by Brea Alepoú
"Calm down, Klaido," Aunt Fari said through clenched teeth.
Titos watched as Kladio turned away with his fists still clenched and anger showing clearly on his face.
"Ti—"
Seth's growl had Aunt Fari pausing.
"That will be the last warning," Seth said.
Her eyes focused on Titos. "Do you always let others speak for you?"
Titos knew what it was his aunt wanted: to intimidate him. Normally, it would have worked, but now he had five keepers who stood by his side and one guard who was willing to slice them all in half for him. He wasn't alone anymore.
"You came here for a reason. What is it you want?" Titos asked.
Kladio looked as if he was about to say something, but the way Aunt Fari tensed had him taking a step back.
Mazki: They are speaking mentally.
Kail: The other two are in on it too.
Adom: It's safe to say they all have a link, but the other two aren't keepers.
Kail: So they are…?
Mazki: Hunters.
Kail: And they can be linked?
Seth: Stay focused. I don't trust any of them. Kail, we’ll explain more to you later.
"Queen Mila wishes to offer you a deal," Aunt Fari said.
Kail: I have a feeling this deal is going to be a shit one.
They all agreed through the bond.
Titos feigned a smile, pretending to be hopeful of whatever deal the cruel queen could come up with. He gestured for his aunt to continue.
"She is willing to allow you to become a prince under her house. You can keep your territory, and, of course, if you are attacked, you have backing and vice versa," she said.
Titos was confused. "Why would she want me to become a prince when not long ago she wanted me dead? Your own son was sent to kill me and then a contract was drafted by the council to have me killed. You can't seriously expect me to believe she wants me to join her?"
Kladio was the one to speak. "You think so highly of yourself, you question the queen," he growled.
"She is not my queen," Titos said. "You should shut your mouth. I have allowed you to talk freely because of my respect for Aunt Fari, but I am done with it." Titos stood. "I have no need to be under anyone."
Aunt Fari smiled but there was nothing happy or gentle about it. It was a smile of someone who felt they had the upper hand. "You poor child, they have filled your head with dreams that will never come true unless you take Queen Mila’s offer."
Titos shook his head in disbelief. "No one has filled my head with anything, but you are sorely mistaken if you think I would pledge myself to Mila." He deliberately said her name with no title.
The hiss from Klaido was a warning, and Titos—for the first time ever—wasn't afraid of Klaido.
He glared at his cousin. "Hiss again and I will have you roasted."
Mazki: Please let me.
Alfrik: No, me.
Titos couldn't hold back the smile that his phoenix and lava bear caused. To his aunt, he said, "If that is all you have to say, you can leave, and graciously tell Mila I decline her offer."
She stood and the room tensed. Seth was standing next to Titos, ready for anything she tried.
"You are a fool, and you know nothing," she said.
Titos sighed. "Even if that is true, I would be a bigger fool to crawl back to someone who would rather see me dead. I doubt her views on me have changed."
"I used to think you at least had brains, but apparently I was wrong," Aunt Fari said.
"And I used to think you cared for me although I wasn't your child. I guess we were both wrong in our assumptions," Titos said.
"You have gained another enemy. When the council finds out about you, there will be no one in your corner," she said.
Titos shook his head. "That's where you're wrong. I have people in my corner. You and your queen are just not one of them." Titos took a step forward toward his aunt. "She has always been considered my enemy."
Movement to his left caught his attention, but Titos stayed where he was as hot blood splattered over his face and side. His aunt broke their eye contact, turning to see one of her men dead on the floor in puddle of his own blood. Liby stood over him with another sword in her hands.
"It seems you have overstayed your welcome. Out of respect of Mila allowing me to live in her territory until I was old enough to run, I will allow the rest of you to leave here alive," Titos said. He smiled at his aunt. "Thank you, Mila." He knew the queen had seen it all through the link with her alpha.
"You ba—" Klaido took one step and fire burned the spot right in front of him.
