by Jarica James
“Shut up and get in here, big guy," I order imperiously. “When did you come in, I didn’t even hear you?”
“Right around Jacob batting his eyelashes,” Emrick deadpans. When he moves in front of us, his smile softens. “Nice to see you smiling, Bella.” He leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips. It’s different from our usual, the tenderness in it making me swoon.
“What, no kiss for me?” Jacob asks in a fake hurt tone.
“You may regret that joke one day, what if they give you a kiss?” I scold him, laughing at the incredulous look on Emrick’s face. At least this time he realizes it’s a joke.
“I came to see if you were up and wanted to search for the stone. Mr. Control would never admit to it, but Gerwyn is antsy to get his bonding over with," he whispers, looking behind him in case Gerwyn is sneaking up on him.
“He doesn’t want to bond with me now? It’s alright if he changed his mind," I say in a small voice, trying my best to stop the hurt from seeping into my tone. It stings even worse after our morning together. Everything felt so perfect on that tower.
Jacob looks as shocked as I feel and I kind of want to vomit as nerves swirl around in my stomach. This is exactly what I feared from the beginning.
“What, no!” Emrick looks and sounds panicky at my broken expression. “Man I suck at words, this is why I don’t talk as much as the others," he groans in frustration.
“Well why is he antsy then?” Jacob demands, his voice harsh now on my behalf.
“Calm down, Jacob. I just meant he was excited and nervous to get it done. He wants it more than anything, but I think the idea of seeing the Spirits of Faerie face to face is freaking him out," Emrick explains. Relief floods me, but a small section of my doubt sticks around. I need Wyn to say he wants it before I’ll believe it or even go through with it. Emrick may have not meant it the way I took it, but it fed directly into what I’ve already been fearing. They mean so much to me at this point, that I’m not sure how to go on without them.
“Give me a minute to change into something I can get dirty in, then I’ll be out." I push Jacob off of me and stand up, needing a moment alone to get my composure back. It’s moments like these that really bring the doubts and fears that festered in that dark cell, back. I have a harder time shaking off self-doubt now than I ever have.
“You know you don’t need clothes to get down and dirty with your big knight over here," Jacob jokes, but I don’t give a reaction as I make a beeline for my room.
After changing and giving myself a minute to dwell, I head back to the common room to find all four of my men talking to each other. I don’t listen to their words, instead taking a moment to get a good look at them. It helps ground me, knowing they’re all with me through this. Even if they do change their minds on being my mate, at least I have their support.
In my heart I know they’ll help heal my broken spirit, it’s my head I still need to convince.
I take a deep breath to push my emotions away again, though for a much happier reason this time, before walking towards them. They all turn to me and smile as I walk over. Maddox leans down and kisses me, then Bowen, Gerwyn, and finally Emrick kisses me again.
“I’m glad you are awake and seem to be feeling well. I was worried when you didn’t even wake up as I carried you to bed," Maddox says with a soft smile.
“You were amazing in there, darling," Bo compliments with pride in his eyes.
“Ready for another adventure?” Gerwyn asks, excitement gleaming in his eyes. His look calms my frayed nerves and I feel my entire body relax.
“Wait… what’s wrong?” Maddox demands. The man doesn’t miss a thing. I try to brush him off, but he cuts me off with a glare.
“It’s my fault. I’m so sorry Bella," Emrick groans and the guys turn to stare at him, angry glares falling in place. He holds up his hands in defense. “I just asked if she wanted to search for the stone and said Gerwyn was anxious to find it. She thought I meant he was having second thoughts and looked like I crushed her soul and stole her puppy all at once.”
The others groan in frustration, clearly they aren’t strangers to Emrick’s lack of communication skills. I try to shrug it off, but they won’t have it. If it affected me, my knights refused to let it fester.
“It’s really okay, I just misinterpreted it. I have abandonment issues I didn’t realize until today," I try to joke, but no one smiles.
