by Skye, Sariah
“That’s so nasty, seriously.” Mila returned from down the hallway, running a brush through her hair, setting it down on the table when she saw Lachlan. “Yay! Grandpa!” She rushed him and he opened an arm, easily taking her in a side hug while she pushed Mason aside. The two of them got into each other’s faces briefly before Lachlan separated them.
“Let’s get out of here…” Trystan said, just as Isla started to cry. “Before Avie starts leaking.”
“Hey, I don’t leak. Bash took care of that with a nice potion,” I said winking at him. “At least… I don’t think so…”
Bash snorted, holding out his arm. “Let’s go for the gods’ sakes. Bye, kids!” He called, and of course no one acknowledged us.
Xander took my other arm and even though I could walk—slowly—neither of them let me go until we’d reached the driveway, pausing only briefly to wave at Igraine and Morgause, with a handful of the dogs following behind, carrying garden supplies and wearing jeans and t-shirts. They, like all the other witches had taken time to acclimate to the modern world but when they did, they enjoyed it.
“Are you sure we should be going?” I asked hesitantly, as Bash backed into the large vehicle, and helped boost me up the slight distance, with Xander’s hands on my waist.
“Yes, we should,” Mathias insisted, getting into the driver’s side, starting the car with a press of a button. “You need it.”
“But—”
“But nothing. We’re going to meet Summer and Naomi for dinner and that’s final, got it? They had a bitch of a time getting a babysitter because fae are a pain in the butt to control when they’re toddlers, but they did, and we’re going dammit, got it?” Mathias said, and I nodded quickly.
“Okay, sheesh.” I slumped down into the long seat, next to Trystan. It was always hard leaving them behind the first time, and I knew Trystan was struggling.
“Hey, Lachlan is awesome and they love him. Clearly. Isla will be fine,” Bash said, reaching over my lap and patting his leg.
“I know, I know. That’s why I waited so long to do this, I knew it’d be a wreck.”
“Ha!” Mathias laughed sharply from the front seat as Xander settled in the seat next to him. “Does anyone not remember what happened to me? Two thousand years I live, one damn baby gives me a fucking panic attack the first time I leave? Do you not remember that?”
“Yeah that was great. Six-foot-seven man having a freak out in the middle of a restaurant, glorious,” I replied, with a snicker.
“Oh stop and quit harassing me or we’ll never make it in time,” Mathias scolded, smirking gently at me from the rearview mirror.
Xander slugged him in the arm and glared. “We’d make it just fine if you’d allow the car to auto-drive itself instead of insisting on doing it yourself, moron!”
Mathias turned and glowered at him. “I do what I want.”
“Hey I have to agree. I’ve seen one too many episodes of Doctor Who at least where the computers take over and kill everyone,” Bash insisted nodding vehemently.
“See?” Mathias returned Xander’s punch. “The computer guy says it’s bad, it’s bad.”
“Oh fuck me…” Xander replied, slumping in his seat and grumbling in Chinese.
“Perhaps later laddie. Right now we’re running late, so step on it, Romanello,” Trystan insisted, “before I lose my shite.”
“Aye aye, bastard…”
I snorted, glancing between the four of them as they grumbled at each other. You’d think after all these years I’d have gotten used to it, or annoyed but no, I still adored watching their banter. They’d only grown closer together in time, and in turn grown closer to me.
I caught Jude’s eye as we pulled out of the driveway as he was clutching his hair, walking away from Rhys who tore after him. I couldn’t hear the words out of his mouth but he appeared to be pleading. He shook his head and opened his arms for a hug, and Rhys definitely allowed it. My cousin waved at me with his fingers and mouthed, “Have fun” as we disappeared from view down the driveway.
How in the fuck was it possible that I’d gone from having no one to an entire extended family? To having children and being married, four times over?
I didn’t think anything could be more bizarre but if it could, chances are it’d happen to us.
But given everything we went through to get here: jealousy, deception, war, secrets and battle, I wouldn’t change anything for the world.
“What’cha thinking, babe?” Bash asked, grinning up at me teasingly while he trailed his fingers over the outline of my leg, carefully lifting the skirt with each pass by.
“Nothing. Just that I think I’m pretty damn lucky, ya know,” I replied, settling into Trystan who kissed the top of my head and sighed.
“Speaking of lucky…” Mathias took a quick, sharp turn before exiting the property through the gate, and took a quick right over a gently worn path underneath a canopy of large oak trees that blocked out the late summer sun overhead.
“What are you doing?” I asked, confused.
“Little surprise.”
“Huh?” We pulled up in front of a small cottage that I didn’t recognize. It appeared to be only about one story, with a shortage of windows and totally surrounded by trees and secluded. The guys quickly scrambled out of the car, looking devious as they urged me out. All of them. “We’re not going out for dinner?”
“Sure we are. Tomorrow. Tonight though…” Trystan gripped my arm and pulled me into him, peering down at me with a sultry expression on his face before he crashed his mouth against mine, instantly setting my insides on fire and turning me to mush.
