by A. K. Koonce
“If she owed him money, she could have easily repaid it today. Kreedence is a demon. There’s nothing more valuable to him than power and life itself. He feeds off it.”
A chill scurries down my spine, but I don’t show it. I keep my jaw locked in place.
I feel like I can almost breathe again. Rime trusts me. He believes me.
“We owe him the mage.” Kain’s cruel words suck the happiness right out of me. He’s too logical to let his emotions pity me for even a moment.
Rime lowers himself, crouching down until we’re eye level. He studies me intently as if he can see all my sins just with one dark look.
“Well, he’s not getting this one.”
Chapter Seventeen
His Filthy Mouth
“I hope you’re prepared to fight for your life.” Kain crosses his arms over the hard panes of his chest, pulling my attention to his body for only a moment. “We need to leave before dusk.”
“Probably would have helped if we had money.” I bite the words out before I can stop them.
Rime cocks a brow at me and my smart mouth.
“The Prince will be checking on me after what happened today.” I cock a brow right back at him.
And then we’re both smiling.
Why am I such an idiot?
“Let’s go to Agatha’s for now. I’ll get supplies there.”
“Supplies. Like abnormal witchy supplies for your witch magic?” Kain’s tone is cold and angry and, when I stand, my shirt skimming against the smooth panes of his chest, he doesn’t flinch away.
“No, like normal average supplies and average clothes for your average cock.” A cough that sounds slightly like a laugh shakes through Chaos. “I can’t go back to town to get you clothes, and I’m not starting a life of hiding with three naked men.”
His glare narrows on me before he finally speaks.
“Average is an understatement.”
That’s what he takes away from my words.
Really?
Kain turns away, his steps crunching over the old boards of my home as he heads toward the road. Chaos passes me a quiet glance, his fingers skimming against mine before he trails after his friend.
Then it’s just Rime and me.
A warm feeling spreads through me as I realize he’s the only reason I’m not in Kreedence’s possession right now.
Chaos would have stood up for me. I know he would have. But his vote would have been out numbered.
“I could leave. I could run away, and you three could say you never found me.” He stands only a few feet from me and that space gets smaller and smaller with every slow step he takes.
They could be rid of me so easily. I’m more work than I’m worth, I promise. I’m a total fuck up from start to finish.
I’m a liar. A desperate, compulsive, terrible woman.
But I can’t seem to say that to him.
Even if I think he already knows.
His palm skims against the curve of my neck before trailing against my throat to push through my hair. Pain stings lightly along my scalp as his fingers fist into my locks, tilting my head up a little more to meet his intense gaze.
“I know what it’s like to travel alone. I did that for a long time before I met Kain and Chaos.” His gaze becomes that warm blue color, and it makes me lean into his hard body. “I know you’re capable of doing all of this on your own.” There’s still a hard undertone to his voice that doesn’t reflect the sweet way he’s looking at me. His head tilts just slightly before his whispered words skim across my lips. “I’m telling you that you don’t have to.”
His lips nearly press to mine. My lashes nearly flutter closed. My wall that I’ve worked so hard to build up nearly comes toppling down.
All because this man with pretty eyes said a few pretty words to me.
I pull back from him with my breath caught in my lungs. My gaze darts to the floor as I avoid the look in his eyes.
An irrational fear claws through me, telling me that if I let myself care too much for him, for any of them, that I’ll lose them.
“I’m sorry.” His tone holds confusion and hesitancy as his arms fall away from me. “I—I thought you were attracted to me.”
“Well I have shitty taste in men, so obviously I’m attracted to you.” My lips snap closed before I say something embarrassing. Snark overpowers my tumbling emotions.
Why am I so stupid? Someone cares about me and my instinct is to shove them far, far away.
“So … you can come on my mouth, but you can’t kiss me?”
Yes! Thankfully he understands completely. I knew he and I were alike. We’re both a little damaged because of our pasts and thank the goddess he understands that.