“Arabella,” Gerwyn starts, using my full name to get my attention. “I have never wanted anything more in my life than I want you. Forget the magic, forget the pull to be together, forget the pressure of it all. I want you for who you are, not what you are. The way you put everyone else first, the way you wear your emotions unabashedly, the way you use your mind and skills to make sure that we will have a fully functioning society, and the way you love us. I love you," he whispers fiercely, as he rests his hands on my cheeks, forcing me to look into his eyes. I blink back tears at his sweet words. Of course I knew they cared about me, but the way he sees me is eye opening.
He pulls me in for a passionate kiss before I can say anything and doesn’t pull away until I'm weak in the knees.
“I love her too!” Bowen shouts, hugging me from behind and making me giggle. Maddox rolls his eyes at Bowen’s antics, but is clearly satisfied that I’m smiling now.
“I love you too," he whispers to me, locking me into his deep blue gaze.
“Forever.” Is all Emrick grunts, but it’s perfect and completely an Emrick response.
“I love you guys, too. Everything started so unexpectedly and our lives are intense, but I mean it with everything I have. I wouldn’t change a thing," I explain to them.
“Alright, enough of this crap, let’s do this!” Jacob shouts and claps from the doorway before coming over and butting his way into our circle. “Also, you guys keep forgetting, she was mine first.”
“He has a point guys, I was Jacob’s first," I say with a mischievous smirk. Emrick turns his growl to me and I swallow. “Or not," I whisper softly and take a step back, because he honestly looks like he’s going to pounce on me and claim me right here and now. Though I’m not sure I’m opposed.
“Uh, Queenie. You better run," Jacob laughs gleefully. “Get her, Emrick," he coaxes and I squeak, turn, and take off at top speed.
I don’t miss the glint of excitement in Emrick’s eyes, a primal hunger that’s both sexy and terrifying at the same time. My laughter echoes through the halls of the castle as I run. Every fae we pass smiles, but they also jump out of the way. Emrick is a force normally, but barreling through the halls is another story.
By the time I turn down my fourth hallway, I’m surprisingly not as tired as I should be. Emrick still isn’t far behind me, but his size is his disadvantage. It makes him a bit slower than I am.
I make the mistake of turning to see if he’s closing in and he gives me a sexy smirk and speeds up. My eyes go wide and I dart into a nearby room, I’m already going as fast as I can so now I have to figure something else out. My heart pounds as I try to close the door behind me, but he pushes his way in and catches me around the waist, throwing me over his shoulder. He closes and locks the door behind us and all thoughts of playfulness vanish. I’m wet and needy, but also full of adrenaline.
“You shouldn’t have run, I like to chase you too much," his voice is husky as he whispers it into my ear, the low rumble sending a surge of heat straight to my core. He smacks my ass as he walks further into the room. I jump at the impact but when he rubs his hand over it, I moan. The mixture of pleasure and pain is delicious.
He finally lets me down, coaxing my legs around his waist instead of putting me on the floor. I comply and wrap my arms around his neck, giving his neck a nibble. He groans low in his throat as I tease him. This encounter will be anything but gentle and I’m practically begging for it now.
Reaching for his shirt, I pull it over his head before doing the same to my own. I watch his reaction as I unhook my bra, letting
my breasts spill out of their prison. His eyes are full of lust as he takes me in, before leaning forward to suck my peaked nipple into his mouth. My head falls back as he nibbles his way between one breast and the other, tasting and teasing me until my hips are grinding into him.
Goosebumps ripple along my skin as he tastes me like a man starved. He darts his tongue between the swell of my breasts before moving over my throat, not stopping until he nips my bottom lip. I’m so turned on that I want to throw him down and fuck him like a madwoman, his energy contagious as he threatens to devour me whole.
Gripping his neck, I pull him closer and kiss him hard, not holding back. I want this, and I want it now. He lowers me to the ground long enough to rip my skinny jeans and lacy underwear from me, before stripping his pants and boxers off as well.
He takes moments, but I want to see that feral look in his eyes again. Backing away from him slowly, I grin mischievously. Shock passes across his expression before he grins back. His cock twitches in anticipation and I take that as my cue to run again.
