Dark Soul: A Fae Shifter Romance (Guardians of the Fae Realms Book 7)

by JL Madore

  The ventilation system is doing wonders.

  Striding up close and personal with our recent plus one, I take the bottle from his hands and tilt my head. “Shower. Pull your shit together. Nothing has changed. Sure, it’s complicated but we’ve got your back, mate. The only way you’ve been screwed this morning is the good way. What happens next is on you.”

  When he curses and steps under the flow of water, I consider my work here done. There’s a faint scent of blood in the main room, but that’s better than sex. I’ll take that as a win and take my leave.

  Rhylan

  Slecking bear. I’m not sure why he thinks he gets a say in any of this, but that doesn’t seem to matter. I finish off in the shower, get dressed for duty, and eat a slice of bread, hoping it will soak up some of the alcohol sloshing around in my gut.

  “Hey,” Vik says, letting himself in.

  “Is there a sign on my door that says, ‘Don’t knock, just come in? because holy hell, I need to start using the deadbolt.”

  Vik scowls. “I see a night’s sleep hasn’t improved your disposition any.”

  “Yeah, well, sleep is a luxury I was denied.”

  Vik’s grin is annoying as hell. “So, that’s why you turned down my female offerings. You had something scheduled already. Why didn’t you just say so.”

  I give him my back and grab my weapons belt from the hook by the door. “Sorry to disappoint. I tossed and turned in my sheets all night and there was no one there to witness it.”

  “Well, then, I take it back. You need to get laid, my brother. You’re coming unraveled.”

  “I’m painfully aware of that, thanks. Now, why are you here?”

  “You asked me to give you a heads up on Laryssa’s progress reconnecting with the other Whitehouse son.”

  I buckle the belt and check the charge of my sidearm. “And?”

  “And she’s headed to StoneHaven this morning to instruct the traveler she’s using as a messenger.”

  “And you’re joining her?”

  “No. You are.”

  “Me? Why? You’re her favorite lap dog.”

  “Yeah, well, she thinks you’re slecking up with the prince. You let him go to Clarinta to meet with the royal liaison, you let him make that public announcement about the phoenix and the rift opening and you let him claim his mates. She’s pissed.”

  I curse. “I didn’t let him claim his mates. If it were up to me he wouldn’t have anyone in his bed.”

  Vikarus hears the truth in my words and doesn’t question why I feel so strongly. “I’m with you, but it changes nothing.”

  “So, now I’m stuck babysitting the queen?”

  “Honestly, my brother, I think it’s her who’s babysitting you. And maybe it’s less about babysitting and more about assessing your dedication to getting things done.”

  That bites my balls. “That’s stupid. She wants control over Creed but she doesn’t want us to alienate the Wolf King. Those two things are diametrically opposed.”

  He shrugs. “Stop making excuses. She’s not wrong. You’ve been off your game and she doesn’t even know about you letting him get away in the Human Realm. You never did explain how that happened.”

  I rub a hand over my mouth. I’m not about to tell Vik that Creed has his powers back. The only chance he has of righting the atrocities of Laryssa’s reign is for him to be able to defend himself.

  So, if it all has to fall at my feet, so be it. “Fine. You keep the prince in line and I’ll go with the queen to StoneHaven. Creed and his mates are escorting the Wolf King and his mates to Rames and Travon to make first contact and start talks regarding the portal coordinates.”

  “Or so they think,” Vik says. “Not on my watch. I’m the slecking dragon guard of the Queen of Dornte. They’re looking at a non-eventful day in the castle.”

  I chuff. “Well, obviously you haven’t been paying attention. It’s fine though. I’ll leave you to handle them your own way. Good luck.”

  “Luck is for suckers,” Vik says. “I’ve got skills.”

  I nod. “You sure do. You’re one talented asshole.”

  Keyla

  I wake with a low-grade hangover and the sun of mid-morning burning warm and bright through the leaded windows of Creed’s bedroom windows. Shielding my gaze, I roll the other direction and find Doc relaxing next to me. He’s propped up on a mound of pillows with one arm behind his head and the other holding an open book.

