Doran heard us approach and turned toward us. “Good, you’re all here.” He moved to stand before us and scrutinized us in turn. “If you’re going to fight the Dragons in a few weeks, you’ll need to be better prepared. Right now, you’re not even close to being ready. I’m amazed you’ve survived this long, honestly.”
“Great speech,” I mumbled. “I feel so inspired now.”
Reven smirked beside me, while Doran shot me a sharp look before continuing. “Today we’re going to focus on opposing elements. Each element has a direct opposite—fire and water, earth and air, life and death. As I mentioned before, this is how we imprisoned the Gods, using the element they were weakest against. You’ll be strongest when fighting someone with opposing magic, whether it’s a Dragon or an elemental, but you’ll also be at your weakest. I want you to pair up—Reven with Jasin, Auric with Slade—and practice blocking each other’s magical attacks.”
“And me?” Kira asked.
“You and I will start your water magic training today.”
Reven and I moved to the other side of the courtyard, both of us wearing matching scowls. Maybe we were supposed to be opposites, but sometimes I thought I had more in common with him than I did with the others. I hadn’t liked the guy at first, but now we had an unspoken understanding. And we both seemed to feel the same way about Doran.
“I should be the one training her in water,” Reven growled, once we were out of earshot.
I snorted. “Now that her perfect father is here, she doesn’t need us for that anymore.”
We took up positions facing each other and summoned our magic. I threw a ball of fire at Reven, but he met it with a blast of water and they both sizzled out.
“She’s going to be heartbroken when his true colors emerge,” I said, as Reven threw shards of ice my way. I put up a wall of fire to block them, melting them before they could hit me.
“And we’ll be there to comfort her.”
“Unless we’re all split up.” My jaw clenched as I formed a sword made entirely of fire and lunged at him. I hated this plan we’d come up with. Leaving her alone with Doran was a bad idea, but she wouldn’t listen to reason about it.
Reven formed a shield of water and blocked me, then let the water reform into two daggers, which he threw at me. I knocked one away, but the other grazed my arm, making me flinch.
I rubbed the small cut, which burned with cold. “Nice one.”
Reven nodded at my compliment. “The Assassin’s Guild headquarters are on the way to the Fire Realm and not far from here. I can take care of business there quickly and then follow Kira and Doran from a distance. If I feel anything through the bond, I’ll be able to get to Kira fast.”
“That would make me feel a lot better about this plan. Do you think he’ll try something?”
“No, but I like to be prepared for anything.”
“Me too. And even if he isn’t a threat to her, the elementals could be.”
“Exactly.”
Doran walked over to us while we shot more fire and water at each other. “How are you both doing with this?”
“Fine,” Reven said.
“I will say, I’m impressed,” Doran said. “The two of you haven’t known each other long, but you don’t seem to hate each other. Sark and I…” His face twisted. “Let’s just say it took a long time before we could work together.”
“That isn’t a problem for us,” Reven said.
“No, and not for Slade and Auric either it seems.”
“We’re a team,” I said, puffing up my chest a little. “Brothers united with a shared cause—protecting and loving Kira. Whatever personal issues we had with each other, we’ve managed to get past them.”
“So I’ve seen.” Doran rubbed his chin, his eyes thoughtful. “Nysa’s mates and I can barely stand to be in the same room as each other. We’ve never been very good at working as a team, and the bond chafes at us after all these years. Blocking the other Dragons out was the only way I could stay sane. But things are different with all of you—and that’s how you’ll defeat the other Dragons.”
I couldn’t imagine hating Kira’s other mates like that. Sure, we’d had our differences at first. We’d gotten into fights. We’d questioned each other’s loyalties. But in the end, we’d united under our shared love of Kira and our common purpose of defeating the Dragons. All I had to do was reach for the bond with Kira and I felt her mates there too. Auric was the strongest, like a sunny breeze brushing against my mind, and I’d started to feel Slade’s cool, stony presence recently. Now that Reven had bonded with Kira there was a new awareness too, a tiny cool flicker that I knew would quickly grow into more.
Doran spent a few minutes showing us how to imprison the other person with our element, and then Reven practiced encasing me in ice, sometimes just my feet so I couldn’t dodge his attacks, and sometimes my entire body. I did the same with Reven, surrounding him with flames, and at one point making him yelp. Across the courtyard, Slade and Auric were practicing similar tactics with their own magic. I had a feeling we’d need some healing from Kira after this was all over.
“I think that’s enough for now,” Doran called out, sometime later. “We’re going to practice again over the next few days, using different combinations, until you’re used to fighting every kind of magic. Slade, I want you to also spend some time practicing your flying. You’re almost there, and we need you to be ready before we depart. Reven, you should do that too. And all of you should work on building your bonds with Kira and each other. That will be the key to winning against the other Dragons.”
