by Skye, Sariah
“Yes, farthest room at the end. I’m afraid it’s not as large as the rooms in your Avalon home, but it is warm and it should suffice for you and your protectors,” he explained, and I snapped my fingers and pointed at him, forcing a stupid smile.
“Right. All five of us though? What will Trystan say?” I kidded uneasily, avoiding Bash’s steely-eyed, penetrative stare. “Gonna just—yeah.” Without saying any more, I dizzily stumbled through the room, almost like I was drunk and not about to have a panic attack. I avoided the uneasy stares of the rebels who were gathered here for food and drink, not to watch a crazy Avalonian priestess lose her shit.
“Ava? Ava!” I barely heard Bash call after me as I nearly tripped on the stairs halfway up them. “Damn, babe… what’s going on?”
“I… don’t know,” I merely replied. “I mean… I’m just kind of tired now.”
He nodded. He waved over to Rhys, and the wizard halted his conversation with Percival and blinked over across the room in front of us.
Bash produced a large sachet from his pants pocket and handed to him. “Can you add this to the water well? It’s for the army. It’s in the center of town. Pass the word along that everyone needs to drink from it.”
Rhys clutched it and nodded with a smirk. “Always happy to be of service.” He winked at me, before teleporting away in a burst of smoke and fog.
Bash turned to me, placing his hand on my cheek as he gazed down expectantly. “You’re tired, babe?”
I wasn’t really, but the weighted feeling tugged at my heart. I knew it was coming from the sword, and right now I wanted nothing more than to take the damn sword off and set it aside so I could have a moment of peace to myself. Bash must have sensed my helpless mood, and scooped me up in his arms, cradling me against him. “Come on, let’s get you to lay down, huh?” I nodded appreciatively and leaned into him, letting my protector carry me up the stairs.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The room in the tavern that we were to be boarding in was definitely humble. I was pretty sure my bathroom was bigger. Come to think of it… did this place have a bathroom? Or was I going to have to piss in a pot?
I snickered to myself, laughing. “Well now I can’t say I don’t have a pot to piss in…”
“Avie?” Bash asked, setting me down on one of the beds. If you could call it that, really they just seemed like large, linen-covered lumps; large cushions stitched together, filled with things I wasn’t sure about. Hay? Wool? Goose feathers? I wrinkled my nose as I felt something pointy stab me in the back. It felt like a stick, or the root of a feather. I jerked upright, nearly head-butting Bash in the nose as he sat nearby, hovering over me with concern.
I blinked a couple of times, trying to take in his worried, handsome face. The sword buzzed at my wrist, and I promptly took it off. It twisted and morphed back into its sword form as I set it on the floor next to the crude bed, and breathed a sigh of relief. The sudden onset of despair left me and I was left with my own thoughts. And now, sitting here in the bed, as crappy as it was, I took him in slowly as he stood beside me. Drinking in the long lines of his taut body under his jeans and black shirt, I found myself smiling with contentment. “Sorry. I feel better now,” I said, speaking low, wondering if he understood the double meaning behind my words.
“That’s good, Avie,” he replied, sitting down at the edge of the bed as he apprised me, looking me over from head to toe. “I missed you when you weren’t here. That’s the first time we’ve been without you in months. I didn’t like it.”
I let out a sigh instead and smiled wryly, lifting my hand and setting it over his roughly-stubbled jaw while he gazed at me with concern. I found myself getting lost in his steel-blue eyes as he smiled, the corners of it lifting and crinkling the corners of his lips.
“Me either, baby. Let’s make sure it never happens again, I mean… after this is over. I know we can’t do anything about it now. But…” I insisted, dragging my thumb over his jawline, listening for that comforting sound of my finger scraping over his scruff. All the guys had thick beards if they wanted them; Trystan only shaved every week or so. Mathias was meticulous about it of course, and Xander’s hair, even on his face was quite soft. For some reason Bash’s was just a bit coarser then everyone else’s. Why the fuck was I thinking of that? Maybe just because it was… him. And I was trying to memorize every part of him—of all of them—just in case they didn’t come home and memories was all I was left with. It was unlikely… but I wasn’t taking chances.
