Spark of Intent

by Harper Wylde

“For disrespect then.” Ahmya snapped the words, glaring at Theo.

  Theo nodded in her direction, acknowledging her words. “Unfortunately, there is no law against disrespect, either. There is a law in regards to physical or mental assaults on a Council member’s person. Councilman Ishida expressed that he was not here in an official capacity; he was simply offering advice to us as an Elder. We greatly appreciate the Council thinking so highly of us, though we may not have expressed it yet.” He bowed his head at a still fuming Ishida. “Outside of express contempt in an official capacity, there is no current law enacted that would allow you to contain him no matter how greatly he acts the fool.”

  Councilman Ishida ground his teeth, clenching his hands into fists but not releasing Ciarán. I kept him in the corner of my vision, watching as he continued to smile with that foolishly broad grin, rocking back and forth as if testing the extent of the bonds that held him, letting himself fall onto his back before standing again.

  “I need to speak with Councilman LaCroix.” The words were hoarse, as though Councilman Ishida was keeping himself from screaming them. “He is not to be removed from this room. If he attempts to remove himself from this room, you are to prevent him.”

  “Oh, I won’t go anywhere!” Ciarán nodded his head solemnly. “I love my brother; I’ll stay right here by him.” Killian groaned, pressing his fingers into temples I assumed were throbbing. Surprisingly, Damien didn’t appear to be in pain. Instead he was watching Ciarán with a thoughtful expression.

  My father is one of the most experienced in the matters of law on the Council. He has studied much of our history and is the one the Council members turn to when in need of legal advice or interpretation.

  Councilman Ishida headed out the front, slamming the door behind him as he paced towards his car with his cell phone glued to his ear. Ahmya glared at Ciarán, her face twisted in a deep sneer. “It doesn’t surprise me you’re related to this imbecile, Killian. It’s why I never considered you as a mate in the first place.”

  Ciarán frowned in her direction as he attempted to see if he could stand on one leg despite the bonds surrounding him. “Of course we’re related, we’re both absolutely gorgeous. Scottish boys do it right.” He waggled his eyebrows and sent me a sly wink. “I didn’t know he was considering taking someone weaker than he was for a mate. Very forward thinking of you, brother dearest, I’m proud of you.”

  “Me, weaker than he is?” Ahmya was nearly vibrating with rage. “You think I’m weaker than a fucking bunny?” She snarled, looking Ciarán up and down. “What are you then, a mouse?”

  “Oh, that would be interesting.” Ciarán bounced on the balls of his feet. “Is that what you are? A mouse? I’m a horse—in all aspects.” Ciarán’s grin widened and his wink was broad and lewd.

  “Shut the fuck up, Ciar, before she lights your ass up,” Killian muttered.

  Ciarán gasped, eyes wide and bright. “You can make your butt light up? You’re a firefly? Show me!” His voice was gleeful as he vibrated with energy.

  “Fuck you,” Ahmya hissed. Her hands were up before Ciarán could speak again, glowing bright red and gold, flames licking up her wrists to encircle her arms. Ciarán didn’t flinch, simply studying the glow as if impervious to the heat. Flame lashed out in a whip, heading for Ciarán’s head. My Phoenix cawed and I threw myself forward, the room a blur around me as I launched myself between the two. The flame she threw danced between my outstretched palms—a twisting, writhing snake of heat and energy, sparking with the fire inside of me.

  Ahmya gasped, staring at me in shock as I glared at her. Reaching out a hand, I called to the flames in her arms, encouraging them to cool, leaving subtle smudges on her previously flawless jacket. “Do not attack a member of my family. Ever. I warned you once before to leave Hiro and his brothers alone. You have chosen to ignore that warning on multiple occasions. I don’t know what is going to get it through your thick skull. You’re not the only fire shifter around here anymore. You can no longer use it to hurt them. This was a warning. I did not strike you back. My flames are stronger than yours. My control is better despite not growing up in this fucked up world. Try it again, and you will pay.” My nose was nearly against hers at this point, my Phoenix pushing against my skin sending wave after wave of heat washing over a now flinching Ahmya. “Leave my home. Now.”