With that, he dismissed us and went back into the Temple. A grin spread across my face, despite my weariness and pain in all the places Reven had hit me. I knew exactly how I wanted to work on strengthening our bonds. And I had a feeling the other guys wouldn’t mind either.
23
Kira
As I prepared for bed after a long day of training with Doran, I heard a knock. I opened my door and found Jasin, Auric, and Reven standing outside, each one so handsome it made my pulse race.
Jasin leaned against the doorway and gave me a sinful smile. “I thought you could use some company tonight, so I invited the others. Doran did tell us to work on building our bond, after all.”
“Yes, he did.” Excitement fluttered inside my stomach as I gestured for them to come inside. Memories of the last time the four of us shared an evening together came rushing back, and I could only hope for another night like that. “I was about to take a bath. You should all join me.”
“I invited Slade too,” Jasin said, as they stepped inside.
My eyebrows darted up. “Did you? That was kind, but I doubt he’ll join us.”
He shrugged. “You never know. I think he’ll surprise you.”
“This bed is enormous,” Auric said, pushing his hand on it. “We’ll definitely have to take advantage of this later.”
“This bath is too,” Reven said from the other room.
“A suite built for a Dragon and her mates,” I said, as I followed Reven’s voice.
Jasin dipped his hand in the bath. “Oh yes, this is definitely my favorite temple.”
My men quickly removed their clothes and I took in Auric’s tall frame, Jasin’s abundance of muscles, and Reven’s toned physique. Each one of them was already hard and ready for me, and at that moment I knew I was the luckiest woman in the world.
They stepped into the pool, which Jasin had heated to the perfect temperature to soothe away any aches and pains from today’s lessons. I dropped my robe, baring myself before them, and they gazed up at me as I slipped into the bath beside them. My men wasted no time in circling me, their eyes hungry, their intentions clear. Jasin’s mouth found mine first, his lips warm against mine, before Reven dragged my face toward him to kiss me next. Auric’s arms circled me from behind, and I turned my head to taste his lips too. Their naked, wet bodies surrounded me, sliding against my bare skin, and desire raced through my vein
s.
The three of us had done this before, but now it was different because I could sense Reven through the bond. With every touch and kiss, his presence in my mind grew stronger. I no longer had to wonder if he loved me or if he would ever open up—he had given himself to me completely last night, and all my doubts about him had vanished.
I heard footsteps and looked up to see Slade standing on the edge of the bath. “You’re here,” I whispered.
Slade shrugged. “Jasin invited me.”
“Told you,” Jasin said with a wink.
“And you’re okay with this?” I asked.
“The idea of sharing you doesn’t bother me anymore, not like it did.” Slade tugged off his shirt and tossed it aside, revealing that dark, muscular chest that just begged to be touched. “I’d like to try.”
“Really?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat in anticipation.
He slid down his trousers and stepped into the bath. He was already hard as steel, which made me think he might be telling the truth. “I want to do whatever makes you happy, and I can tell this does. I admit, I’m a little curious too.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him to show how much this meant to me. “We’ll go slow and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want.”
He chuckled softly, his voice low and delicious. “I can handle it.”
He leaned back against the edge of the bath, spreading his arms wide. I nestled up against him, kissing his bearded neck, running my hands along his shoulders and his strong chest, down to his hard cock. I took it in hand, enjoying the way it filled up my palm, as I kissed him again.
But I couldn’t neglect my other mates either. I turned and faced them, but Slade’s arms wrapped around me, pulling my behind up against his hips. He held me against him, his cock nestled between my cheeks, his hands on my breasts. I leaned back on his chest and turned my head to kiss him, while the other men watched us with rapt expressions.
They moved forward through the water, drawing closer to me as if they couldn’t resist. Jasin and Auric took up position on either side of me, kissing my shoulders, my neck, and the curves of my breasts, while I rested against Slade’s chest. Reven claimed the middle, and he dipped under the water with a filthy expression that made my breath catch. He spread my legs wide, and then his mouth moved between my thighs, his tongue darting out to flick against me. I cried out and wove my fingers in his black hair under the water. He stayed down there, licking and sucking on me without coming up for air, using the fact that he could breathe underwater to my advantage. With each touch of his mouth and stroke of his tongue I came apart more and more, while Jasin and Auric took turns claiming my lips and Slade’s strong body held me in place.
But it wasn’t enough. I dragged Reven up out of the water and captured his mouth with mine, greedy for more of him. His hard body pressed against me, pinning me between him and Slade. I wrapped my hand around his behind and pulled his hips against me. His cock slid easily inside me, exactly where it belonged, and he let out a low, sensual groan.