“Avie…” he said softly, taking my hand and frowning. He pulled my upper body into his lap and let me rest against his strong chest. “I know you’re scared, but we’ll all be fine.”
I nodded slightly, feeling the prick of tears sting behind my eyes.
“You can talk, you know. Whatever it is, I won’t judge.”
“I know,” I replied quietly, settling into him and finally taking in the humble room. Stone walls, a fireplace on one side with a light, roaring fire in it. A simple wooden table with a large bowl and pitcher sat nearby, and a single, square window with a dingy glass pane was all the room contained. It was literally so small that I didn’t think all of us: the guys and I—could have stood side by side without bursting out of the door. Especially with Mathias’ broad shoulders. He was probably going to have to duck in here. “Where is everyone?” I finally asked, “and how the hell are we going to fit in here?”
Bash patted my arm, and chuckled gently. “Oh, this is nothing. The four of us shared a foxhole together for about four days in World War II. It’ll be a little cozy but nothing we can’t manage.”
I snorted, stretching out and patting the lumpy bed. “This is what? About a full size? We’ll never fit on here.”
“As long as you do, that’s what matters. We’re no strangers to sleeping on hard ground. It’ll suck, but we’ll manage.” Bash’s expression turned playful as he winked. “It’ll be better this time because we’ll be fully energized after being with you; we won’t need much sleep.” He brushed a little kiss over my temple and turned his cheek until he relaxed against my neck. “They should be here soon, I’m not sure what’s holding them up. I’m sure Rhys got distracted by someone or something as usual. He’s supposed to be teleporting everyone here, aside from Trystan. He’ll fly because he doesn’t trust Rhys not to grab his ass.” I laughed loudly at that one, because it was probably true. “They’ll be fine, they’re all together.”
I smiled warmly. “I’m glad you guys care for each other too.”
He angled his head until our faces were bowed together. “We are brothers basically in every sense of the word, besides blood. I promise you will never let anything happen to one another, either. But you, Ava, will always be our first priority. That will never change.”
“Never?”
“Never,” he said confidently, shaking his head.
“I shouldn’t like hearing that as much as I do,” I said, with a light laugh.
“And why shouldn’t you?” Bash inquired, with a raise of his brow.
“Because it feels selfish. I’ve already asked so much of you guys; I moved in your house, you run my club, you have to share the same person, teach me how to use all this magic… it’s just a bit crazy, don’t you think?”
I watched as Bash frowned severely. “Now I see where this is coming from. You’re worried about ‘fighting’ in this battle, huh?” That wasn’t entirely it, but we were going to go with it for now. But now that he mentioned it, it did make me incredibly nervous, sword or not. Without carrying the sword, my fear and true feelings started to emerge. Excalibur gave me confidence. Without it, I was just as anxious as I ever was.
“Of course I am. I’ve only had this role a short time. I mean—shit, Sebastian! Just what, three months ago I was a nobody? Now I have to save the world? How? I can’t fight! I was born to be invisible, to hide!” I protested, shaking my head.
“You were never a nobody, so get that thought out of your head righ
t now,” Bash scolded, and I sighed, unconvinced. “That’s precisely it, babe. You were born to love, or to defend. We were born to fight. We use this to our advantage. Avalon’s magic is about love and trust, isn’t it?” He asked.
“Well, yes, but—”
“—but nothing. The big thing is Nimue is acting on manipulation. Arthur is using intimidation to control. We? We’re using love, and trust. In the end, those things win out, and they will be alone. You cannot fight alone against an army; even Mathias’ would fall to those stakes. Even if he wasn’t killed, he’d be down for a while. So, don’t worry. Just like in Alexandria, you knew exactly what to do. Trust the sword, trust the magic, and trust us that we will guide you where you need to go. Okay?” Bash implored, bringing my chin upward with his fingertips, and brushing his thumb over my jaw; the pad of it skirting over my bottom lip. His gaze darkened and his sexy mouth spread into a sly grin. My cheeks flushed; I knew that look and knew exactly what he was thinking. Especially because I was thinking it too, and my mind and body alike were consumed suddenly with the idea of pinning him to this crappy bed, stripping him down and finding a dozen ways to make him moan.
