by A. K. Koonce
In the morning, I’ll get their clothes, run by for the rest of the Prince’s deposit on these three, and then lead them to Agatha.
It’ll be simple. Nothing to worry about.
My stomach turns in disagreement.
“I’m going to bed.” I stand slowly, and my gaze lingers on the rows of money left in the tote. “If any of you steal from me, just know there are worse fates than death.” A mage could torture them slowly. So slowly death would seem like a blessing.
Not that I can afford to waste my magic right now. Not with Kreedence seemingly back in the picture.
“Steal from you?” A taunting and arrogant look consumes Kain’s smooth features. “If I recall, we earned this money.”
My lips part as my gaze narrows on the little shit.
“You are not the one on the line who has to deliver the product.” And I very much intend to deliver my product.
“That’s enough. Everything’s fine. We’re friends, right?” Chaos starts to tie the cloth around his hips, and I realize this is the second time today someone has tried to force their friendship on me.
“No, we’re not.” I shove past him. The smooth skin of their shoulders sears into my skin as I go.
The cool blankets fling back from my bed as I push them aside and start to climb in. To make things worse, I have to sleep in today’s clothes to avoid changing in front of them. I can’t even be comfortable in my own home. Perhaps I can talk the Prince into taking the dragons at an earlier date.
Like tonight… Right now.
The bed dips and Chaos’ big arms wrap around my hips like I’m a small pillow as he lies between my legs with his head resting on my stomach. My spine stiffens beneath his vise grip, my hands held awkwardly in the air. He shifts, his beard scraping deliciously against my lower stomach.
“Do you know what personal space is?” My whispered words are nearly a shriek.
Kain and Rime settle in on the chairs near the fire, ignoring me and my little outburst completely.
Chaos breathes in deeply, sending warm air fanning against my navel.
“Mmm, not really. You’ve let me sleep between your legs for months. Don’t feign shyness now.”
Months? It’s been a few weeks. I don’t know how time passes for a dragon, but his timeframe is a little off.
His chest is against my core, and all I can think about is if he coughs really hard, I might have an orgasm.
“I think our situations have changed a little bit since this morning.”
His head tips up to me, his mystical eyes appearing even clearer in the moonlight.
“You’re saying you don’t feel safe with me wrapped around you?”
My stomach flutters as he holds my gaze. I haven’t had sex in five years. I never really put much thought into that lengthy amount of time. But with this gorgeous man pressed solidly against my core … I’m very aware of that sad little number.
“That’s not the point. I don’t even know you and you’re already between my legs.”
“Already, as in you knew it’d happen, you just didn’t think it’d happen this quickly.” His eyes flash with arrogant humor. My gaze narrows on his taunting smile. “I’m kidding.” He sits up a little, resting his weight on his forearms as his thumbs start to sweep across my sides in a way that makes my stomach flutter to life. “Look, our situation is weird. Totally fucked up. But I sleep better when I’m near you, okay? And you sleep better when I’m here, right?”
How does he know that? My gaze shifts to Rime and Kain, but they both seem content to ignore me. The tension in my body eases a little as I start to nod.
“If you want me to move, I will. But don’t tell me to go just because society has pushed some unrealistic moral standard into your head about how long it should take to trust someone, to like someone, or to love someone. If it makes you happy, do it.”
I lower my hands slowly, brushing my fingers across his smooth shoulders.
He’s warm. So warm. And comfortable and sweet. I hate how much I like him held against me.
His familiar eyes and playful demeanor does make it feel like I’ve known him for so much longer.
“Goodnight, Chaos.”
A smile tilts his lips. I feel the curve of that smirk as his head rests against my stomach once more. A rumbling sound of happiness hums through him.
“Night, Arlow.”
I try hard not to shiver against the feel of his breath on my skin. My lashes close slowly and total, consuming calm sinks into me as I lie beneath this strong man.
The last time someone held me like this flashes through my mind with the haunting memory of how things ended between us. I shove that thought quickly away.
It’s been a long time since I let anyone take care of me.
Not that that is what this is …
It’s just sleep. Nothing more.
Chapter Five
Ridiculous Men
“Let me deliver it personally.” The Prince’s words sound like a promise and, for once, I shiver from his spoken words.
Because he just said he’d deliver the down payment right to my house.
This. This is what true love must feel like.
I lean into him with a smile I can’t seem to smother.
“That’s really nice of you, My Prince.”
His chest brushes mine, his gaze skimming down to my lips. “It’s my pleasure, Arlow.”
The low rumbling growl that fumes through the air has him pulling back just slightly from me. His attention drifts down to the sound of the aggression.
I couldn’t bring dragons with me, not when they’re walking around on two legs like the arrogant men that they are. I intend to bring home an abundance of money today, and I can’t walk the streets without some form of protection.
Hence my sweet little guard dog.
“What—what exactly is that thing?”
Fire rolls off Grim’s inky black fur. It matches his blazing eyes that are narrowed on the Prince. Smoke drifts from him like he’s burning internally.
And maybe he is.