Mazki sat on the couch with a ball of flames in his hand. "I won't miss next time," he promised.
Klaido looked ready to fight.
"Come, Klaido," Aunt Fari said.
They headed toward the doors to leave. Something occurred to Titos.
“How did you know where to find me?” Titos asked.
Aunt Fari turned with a grim smile on her face. “You can’t possibly think that your mother was in love with the king here. She was ordered by the great Queen Mila—the same one you just made an enemy out of. If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be here.”
With that, Aunt Fari turned and walked out.
Seth: Alfrik, you go with Liby to make sure they leave. Mazki, to the sky—make sure they leave our territory.
Alfrik moved to walk behind them, and Liby nodded to Titos before following his cousin and aunt out the door. As soon as they cleared the room, Titos sagged against Seth, letting him catch all of his weight.
"That wasn't stupid, right?" Titos asked.
"I personally wanted them all to burn, but no, it wasn't stupid," Mazki said.
" I agree with Mazki, you did the right thing. Killing them would have been a joy but would have had their queen making a move faster than we need. At least with you letting them leave alive, we can count on her not making another move toward us for a while," Adom said.
Titos nodded, but he still felt tired. So his mother had been doing a task. Question was—who was his father and why did Queen Mila want him to be born only for her to send people to kill him and then change her mind again. He sighed. It was all too much and too confusing.
"It has been the longest—" He had no idea how much time had passed, but it wasn't long enough. "You think a break is too much to ask for?"
Seth pressed his lips to Titos’s forehead, making him sink farther against him. He looked up and saw blood smeared on Seth's lips, reminding him that he was currently sporting blood of the man on the floor. He eyed the corpse. He was seeing more and more dead bodies as of late.
A knock at the door grabbed Titos’s attention, and he turned just in time to see Lonzo limping in. He was still healing. Edoli’s healing abilities were faster than humans but how fast they could heal depended on their strength and how much damage was inflicted on them.
"Your Majesty." Lonzo started to get into a kneeling position.
"No need, Lonzo. Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Titos asked.
Lonzo’s eyes stayed on the floor, but he nodded. "I wanted to give you my report."
Titos was tempted to tell him to go back to resting but thought better of it. Lonzo had come to find him even with his injuries. "Okay, but take a seat before you fall over," Titos said.
Lonzo moved slowly to one of the chairs, sitting down. He seemed stressed. "We didn't know Harper would betray us, but I take full responsibility for letting Armest and Harper get away." He bowed his head.
"If you didn't know Harper was a traitor, then why would it be your fault?" Titos asked.
Lonzo looked at him for the first time since he’d walked into the room. "Because my king gave me an order and a responsibility and I failed. I allowed my friendship with someone to cloud my judgment. I should've kn—"
"Bullshit," Titos interrupted. "I gave you a job and you did that job. Yes, Armest is now free, but what's to say he wouldn't have gotten free a differ
ent way. There is so much we don't know about this place or what is going on, but what I do know is that you and your brother proved to be very loyal and I thank you for that."
Lonzo's eyes became glassy with tears. Titos smiled at him. To think, when he first met the brothers, he’d had to beat them up first.
"Thank you, King Titos," Lonzo whispered.
Titos smiled again. "Get some rest. I need you and your brother back out there. Right now, Philip and Chris are handling things. I'm not sure who else we can trust, but so far, they have shown they’re capable."
Lonzo nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good, then goodnight," Titos said.
Liby and Alfrik came back just as Lonzo got up.
"They’re gone?" Titos asked.
"They had a car waiting for them. They got in and left. Mazki is following them in the sky until they are all the way out of our territory," Alfrik said.
Titos was happy to hear Alfrik thought of it as his own. That it didn't just belong to Titos, but all of them.
"We’ll be taking turns switching out. Liby, you as well. Kail will be switching with you," Seth said.
Titos groaned. "So then the bed will be empty?"
