by Skye, Sariah
“Oh god this is good…”
I slowly turned my head, and lifted a scolding brow. “Rhys…”
He looked up, and shuddered, taking a handful of steps back against the wall. “Fuck me, you’ve got the death stare down. I fear for your future children…”
“Well there won’t be any unless we get this shit dealt with,” I said, with a sigh. “What do we do? Can we destroy it?”
“Only one way to find out. A shame to do it, since we could probably use the magic to create some sort of ward against it, but… we won’t need it if this continues and it looks like it is…” Rhys swiped the crystal from me, tossing it up in the air swiftly. A blast of powerful, green magic appeared in his hands and he flicked it at the crystal before it fell, and it shattered in an instant, falling like bone dust to the ground.
We flinched briefly; I actually felt like I’d been slapped, yet my mind was still clouded with confusion. The others didn’t seem to have that reaction though and continued to argue with each other silently.
“I don’t think it worked…”
“It might just need time to work its way through their systems. Or there may be others, stands to reason that Nimue wouldn’t just rely on one.” Rhys stepped forward and set a hand on my shoulder with a smirk. He nodded off into the hallway. “Go. Find your cambion. I’ll handle these assholes.”
I cocked a brow, wondering if I should… Rhys was crazy, but he was brilliant.
He rolled his eyes. “I’m just going to force them to go to bed, even if I have to teleport them one by one. I’m not going to do anything skeevy. And, Ava needs someone right now. I can… feel her.”
“How? Through Avalon?”
“Yes, there’s a faint link through the magic. She’s brokenhearted…” Rhys nudged me again. “Go on, prince charming… and make it better.”
I nodded once. “Thanks, man. I’ll owe you one.”
“And I’ll make sure you give it to me too,” he replied, with a dirty sneer. Snickering, I gave him a playful shove and began to head upstairs.
I didn’t really know why I was spared the spell’s magic, but I was glad I was, especially when I appeared outside of Ava’s bedroom door, hearing her gasping sobs, and my heart broke, and shattered to the ground.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Buried under my blankets and pillows, I cried and sobbed until my eyes and throat were dry…then I cried some more. No tears, because I no longer had energy to make them. I half expected Rhys to pop in and now I would have welcomed it. But, he was probably making out with Mordred right now. Normally the thought would make me “awwww” but right now everything made me scowl or sob, my mind kept playing the harsh words the guys said to me over and over again.
I wasn’t innocent though; I said nasty things right back. It was weird, I didn’t even realize they came out until they were said, and I was too shocked to even be weirded out by it. It all felt…wrong. I supposed with four fiancés a fight was bound to happen eventually, especially with what I did. But I couldn’t help it; the pull of the Avalon magic was just too much. Different than the seductive part, this was an overwhelming protective desire. I couldn’t describe it, but it clouded all my judgment.
I shouldn’t have gone off half-cocked away from the guys. Rhys, Mordred, and Bash could have ported with me. Coming in alone? Was stupid. So stupid, and I knew it. I just couldn’t resist.
Ava, you did what you felt you needed to do. Your protectors were being complete assholes. When I get the hell out of this—
Snarling, I sat up long enough to peel Excalibur off my wrist, and I tossed it angrily on the nightstand. It landed with a metallic clink. “Seriously, enough of you. Half of this is your fault.” Egged on by the sword, I didn’t think I would have acted so irrationally. Or said such awful things. Not like they didn’t say them first, though.
I just didn’t want to hear it right now. Enough voices in my head, the only one I wanted to be left with was my self-loathing and pity.
From next to me on the bed, Sierra sighed, and I felt her furry body shift. I hadn’t had much time to spend with the dogs lately, and I felt incredibly guilty for it… until I realized that, from Trystan’s interpretation of their “thoughts” they were busy being spoiled by all the witches. So in general, I felt less bad. My bed was going to be full of dog hair now, but it was either that or the heat of the guys… and clearly dog hair was winning tonight.
I felt awful. Empty. I actually took my necklace and tossed it on the floor. I don’t know who I was more horrified at; them or me. Or the fact that probably, I was going to have to move out to a cottage with the witches. I couldn’t leave Avalon—at least now. The very thought of not being in this house, in a warm bed—sex or not—with the guys was enough to wrack another round of sobs out of me. It was so deafening in my ears, I barely noticed the doorknob rattle, or notice the sudden chill in the air, or the lock click loudly as the door opened.