“This is Grim. He’s a hellhound.” My fingers dig affectionately into the warm fur between his pointed ears, and his long red tongue licks at his lips.
He’s the one constant I’ve had in my life in the last five years, and he’s the one creature I’ve never been able to part with.
He reminds me too much of a friend I lost. A demon I’ll never forget.
A man I’ll always love.
“A hellhound?” Linden takes a small step back from me and my pooch.
“Yeah. He’s a demon of sorts, so he doesn’t eat anything. He’s loyal. The sweetest pet I’ve ever had, really.”
It’s the one thing Kreedence left me with that I actually love.
Grim is the only thing I care about in my life.
“You have the most interesting creatures, Arlow.” He says it in a way that seems like he’s reaching for a compliment and this was the best he could find.
“Anyway.” His throat clears gruffly. “Tomorrow, I could drop it off personally. If you have time, maybe we could finally get that dinner? My treat this time.” The wink he adds at the end makes it hard for me not to roll my eyes.
Prince Linden is a nice man. Really, he is. That’s the problem though. He’s too nice. And I’m not ready for nice. I wouldn’t even begin to understand nice.
But I do want that money …
Ah, decisions, decisions.
“That sounds … nice.”
“Perfect.” He leans into me, and I tense beneath his touch as he presses a warm kiss to my cheek.
Another rumbling growl sounds through the air and sharp teeth lash out at the Prince’s ankle.
“Grim.” The scolding tone of my voice doesn’t reflect the relief that’s in my heart. “Be nice.”
“That’s alright. He’ll get used to me, I’m sure.”
Hmm, that sounds suspiciously like he intends to be around for a while.
�
�I have to go. I have a couple more errands to run.” I wave to him as I stride quickly through the castle gate, rounding the corner so fast the Prince doesn’t even have time to reply.
“Good Goddess, why is there an abundance of ridiculous men in my life right now?”
***
When I was a girl, my mother would buy me pretty dresses to dress my dolls in, and I’d spend the day fawning over how perfect they looked. Today is almost just like that. I hand my naked men their clothes, and I pretend to busy myself with straightening the kitchen, hanging up their dick curtains and such, but really, I’m side-eyeing them hard.
Rime pulls his jeans on, and the waist of the pants hug the smooth curve of his tight ass as he pulls them into place.
A happy sigh slips from my lips.
Chaos tugs the dark shirt down over the hard lines of his abs, and another sound of contentment leaves my lungs.
When I look to Kain, he’s staring a hole right through my head.
“Are you done? Or should we make this a strip tease effort for your enjoyment?” Gruffly, he pulls his shirt over his fiery hair, glaring telepathic hate messages with his eyes as he goes.
Why is he so damn moody?
I’ve been nothing but kind to him.
The fucktile.
“So, lead the way to our mage, and we’ll be done with this friendship once and for all.” There’s no amusement in Kain’s voice. The serious tone isn’t pleasant or kind. It’s entirely demanding.
Right, it’s time for them to meet Agatha and hope they accept her as their missing mage.
I have a feeling this is going to turn out really bad either way …
Chapter Six
The Other Mage
The journey from my shack to Agatha’s cottage is tense, but I refuse to show even a miniscule amount of discomfort.
“Are you three brothers?” I don’t ask the question to anyone in particular, but I know there’s only one of the three who will actually answer me.
Chaos keeps pace at my side, and he seems to be the least intimidating of their little bunch. Kain has a fiery anger that rolls off him even in his quietness. Rime is an image of innocence with the silence to match. His pale hair is so white, he looks like Jack Frost come to life. Sharp angles and sharp glares define him. He doesn’t detach his jaw from its tightly held place to speak one single word of kindness to me.
While Chaos can’t seem to shut up.
“We’re not brothers. Just a pack of sorts. We owe someone something. Once we return the mage, we’ll be back to our normal life.”
Kreedence’s cruel features flash through my mind and, before the fear can curl into my stomach, I ask another question to distract myself.
“And what is a normal life for a dragon shifter?”
The setting sun warms the soft dirt beneath my feet. The makeshift road is lined with divots, making a winding path that leads from the outskirts of the Kingdom right to the castle gates itself. Today is one of those days that I used to love. A cool breeze rustles the trees and seeps right into my lungs. Pale colors of pink and white wash out the sky, making the world feel alive and pure.
“Our normal life is—” Chaos’ reminiscing words are cut off quickly.
“Our normal life is really none of your business.” Kain’s arm brushes mine as he keeps his attention on the thick forest.
Well, isn’t he fucking charming.
I study him from the corner of my eye before ignoring his shitty attitude.
Our friendship is only temporary. They’ll get their mage. I’ll sell them to the Prince. We’ll all live happily ever after.
“Agatha’s is just around the corner here.” I pause, trying to think of a way to make this all work out just fine. “Mages, I’m told, are able to manipulate their appearances.” That’s a lie. You get what you get. Vanity is not one of our strengths. “So, your beautiful mage may not appear as you’ve been told.” Understatement of the year, cough, cough.
Kain doesn’t speak. He barely moves his head with a simple nod of understanding.