Seth hugged him. "Not at all. There will be two of us at least in the bed with you at all time, but until we get a barrier around the territory, we need to be on our toes."
"Then I'm no—"
Seth kissed him.
Seth: Please sleep in our bed. It would make it easier.
Titos relented when Seth pushed his tongue into his mouth and deepened the kiss, owning his mouth with every thrust of his tongue against Titos's.
He pulled back and Titos wanted nothing more than to go to their bed, but sleep was the last thing on his mind. Another knock on the door and Titos groaned.
Ginger entered with a box in her hand. "I have the phones," she said. She looked exhausted and Titos felt bad. He wasn't the only one being bombarded with stuff. Ginger had taken over more duties and then some.
"Ginger, you should get some rest," Titos said as she handed him his phone. The black screen lit up with the time. It was nearly midnight.
"I will, sir," she said.
"Just call me Titos," Titos said.
She looked shocked but she nodded as she finished passing out the phones. The guys got the same type as Titos, all of them being smart phones.
"These things are going to break falling on the bed," Kail said, examining his, but Titos could feel his excitement.
"A special company makes these. Military grade smart phones. They are made by humans but they are durable. As long as you don't throw it in a volcano, it should be fine," Ginger said.
Alfrik held his phone out. "Then mine might not survive," he said.
Titos stifled a laugh.
"Just toss it to the side before you shift," Ginger said.
Alfrik looked at the phone. He shrugged and put it in pants he hadn't been wearing earlier.
"Goodnight Titos," Ginger said as she went toward the door.
"Oh, how is Theo working out?" Titos asked.
Ginger smiled. "He is young but he is a quick learner. I wouldn't have been able to focus on the phones and getting them here so quickly if it wasn't for his help. Thank you."
Titos nodded, happy that he could help Ginger. A yawn had him stretching and the fatigue hit him all at once. The small power nap he’d had hadn't been enough.
"Come on, let's get to bed," Seth said.
"Not without me," Mazki said, fully naked.
"Clothes," Seth growled.
Mazki shrugged. "What's the point? We’re going to bed. I'll put them on when it's my turn to go on watch."
Titos laughed, a yawn catching him by surprise again and cutting his laugh short. He let his keepers lead him up the stairs and to their bedroom where fresh sheets and covers lay on the bed.
"Who cleans this house so damn fast? Is it ninjas?" Titos asked.
"There's a team. They cook and clean," Liby said.
Titos turned to stare at her. "You were a part of the team?"
She nodded.
"They can all fight like you?" Seth asked.
"No. Ronald can handle himself in a fight, but the others not so much. I was the only one trained in a sword. I only joined the house swerves so that I may have the opportunity to meet the king or queen and offer my services," Liby said.
Titos nodded his understanding. He turned to the bed. It called to him and he went. He flopped onto the bed, trying to get comfortable but it wouldn't work. He turned his head to stare at his keepers who all were watching him with grins on their faces.
"Well someone get in the bed already," Titos said.
"Yes, master," Mazki teased as he slid in.
Adom and Seth looked at each, then Seth came over and gave Titos a kiss before he pulled back. "I will be back later on."
Titos wanted to ask him to stay—shit, he wanted all of them to stay—but he knew why they all couldn't be in his bed at once.
Seth left the room with Kail, Alfrik, and Liby. Titos sighed, missing the others. It was strange. He'd only had them in his life for a little while, but already it felt strange not to have everyone in his bed. Mazki pressed kisses to his shoulder, making him close his eyes at the soft touch. He turned to snuggle into Mazki's warmth. He was hot enough to heat the room but still Titos shivered.
Adom was suddenly behind him, his hands lifting Titos’s shirt. He sat up a little and let his shirt be taken off until he was bare and Adom’s chest hair tickled his back, Mazki placing his head on Titos’s chest.
"Rest, Titos," Adom said.
Titos thought it might take him a long time to fall asleep, but he was out like a light in seconds.