  “Good morning. What are you reading?”

  He tilts it to show me the cover. “A historical text about the powerful families behind the wars and how they ended up when the chips fell.”

  As interesting as that sounds, the pain behind my eyes prohibits me from being excited about reading in any way. Shifting under the sheets, I scoot closer and lay my cheek on his chest.

  I close my eyes as he strokes my hair and wonder if this realm has headache tablets.

  I must’ve dozed off because the next time I open my eyes, there is a hiss of running water coming from the bathroom and Creed is crossing the room with a towel wrapped around his hips and another draped over his shoulders to catch the water from his hair.

  “Good morning,” I say, rolling onto my belly to watch his powerful stride.

  “Good afternoon, Little Wolf.” He chuckles and changes course to meet me for a kiss.

  “Did you pay a visit to our surly dragon this morning as we discussed?”

  “I did. The dragon is sated. The man is a jerk.”

  The tone of his voice is so laced with emotion, I decide to leave that one alone for now. “You sound like you could use a little TLC.”

  He shakes his head. “And what might that mean, my minxy mate?”

  I grip the tucked knot of his towel and pull the fabric free. “Let me show you.”

  Not waiting for an answer, I reach around his hips and pull him forward until his crotch is tight to the edge of the mattress. Creed groans as I place his soft cock into my mouth and suckle and play until his solid erection kicks against my tongue.

  “Fiery hell, you’re a quick study.”

  I suck to the end and pop off like a kid devouring a lollipop. “I’m an eager student. So, TLC. It stands for tender loving care. Feeling a bit better?”

  “Much, thank you. That was lovely.”

  I laugh. “Oh, I’m not done. I was simply pausing to check if you have the time for me to devour you.”

  He chuckles. “I think any male given the choice would make time to have his very sexy, very sweet mate suck on him.”

  “Good answer, my prince.” I drop my head and get back to business. Wriggling on top of the bed, I get into a comfortable position and settle in to take my time.

  Creed’s body being hairless is so strangely erotic it’s crazy. As I nuzzle and nip, my wolf lets off a low, steady growl of approval. Part of having an animal side is understanding that our animals like to play. I’m not sure if humans are the same way, but wildlings love to let our playful sides out.

  Creed doesn’t seem to mind.

  I take my time, pleasuring him, while at the same time taking pleasure myself. He places a gentle hand on the back of my head and curses as his hips start a slow and steady rock into my mouth.

  I smile inwardly and reach beneath his shaft to the heavily weighted sac swaying free. Probing, I massage the delicate orbs within.

  “Oh, Princess,” he whispers. “You shatter me.”

  Moist heat trickles against the sensitive folds of my core and my wolf lets off a growl.

  “That sound…” he growls. “You have no idea what that does to me. Growl for me again, Little Wolf.”

  I growl again, but this time it’s hot and hungry.

  His fingers tighten in my hair and his breathing catches. “I’m going to come. If you don’t want me in your mouth, now is your chance to—”

  I grip his balls tighter and lock in. There’s no way I’m giving this up.

  His body bows forward over me and his p
alms plant on the mattress on either side of my ribs. The rest of his sentence is lost within a throaty shout.

  Warm spurts of cum cream my tongue and I swallow his release. Unlike the saltiness of Doc’s seed, Creed’s is sweet with a little tingle of magic against my tongue. Wanting all he can give, I suck and swallow, riding out every wave of his orgasm.

  “Your mouth is so hot and sweet.”

  “So, is your cum. I want more.”

  He barks a laugh. “Always hungry for more, aren’t you? Is that because of the newness of us specifically or the newness of sex in general?”

  “I have no idea. I only know I can’t help it.”

  “I don’t want you to help it.” He rolls me onto my back and points toward the pillow. “I do want to return the favor though.”

  I swivel across the covers and bite my lip. “You don’t have to. That was all for you.”