His hand pushes slowly across his face, his jaw locking together before he finally leans into me and speaks in a low and rumbling tone. His silence is pushed aside as his frustration growls through him.
“How about I just never touch you again and neither of us will be confused about what part of me is good enough for you.”
There’s always this back and forth between us. Our emotions are too unsteady for us to ever be on the same page.
My lips part with a reply but giant white wings burst from his back and glinting scales cover his shoulders, turning the flesh right before my eyes at a rapid pace. He looks like an archangel. Beautiful and deadly. A man of solid strength, and anger, and wings as pure as snow. Stormy eyes glare back at me just before he fully changes, being swept away in a fume of magic. The beast that stands before me lowers his head and, for a moment, I think he’ll offer me a ride like he did before.
Then his powerful wings thrust down, shoving harshly at the wind as he takes flight. The breeze sweeps up my hair, twirling it messily across my face as I watch him soar away.
“Such a dramatic exit.” I huff a sigh, pretending hard not to feel the sting of his words in my chest. On slow steps I pick up the glass bowl. Ash drifts along the top of the water as I stare down at Bobble. He blows me a few little bubbles, the only sign that he cares.
I look to Grim and the dog lowers his ears before making his way toward me. These two care about me. These two will always be here for me. Nothing could take these sweet creatures from me.
We were almost friends, Rime and me.
Thank the Goddess I avoided that.
***
“We need to lay low for a while until we can figure out what to do with her.” Kain looks at me like I’m a broken thing he doesn’t know how to fix.
No one asked him to fix me. If I had my money right now, I would be well on my way to a new and improved life.
An involuntary smile pulls at my lips as Agatha’s frail hands skim against the smooth span of Chaos’ chest. Her fingers push over his shoulders, feeling at the hard muscle there before veering down. Chaos tilts his head at me, but he lets the woman feel her fill.
I set Bobble’s bowl on the counter, pushing back a mound of old newspapers to make a little space for the fish. He wobbles in his little glass home as he looks out at the towering papers above him. Before he even starts to drift up, I push the slick scales of his back and send him right back down into the safety of his water.
“It’s been a few decades since I’ve had young men in my life. Want to make sure I get a proper fit for you boys.” Blindly, she feels along until her palms are pushing against Rime’s body. He watches her closely, and I have to admit, I’m a little jealous she has an excuse for her blatant fondling. She moves on to the next one. Kain all but bites her hand like a dog as he glares down on the little old woman who’s stroking down his abdomen. When her fingertips skim his hips, he jerks back from her. “Hmm, I guess that’s enough to go on.” With an arch of her slender fingers, and a turn of her wrist, clothes fall from the ceiling. Jeans, shirts and boots land in a heap of a pile on the old dusty floor.
“Why couldn’t you do that?” Kain looks to me, and I am really proud of myself for not sticking my tongue out at his condescending tone. I’m honestly to
o exhausted from all the magic I’ve used today to fight with him. “You’re this powerful mage, right?”
I don’t tell him how tired I am from everything that’s happened. I also don’t mention how much my magic has been hidden way nearly all my life.
I’m not weak, not really. But I’m not as powerful as Aggie either.
My lips part but Agatha jumps in. She turns to him, her long silver hair twirling like a cape behind her.
“Magic progresses with age and studying, boy. Do not talk down on a young mage, for when she is an Elder, you will surely fear her.”
“So, in fifty years, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with?” Kain cocks his fucking fiery brow at me.
Agatha grew up in a society that embraced magic; that fed from it, and trained it, and empowered it. She’s told me tales how she was the most loved woman in all of Minden once. And now she hides away from the very people who once cared so much for her.
My magic has been hidden away all my life. It’s been hidden and saved up even more in the last five years since I’ve been running from my demons. Literally.
I can’t find it in me to reply to him. My throat tightens as I realize I’m barely a mage at all most days. What a waste of power. This is how it was when I was a child, and this is how it is now that I’m an adult. I’m still hiding myself. Nothing has changed.
