Her Warriors' Three Wishes (Dante's Circle)

by Ryan, Carrie Ann

  Balin had no idea what she was talking about. Hadn’t they just been talking about dying? What was this about flowers and sweeping?

  This could be why he didn’t stay with women…ever.

  He must have looked as confused as he felt because Jamie glared. “I know I can’t fight like this. I know I’m going to have to use whatever power I can get because, like the two of you, I’ll be dammed in I die here. That means I’m going to have to change into whatever supernatural creature I happen to be. Meaning I’m going to have to bond with the both of you.”

  Something in her tone put him off. It was almost as if she wanted another way out.

  Wait, she didn’t want them?

  Something heavy fell in his stomach, and he rubbed his chest. He didn’t know it could hurt like this.

  Her eyes widened at the gesture, and she shook her head. “I’m not saying I don’t want to. I’d have liked the choice. I’d have liked you two to have had the choice and to want to make love with me and bond—not because it could save my life. Don’t you see? Pyro’s winning. He’s taking something that should have been just for us and twisting it for another purpose.”

  Now Balin understood, and he wanted to kick his father’s ass—again. “Jamie…”

  “No, don’t try to placate me please. I don’t even know you that well, and now, because of this feeling I get in my heart and because I don’t want to die, I’m going to bond with you. We don’t get that choice. I’d like to have thought that we’d choose each other anyway, but what do I know anymore?”

  “Jamie, I chose you,” Ambrose began.

  “No, you chose to leave me before.”

  Ambrose closed his eyes but opened them and took a deep breath. “I chose you. I know you don’t believe me, but I will do all in my power for the rest of my days to show you what you mean to me. And I know Balin will do the same, even if he just met us.”

  Balin smiled at the man, but Ambrose continued on. “I know this isn’t how we wanted it to start. I had imagined something much more romantic—much more you. Right now, we’re going to do everything in our power to get out of hell and go back to a life where we three—yes, all three of us—can find a life together. I know it’s crazy as hell, but I’m not going to let my past take anything away from us. We’re going to bond because we want to, not because we have to.”

  “I just said that we had to in order to live,” Jamie said, her tears finally stopping.

  “No, we’re going to bond because it’s our choice. We’re going to go into this knowing we could have walked away and found another way. It might be harder and seemingly impossible, but I’d find another way if you didn’t want to bond with me and Balin. Do you understand me? I’d find another way.”

  Balin believed the angel. Even if he couldn’t think of another way, he knew just from the promise in Ambrose’s tone that the other man would refuse to bond until Jamie was ready.

  “The setting might not be ideal, but the outcome will be well worth it,” Balin promised.

  Jamie looked at them both then, after what seemed like an eternity, finally nodded. “When we get through this nightmare, we’re going back to square one. I expect flowers.” She tried to smile, and Balin leaned in to kiss her.

  Her sweet taste danced on his tongue, and, Hades, he wanted more, but first, they had to find a way out of the cells.

  Balin pulled back and looked at Ambrose. He would have kissed the other man to show what he wanted for their future, but he couldn’t risk it in front of the other demons—at least not yet. Everyone already thought Jamie was a weakness for the both of them, but for now, it only seemed the council knew of the exact weakness the men held for each other.

  “You know, if we wanted space alone, we’d have to make sure it was too dangerous for us in here,” Balin began and noticed Ambrose seemed to understand.

  “Yes, they don’t want us to die in here, only feel the fear,” Ambrose continued. “If it was a real possibility, then they’d have to separate us.”

  “You’re going to start a fight, aren’t you?” Jamie asked. “I’m all for getting privacy, but I’m not keen on either of you dying. Nor am I keen on standing back and watching it happen.”

  Balin cupped her face and shook his head. “Even with the weakness in my bones, I can take these men. Ambrose could with his pinky I think. Right now though, it’s our best option, and I want you to sit in this corner with a dagger in your hand. We won’t let them come at you. And this time, we won’t let them come at you from behind.”