Not caring that I’m naked, I turn and run through the large room, jumping over the supply crate sitting on the floor of the washroom we claimed as our own. I only make it a few more feet before he catches me with a triumphant laugh and pins me against the wall with his hands under my butt to support me.
He gives me an animalistic growl before biting down on my breast. I cry out at the pain but it’s more out of shock than anything, the pain is exquisite and his tongue is already soothing it away.
Using his ridiculous strength, he slides me up the wall and hooks my legs over his shoulders. My pussy is now on display for him and I use the wall to brace myself for his torture.
Emrick flicks his tongue over my clit before sucking it into his mouth hard enough I gasp. He doesn’t bother to be gentle, thrusting his tongue into my core with an impressive amount of vigor, before moving back to my clit. He alternates between the two, expertly bringing me right to the precipice of an orgasm and backing away when I get too close. I groan as he pulls away a second time, his shameless chuckle making me want to scream. Though I did start this game, I can hardly complain now.
Refusing to let him keep my torture going, I grind into his face, riding him until my climax is close and refusing to let him stop. This time he doesn’t try, instead sucking hard on my clit so my orgasm slams into me, my legs shaking and vision spotting as I scream out his name.
Emrick teases me with his tongue through the orgasm, prolonging it until I’m mumbling incoherently. Only then does he lower me down, kissing me when he can reach my mouth again. I can taste myself on his lips and it’s sexier than I imagined it to be.
He shifts me again, tilting my hips so he can line himself up at my core. He’s so thick that my body resists but Emrick slowly pushes himself in, forcing me to take every inch of him.
“Sorry, sweetheart,” he says softly, the gentle words the only sweet thing about this sex.
“I’m not,” I promise, wiggling my hips to urge him on. He chuckles before pulling out and slamming back into me.
Emrick sets a punishing pace, fucking me into the wall. The cold stone under my back is rough, but I’m so lost in him that I don’t mind.
“I’m going to come, Em," I pant out my words at this point, sweat covering both of us. He never slows down, continuing to pound into me.
“Come with me, sweetheart," his growly voice alone is enough to send me over the edge, my body pulsing around his cock. With two more thrusts I can feel him tense before his warm cum fills me.
He looks down as he slowly pulls out and moans at the sight of our mixed wetness spilling out of me. Seeing him so turned on has me groaning again, unable to control myself.
Without him asking I walked over to the counter and bend over it, sticking my ass into the air in invitation. He growls low before stalking over to me, slapping me lightly on the ass in appreciation.
“I’ve wanted to do this since I watched this perfect ass running away from me," he whispers into my ear before nibbling his way down my neck. I moan and grind against him, noticing he’s already rock hard again. Fae men definitely have stamina going for them.
“Fuck me, big guy. I need you inside of me again," I whisper, my voice sounding huskier than usual.
“I’ll never say no to you, sweetheart," he uses one hand to position himself and the other to hold me in place. He thrust into me slowly this time, speeding up with each snap of his hips. His hand snakes underneath me to pinch my nipple. He continues to roll them between his fingers, pinching just enough that I’m panting again.
When the room fills with both of our moans, he reaches up to gather my hair into his fist, forcing me to arch back. The movement caused him to thrust even deeper. He starts slamming his hips into me even faster, the sound of our skin slapping together fills my ears. I feel him start to tense and I reach one of my hands between my legs to give attention to my throbbing clit. I’m almost over the edge and I need to come with him.
“Come with me, Em," I moan as I push myself over the edge. He moans my name as he grips my hair tighter, filling me with his cum all over again.
We collapse against the countertop, trying to catch our breath as the aftershocks of my orgasm causes me to shake. I’m sure I look cute as I stand here panting wildly and barely able to support myself.
Emrick stands up and walks away and I have to cling to the countertop for support. He comes back with a wet rag and gently wipes between my legs and pats me dry with another towel. The sweetness of the gesture warms my heart even more. Every day they give me more and more reasons to love them.
