonight. I’d be too worried over what the men would decide and what would face me in the days to come.

  But as I passed the men, Blane’s hand shot out and caught my arm. “Wait.” He pulled me back toward him, taking me in his arms so suddenly I lost my breath. “I’m going with you.”

  His mouth descended on mine and he stole a demanding, possessive kiss right in front of the other men. As always, my body melted at his touch and begged for more, even if I worried what the others would think.

  When I managed to pull back, I asked, “You are?”

  He ran his rough thumb along my sensitive lips. “I don’t have anything tying me down here except you. If you leave, I’m going with you.”

  “I’m going too,” Derel said, surprising me even more than Blane.

  I spun around to face him. “What about your family? Everyone expects you to take over as the town butcher one day.”

  He shrugged. “They’ll have to find someone else. Besides, my mother would never let me hear the end of it if I didn’t go with you.”

  “Thank you,” I said, sliding my arms around him. After a moment’s hesitation, he embraced me back, his smoldering eyes staring down at me as if he wanted to kiss me. His hands skimmed down my back, getting distractingly close to my behind. Other than the dance earlier, it was the most intimate we’d ever been together. Most of the time we hated each other…but maybe we didn’t. Not really.

  “I’m in too,” Falon said. “The temple is probably falling apart anyway. You’ll need a good carpenter.”

  I moved into Falon’s open arms with a smile. “Yes, we will.”

  His hug was friendly, though he held me tight against him. I found myself pressing my face to his neck, breathing him in, wishing I was bold enough to press my lips there. Would he kiss me back if I pulled him down to my mouth? Was he going with me because he cared for me too—or only as my friend?

  I turned to Roth, the only one who hadn’t spoken up, hoping he’d say he was coming too. It had to be the four of them, my closest friends, the men I’d always loved…but he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Calla. But like I said, you’re better off without me.”

  He walked away without another word as sadness dragged me down. I bowed my head, unable to watch him leave, knowing it meant the end for the two of us. For the past two years I’d held on to the hope that he would come around and we’d have a chance at happiness again, but now I knew that had been futile.

  “Roth!” Blane called out, as Roth’s form vanished in the darkness.

  “Let him go,” Derel said.

  “Are you okay, Calla?” Falon asked, running his hands along my bare arms as if to warm them.

  I forced a smile and blinked back tears. “Yes, I’m all right. I didn’t really expect any of you to say yes. Especially so quickly. Thank you so much for going on this journey with me…and everything that entails.” I glanced between the three of them, thinking how lucky I was that they’d agreed to come with me. “Now we should get some rest—we leave at first light.”

  7

  When I stepped out of my house, I was shocked to see a crowd already waiting for me. I’d always known gossip traveled quickly in a small town like Sparkport, but I had no idea just how fast until now.

  “Oh my,” Mom said, as she moved out from behind me and took in the throng of people before us. “It seems the entire town’s come to see you off.”

  “How many people did you tell about this?”

  She shrugged. “Only Sucy, of course.”

  I groaned. I should have known. Derel’s mother was the town gossip. Then again, he would have to tell her why he was suddenly leaving town, so I supposed it was inevitable that all of Sparkport would soon know about the Fire God’s visit and my destiny…and my upcoming relationship with four men.

  I caught sight of Derel standing with his parents, who were giving him hugs and wiping at their eyes. Nearby, Falon was saying goodbye to his family too. I felt horrible for taking them away from the people they loved, who’d depended on them to take over their trades in a few years. Falon’s brother could take over his family’s carpentry business, but Derel’s family would have to find themselves a new apprentice butcher now.

  Blane, on the other hand, was alone. He leaned against the side of my house with his bag hanging off his shoulder, looking the total outcast. As an orphan and the town pariah, he had no one who would miss him here—but I was happy he’d be at my side for the rest of my life.

  But then I caught sight of an unexpected face in the crowd, one that stood out with its mix of flaws and perfection. Roth pushed past people until he emerged in front of me, while people stared at his scarred face. It was rare for him to be out in public like this, especially in bright daylight.

  “You’re here,” I said, breathless and afraid to hope that he’d changed his mind.

  “I’m here,” he said. “I couldn’t let you choose some stranger to be your fourth. Though I’m not sure what use a fisherman will be at the Fire Temple.”

  I smiled at him, while resisting the urge to hug him in front of all these people, which I knew he’d hate. “Valefire is on the coast, and we’ll still need to eat. Even if that weren’t true, I’d want you with me anyway.”

  “I knew you’d change your mind,” Derel said to Roth, who just scowled.

  “We ready to get moving?” Blane asked.

  “Don’t rush her,” Falon said.