  Ahmya grimaced but stepped back, bowing her head under the waves of power I was pushing against her. “We were done anyhow. You’re never going to be one of us, you know. This Gala is pointless for you. You’re too human. You will never understand the honor of delivering a rare child into this world.” She sniffed throwing her hair over her shoulder as she paced to the door. “They knew it all along. It’s better that they took it out of your hands.” I froze at those parting words, my Phoenix screeching her anger at the cryptic comment.

  As she wrenched the door open, Councilman Ishida ended his call, seething at his cellphone. Spinning on his overly polished shoes, he glared at us.

  “I will release the fool for the moment. Bear in mind that any other behavior such as this will have serious consequences.” He waved his hand and I heard Ciarán hit the floor with a giggle behind me. The guys were standing in the living room, their eyes wide after the showdown between Ahmya and me. Ciarán had apparently followed me, if the giggle in my ear was to be believed.

  “Thanks for the visit!” Ciarán called, his chin nearly on my head as he waved enthusiastically. Doors slammed as the pair hopped into their car, pulling away from the house, both obviously still fuming as they sneered at us through the windshield. “Imbeciles, the both of them.” The whisper by my ear was cold and hard. I whirled, catching Ciarán’s face twisted with scorn and contempt. If I hadn’t moved with my new speed, I probably never would have seen it as Ciarán’s trademarked goofy grin slid quickly back into place. He wiggled his fingers at me in a wave. “Thanks for the save, little sis.” Humming to himself, he headed back through the living room and up the stairs, my mates all standing stock still in their confusion, shock, and awe.

  As he closed the door to the room at the top of the stairs I let out a gasping breath. “Killian, your brother is very, very odd. Just so you know.”

  Twenty-Eight

  Hiro

  A soft rap on my door woke me from the light sleep I was in, and I jumped out of bed, standing swiftly. There was only one person who would knock that softly, and a smile formed on my lips as I quickly pulled on a pair of navy blue pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt to keep myself decent when I answered the door. Worry swarmed in behind my happiness as I realized something could be wrong, and I grabbed my glasses, slipping them up my nose while I hurried to open the door.

  "Nix." My adrenaline decreased as I laid eyes on her, realizing that there didn’t appear to be an emergency. "Are you alright?" I swung the door wide and stepped aside so she could enter.

  Nix twisted the fabric of her robe in her hands as she clutched at the sides of the flimsy material. Her legs were bare in a pair of pajama shorts, the long line of her golden legs on display for my perusal. I envied the robe she wore, wishing I could be that close to her while at the same time getting a glimpse at the stunning body I knew the material hid underneath.

  With a soft click, I closed the door, searching my mind for way to help relax that anxious look off of her face.

  Her eyes flicked around my room, taking in the decor. Forest green paint covered my walls, the color soothing for my Kitsune and me. Earthen colors were always our favorite, but green had always edged the other colors out by a small margin. Various plants dotted my room, covering many of the surfaces including the tops of my dressers and the few wooden shelves I hung on the wall on the far side of the room. Skimming a finger down a delicate pink flower petal, she let out a breath it seemed she’d been holding.

  After a long pause, she finally let me in. "I can’t sleep. I keep having nightmares. Flashes of memories that don’t make any sense. I hope it was alright to come
to you. I realize now that I woke you up. I just thought… that maybe I could… I don’t know.” She blushed as she glanced over her shoulder back at where I was standing. My heart swelled with the knowledge that she’d seeked me out, and if my detective skills were correct, she was asking to stay the night.

  My smile went wide and Nix gave me a corresponding beautiful grin, her lips curving up in that look I loved.

  Taking the embarrassment of her having to outright ask, I offered instead. “Stay with me.” The gentle command floated through the air between us and she ducked her head, her cheeks pinking slightly but she nodded, relief evident in the deep brown depths of her chocolate colored eyes as she peeked under her lashes at me. The look was seductive, but I knew she didn’t even know she was doing it. Nix was naturally sexy.

