by Layla Heart
“If you don’t do something, he’ll leave.” Finn’s voice is low, pained.
“I know.”
He spins around, his eyes blazing as he stares at me. “And you’re just going to let him leave?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“But you might?” He’s getting really angry right now. “I stopped him from running away when you were locked in your dragon and you’d... You’d let him leave?”
“I may have to. It may be the only way to make sure he comes back to us.” I dig my fingers into the covers, tightening the fabric around them, needing to feel some sensation, ease the tension in me. Even without the dragon there, I know that it would be really hard to let him go, no matter how strongly I believe he’ll be back.
“You make no sense.” Finn shakes his head, almost like he’s defeated. “Why would you?”
“Because he’s scared and in pain. Forcing him to stay won’t make that any better. It won’t take that away.”
“He needs you to tell him that you love him.” Finn sits down again, staring at me, pained. “He needs your love.”
“He knows he has my love, forever. What he needs is something I can’t give him. He needs to finally face the fact that we all die. That we could be gone at any time, ripped from his life.”
Finn frowns, opening his mouth, but I hold up my hand.
“No matter if that’s next week, next month, or a hundred years from now. We all die, and he needs to accept that, no matter how painful it is. Nobody will be at fault when it finally happens, but we all know that it will happen at some point. He needs to learn to be okay with that. He needs to be okay with knowing he could outlive us, he could be the first to die, or the third, and it will all cause pain to those left behind, a pain he’s struggling with right now. Until he faces that, there isn’t anything I can do.”
Finn’s eyes darken but he nods, letting out a slow breath. “Mortality is scary.”
“It’s especially scary if you love as intensely as Kit does.” I feel a smile tugging on my lips, a loving smile, because Kit’s intense love is exactly why he’s so amazing. “That’s why I can’t force him to stay here, because that doesn’t solve anything. He needs to be okay with this, with all of us, before he can really stay.”
Finn rolls his eyes, sighing. “We need you out of this room as soon as possible, or you’ll get even more of a wise guy than you already are.” Then he flashes me a sad smile. “I guess you’re right. I guess we all have to face it, consider it. Not just Kit.”
I nod. “Also, I may need to borrow your bathroom. I kind of broke my bath earlier and yours is the only one big enough on this floor.”
“As long as you keep it intact, no breaking stuff, that place is too precious for you to ruin.” He stands up, going over to the door.
“I’ll try.” I grin. “Can’t promise anything... Depending on the company I get.” I wink.
“Right.” He shakes his head. “We’ll see about that when it comes to it.” Then he leaves, leaving me alone in my room, my quiet and slightly messy room.
I wish I could keep Kit here, just force him to stay, but that would make him fight everything even more than he already does. There is no way to keep him here, not when he’s in so much pain. Not yet anyway...
Bane makes himself comfortable on the bed, Phoenix’ cat Ember is curled up between us. I have no idea how Bane ended up here, but I guess it has something to do with Litha, Phoenix and Finn starting to collect a couple of the girls’ things from their room in the halls.
“You do realise you don’t have to babysit me, right?” I glance his way as I look up from my book.
“I’m not babysitting, I’m just enjoying the company of Ember. Right, little girl?” He scratches the cat’s head and the cat turns to look at him like he’s crazy. Which he probably is...
“I’m fairly sure that Phoenix left Ember here to babysit me, so I’m not sure what that makes you... You are aware that she can communicate with the cat, right?” I grin as I look down back at my book as he lets out a surprised sound. Through Phoenix’ connection, which has gotten a lot stronger in the last week, I can also slightly feel Ember’s emotions, and the cat is very satisfied with the nearly-horrified way Bane stares at her.
“I thought that was an urban legend, cat familiars.” He pulls his hand away from the cat, looking at her very differently now.
“It’s not. At least, some witches have one, not all, by far not all. But apparently in runs in Phoenix’ family.” I shrug. I’m actually reading up on witch history right now, seemed like a good plan, with two witches coming to live with us. I got this book on Phoenix’ recommendation, she picked it up from the library for me earlier, when she returned some things she’d borrowed to find a way to numb the pain in my leg and help the healing to go faster.
“So she can talk to Phoenix, at any time?”