  Blane rolled his eyes. “I’m not, but if we want to make it to the temple by tomorrow night, we’ll need to get on the road soon.”

  “I’m almost ready,” I said, before turning back to my mother and sisters. Emotion clogged my chest and tears filled my eyes as I hugged them one by one.

  “Good luck,” Krea whispered in my ear.

  “I’m going to miss you so much,” Loka said.

  My mother hugged me so long and tight I started to feel like she was never going to let me go. Then she pulled back to look at me. “This is your destiny and I’m very proud of you. Your father would be too. Take care of yourself and those four young men too, and come visit whenever you can.”

  I sniffed. “I will.”

  “Remember, you’re descended from a long line of priestesses.” She patted my cheek. “Now get to the Fire Temple before the volcano tears apart our town.”

  I chuckled through my tears. “Yes, Mom.”

  I turned away and grabbed the bag that held the few things I’d decided to take with me. “Let’s go.”

  My four men formed a circle around me as we moved through the town,
parting the crowd like a wave. The people I’d known my entire life now looked at me with a mix of awe, fear, and hope. Many of them called out their blessings or wished us well, some even thanking us for protecting them from the volcano, while others frowned or turned away. Maybe they didn’t believe the Fire God had truly chosen me, or maybe they didn’t agree with me taking four mates.

  “Whore,” someone muttered in the crowd, and Blane lurched forward like he would strike the person down. Falon gripped his arm and held him back. I bowed my head, my face heating up and no doubt turning red, and picked up my pace. Though it was sad leaving my village and family, there were definitely some people I would not miss.

  We kept walking and soon left the crowd and the town behind. I’d gone over the map with my mother last night, since she’d visited the Fire Temple once as a child, though she hadn’t left Sparkport in many years. According to her, people in our village used to regularly visit the temple and leave offerings, but that fell out of practice. It was likely no one had visited for at least twenty years now.

  As we followed the road, I hefted my bag higher on my shoulder. I’d only brought one, and it had been hard to leave a lifetime’s worth of belongings behind, but for this journey I only needed the essentials. Plus a few books, of course. I would return and get the rest of my things once I was settled in the temple.

  “Thank you again for coming with me,” I said to the men, who had fanned out around me. “I know it was a lot to ask and on such short notice too. I mean, you had to give up your families, your professions, and your homes. I’m still in awe that you all said yes.”

  “You had to give up all of those things too when the Fire God chose you,” Falon pointed out. “At least we had a choice.”

  “The Fire God did give me a choice, but it didn’t feel like much of one. How do you say no to a God?” I smiled faintly as I remembered my fear upon meeting him. “Although I wouldn’t have said no anyway. Though it was a shock at first, I truly feel this is my path. As if I’d been searching for myself my entire life and now I finally found her. And all of you are a part of that. Maybe there was a reason I felt so strongly for all of you…” I trailed off, stealing glances at the men, wondering if I’d said too much. I still didn’t know if they felt the same for me. They were here with me, but was that because of duty, friendship, desire…or love?

  “Anyway, I really appreciate that you’re all going on this journey with me,” I added quickly. “For the last few years I’ve been torn between each of you, unable to decide who I wanted to spend my life with. I’m so happy that now I don’t have to decide. I can have you all.”

  Falon cleared his throat. “I can’t speak for the others, but I’m happy to be here, even if it was unexpected.”

  “You know I’m always up for an adventure,” Blane said.

  “No kidding,” Roth said. “Did you bring the fireworks?”

  “Of course I did,” Blane said.

  Derel rolled his eyes. “You’ll probably shoot off your arm with them.”

  Blane grinned. “If I do, we’ll call it an offering to the Fire God. He’ll love it.”

  I laughed and shook my head. If nothing else, I would never be bored at the Fire Temple with these four around.

  It wasn’t long before we had to diverge off the road to begin walking on the rough terrain. The volcano was almost directly north of Sparkport on the coast, and while there might have been a road leading to it years ago, it had all but vanished now. This journey would have been a lot faster and easier if we were all riding horses, but our village didn’t have any that could be spared. I wasn’t sure we’d be able to get horses up the volcano anyway—we were in for a bit of a climb once we reached it.

  I glanced up at Valefire in the distance, which was still releasing a never-ending stream of white smoke into the sky. Journeying there seemed an impossible task, and no one in their right mind would ever want to live there. I could only trust that the Fire God knew what he was doing—even if it was hard to banish my fears and doubts about what was to come.

  8

  We stopped for a quick lunch by a tiny stream that looked like it might dry up at any moment. How would we get water at the volcano anyway? People had lived there at one point so there must be a way, but it only reminded me I had no idea what to expect at the temple.