My feet skim against the flooring and, in just three quiet steps, I’m outside. I pull the door closed behind me and lower myself down against the cottage. Dry dirt pushes through my fingertips. A hum of a whine catches my attention, and Grim circles next to me before lying down and settling his massive head in my lap.
I stroke his warm fur slowly, letting the ash coat my palm as I delve my fingers into his thick hair.
A mess of thoughts circle my mind.
The men finally got what they came for; a mage. Now I’ve dragged them into my problems. I should leave. I should sneak out tonight and give them the easy way out. But I know that’s not the easy way. I don’t know why they owe Kreedence, but he’ll never let them free until they do what they agreed to do.
So, we’re all fucked.
Black boots stand at my side, and I don’t look up at him as he pulls the door closed. Chaos’ shoulder skims against mine as he lowers himself to sit next to me. Neither of us speaks and it’s nice. I like the silence right now. I like the way the sky is a slate of white with a hue of pale orange emitting within it. Everything is beautiful on the surface right now. A beautiful evening, a beautiful man, and a beautiful woman.
It’s what’s beneath the surface that’s ugly.
“I’m not like Rime or Kain.” That’s for sure. I keep my snarky comments to myself as Chaos continues, “I can’t seem to take life serious enough, and it gets me into so much shit. The only reason we met you is because I picked a fight with Kreedence. He bet me he could win in a fistfight. I didn’t ask what the winner would win.”
“You didn’t?” What an idiot.
“No, I was drunk at a pub a few cities over, and he said, ‘you’re not nearly as tough as you think you are.’ Or something. Then he said, ‘I bet I could beat you in a fist fight.’”
His hands clasp together, his arms settling against his bent knees as we look out at the washed-out skyline.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. I fucking hit him.” There’s a hint of a smile against his lips, and my fingers leave Grim’s fur, hesitantly touching Chaos’ arm.
He is definitely an idiot. I can’t believe he picked a fight against a demon.
And lost.
He’s not one to back down, I suppose.
“I think you’re stronger than you think. Maybe you’re used to being told you’re weak, but you’re not weak.” There’s a sound of awe in his voice that warms my chest when he looks over at me. “I just, I wanted to tell you, it doesn’t matter how strong or powerful you are.” His head tilts, his gaze watching the way my fingers are skimming against his arm before he finally meets my eyes. “Everybody fucks up in life, Low.”
My heart’s thundering in my chest. It’s a feeling of weak and uncontrollable emotions. He makes me feel like my endless screw ups aren’t this massive weight I’m carrying around. That my power’s strong even when it’s hidden.
It’s definitely improving. I guess. Years ago, I’d never be able to do everything I did today.
The warm feel of his hand against mine makes me lean into him. A faint growl from Grim causes me to pause for only a second before my head settles against Chaos’ shoulder. It’s nice. It’s nice to have someone to comfort me. I’m surrounded by his strength and Grim’s warmth, and everything feels completely perfect.
For one full minute.
“Cuddle time is over. We need to get moving,” Rime’s boots stomp down the weak boards of Aggie’s porch.
“We’re not leaving until dawn,” I yell after him. I stand quickly and take a few steps toward him, but I refuse to chase him down. I stop after only a few steps, standing between the two men.
Really, I’m just stalling. I’m still not sure if I want to be tied to them, but we are in similar situations. It’s just … I’ve never had a companion, let alone three companions. I’m not good at having someone I care so much about.
It’s terrifying.
“Let’s go.” His shoulders stiffen with every command he barks.
“I’m not going.” My arms fold across my chest, and his attention pulls there to my breasts. I’m very aware of how thin my clothes are, but I’ve never put as much thought into my shirt as Rime is right now.
Rime quickly looks away, but Chaos’ warm attention is still pinned to the outline of my breasts. I force myself not to look down to see what he sees.