“Fuck,” Xander muttered softly. At least I thought it was him, I could have been having a dream by this point. I didn’t know my up from down or my ass from hole in the ground right now. But when the bed shifted on the other side of me and I felt a hand on my back, I knew it was him. His touch was always so warm and tender and even without words, full of all the love and emotion he possessed. Which was a lot. “Are you okay, dearest one?”
Sniffling, I shook my head no once.
“Can you come out from there?” Xander asked, and I shook my head again. “Okay. I’ll just talk from here. The guys didn’t mean what they said—I promise that. They—we—all love you so much. What happened down there? It was a spell. Nimue had some sort of spell that was designed to turn us against each other.”
Blinking, I let his words sink in. Rhys did mention something about that, and I didn’t pay much attention to it. But…?
I felt Xander’s body brush over my back as he rooted for the edge of the blanket, gripped it and pulled back. The air chilled my skin, giving me gooseflesh immediately, and when he leaned over me, smoothing the hair out of my eyes, the feel of his hot skin against mine was enough to drive me distracted. I shivered and erupted into a mess of gooseflesh and fevered trembles. It felt so good… it was hard now to remember why I was pissed. “Dearest, did you hear me?”
Slowly, cautiously, I shifted until I looked at him through blurry, swollen eyes; frowning when I realized I didn’t bother to add any clothes after I stripped off my jeans and shit and tossed them on the floor somewhere with the boots I’d kicked a while ago. If he noticed the partial nudity I couldn’t tell, because I could barely see. I did finally acknowledge him, though. “I heard you.”
“Everything that was said—I know it hurts.” He placed his hand solidly on my cheek, the pad of his thumb brushing softly over my temple. “But it wasn’t real.”
“Just because Rhys said so?” I replied, with a derisive chuckle. “Come on, we all know he’s nuts.”
Xander laughed warmly; it felt like a beam of sunlight on my frozen heart and nearly smiled at the sound. “Well, yeah he’s a little off. A lot off. But when it comes to magic, he knows his stuff, and you know that. And you don’t think he’s nuts—not really. I think you kind of like him.” His tone carried just a hint of playfulness, and reluctantly I sat up, trying to smirk at him but my face hurt from how I’d rubbed the tears off over and over; my cheeks were gently raw.
“I don’t like him like that. I’ll save that for my…” I cringed slightly. “Cousin.”
“Ah, there’s that Ava snark we’ve all grown so fond of,” Xander said affectionately. I blinked at him repeatedly; I could see him but everything was foggy and blurry. “It was just a spell, dearest. A nasty spell put there by Nimue. We destroyed it.”
“Then… why do I still feel so shitty?” I asked, frowning, as the tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
“We aren’t entirely sure we got them all. We think there’s more of the spell—in crystal form—on the property. We destroyed one of them,
and it seemed to snap the guys out of their mood for a minute,” Xander said, reaching out to stroke my hair over my shoulder. “Rhys and Mordred are out looking for more.”
I laughed bitterly. “Maybe that just means that it was real after all and they really do hate me.”
“No, Ava.” He slid his hand under my chin, urging me to face him. “I promise on my life that those men—my brothers—are mad for you. Keep in mind I’m the jealous one too, so me admitting that has to mean something,” he said, with a light smile.
I responded with one of my own that tugged at the corner of my eyes, making me wince. “My eyes hurt…” I must have cried really, really hard.
“Just a second. I’ll fix that.” The bed moved as he quickly squeezed my shoulder and walked away momentarily. I heard the sound of running water in the bathroom, a gentle curse as he tripped over one of the dogs and returned. I felt something warm and soothing pressed to my eyes smelling like lavender.
“Better?” He asked, after a moment, pulling it away. Blinking a few times, my vision returned and Xander stood before me with a purple washcloth, looking every bit as devastatingly gorgeous as always, but with a look of extreme concern marring that handsome face.
“I must have cried really hard,” I said. As I spoke, my face still felt stiff. “Ow,” I touched a hand to the apple of my cheek. “Who knew tears burned like that? I haven’t cried that hard in a long, long time.”