“What are you thinking, babe?” He asked lowly as I moved until I could crawl over the top of him. Feeling a heat spread low in my belly as I straddled his slim hips and his growing cock, I dragged my lower lip between my teeth, tilting my head and moving in to seek out his mouth with mine. I felt his chest heave under me in anticipation as my breasts grazed against him, and our lips nearly met when the door suddenly burst open.
“Quit being a big fucking baby, sheesh!” Xander scolded with a low groan.
“Och! I can’t believe you didn’t think to bring bloody ibuprofen! I swear, my arse hasn’t hurt so much since Woodstock in sixty—well, well, well.” Trystan’s perturbed ranting shifted into a playful taunt as he entered and saw Bash and I on the bed in a precarious, seductive situation. “Are we interrupting?”
“Fuck off, Munro,” Bash groused, flipping him the bird as he scowled at the eagle shifter. I quickly scrambled off of Bash’s lap to excitedly dart the three feet across the room, and I flung myself at the nearest fiancé which just happened to be Trystan.
“What happened?” I inquired of them.
“After everyone teleported away, since we were distracted with the shadow fae, Nimue got away,” Trystan replied, with a grumble. “Rhys ported us back one by one.”
“Ah… but wait, I want to know why your ass hurt?” I questioned innocently, but the Scot just grinned and winked widely. Damn tease…
“Och, you miss us, luv?” He said with a gentle laugh, encapsulating me in his arms and holding me tightly against him. I noticed he slightly hunched over; the ceiling too short for the tall incubus.
“Every time I can’t see you guys I get worried,” I said, my voice muffled as my face was buried in his chest.
“Us too, my love.” I felt another thick arm snake around my waist and Mathias left a gentle peck on the back of my head. I glanced up, happy to be sandwiched between the two larger incubi, even more touched they set aside their posturing male pride to greet me. They avoided each other’s eyes but they didn’t move apart. Not even when Xander threw himself in the mix. His gave a sultry smile and he reached out a hand, sliding it under my chin and brought his lips to mine in a kiss that quickened by breath, heated my flesh, and continued to ignite the nerves between my legs. It was heaven even in this dinky, humble room, being pressed between the two solid bodies of Mathias and Trystan, with Xander’s masterful tongue seeking my own. I parted for him instantly, arching my back while I felt a shiver slide down my spine, resting low in my stomach… and a large bulge poking the top of my ass.
I whimpered gently when Xander broke the kiss too early, winking a stormy eye and stepping aside. Mathias and Trystan were nearly motionless, but I could feel their hearts slam in their respective chests: yeah, they thought that was hot. I grinned devilishly. “Hey, do you think—” I began, and Mathias snorted loudly.
“Sorry, beautiful girl. Not happening. Not any time soon, anyway,” he said, with a snicker. Trystan agreed with a light grunt.
“Someday though?” I asked hopefully, taking a deep breath, trying to will my heart to calm.
“Maybe,” he said, with a wink.
“We’ll leave the multi-fuckery to the three of you, I think,” Trystan snarked, and Xander rose a hand to flick him off.
“Suit yourself. It’s kind of nice when the pressure is off you. You get off too early—boom. Someone else is there. Everyone gets what they want.” Xander shrugged nonchalantly, and flopped down at the end of the bed, seeming indifferent, like he didn’t just say something incriminating. Bash still sat at the head, looking at him incredulously. Whatever embarrassment Xander once felt over it was obviously a moot point now. “What?” Xander demanded, draping his arm over his eyes. “Fuck I’m tired”
“I have to agree,” Trystan said, grimacing and rubbing his sore backside. He flashed me a mischievous look. “Ava, luv, will you rub my ass?”
“Why does it hurt in the first place? You never answered that,” I asked.
Trystan’s face fixed into a scowl as he set a hand on his backside. “Och, that damned wizard. He teleported in at the place I was landing on. Knocked me right on my arse. So… butt massage, Avie? Please?”
“Stars above…” Mathias slapped his hand over his face. “There will be no ass fondling as long as we’re all here, understood?” He glared down at each one of us.