“You have to go. This isn’t up for discussion.” Rime’s words make my jaw clench.
I’ve spent the last five years with only myself and Grim to protect me. I don’t need these men.
“Prove to me you two can take care of me better than Grim can and I’ll go.” My head tilts at him, daring the aggressive man when I know I’ve already pissed him off today.
“I think you and I both know how good I can take care of you.” Chaos’ low tone hums against my hair, and I have to shift away from him and that alluring sound or I’ll relent and follow him wherever his sexy voice wants to take me.
“Prove it.” I cock my head at him and a smile pulls at his lips.
“Prove it?” Chaos’ eyes narrow on me; his mind is probably a spiral of dirty thoughts.
“If Rime were attacking me, how would you fight him off? Impress me.” I already know Chaos isn’t one to back down, and his next words make a warm feeling flood my body from how quickly he gives in to me.
“How would he be positioned? I need more details if you want me to protect your virtue and shit.”
My lips part with a taunting reply against my lips, but then Rime is stalking toward me. His confidence isn’t playful like Chaos’. There’s no teasing undertone to his actions. He has a look of dangerous aggression with slow steps that make words slip away from me.
He passes me and the chilling look in his eyes shivers right through me. The cruel set of his mouth makes me wonder what he isn’t saying. That’s all I ever think when I consider his silence. Because he’s always thinking but never speaking.
In silence, he pushes his chest against my back. My spine stiffens beneath his touch as his palms travel slowly down my ribs, teasing my skin with his light touch before gripping my hips hard. The memory of his mouth against my body is all I can think about as I shift against him. I force my arms over my chest, trying hard to prove he doesn’t affect me.
Especially since just an hour ago, he promised to never touch me again. His head tilts toward mine just slightly, resting against me in a gentle way.
“So … this would be an attack?” A smirk tilts Chaos’ lips as he cocks a brow at Rime in a knowing way. It seems to amuse him to know his friend is attracted to me.
In l
ess than a second, Rime jerks me hard against his chest, pushing the air from my lungs with his controlling touch. Strong arms wrap over mine, holding me in a captive but romantic position against him. Warm breath fans against my neck, and I have to put real effort into stifling the heavy exhale that falls from my lips. I’m insanely aware of how wet my panties are right now. My nerves are a bundle of tight energy within my core, and all I can think about is the bulge that’s pressing hard against my lower back.
Chaos takes a stalking step closer. Closer and closer, he advances like a calculating beast ready to strike. His fists rise, and without holding back, he aims for Rime’s face that’s so close to mine. My breath catches as Rime pulls me to the left. I stagger but his swift movement avoids Chaos’ blow.
My lungs heave against the tight hold Rime has on me. To distract him, to prove he’s not as capable as he should be, I roll my hips, letting my ass shift nicely against his dick.
He groans but keeps his hold on me, and it only makes me want to shift harder; to hear him really lose that control he always clings to.
Until I realize I’ve distracted him too much.
A half smile is against Chaos’ lips as his fist lands hard against Rime’s jaw, and even I flinch away from the sound of the thudding impact.
Once more, Chaos comes closer, not giving Rime even a second to process the pain. The two men are fully fighting now, letting me be the common ground between them. Rime waits until Chaos is near enough, his fist raised for another blow, before Rime grips his friend’s shirt and pulls hard. Chaos’ body is warm against mine, but he’s only there for a second. Rime slams his head against Chaos’. The impact makes the two men stagger back from one another. My fingers dig into Rime’s arm as we stumble together, but he never releases me.
Chaos groans but a smile tilts his lips.
He’s so strong, he’ll never let this end without real harm coming to both of them. I remember the way they tumbled around my house, play fighting as small dragons, and I can’t help but wonder if this is a normal thing for them as men as well.
The two men are stalking right back toward one another, letting me stumble along with them. I’m just about to speak when Rime does something I couldn’t have anticipated even if I was a fucking mind reader.