“I don’t think that was entirely natural, Avie,” Xander said, propping himself on the edge of the bed and leaning over me. He pulled a small brown bottle out of his pants pocket, uncapped it and poured whatever it was into his fingertips. When I inhaled I smelled the sweet, floral scent it was immediately pleasant and relaxing; it must have been lavender oil. He brushed his fingers gently over my cheeks; the oil and his touch were warm and soothing.
“How did you know to have that in your pocket?” I asked, amazed at his thoughtfulness.
“Oh.” Xander blushed gently. “I always carry it when I know where going into social situations. It used to be for Mathias—you know, you dab a little here or there on certain pressure points and it helps anxiety—but now I keep it for you, too. He doesn’t seem to lose control anymore when you’re around, but you still get a bit anxious.”
I smiled slowly as my chest tingled with heat. Something… some mysterious emotion made my heartstrings constrict at the idea of him being so caring. “That’s… really thoughtful. What makes you think to do that?”
He shrugged gently. “I’m… not sure. I guess its leftover from being a big brother all those years ago. I was always the one who looked after everyone, because I had to. I guess it stuck, huh?” Xander chuckled uneasily, glancing away, looking slightly embarrassed.
“Hey,” I said softly, brushing my fingers over his stubbled jawline. I just couldn’t get enough of touching these guys. It went beyond sex, beyond love… it was just natural. Like feeling like home, and… family.
Family?
The word struck a loud chord inside me. A quick vision washed across my mind of him, carrying a tiny bundle with black hair like his, appearing satisfied and content as he spoke to it. Why that thought came to my mind, I didn’t know. Well, maybe I did. I surprised myself by uttering next,
“I think you’d make the best dad someday.” My eyes widened when I realized what came out of my mouth. Oh shit… I wasn’t sure I was ready for such declarations, and maybe he wasn’t either.
Xander leaned his head into my touch, clasping his hand on mine and turning to kiss my palm, his sultry gaze never leaving mine for a second. “I don’t think I have ever heard a better compliment in my life,” he declared, with a pleased, gently-sideways smirk that made my cheeks flush and heat. “Is that something you want, someday?”
I swallowed nervously. I didn’t know why, I’d discussed this with the other guys; Xander always seemed a bit nervous to bring it up. But now that he had I had to be honest with him like I was the others. “Someday, yeah. It’ll be hard though.”
He nodded slowly in agreement. “I know. But we’ll all be here for you, Avie dearest, and maybe that’ll make it better.”
Smiling shyly, I nodded. “I think it will.”
“Someday, though. Not today.” Xander laughed quietly.
“No, not today. And if the events of today carry into tomorrow, you might be the only one going for it,” I said, with a pathetic whimper at the idea of all my guys not being around. We all just fit together so well, I couldn’t imagine life without any of them.
“Not true, once they realize what happened? They are going to feel so terrible, I know it,” Xander insisted, as he smirked. “Like, so terrible they’ll be willing to do anything to make it up to you.” He winked playfully. I cocked a brow.
“Anything, huh?” I repeated, suddenly intrigued, and Xander grinned widely.
“Oh, you already have something in mind?”
“Something in… you could say that…” I replied innocently.
“You do, huh? And, can I help with that, dearest one?” He asked coyly, brushing a finger gently over my lips with an impish glint in his eyes, and he trailed that finger down my neck and my chest, pausing over my nipple, peaked underneath my bra. My breath hitched, the path his touch trailed left explosions of electricity in its wake that shot straight for my core. He seemed to sense this, and continued dragging his finger over my stomach, over the waist of my panties, and rested just before it hit my clit and he left it there tauntingly, biting his lip and gauging my reaction.
My lips spread into a sultry smile of my own and I lay back, propping my upper body up with my arms, and tilting my hips up his finger barely grazed the spot between my legs. The little bit of friction felt heavenly and my eyes slid shut and a tiny moan escaped my lips.
“Shit, Avie…” Xander muttered while his hand clenched at my thigh, like he was trying to contain himself. My eyes opened and I noticed his gaze roamed the length of my body, his black irises tinged with maroon. “I came in here to make you feel better, not try to throw myself at you.”