“All right, all right. No fuckery, fine. Bastards gotta ruin all the fun, aye?” Trystan pouted as he sat at the opposite corner of the bed, as far from Xander as he could get. “Shite, how are we going to sleep in this?”
“Get on the floor, you douche,” Xander grumbled, pointing a finger, his other arm still covering his face.
Trystan started to argue, but Bash interrupted him. “Enough, all right? Is everyone settled in for the night? Rhys? Lachlan? Mordred?”
“Rhys blinked out the moment we teleported in, and we haven’t seen Mordred so far,” Xander replied, removing his hand and flipping over on his stomach, his long legs still dangling off the bed’s edge.
“Och, and let’s hope we don’t again until morning, aye?” Trystan gave a sour frown, as Bash snickered beside me.
“Huh?” I asked blankly.
“In the village we stayed in, Trystan walked in on Mordred and Rhys… uhh… how do I put it delicately?” Xander asked impishly.
“Fucking. They were fucking. Nothing delicate about that,” Bash groused, with a hint of a smirk on his face.
“Yeah?” I bit the corner of my lip, tapping my finger against my cheek, impishly thoughtful, like I was enjoying thinking about it. If it’d been anyone but my cousin, I probably would have been.
“Stop,” Xander scolded, with a grin, as my gaze dropped to him, focusing briefly on his sexy mouth before turning to Bash. And my neck heated, thinking about them, and me and… together.
“Better than banging the damned witches,” Mathias said, with a low grumble, shaking his head as he took the opportunity to fold his tall body nearby on the floor, leaning against the wall and sighing heavily before asking me, “Percival and Guinevere were talking. Is your dad okay, Avie?”
I nodded. “He’s… upset. But okay. Guinevere said since being back here the memories of when he lost his son are getting to him. And the fact that, you know, she and he can’t be together.”
“Shite, that sucks,” Trystan agreed sympathetically.
“Any signs of Arthur’s army?” Bash asked.
“Not as such. Mordred is right, though. They seem to be making a big show but don’t seem organized. I don’t think they suspect we’re here or the rebels are getting organized,” Trystan mused, stretching out his legs and groaning. He fell backwards, his head landing in my lap as he grinned at me. I ran my fingers through his hair and his eyes fluttered shut. “For now, I say we rest up and deal with this shite in the morning be
cause after today, we’ll need some time to recover if we’re going to be up against Arthur. Since they don’t appear to be moving forward yet, just posturing like before, we have time.”
“Munro, since your ass is so sore,” Mathias said, a flicker of trouble in his eyes as he regarded the eagle-shifter, and Trystan snorted an ungraceful laugh, “you and the others can sleep, I’ll take watch.”
“Do we really need a watch here? I thought we were safe?” I asked, troubled.
“If there is one thing we’ve all learned while being at war, is always keep on your guard no matter what.” Mathias strode with his long legs the short distance between the door and the bed, and totally ignored the other three that were draped around me. I was still wrapped up against Bash, Xander had collapsed onto his side and had an arm draped over me, and Trystan was curled up with his head in my lap while I ran my fingers through his wavy auburn hair. No one was asleep, but it was clear they were tired. “We just don’t want to take chances when it comes to you, my love,” he said, leaning in to whisper lowly directly into my ear. The rasp of his voice trembled me gently and the words “my love” sent a shiver darting down my spine. Didn’t help that his brown hair fell into his forehead and grazed against my temple—I loved so much when that happened. I loved his hair. It was just so perfectly Mathias, and he was always so put together all the time. When his hair became unruly, that usually meant he was falling apart… in the best ways. And usually, for me. I understood now why Xander had a thing for hair—my hair—because I had the same for Mathias’.
I couldn’t resist shooting my hands up into his locks, and yanking his face down towards mine until our mouths slammed together. I felt him relax in my hands, trusting me to hold him as I kissed him forcefully, jutting my tongue out and probing his lips for entry. He acquiesced with no protest and I felt his low moan into my mouth as he lowered himself to his knees on the makeshift bed, his arms snaking around my upper body and waist.