“Just as long as Phoenix is close enough, there is a distance limit, I’m not sure how far it is, though.” I shrug, and Bane’s phone pings.
He grabs his phone and lets out a groan. “Apparently the halls aren’t far enough away... The cat is telling Phoenix we’re talking about her, about them.” Another ping and another groan. “Also, seems like the cat doesn’t like being called ‘the cat’, which Litha is now telling me...”
I look at Bane, who stares back at me. Wait, what? How would Litha know?
Another ping on his phone. “Cat can communicate with Phoenix and Litha...” Then he yelps and pulls his leg away from Ember, who just stung him a little with her claws, now looking very satisfied with herself. “Ember. Ember can communicate with both witches.” He glares at the cat, who slowly stretches her paw out to him again, warningly. He pulls his leg out of her reach, but I can see how he’s trying to find another way to annoy her.
Oh, this is going to be really fun. Really, really fun.
A testy werewolf, one witch coming into her power, another witch stretching her abilities, a fae with the world on his shoulders, an incubus who refuses to love anyone, and me, a dragon shifter who can’t even shift and may not be able to properly walk around ever again...
Two weeks ago, we were just four princes, trying to shrug off our summer problems and looking forward to spending another year living together, looking forward to another year like we’ve spent so many before. Now everything seems to be falling apart around us, and we’ve become stronger and more vulnerable at the same time.
And I know that this is just the beginning, because we still have no idea who stole the prophecy documents, why the fae attacked the campus or why fate decided that us four fuckups were the best choice to bring peace to the kingdoms.
The only bright spot right now seems to be that we finally met Litha, and that’s she’s even more amazing than anyone could ever have predicted... Clothed, undressed, but definitely when she sparks with fire and magic, always amazing and ready to blow our minds.
Bane lightly punches my shoulder. “Litha says to stop grinning like that, it’s making Ember think you have bad plans for her.”
I look at the cat, smirking. “Nothing Litha wouldn’t welcome with open arms.”
The cat stands up, letting out a huff and walks to the end of the bed, jumping off with a soft sound, and then makes herself comfortable in the windowsill instead. Definitely done with us now.
I can’t help the laugh bubbling up in me, maybe things aren’t so bad after all. Maybe things will come out just right.
Maybe... But I don’t feel like they will be, not any time soon...
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Next in this series: Bravery (Lughnasadh Elite Academy 6)
Don’t want to stop reading? Grab your copy of the next book!
Out 28th of August 2019! Pre-order now!
Bravery (Lughnasadh Elite Academy 6)
Try next!
While you’re waiting for the continuation of the story about Litha and her harem, here are some other stories of mine you can try out!
Here are three choices I think you may enjoy, depending on why you love this story!
If you like New Adult angst with broken boys and their damaged girls, try out my Skylar Heart titles, starting with Shattered:
Shattered (Damaged Hearts 1)
LIZZY
I should have known he was trouble when I watched him drive his motorbike onto campus, leaving a trail of people whispering as he made his way into the Art Building.
* * *
Word around here is, he doesn’t date. So why do his eyes keep following me? Why does he want to talk to me?
* * *
Rumor has it, Hunter’s good at two things: making art, and getting into fights. I love art, but I can’t stand violence. I’ve been on the receiving end of it too many times.
* * *
My life is simple, it needs to be if I want to graduate and keep my eating disorder at bay… I sleep, I eat, I go to class and I definitely Do. Not. Date.
* * *
So why do I feel so safe in his strong arms?
* * *
HUNTER
She’s like a spooked little mouse. Not my type at all. Until she looked up at me and I was caught in her azure eyes.
* * *
But I won’t let her get close. In the last four years, I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved. I will never trust anyone ever again. The second I do, I’ll find myself alone again. So, what’s the use?
* * *
So I create big metal installations, I go to class when I feel like it, I drink and get into fights at the bar.
* * *
I have to stay away from Lizzy, because my darkness will only make hers worse. I know I have to, but that isn’t what my heart wants. When I see the pain in her eyes, I can’t resist her. I want to help her, touch her…
* * *
Protect her.