“We just figured you needed a breather. And we did too…” I felt Xander’s hand’s smooth down my back, running his hands through my hair until my neck bent and he found the soft spot with his lips, nipping and sucking gently. Bash came up to the side of me, drawing me between his legs until I felt the considerably sized hard-on under his pants rub against my hip. He bent in past the two of them, Trystan moving aside and allowing Bash to spear his tongue inside my mouth, making me moan into his even despite the fact that I was still a tad sore; it was quickly being replaced with heat and it felt divine. It’d been months since I’d been able to feel this good.
“God yes…”
“We love you, Avie… we really do. We just need you to remember that always and what better way than to show you?” Mathias snuck in, setting his hands on my hips as the others made room for him. I gazed up into his deep brown eyes, full of love and emotion, then Xander’s dark ones, lining gently crimson with lust and smirking that half smile at me, followed by Bash’s intense steely-eyed stare as he drank in my lips and copped a feel of my ass—of course he did—and Trystan who had fallen to his knees and looked up at me with his emerald green, intense bedroom eyes, trailing kisses down my chest and gently flicking his tongue out over the soft flesh that had been romantically neglected for so long…
“You ready to let us show you?” He asked in a husky tone as I released a long moan, nearly coming unglued at everything they were doing. “You’re not sick of us yet?”
“No, no way.” I insisted. “I love you all too much for that.”
“Good. Let’s go…” Mathias said, reaching down to spank my ass over Bash’s hand—fuck that was hot—and stepped back, moving to enter the little house. It was little more than one room, with a small kitchen area, a small fireplace with mantel, a bathroom in the rear, a TV and entertainment system…
…and one very large, plush bed.
I smiled widely, seeing everything was done in various shades of purple and teal—my favorite colors—from the opulent draperies to the sheers that peeked through them, to the plush rugs on the deep, hardwood floors, and silken bedcovers with fluffy pillows. Fairy lights hung every where, giving everything a very calm, relaxing glow.
“Mmm…I can’t wait to dive into that bed,” I said, with a deep sigh. I was rattled with desire, but the gentle ache of the aftermath o
f my daughter’s birth still made me edgy.
“What do you want to do in the bed? Us?” Trystan asked, grazing his fingers over my cheek, and giving me a heavy lidded, sensual stare.
“Well…yes,” I replied, my cheeks heating. “But… really what I want more than anything?”
“What’s that, beautiful girl?” Mathias asked with a low voice, rubbing his hands down my arms.
“Anything you want, dearest… anything…” Xander purred in my ear, brushing my hair from my neck, leaning in to nip my ear.
“That’s right… anything,” Bash crooned, pressing himself against my side.
“Yeah?” My gaze flicked between the four of them, and I sighed with contentment. I felt their love and even their desire radiating off of them… for me.
How was that possible? Almost fourteen years later, I still couldn’t believe it. But they showed me every day. It was obvious in the way they cared for and cherished our children, cared for me with each pregnancy, no matter who fathered it, and the way they—we—supported each other in all we did.
“Avie?” Bash asked, eyeing me curiously. I fought off a yawn, desperately wishing…
“Would it be okay if we just… took a nap?” I suggested cautiously.
Mathias was the first to react, with a gentle laugh. He tangled his fingers in my hair, leaning in to kiss my forehead. “Of course, Avie. We have the rest of our lives to make love. All we need is you, honey.” Trystan, Bash, and Xander nodded in unison.
I smiled warmly at them all. “You guys are the best.” With help, I was scooped up by Trystan and set in the bed, while Xander and Mathias turned down the covers and let me slide inside. The linens were soft and sumptuous on my skin, but not as sumptuous as the feeling of my four husbands as they snuggled in next to me, around me, or under me. My eyes felt heavy, finally having a little peace and quiet. Loved our children… but this was bliss.
Of course it was…
…this was home. They were home. And always would be.
#thankyouswithoutlimits
So, because I tend to get a bit wordy, I decided to save all my thank-yous for the end of the series. Bear with me, this may take a while.
First, my family. My handsome and patient husband who still doesn’t get the appeal about reverse harem but deals with it anyway, my two kids who are generally patient and wonderful (except when they’re being… you know… kids…). I love you all so fucking much, none of this exists without you. And… well me, but also you. Because you know, I write the words. You all just do everything else. So, thank you a bazillion times for that.
Next, my mother who probably won’t ever see this but hey. She always lets me rant and cry and hears me out when I feel upset, stressed, or whatever. Most definitely my best friend, and I love you for all the awesomeness that you are. Also, thanks for teaching me to be a 100% grade-A first-class nerd.
For my grandma Joan wherever you are, thanks for instilling into me from a young age a love for books, reading, and writing, and for telling me to “write it yourself.” Challenge accepted, and rocked. ;)
For Lizzie (aka the actual “Tall Shit”)… I don’t know where you are, but I love you and you inspire me daily. Thank you for continuing to watch out for me, and I know you are. I’ll always love you, Tall Shit. Love always… Short Shit. <3
To my grandparents, Pawtom and Mimi. They saved my ass when I felt like running, and pulled me back from the ledge. They saw better in me than I ever saw in myself, and I’ll never forget it. I miss you from across the country, but I love you all the same.