“Well she can’t be hideous. No magic in the world could make this chick look less than what he said. A modern marvel.” Chaos has this awestruck look in his pretty eyes.
Huh. I’m a modern marvel, am I? My attention drifts down to my hips and small curves.
As we turn the bend, the trees giving way to an open meadow, the wind pulling at the ends of my long dress, dread drops to the bottom of my stomach.
A small round cottage sits front and center. Did you ever hear those stories about an old witch who eats those kids in the woods?
Yeah, Agatha definitely gives off those eerie witchy vibes.
The visual warnings are all there.
Maybe that’s why Agatha and I are the best of friends; we both intentionally keep to ourselves.
Soot stains the small windows in streaking lines that looks like the house itself is crying. There’s an assortment of wind chimes near the door, and it won’t be until we get closer that the men will be able to realize they’re actually bones clattering together; a warning bell of sorts.
Agatha will take care of these interfering men. She’ll help me; I just know it.
She’s actually one of my favorite people. She’s the only other mage I’ve ever met. She’s crazy as hell, but I’ll let these guys figure that out for themselves.
I don’t hesitate as they start to lag, their steps seemingly becoming more and more uncertain with each new detail their eyes land on.
I pass them a sly but pleasant smile as my knuckles rap gently against the rotting door. My knock doesn’t echo or even thud against the thick but damp door. It’s more of a quiet sound that Agatha always hears.
My gaze catches on the hole that graces her front yard. I could have covered it for Goddess’ sake.
The door swings open and Agatha looks out at me with hazy eyes that drift from my face to Kain, to Chaos, and then to Rime.
She seems to sense all four of us even if she can’t visually see any of us.
“Low, welcome. I was expecting a visit from mysterious strangers today, but my sight never told me they’d be so handsome.” She has nothing to hide. She knows more than these three assholes will ever understand.
She must know it’ll end okay for her. For an instant, I try to pry into my sight. For several seconds, I stand there trying to peer past the heavy veil within my mind to see what our future holds. Shadows and darkness are all that’s revealed. Something more powerful is in my future. Something that knows to surround itself with secrecy.
A chill skims all the way along my spine, and the aging lines of Agatha’s face turn down in a small frown.
Can she see it?
Can she see what’s ahead for me?
I search her unseeing but all-seeing eyes.
“Please, come in. We are all friends here.”
Boards creak under foot as I cross the threshold of her small cottage. The moment I enter, darkness surrounds me. The little windows can’t seem to allow much light to shine into the cluttered room. Stacks of papers and a hoard of mysterious artifacts tower along the tabletops, demolishing every surface.
She’s a collector of sorts. I’m ninety percent certain I saw a shrunken skull here beneath some of these documents at one time, but Goddess knows where it is now. If we were alone, I’d ask her where she found my little darling dragon dicks but now is not the time.
“Which of you is Rime?” At the sound of her question the three men halt just inside the home.
Rime glances toward Kain for an instant. Silence clings to his tightly held jaw. I used to think he was sweet and timid as a dragon. He isn’t. He’s brooding and calculating with a mask of silence that seems to fester his aggression.
The blind woman turns toward us, giving her full attention as she waits.
And the fucking asshole never once opens his mouth.
I roll my eyes and grip his hand as I jerk him forward. His palm is warm against mine, large and oddly
comforting to hold on to.
“This is Rime.”
Tension makes his muscles taut. His head turns slowly to glare at me full on. But he doesn’t release my hand. He lets me hold on to him despite his hard stare.
Agatha’s long gray hair sways as she tilts her head at him.
“You will be the hardest to break, but the easiest to love. The worst to lose.” Her words make a shiver race across my flesh, and for some reason, I hold on to Rime’s hand a little tighter. “You three think you know so much. So strong, so daunting.” She pauses for only a moment. “So stupid.”
The smooth muscle of his forearm becomes more rigid as he stiffens from her final statement.
“Enough of the babble. Someone sent us to retrieve you.” Kain pushes forward, his shoulder skimming against mine as he holds Agatha’s vacant gaze.
Agatha’s head tilts just slightly and she seems to study me for a moment. She knows. She knows I brought them here to her to save myself.
“There are other mages in this village, my friends.” She looks away from me, busying herself by straightening the mess of papers in front of her. She pushes them this way and that but never really does anything with the stack.
“Where?” Kain’s bulky arms fold across his chest, but I don’t know why.
“You do realize she can’t see your intimidating stance, right? There’s literally no one here for you to impress.” At the quiet sound of my words, he pins me with his pretty, emerald eyes. A mixture of annoyance and aggression is there in his gaze.
Okay, I’m lying. One person might be slightly impressed ... I’m very impressed with his intimidating stance. Everything from the cut line of his jaw all the way down to the way his biceps seem to bulge against the thin cotton of his shirt.
Yes, color me impressed.
Agatha pulls a small skull from beneath a mound of her treasures. My lips curl at the sight of the tiny animal carcass. Her long fingers glitter from the jewels of her rings as she coddles the little thing, stroking its ivory bone as if it’s her favorite pet.