Shattered (Damaged Hearts 1)
If you’re into some paranormal romances between sexy men, try out my Rosa Swann titles, starting with His to Protect:
His to Protect (The Vampire’s Past Trilogy 1)
No matter how much you try to leave your past behind, it doesn’t always leave you…
* * *
Sean
After being hired for my dream job, I move back to the small minded town where I grew up, for the job and to finish my degree.
I’m surrounded by my past, by old classmates, old neighbourhoods and old prejudices against gay people.
But on my first day back, my eyes fall on something new around here. A goth guy sitting at the front of the class and I can’t keep my eyes off him.
Even though I don’t know him, I feel like I need to protect him, no matter what.
* * *
Jules
I can’t stay in the same place for too long. People start to notice that you don’t age, that you don’t get older, and add to that that the chance of vampire hunters finding you gets bigger the longer you stay…
I know that I’m running out of time in this town. I need to move on. I just need to finish my degree and then I can leave and start over somewhere else.
But when my housemate/blood donor turns on me and forces me to leave, I suddenly find myself asking for help from the new guy in our class.
Leaving doesn’t look as appealing anymore…
His to Protect (The Vampire’s Past Trilogy 1)
If you want to try out some more girl-on-girl loving or just cute small-island romances, then my Emily Engberts titles may be more to your liking, starting with Second Chance at Christmas:
Second Chance at Christmas (Seasons on the Island 1)
Josie doesn’t want to spend yet another Christmas as the only single adult at the family dinner. So, instead, she books a week long holiday to her favourite island. Ready to spend it doing what she loves doing most, long walks on the beach with her dog and reading novels in front of a fire.
What she hasn’t counted on is running into her old summer fling, the one girl she could never forget.
* * *
Sanne is freshly heartbroken, and instead of having to deal with her parents’ pitying looks over Christmas dinner, she decides to still go on the winter holiday she’d booked, even if it means going on her own. She can entertain herself well enough, and maybe some fresh air will clear her head of all the darkness from the last months.
But when she sees Josie at the cafe, she can’t help how her heart beats faster or how much she wants the other woman to hold her.
* * *
What starts as a shared meal at a cafe, followed by the first snow of the season, could turn into much more.
They lost their chance of being together when they spent the summers on the island as teens, but can they take it now that they’re adults?
Can they take the chance amid knee-high snow and Christmas decorations?
Second Chance at Christmas (Seasons on the Island 1)
About Layla Heart
Layla Heart loves sexy romances and has a particular soft spot for broken boys and their damaged girls. When she’s not reading or writing steamy stories, she loves to nap with her two cats, preferably under a fluffy blanket, and play videogames. She has studied literature and creative writing but often finds that the couple of classes she took on coding is much more of a help in this new adventure as an author.
* * *
For social media, check the Easily Distracted Media page on the next page.
About Easily Distracted Media
Easily Distracted Media is a publisher/brand name for a group of pen names from one author. Each pen name gives a slightly different ‘flavour’ of story, but they’re all highly emotional, focusing on close connections between friends and chosen family.
E. Engberts, Queer Scifi Young Adult stories.
Emily Engberts, Lesbian Romance stories (18+).
Emmy Engberts, Queer Young Adult Romance stories.
Skylar Heart, Straight Contemporary Romance stories (18+).
Rosa Swann, Gay Romance stories (18+).
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Published by Easily Distracted Media
As E. Engberts (Queer YA Scifi)
BASE Status: Online
BASE Status: Update
As Emily Engberts (Lesbian Romance, 18+)
Second Chance at Christmas
A Card for Valentine’s
A Blooming Spring Love
As Emmy Engberts (Queer YA Romance)
Her Elysium (Flowers and Keyboards 1)
The Other Dress (Flowers and Keyboards 2)
Colour Her (Flowers and Keyboards 3)
As Layla Heart (Reverse Harem Romance, 18+)
Lughnasadh Elite Academy Serial
As Skylar Heart (Straight Romance, 18+)
Shattered
Unraveled
As Rosa Swann (Gay Romance, 18+)
Lunar Pack Serial
Feathers and Microphones Serial
Mated to the Alpha Serial
The Baby Pact Trilogy
Second Chance Mates Serial
Making a Family Serial
Omegas’ Destined Alpha Serial
The Vampire’s Past Trilogy
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