  Creed chuckles. “It’s only fair that I get to torture you a little after you ambushed me and sucked me dry.”

  I stretch back and let my knees fall open. “Well, all right. Fair is fair, I suppose.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Doc

  I wait for the ride to come to a full and complete stop before exiting the shower. Those twirling buffing cloths in conjunction with the pivoting spray nozzles leave me feeling clean and yet dirty at the same time.

  Toweling off, I open the bathroom door to let out some of the steam. The moment the fresh air of the bedroom hits me, I’m smacked with the wafting wonder of Keyla’s feminine scent.

  Well, well, what have we here?

  Keyla’s arousal wraps around me. It squeezes my insides and brings my bear roaring forward. When we first mated, I thought knowing Creed was touching her would drive us to violence.

  It doesn’t.

  When the two of them are together, I see nothing but the beauty of their bodies twining, smell nothing but the rich scents of their hunger, and hear nothing but the throaty sounds of erotic perfection.

  I thought seeing them together would make me feel like I needed to have my turn, that I was being left out, that I should be up next.

  If I adopted that mentality the three of us would never get out of this suite.

  I take a seat in the chair opposite the bed and settle in to watch the show. The two of them don’t seem to notice my arrival. And why would they?

  They are busy… and getting busy.

  Creed is draped over Keyla’s lush body her long chestnut hair fanned out on the pillow. They’re both naked and honestly, they are beautiful together. Creed’s pale smooth skin next to the warm cinnamon complexion of Keyla’s heritage is striking.

  By the strength of sexual release in the air they have each already had one turn and now he’s making love to her. Creed shoves his hand into the dark depths of Keyla’s hair and his eyes roll closed.

  He groans, kissing her more softly and with more affection than I’ve ever seen from him.

  That’s good. Until now, the only thing I’ve witnessed between the two of them is the wild and rough result of passions unhinged.

  Keyla deserves soft sultry seduction as well.

  Our girl is the picture of perfection, lying on that lush bed, so poised and proper and yet so incredibly sexual. There’s a wildness in her that goes beyond her wolf.

  Not wanting to disturb them, I open the flaps of the towel wrapped around my hips and take hold of the throbbing column between my thighs.

  Brant asked last night who hadn’t had a hand job in front of a room full of people. I’m not sure this counts but who the fuck cares.

  Keyla undulates against Creed, stroking herself and at the same time stroking him. And since the two of them are having fun stroking, why shouldn’t I?

  I ease my ass down the seat a little to lean back and gain some extra room to move. My cock is granite hard and the glide and slide feels good after the tension of the morning. I tighten my grip and increase the pressure.

  Watching them, especially with them not knowing I’m in the room, is a little dark and dirty.

  It gets me off.

  Everything is still so new. The three of us have had a few encounters but there is so much we haven’t tried.

  Creed’s lips glide down her neck, his tongue stroking over her racing pulse. When he sucks on her skin, my erection kicks in my grip.

  I feel her pleasure radiating through me.

  I don’t know if it’s real or if Creed’s emotional gift has taken root somehow but it’s heady and powerful. Keyla whimpers, wrapping her legs around his hips. Digging her heels into his ass, she pulls him deeper.

  My hand pumps my cock, and the soft tic, tic, tic of pre-cum marks the frenzied rhythm. My chest rises and falls with short, shallow breaths.

  Creed lets off a grumbling moan, his sweet seduction discarded for some hard and hot fucking.

  “Yes!” Keyla shouts, arching beneath him. “That’s perfect… Don’t stop…”

  “Squeeze me, Little Wolf. Squeeze my dick.”

  Keyla throws her head back as a ragged sound tears from her throat.

  “Yes, angel… just like that. Squeeze me just like—oh, fuck!”

  Creed thrusts hard for a handful of frenzied strokes and then is overtaken by his release. The convulsive shutter racks his powerful frame, followed by an agonized sound of ecstasy. He pins his hips against Keyla’s core erupting violently, flooding her with his heat.