  He cursed himself at what had happened during their botched escape, but he wouldn’t let it happen again.

  Jamie nodded, and Ambrose gave her a dagger.

  “Just hold it and try not to cut yourself,” Ambrose said, and she rolled her eyes. Good, they’d get her to laugh and think happy thoughts. That had to be one way of getting out of this.

  “Ready?” Balin asked as he rolled his neck.

  Ambrose took out another sword and stretched. “I am a warrior. I’m always ready.”

  For some reason, that sounded hot as hell—something they’d have to discuss later.

  The others in the cell noticed their newly armed counterparts and growled. Balin smiled and watched as a few of the demons came at them, trying to prove they were tougher than the rest. Even though he knew these demons had no-kill orders, when the opportunity to best them came, Balin knew the demons would take it.

  Balin clutched the dagger in his palm and jabbed, catching a demon in the neck. Blood spurted from the wound, and the demon clutched it. Balin was faster. He struck again, sinking it into the other demon’s heart, sending the man to his knees, dead before he fell on his back.

  Balin hit two more demons, each time staying where he was so Jamie was safe. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ambrose holding his own but knew they’d have to at least make it look like they could die so Balin feigned slowing. Claws dug into his shoulder, and he cursed, falling to his knees in dramatic fashion.

  It hurt like a bitch, but he still struck out at the other demon’s knees, sending the bastard to the floor.

  The cell doors opened with a flourish, and armed guards stalked in. Fury was right behind them, the expression on his face resembling his name.

  “Cease this at once, you fools!” Fury bellowed.

  The other demons froze, clenching their fists, and Balin couldn’t resist one last punch.

  “I said fucking stop it.” Fury stomped toward them and screamed. “What the fuck? Do you want to die? Well, I’m going to make sure my property does what it’s told. And rather than split you up so you can to find a way to save the human bitch, I’m going to lock the three of you in a cell together.”

  Well hell, Fury was a fucking idiot. Balin would go with it.

  “Lock them up!” Fury ordered and stormed out of the cell. The guards came at them, and Balin quickly gave Ambrose’s dagger back to him to store in his cache. He risked a glance at the angel, who muttered something under his breath about blood on metal, but he couldn’t quite tell what it was.

  He pulled Jamie to his side, and she sank into him. That floral and spice scent invaded his senses, causing his dick to rub against the leather of his pants.

  Considering what they were about to do, that was a good thing.

  As they were led to the cell where they’d first found Jamie, he found it empty of Hunter, and Balin cursed that they couldn’t find the wolf who had comforted Jamie when she had no one. He’d find a way to make that right.

  The guards slid the cell door closed, and Balin let out a breath.

  “So, um, yeah, how do we start?” Jamie asked as she gave a nervous laugh.

  Ambrose sat on the edge of the small cot in the room and gave the small smile that Balin had begun to cherish.

  They’d be okay. They could do this. He could be with the two people he knew he could love, and they would survive.

  He just hoped to Hades he didn’t embarrass himself.

  Chapt
er 10

  “First, are you both okay?” Ambrose asked, more nervous now than he had been in the other cell. “Balin, what about your side?”

  Jamie’s eyes widened, and she ran to his side. Her fingers lightly brushed the other man’s side, and Balin sucked in a breath.

  Ambrose had a feeling it wasn’t from the pain of those wicked-looking gashes in his side but rather from the delicate touch of the woman they would both be having soon. He looked around the small cell and held back a sigh at the meager offerings.

  He’d wanted their bonding to be something memorable, something indicative of what they were to each other. Not in a cell with a small cot, tiny blanket, and four walls.

  If he were honest with himself, he’d also confess that he was nervous due to lack of practice. Dear God, it had been over a hundred years since he’d lain with a woman.

  Jamie’s grandparents hadn’t even been alive when he’d last had sex.

  Sex couldn’t have changed too much in that time, right?