  Her fingers trailed along the various surfaces in my room as she studied all the plants.

  “You have quite a collection. Orchids, roses…” She paused, smiling as she trailed her finger down the red petals of the another flower. “Tulips? I’ve always loved them but their window to bloom is so miniscule. I guess that’s not a problem with your particular talents.” She smiled at the flower, giving it a wistful look as she moved on to continue her exploration of my room. I tucked my hands into the pockets of the pants I wore, watching as she rounded the bed, coming to my favorite flower of all. “What is this?” Leaning close, she inhaled the sweet scent of the pink flower. “It almost looks like rose but it’s decidedly different.”

  “It’s a camellia.” I drew closer to her. “An incredibly rare and beautiful one.” Moving slowly, I gave her time to realize I was stepping up behind her. With a hand on her hip, I pressed in close, kissing the curve of her neck and shoulder before whispering into her ear. “Middlemist’s red is one of the rarest flowers in the world.” Extending my hand, I lightly brushed the edges of the petals, letting the power of my Kitsune flow into the flower, keeping it vibrant and healthy.

  She gasped, watching the petals open further. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “Mmm, so are you. When you were gone…” Emotion threatened to pour out of me as the wash of feelings I’d run through during the time she was kidnapped threatened to rise up once more. While her struggle was much worse than ours given all she’d been through, we were each struggling in our own way with having almost lost her. The fight between us all had been bad enough, but her disappearance had knifed through each of us, reminding us how precious we were to each other. I couldn’t imagine a life without Nix in it. She completed me in a way that I couldn’t form into words. “I can’t fucking lose you.”

  She cuddled back into me. “I can’t lose you, either. I don’t know if you all understand how much you mean to me.” Moving my hand from her hip into her hair, I ran my fingers through her long, silky tresses, playing with the satin strands, my heart swelling at her proclamation. A sigh of contentment filled the air as she relaxed against me. I’d learned in the time I’d known Nix that she loved having her hair played with, and I smiled at how she eased into the hard planes of my body.

  “That’s it…” I cooed into her ear, giving it a little nip. The curve of her ass arched into my body as I hit a particularly sensitive area just behind her ear, and I flicked my tongue over the spot, driving her to distraction. The scent of her pheromones strengthened in the air, having an immediate hardening effect on my body. I hummed appreciatively as I breathed them in. Nix smelled so fucking amazing.

  If her kidnapping had taught me anything, it was that life was too short to waste time. I wanted Nix to know exactly how I felt about her, and I planned to care for her in every way I could—emotionally and physically.

  Cool air flowed between us as I pulled back, slowly awakening Nix and bringing her back to the present. She fumbled, tugging on her robe as she sought for something to do with her hands. Her innocence only served to heat my blood, and I smirked as I walked away from her, heading for the bed.

  “Are you ready?” Nix blinked a few times, trying to reorganize her brain. The smirk on my face only grew as I realized how befuddled I already had her.

  “Huh?” The small squeak of a sound shot into the room and color tinted her cheeks as she tried to suss out my meaning.

  “For bed.” My smirk turned into a smile as the whites of my teeth flashed at her in my mirth. She was adorable when she was unsure. I wanted her to let me lead her through this. “Come to bed, Nix.” My command was soft, but the authority of it wasn’t lost on her. Her brown- eyed gaze shot to mine and she nodded slowly, the tension leaving her limbs as she followed directions. While I would never force Nix to do anything she didn’t want to do, sometimes people needed a little guidance to take the decisions they were mulling over out of their hands. That guidance was what Nix needed now, and my heart warmed as she freely gave me the control I desired.

  When she stood only a foot away from me, I reached for her, my hands closing over the curve of her waist as I dragged her the last step, positioning her between my legs.

  “Let’s take this off. I promise my blankets and I will keep you warm enough tonight.” I tugged at the material and watched as one side slid off of her shoulder. The black camisole she wore clung to her frame, her bare breasts beneath the fabric pert and firm. I wanted nothing more than to dive my hands under her clothing and explore every glorious inch of her, but I held onto my restraint. I’d never felt so tempted before, and I worked hard to control myself as much as I controlled our situation.