  There’s no hope for me holding out.

  I pump my cock once, twice more, and then I’m coming along with them, spurting hotly onto my abdomen and all over my hand.

  I’m not sure if it’s the breathy grunt of my orgasm or the scent of my release that catches Keyla’s attention but as I spill, her gaze finds mine, the stunning brown of her eyes alight with sexual euphoria.

  Creed

  Well, that got away from me. When I rolled Keyla onto the bed, my intention was simply to return the gentle offering she had given me… but like everything else that’s happened since Keyla came into my life things got out of control.

  And like everything that has happened since Keyla came into my life that out-of-control chaos was worth it.

  Pulling out of the warmth of her core is like being robbed every damn time. Maybe it’s the magic of the searing but in those moments when I’m inside my mate there is nothing and no one that matters more to me.

  She has quickly become my strength and my purpose. Rhylan said I’m in love with her, but it’s too soon to put a label on it. All I know is the thought of losing her or living even a moment of life without her nearly brings me to my knees.

  I must make my world safe for her.

  A shift in the corner brings my attention to Dillan rising from one of the chairs in the reading nook. He’s naked, semi-hard, and when he slips back into the bathroom to use the sink I have a fairly good idea what he was doing in that chair.

  The thought of him watching us strikes me right in the stones. “I think our bear played the part of voyeur,” I whisper against Keyla’s shoulder.

  “I don’t think he was the only one.”

  I follow Keyla’s gaze toward the open bedroom door and the living room beyond. Rhylan is standing in the next room, his dark gaze hooded, his muscled frame locked.

  Rearing up on my knees, I twist towards the bathroom. “Your turn to get cleaned up, angel. Doc spoke with your brother this morning. Hawk and Lukas were going to check in with their team first thing. When you’re ready we’ll go across the hall and see what they came up with.”

  Keyla rolls to her feet and strides off to join our bear in the bathroom. I hop off the bed, grab the discarded towel from the floor, and wrap my hips.

  “Since you haven’t tried to retreat or punch me in the face, I take it you have something to say.”

  Rhy rubs a rough hand across his face and sighs. “I owe you a real apology. Yesterday my dragon took control, and I changed the course of your life and the lives of your mates. I was in shock and too wrapped up in
my problems to realize it at the time. I truly am sorry to have taken your choice away from you.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  “My second apology is for jumping to conclusions and lashing out at you this morning. Punching you was wrong. You were there for me with good intentions and didn’t deserve my fist in your face.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “And what brought on this epiphany of rational thinking?”

  He tilts his head toward my bathroom and frowns. “Your wolf said something that rang true when she came to see me last night.”

  I hold up a finger. “You may call her Princess, Nakeyla, or Keyla. I don’t even mind you referring to her as my wolf, but if you do, you need to take the snide tone out of your voice, or you’ll get my fist to your face.”

  He frowns. “She’s really under your skin, isn’t she?”

  “She’s amazing, Rhy. Her bear is amazing. Her family is amazing. I don’t know if it’s because they were raised in the other realm, but they care about people—genuinely care—and are willing to step in and help.”

  The hopelessness in his expression hollows me out. “There’s no helping me. My lot in life was set a decade ago. Vik and I are pawns, nothing more.”

  “What happened? Why does it have to be that way?”

  “Because it is that way.”

  “Then explain it to me. Make me understand what keeps you loyal to her. Does she have someone you love prisoner? Is it a full-circle thing? I could understand that. You know what I’ve endured keeping Honor and my mother safe.”

  The agony in his gaze cleaves me in two.

  “Sadly, some people are born a prince or a princess, and others aren’t.”

  I have no idea what that means but I don’t like the sound of it. “Your dragon changed that by claiming me. We’re connected now… all of us.”

  He shakes his head. “That was a mistake—you and I both know that. The spell Lukas cast on us will keep our scents free from one another and no one who wasn’t in that room will ever know. It’s easier if I stay away and you focus on your new life.”