To my Shenanigan Squad. There are no words. I know right, me not having words? HA! Thank you all so much for letting me rant, carry on, squee, shriek, geek out about my fandoms and for being there and being excited about the books. Even if I can’t respond to every message, every post, I see them, and I love you all endlessly for your support.
For Frankie, who has probably been my most supportive and most surprising supporter. Kinda like a bra but not as uncomfortable (she’s literally going “Oh my god you’re so fucking weird… but in German because that’s what she does… ) Even though my stuff isn’t necessarily your bag, you still read and encourage me anyway. Thanks for being there. Someday we’ll meet and yell at everyone to get off the lawn. It will happen. So much love and snark to you. ;)
For Jesi and Amber, my alpha readers who see everything in its most crude, terrible state and manage to see through the sludge to find the diamond. Maybe not a great diamond but you find the gem nonetheless. Thanks for your conversations, and your support… always.
For HarleyQuinn… I know we’re new-ish to each other but thank for all you have done so far to help out. Hopefully it’s just the beginning of a long and fun friendship! And shenanigans! And all that stuff!! *mwah*
For all my BETA and ARC readers…sometimes you fluctuate and that’s okay, but man you’re priceless. Thanks for the reviews, the help, the everything. You all make a huge difference, so thank you!
For Sosha who helps mod my group, and helping spread the word: you’re beautiful and I can’t thank you enough for being there. Many hugs to you.
For Kelly Louise Stock (Bea Paige)… gah, girl, just thanks. You know. ;) For listening to my rants, for getting it, for getting ME, and for just being awesome. And an awesome writer—seriously. We came together in a shitty tragedy but we found the silver lining. Friends are awesome, and I always got your back. Sorry for sending you all the smutty photos. I’ll be sure to continue. **muhahahahahahaha!**
For Liz Himsworth, who designed these covers, most of the teasers, all the banners… your talent is off the hook. You’re more than a colleague, you’re a very good friend, and I wouldn’t have made it through without you. I’m glad I stole you because you’re my favorite. ;) I’m also keeping you so, HA.
For Hollie Jackson and Ryan Turner for doing a fantastic job narrating the series. <3 I doubt they’ll ever see this but I hope you didn’t spend a lot of time cringing and going “OMG, this woman is insaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaane, what the hell is she thinking writing this stuff!?! Reverse harem? Wow this is odd…” I know they’re long books and a bit imperfect and I thank you for all your work. And accents. Trystan thanks you too for not making him sound like a dork. ;)
For the reverse harem community as a whole—most of you. So help me, I’ve never known a more fabulous group of ladies and gentlemen. The readers are ravenous and while there’s some bad, it’s all mostly good. I love how open minded you are, and I’ve learned a lot about myself since being a part of it. Not enough good words about you. And my fellow RH authors. Even if I can’t read all your books because my TBR off the hook, there is so much talent and loyalty here, I’m so proud to be part of this community. Even though we’re a bit “gross” and aren’t always everyone’s “cup of tea”. ;) We’re awesome, and thanks for making me feel like my indecisiveness is “cool”. #whychoose
For the RHRA group and all the mods: thanks for giving us a safe space to chat, share our love and work, and being a safe place for us authors to just be.
And… most importantly… thank you to YOU, the readers. Literally absolutely none of this exists without you. Thank you for letting me invade your lives for a few hours, and letting me “take you away” from it all, whether you loved it or hated it. My endless love goes out to you, now and forevermore.
Oh, and thank you to Imagine Dragons who’ll never see this because they have better things to do; thanks for all your music and talent that inspires and fuels my inspiration to keep going. Hey, worth a shot, huh?
All my endless love to all of you,
Xoxo,
Sariah Skye
#lovewithoutlimits
About the Author
Sariah Skye is the highly medicated, partially caffeinated, fluently-sarcastic, swear-word-loving, 100% certifiable author of romance and other type fantasy things. She’s been writing since the Ice Age, or since she was five a very long time ago, but only got the lady-balls to Indie publish in
2016.
When not writing, she’s probably trying to avoid all adult responsibilities, disappointing those around her because she’s terrible at mom-ing and wife-ing, or just staring into space trying to form a coherent thought. She might be playing World of Warcraft or watching Star Trek or Doctor Who but… maybe not. These days who can tell what she’s up to.
In all seriousness—for five-seconds—Sariah hails from southern Minnesota, and lives with her two kids, husband, and dog. She irritates them daily but hopes they know she loves them all the same.
Sariah also recently started, like a cuckoo-nut, to publish contemporary romance works under the pen name of Lizzie Fox. Both Sariah and Lizzie’s stories will feature love of all kinds (#lovewithoutlimits) from male/female romance, to LGBTQ+ couplings, or any variant of polyamorous groups because… why not? Love is awesome and should all be celebrated.
Don’t ever expect her to follow the rules or stick to one genre, she’s way too crazy for that.
If you want to stalk Sariah—ONLINE anyway—you can find her Facebook profile and friend that if you’re truly desperate, or find her at her private group Sariah Skye’s Shenanigan Squad, or lingering about on Twitter or Facebook.