  I sat with my back against a scraggly little tree which offered a tiny amount of shade. Derel sat beside me, taking the rest of the shade, while the other guys found other spots near the stream to try to stay cool. As we got closer to Valefire it would no doubt get hotter too.

  “What do you think we’ll encounter at the Fire Temple?” I asked, as I ripped apart a piece of the bread my mother had packed for us.

  Derel brushed crumbs off of himself. “I don’t know. Hopefully it’s still standing.”

  “Were your parents upset about you leaving? They’ll have to find someone else to help run the butcher shop now.”

  “Dad was upset, but luckily my cousin can step in and take my place at the shop. Mom was sad, but was also excited because I was going with you.” He rolled his eyes. “Still hoping we’ll get married and give her tons of grandkids, no doubt.”

  “Of course.” Except…we kind of were getting married. Not officially, but in practice. Unless they didn’t see it the same way I did?

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked, trying to ignore the tightness in my chest. “I know the two of us haven’t always gotten along in the past.”

  He snorted. “Only because you’re always picking fights with me.”

  I turned to face him. “Me? You’re the one who is always rude to me!”

  “Maybe because you deserve it.”

  I threw my last piece of bread at his head. “I do not. If anyone deserves rudeness, it’s you.”

  He threw the bread back at me, his brows drawn together. “Gods, you make me crazy, Calla. You’re stubborn and infuriating and so damn beautiful it nearly hurts to look at you sometimes.”

  “I…what?” I’d been so ready to argue with him more that his last words made my mouth fall open in shock.

  He slid his hand into my hair and drew me toward him, capturing my wordless surprise with his lips. Twenty years of pent-up frustration and desire unraveled at his kiss and I found myself pulling at his shirt to draw him closer. When his tongue slid against mine it sent a rush of heat right between my legs.

  “I’m shocked,” I managed to say. “I had no idea you felt that way.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You must know how we all feel about you.”

  “No, I truly don’t.” Although I was beginning to realize it. I probably should have known all along, but I’d been worried my feelings for them were mostly one-sided. Only once they’d agreed to journey with me to the Fire Temple did I realize they might care for me the same way I cared for them.

  Derel ran his fingers through my blond hair like he couldn’t get enough of it. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for years. I’ve spent long nights thinking about wrapping this hair around my fingers. And all the other things I want to do with you too…”

  “If you had feelings for me, why didn’t you ever tell me?

  He shrugged. “I thought you hated me.”

  I softened against him and touched his face in wonder. “I never hated you, I just hated the circumstances we were in. Our mothers forced us together from the time we were born. We never had a choice in the matter and that made me frustrated. I guess I took it out on you. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m equally guilty. I was pretty horrible to you at times.”

  “Yes, like the time you pushed me in the ocean when we were five. Or when we were seven and you tricked me into sitting on those strawberries and ruined my dress. Or—”

  He grimaced. “Okay, yes, I was quite awful. But I had to get your attention somehow.” He let out a low laugh. “Wow, I’d forgotten about the strawberries. No wonder you hated me.”

  “I didn’t hate you. Well, maybe a little
…”

  He pulled me close and kissed me again, and every time it was like a revelation. I’d spent my entire life thinking Derel was my nemesis. Now I looked on him with a whole new light.

  “We should probably get going,” he finally said. He helped me to my feet and we brushed dirt off ourselves, but then he paused. “There was another reason I was rude to you.”

  “What was it?”

  He glanced over at the other guys, who looked like they were trying to watch us without being too obvious about it. “Falon.”

  “Falon only sees me as a friend.”

  “We both know that’s not true of anyone in this group.” He shook his head. “Like I said last night, you should talk to him about that.”

  With those words he grabbed his pack and walked away, leaving me with my thoughts. I grabbed my things and hurried after him.

  For the next few hours we traveled through the empty wilds, the volcano looming large in front of us. As I kicked up dirt, I went through my memories of Derel and saw everything he’d done—all the pranks, the teasing, the arguments—in a new light. It made me wonder what else I’d been wrong about all my life.

  I slowed my pace to fall in line with Falon, who walked at the rear of the group. Last time I’d tried to talk to Falon about us it hadn’t gone as planned, but his being here had to be a sign he cared for me as more than a friend…didn’t it?

  “I see you and Derel have worked out your issues finally,” he said with a teasing voice.

  “We did.” While Derel had always driven me mad, Falon had a way of calming me. I always relaxed in his presence. “And he told me to talk to you.”

  He ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “Me? Why?”

  “He said one of the reasons he pushed me away all these years was because of you.” I glanced over at Falon quickly to gauge his reaction, but couldn’t meet his eyes.