  It seemed to have tamed for a few centuries there, but now, if the media were any indication, it had become even more fierce.

  He just had to make this about Jamie, and he’d be okay.

  Ambrose risked a glance at Balin. Okay, it would also have to be a little about Balin. Right now, they needed to focus on Jamie. Ambrose was pretty sure if they both made love to her tonight, then she’d find her new power.

  She wouldn’t be anywhere close to having the ability to control them, but she’d get the strength that came with being more than human.

  That’s what they needed. That and the ability to escape.

  The plan had been to avoid getting her in the arena, but that might not be an option.

  When she won her match, and if they found a way to help her do it, they could get out of hell, and he and Balin would find their own path.

  It would be too much too soon to scare Jamie with what the two of them could do.

  Or would do.

  “Jamie, dear, I’m fine; I promise. It’s but a scratch.” Balin tried to remove her hands, but she shook her head, her body shaking.

  “You’re hurt.” Jamie bit her lip, and Ambrose wanted to soothe the sting…then soothe her everywhere else.

  His cock throbbed, and he took a steadying breath. They’d have to be quick in cementing their bond before the guards came, but he wasn’t about to throw her on the floor and ravish her.

  At least not this first time.

  “I know, but I had to make sure the guards and Fury believed we could have lost. Don’t worry. I’ll heal.”

  Ambrose spotted the lie on Balin’s face and held back a curse. As the hours ticked by, Balin was close to his end. Only with the bond would he be able to live. And, that wasn’t even a true fact. Balin had let his body fade to the point that it might take more than a mating bond to heal him fully.

  They would get to that.

  Soon.

  As for the gashes on Balin’s side, there was something Ambrose could do now. “I can heal you, Balin.”

  Jamie’s eyes widened. “That’s right. You healed me from Striker. That’s because we’re true halves, right?”

  Ambrose nodded. Anger coursed through him with the memory of her body, broken by the hands of a now dead angel.

  “Wait,” Balin interrupted. “Who the hell is Striker? And how did he hurt you?”

  Jamie shook her head. “It’s a long story. One we will tell you when we get home. I promise. Ambrose can heal you.” She turned to him. “Can you heal what’s making him weak as well?”

  He shook his head, letting a little bit of that defeat slide through him. “No, I can’t heal something of that magnitude. We’ll see what happens after the bond, okay?”

  Jamie blushed again, and he could have cursed himself for saying that so casually.

  Ignoring the heat and nerves in the room, he stood and walked over to Balin. Without looking directly into the other man’s eyes, he pressed his palms against the wounds, sending a little bit of power through the fragile connection between them. It wasn’t a large one. No, it could have broken with the slightest wisp of air, but it would be cemented soon.

  Maybe not today, but after they bonded with Jamie.

  The claw marks stitched themselves together, the skin tightening. Balin winced, and Jamie held the demon’s face soothingly in her hands.

  She was always doing that, trying to care for others even when she was scared beyond reason.

  That was why they were doing this. Not because Pyro was going to kill them but because he wanted that light in his life. He wanted Jamie, and now that he’d met him, he wanted Balin as well.

  Call him selfish, but after five thousand years of war and pain, he deserved happiness. He couldn’t let it slip through his fingers the moment he caught a glimpse of it.

  Ambrose pulled back once he sensed the healing was complete, and Balin let out a breath.

  “Thanks,” he said. “I didn’t know you could do that.”

  “I didn’t know I could before I healed Jamie. It was just something that came to me when…when I found her like she was.”

  “You saved me that day, Ambrose,” Jamie said as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

  He ran a hand through her hair and kissed her softly, relishing in her touch, her taste. “I was almost too late.”

  “You weren’t.”

  “And you two promise you’ll tell me this story?” Balin asked, his shredded shirt on the floor, his hands on his leather-encased hips.