“Maybe that is just the thing that would make me feel better,” I said, suggestively, shoving my lower lip out in a pout. I parted my legs, giving him better access. “Please?”
“Goddamn…” Xander’s chest heaved and he scrubbed a hand over his face, letting out a low groan. I continued pouting at him and he released a quiet growl while he peeled off his t-shirt and pushed me with a hand flat on the bed before he pinned me onto the mattress with the length of his hard body over mine. He shot me a sexy grin. “And you say this will help you feel better?” He asked, slipping his hand under my panties and seeking out my wet heat. My head rolled off to the side and I breathed out a moan.
“Oh yeah. Much better…”
“Are you sure?” He taunted, slipping a finger between the folds and swirling it over the taut bud there ever so gently. It was a total tease and he knew it, judging by the playful and sultry smirk on his sexy mouth.
I nodded quickly. “Oh yes. I’ll feel much better. Please.”
Xander’s sidelong smile turned up higher while his eyelids drew down lower as he watched my reaction to his hand between my thighs, his irises turning deeper and deeper red. I slid my hand over the short strands of black hair at his neck, and hungrily drew his mouth to mine, just needing more. He instantly responded, sinking into it, prying my lips apart with his tongue and diving in.
All the guys had certain things about them that made them unique to be with, and right now, with Xander’s passion and his desire to be somewhat of a healer, I knew he was exactly what I needed to help chase away the dark thoughts of the night and replace them with bright, more hopeful ones. And that is exactly what I counted on when I pulled back gently, dragged my teeth over my lower lip, and regarded the sultry, sexed-up look on his face.
“Take everything off, Xan… and take me, dear,” I spoke to him, rather huskily.
“Oh god…” he muttered, barely audible under his
low groan from the back of his throat as his eyes clenched shut for a moment, body tensing as he attempted to regain control. Even that shouldn’t have been as alluring as it was, but knowing that I drove him crazy in the best way? Just drove me even crazier, and the desire burned hotter until I was nearly ready to explode.
When his eyes opened again it was obvious he was thoroughly emerged in the throes of his incubus lust; the crimson outside making it clear his pupils were totally dilated, and I felt his cock throb over the tense heat low in my belly. I arched a brow before asking, “Xan?”
He shook himself gently. “Sorry, dear. Just… a moment. Sometimes things get a bit… out of control up here,” he said, pointing to his temple, and I smirked salaciously.
“So? Let go of it and show me what you have,” I urged.
His cocky grin beamed bright and he chuckled lightly. “You don’t have any idea what you’re saying.”
“Yes. I do. Show me. Take me, dammit.”
A quiet growl rumbled in his chest. “All right, then.” And he proved his point by sliding his hand under my neck, lifting my upper body slightly off the bed, and with one hand still propping us up, his mouth slammed into mine, and he didn’t take no for an answer. When the lust surged with a spike of heat through me, tingling my arms and legs and curling my fingers and toes, I moaned loudly, bucking into him, and my lips parted, wanting more. His predatory, claiming kiss matched my own haggard breath; intense, steady, and strong.
The kiss was so distracting, the explosions and swirling of the world around us so intense and all-encompassing that I hadn’t fully noticed his hand grabbing at my satin panties to pull them down, pushing them the rest of the way off my legs with the help of his foot so he didn’t break the kiss. With another tug of my arm he pulled me higher up, and his hands ventured around me and made quick work of all the hooks of the bra, and he tossing it aside as well, never once breaking the kiss. Holy shit…
He pulled back somewhat, tugging on my bottom lip gently, eliciting a whimper from me as I suddenly missed the proximity of his hot skin and firm body. Releasing my swollen lip, he gave me the hottest, most seductive look I’d ever seen from him complete with heavily-lidded, sexed-up eyes and a dirty, arrogant sideways grin. The air pulsed and charged between us like a lightning rod—pun intended—as he nimbly slid down my body on all-fours as he showered my breasts with nips, kisses, and firm touches until the nipples peaked and became so sensitive with want, it ebbed straight through to my core. I whimpered, trembling under his masterful seductive assault, and bucking up as he moved onto my clit and center and that is when I lost it.