Throughout the night and into the morning, he would awake a little when bodies changed, but once one disappeared, another would press up against him and he would fall back into a deep sleep.
The sun shone through the curtains and Titos stretched beneath Alfrik’s overheated body. The man was afraid to crush him yet slept like a log. Titos had wiggled his way under him when he’d changed with Kail earlier.
Titos moved, trying not to wake him or Adom. But as soon as he moved his leg, Adom's eyes were open. Liquid silver stared back at him.
"Morning," Adom said in his gruff, sleepy voice, which Titos found alarmingly sexy.
"Morning," Titos whispered back.
Adom’s leg moved, grazing against the hard-on Titos had and making him groan. The smile that stretched over Adom's face was priceless. He did it again and Titos knew it wasn't an accident. A gentle hand touched his hard length. When Titos moved to get closer, Adom quickly took his hand back, taking away the touch.
"Tease," Titos said.
Adom pulled him closer as he wrapped his hand around Titos’s hard cock. Titos had no idea when his pants had been taken off but right then and there was thankful. He flexed his hips up, trying to fuck into Adom's hand. A hot tongue pressed against his throat accompanied by the scratch of facial hair. Titos moaned from the dual sensation.
"More," he pleaded.
Sharp teeth scraped against his shoulder and Titos moaned. He wanted it. Adom must've read his mind, because the next thing he knew, he was coming and it wasn't just him. Alfrik woke with a groan as he painted Titos’s back with come. As Titos came in Adom's hand, he felt the hot splashes of come against his leg from Adom.
"Fuck, what was that?" Alfrik asked.
Titos was still trying to catch his breath. He'd come so quickly and so hard. Even if his keepers didn't need blood, they were going to have to bring fangs back into the bed room. The door opened and Kail waddled in, his face flushed and his breaths coming in pants. There was a prominent wet spot on the front of his jeans.
"A little warning," Kail said as he leaned against the door jam.
Titos: Mazki. Seth.
Mazki: Holy fuck, I nearly set the damn woods on fire with that one.
Seth: We’re fine, but we do have guests.
; Titos: Already?
Seth: The magic user and another edoli. A strong one from the feel of him.
Titos: Okay, ummm, did they see when, um, you know?
Seth: Unfortunately. I was leading them into the house.
Titos felt his face heat.
Titos: Sorry.
Seth: I’m not. The pleasure coursing through me is a gift from you.
Titos shook his head, his curls dancing over his eyes.
"Let's get dressed so we can meet our latest guests," Adom said.
Adom went to the bathroom for some wash clothes. He passed them around and they all cleaned up the mess Titos had unconsciously caused. He hadn't focused on pulling or even touching all their bonds—it had just happened. Kail, with his change of clothes, and the rest of them left the bedroom. Liby came out of the room a few doors down. She looked tired, her bun not so tight and her shoulders practically attached to her ears.
"You okay?" Titos asked as Liby caught up to them.
She looked anything but, but she still nodded as they descended the stairs. They headed to the dining room. Titos could smell breakfast and his stomach grumbled. Since he’d barely eaten dinner, it was no wonder.
"When will the kitchen be done with the repairs?" Titos asked.
Ginger appeared out of nowhere. "I have half the team working on it, so it should be done in a week or so."
Titos nodded. He liked sitting next to the big window in there. It was nice view as he sat with his keepers and friends. He counted Ginger and Liby as friends, and even Gavin, whom Titos hadn't seen in a while.
Just as they entered the dining room, Titos stopped. The wind that always surrounded him touched something, and it had him turning until he set eyes on a lean, tall man with midnight black hair with a strip of gold and piercing gold eyes. He had two lip piercings and jewelry decorated his ears along with his arms.
"You must be the king here." The girl spoke. She looked just like the stunning man except for the blond streak—hers was red. She stuck out her hand. "I'm Kyo, the magic user, and this is my brother Gin."
Titos eyes were on Gin, but he said nothing, his focus completely on Titos.