  Compliant, she slid the fabric off her other shoulder, letting it glide down her arms to pool on the hardwood floor. Black hair fanned around my face, providing a natural curtain as she leaned over me, her lips hovering an inch above mine. The warmth of her hands smoothed over the sharp planes of my jawline before she finished closing the distance between us. Her mouth caressed mine slowly as she kissed me, her sweet tongue slipping out of her mouth to flick at the seam of my lips. Groaning, I pulled her closer, granting her entry. As her tongue danced with mine, I let my hands smooth over the backs of her bare thighs, playing over skin that rarely got touched. Thickened pheromones swirled through the air and radiated from both of us as we enjoyed each other.

  When the kiss broke, I scooted back, patting the bed next to me. “Which side do you normally sleep on?” Desire clouded her eyes as she worked to comprehend my question, solidifying the smirk on my lips. Teasing and disorienting Nix were now my new favorite pastimes.

  “Oh… um, I’ll take whichever side you don’t normally sleep on. I don’t want to inconvenience you.” Shifting her weight from side to side, she squirmed and waited for my answer.

  “You are never an inconvenience. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me and my Kitsune by knocking on my door tonight.” The hard flooring under my feet was cool as I stood and motioned for her to take the far side of the bed while I straightened out the sheets and bedspread. The sight of her shorts riding high against her backside as she crawled across the bed would forever be ingrained in my memories, and I tried to control my raging need for her as I slipped into bed behind her, my erection clearly tenting the pants I wore.

  Worried about scaring her, I settled into my side of the bed, keeping a decent distance between us. Each of us lay on our sides facing the same wall, and I reached out to run my fingertips down her arm in what I hoped was a calming caress. The silken feel of her skin was addicting and I bit back a groan as her scent permeated the covers, soaking into the pillows on the bed. The thought of sleeping every night with her scent surrounding me had my Kitsune yipping his agreement as he pushed me to possess her. He wanted to mate her… claim her as our own.

  I grasped for my restraint, pushing my Kitsune and his urges into the background. Tonight was about Nix and making her feel comfortable here with us. Having her stay overnight—hell, simply having her in my room—was a milestone in and of itself.

  Scooting back she wiggled, trying to get comfortable, but she didn’t stop until her ass brushed against my hardened length.


  I froze, worried about her reaction and hoping she knew that just because she’d turned me on, she didn’t owe me anything. As much as I wanted her, it was more important to me to have her comfortable in my domain. More slowly than she had before, she squirmed closer until her back pressed against my front, our bodies flush.

  She let out a small moan and I groaned in response to her pleasured sound. Her hourglass curves called me, the black camisole she wore riding up her side to expose a strip of skin. My fingers played over the dip of her waist, brushing over that inch of skin again and again. Nix pressed her thighs together as I teased her.

  Taking a chance, I reached for my control and held tightly. “You know what helps me sleep?”

  “Hmm?” She hummed her question back to me.

  My lips brushed her ear as I let the dirty words slip past my lips. “An orgasm.”

  Her hips jerked back into mine and I hummed my approval, setting a slow but steady rocking motion as I gripped her hip, my fingertips teasing the sensitive skin of her waistline.

  “You… you’re telling my you masterbate every night before bed?” Amusement tinged her tone and I laughed.

  “Not every night, but when I need a little extra relaxation to get to sleep… yes, that’s what I’m saying.” I felt the warmth radiate from her full-body blush. “Sex is natural, Nix. It should always be extremely pleasurable.” My fingers slid down the line of her waistband, teasing just under the edge of the fabric. “I know you like it when you touch yourself. I can still remember the way you cried out when you came for us.” My voice grew husky at the reminder. “I’d like to make you feel like that again. Will you let me help you relax?”

  She groaned and nodded vigorously, and I felt my cock jump at the thought of touching her intimately. My fingers eased under the her shorts but I kept them over the thin scrap of panties she wore as I inched toward her center. The lace of her underwear abraded my palm as I stroked over her core—back and forth—then cupped her sex.