We finish cleaning up and throw our clothes back on in a hurry. Peeking around the edge of the doorway, I try to see if our team is around. Seeing an empty hall, we finally leave our washroom to find them, glad we don't have to do the walk of shame, though it won’t be a secret what we did.
Every good adventure starts with sex, right?
Chapter 14
Emrick and I retrace our steps until we’re back in the common room. The others give me knowing looks but say nothing at our disappearance. Jacob bumps his hip into mine and gives me a cheeky grin, but shockingly doesn’t tease me.
“Alright, we need a plan," Jacob says, pulling out his map of the castle and laying it out on the table in front of us. Sebastian helped outline the major rooms and hallways with them while I recovered so we have a detailed view of the royal wings. My eyes immediately lock onto the king’s room, which will be a good place to start. He’d keep it close to himself, somewhere he could admire it at will but not out in the open. We’d have to think like a narcissist to locate it.
“I think we should stick together, splitting up doesn’t make sense if I’m the only one who can sense it, plus I need Gerwyn with me if we find it,” I start before realizing I don’t have everything. “I need to grab my crown. Jacob, can Dormy stick with you? I’m sure it won’t be safe if I get called to speak with the Spirits again," I explain as I walk to my room to grab my rose gold crown. I place it on my head, the weight of it comforting oddly enough. A thrum of magic pulses through me the moment it’s in place, reminding me that I should be wearing it more often. It just looks so odd with three empty jewel slots.
When I step back up to the table, Bowen points to the royal wing. “We should start in the king’s chambers, then Bella can lead us from there. She focuses better with her eyes closed but we can keep her safe as she follows her magic.”
“Alright, then we have a plan. After you, fearless leader," I gesture for Maddox to lead us. His look of self-satisfaction is instantaneous.
“Don’t give him a bigger head than he already has, darling," Bowen jokes. Maddox ignores the rest of us and walks down the hallway, focusing on the map.
The trip from the suite to the king’s chambers takes us an hour and two wrong turns. Sebastian’s map doesn’t quite match up with the hallways, though I can’t blame him, this castle is enormous and he was frozen for years.
> When we step into the king’s room, I grab Gerwyn’s hand, pulling him to the center of the room with me. He laces his fingers through mine as I close my eyes. It takes a few methodical breaths to block everything out and clear my mind. Once I do, I send my magical radar out. I don’t expect to come up empty, but there’s not a single trace of it here.
Sighing, I open my eyes and shrug. “Nothing at all.”
“I was certain he’d keep it here,” Bowen curses, his hands gripping his hair and making it stand on end.
“This will take forever if we keep picking and choosing. We need a new idea. Think like he would, where would he hide it? My magic won’t find it unless it’s close, the gems are weak, especially this one since he used it so frequently.”
“You said it’s upstairs, right? Should we go higher?” Maddox asks as he studies the map with Gerwyn.
“Why could I detect it down there, but not up here where we’re closer?” I groan. It’s making me feel like a failure. This is supposed to be the easy part.
Jacob speaks up next, his tone full of sarcasm. “If I were a super crazy king and thought I was the most important being in the world, I would want to keep it somewhere I could look down upon all I controlled. I say we go to one of the towers, likely the tallest," he reasons. Bowen looks shocked, but I’m not at all surprised. Just because he jokes around a lot, doesn’t mean he’s not brilliant.
“Usually I’m the strategist, but this man makes an excellent point. Let’s start from the top and work our way down," Bowen finalizes and we all agree. Jacob puts his hand in the middle of our impromptu huddle before anyone can walk away. The others look down at his hand, confused, but I smirk and stick my hand on his.
“Go, team fae!” Jacob cheers as we lift our hands. We get the usual head shake, but this time Jacob is annoyed. “Really? You guys don’t know how to put your hands in? You spent thirteen years on Earth and have never seen this.”
“Humans are so odd," Bowen stage whispers to Maddox, who chuckles, his eyes dancing with laughter.