  He felt Jamie’s heart speed up at the sight of Balin’s chest and ripped abs. And, if he were honest with himself, his own heartbeat increased as well. Even though Balin was weaker from not eating souls, that hadn’t changed his physique. No, the man had the body of a warrior—a toned one.

  And Ambrose was a lucky man—as long as he let himself be.

  As lucky as he could be in hell, but they would make the most of it.

  “I’m not sure what to do.” Jamie whimpered as he ran a hand down her back, cupping her ass.

  She let out a little gasp, and he smiled. Her eyes brightened when he touched her, and he knew his plan of smiling more was working.

  He’d wanted her from the first time he met her, though he’d denied himself. And, though they were forced into making their decisions quicker than they’d have liked, he’d make sure she enjoyed it—enjoyed him.

  “We’re going to love you, Jamie,” Ambrose vowed as he leaned in to run kisses up her neck. She shivered in his hold, making his cock just that much harder. “Slowly, one at a time at first, and then we’ll take you in every way possible. For right now, we’re going to take it as it comes.”

  Balin came up to her other side, running a hand down her back. “This is just the three of us. And, for now, we’ll make sure we don’t scare you with too much, too soon. Later? I’m going to fill every inch of you, and then I’m going to do the same to Ambrose. How does that sound?”

  Ambrose let out a groan at the images Balin presented.

  “So you’re saying you’re both going to make love to me individually before we get to the more complicated things?”

  Balin let out a chuckle. “Yes, I won’t push you today. Maybe tomorrow, because I want to see how far you’ll go, but not too far now.”

  Ambrose could practically taste Jamie’s arousal, and he knew Balin was on the right track with being open and honest. He wasn’t as good with words as Balin, so he let him take the lead. One day soon, he’d show the demon that he wasn’t as submissive as he acted now.

  From the glint in the other man’s eyes, they were both on the same page.

  This wasn’t about life and death, choices and fate. No, this was about Jamie, Balin, and him.

  Nothing more, nothing less.

  He leaned down and captured her lips, parting them with his tongue. She opened for him, soft, innocent, letting him take the lead. Because his eyes were closed so he could drown in her intoxicating taste, he couldn’t see
Balin move, but he felt the other man rub his hands up and down Jamie, cupping her breasts, his hands brushing along Ambrose’s chest.

  Shivers of need cascaded down his spine, and he deepened his kiss, running his hands down her sides, causing them to tangle with Balin’s.

  He pulled back, raising a brow as Jamie chuckled.

  “Does something amuse you?” he asked, cupping her breast, watching as her eyes darkened and hearing her breath quicken. Her nipple pebbled beneath his palm, and he held back a shudder. It had been so long since he’d had a woman, and he’d never had the one woman who could fill his heart like no other. He didn’t want to embarrass himself and explode from just the feel of her in his hands.

  From the look on Balin’s face, the demon wasn’t far behind him in arousal.

  “I’m just feeling you and Balin trying to figure out how to touch me without choreographing your moves,” she teased as she arched into his palm. Balin slid his hand up her shirt, cupping her other breast, and she closed her eyes.

  “I’m sure Ambrose and I will find a way to move as one with you between us, under us, and even watching us,” Balin said as he bit her earlobe. “Yes, we’re going to bump heads.” He grinned. “And other things.”

  They all laughed at that, even though they were all moving, touching, feeling.

  “But,” Balin continued, “even if we mess up and find ourselves in an awkward position—literally—that’s what learning with those who are with you in a lifetime of grace is for. We’re mates, Jamie. You, me, and Ambrose. We’re a triad—a rare and beautiful thing. Even if we totally suck at making love—which we won’t—we’ll still be together, learning.”

  “I just don’t want to do something wrong,” she whispered, and Ambrose finally did what he’d wanted to do and kissed her.

  When he pulled back, he cupped her cheek with one hand then moved to cup Balin’s with the other. “You won’t do something wrong when we’re making love.” He met Balin’s gaze. “Either of you.”