Auric and Jasin moved to the sides of the bath to watch, while Reven began to pump into me. He grabbed onto my hips to get better leverage, while Slade’s hands cupped my breasts and pinched my nipples. Every time Reven thrust into me he pushed me back against Slade, who grunted as his cock rubbed between my cheeks. I wanted him inside me too, but wasn’t sure Slade was ready for that level of sharing yet. He was already doing so much more than I ever thought he would. I turned my head and studied his face, observing the hunger in his eyes, before his lush lips came down on mine again.
Slade dipped a hand between me and Reven, finding my clit and stroking it. The water surged around us and I clutched Reven’s shoulders with one hand and touched Slade’s face with the other, letting them control my body completely. I never felt more cherished than when I was squeezed between two of my mates, and I sensed their passion and love through the bond like a warm glow in my chest. The orgasm crested over me like a wave and swept Reven along with it, making him groan and push deeper inside me with his release. He rested his head against my shoulder, his arms wrapped around me, while Slade held both of us steady.
I kissed Reven slowly, then turned my head to kiss Slade next. “Was that all right?”
“More than all right,” Slade said. “I want to watch you with all of them.”
“I think they’ll be happy to oblige,” Reven said with a grin, as he moved to the other side of the tub to watch the next round.
Jasin took Reven’s place immediately and gripped my chin in his hand before kissing me hard. He spun me around so I straddled Slade, while he shoved my wet hair aside and kissed the back of my neck. I wrapped my arms around Slade and my lips found his, while Jasin cupped my breasts and squeezed them roughly.
I felt Jasin’s cock against my thighs, and then he slid into me from behind with one deep thrust, making me gasp into Slade’s mouth. Jasin began to rock into me, sliding me against Slade with each movement. Slade’s hard length pressed between us, pulsing with need, but it wasn’t his turn yet. He took it in his hand and began rubbing it against my clit, sending sparks throughout my entire core.
I threw my head back and held onto Slade tightly as the two of them stroked me from different angles, making my desire rise higher and higher. I was caged between my two strongest mates, trapped between their muscular bodies, and I gave myself up to them completely. My climax hit me hard and fast, like flint striking steel and sparking a bonfire. Jasin rode me harder and deeper, his movements rough and fast as he pounded into me, and then he exploded too.
He leaned against my back and kissed my neck, while Slade claimed my mouth again. I knew Slade had to be close from the way his cock pulsed against me, but he didn’t seem to be in any hurry. He actually seemed to be enjoying this, which still surprised me.
After Jasin moved away, Auric took my hand. “Come. Let’s try out that giant bed of yours.”
He helped me out of the water, dried me off with a quick gust of warm air, and led me into the bedroom. My other mates followed as Auric and I sank onto the massive bed, and they spread out around us. Auric and I kissed and stroked each other, but then I moved over to Slade’s body, needing to touch his hard length after being teased by it for so long. Auric grabbed my behind as I crawled across the bed, lifting it up as he got in position behind me.
Slade watched everything that was happening intently with his hands folded behind his head, his dark cock standing straight up at attention. I brought my head down and kissed the tip of it, while Auric lined himself up. Slade groaned, and I swirled my tongue around the head of his cock, as Auric gripped my hips and began to push inside slowly. I took Slade into my mouth inch by inch and let out a low hum of approval as both men entered me at the same time.
I looked up to see Jasin and Reven watching us, which only excited me more. One of Slade’s hands came down to grip my hair, his hips arching up slightly off the bed, making me take more of him. At the same time, Auric slid deeper into me from behind, filling me up and stretching me wide, before he finally bottomed out inside.
Auric began to move, pulling out slowly before thrusting deep again, and I pushed back against him to take even more. He felt so deep and big back there it was almost too much, yet I still wanted more. Slade filled my mouth completely, and I used my hands to work his shaft as I sucked on him. He’d given me so much tonight by joining us, and I wanted to give him something in return.
The three of us found a rhythm, with Auric rocking me forward and making me take Slade deeper between my lips. Jasin and Reven moved in on either side of me and began kissing and stroking my breasts, my stomach, and that spot between my legs that begged for attention.
The touch of all four of my mates at once was the most incredible feeling, and another orgasm shuddered through me, this one stronger than all the others. It seemed to go on for an eternity, filling my entire body with pleasure. Slade’s fingers tightened in my hair and he groaned, his hips thru
sting up at me faster as his seed spilled into my mouth. That sent Auric over the edge too, and he slid deep inside me one last time as his own release came.
I fell onto the bed between Slade and Auric, while Jasin and Reven moved over me. I kissed each of them one by one, feeling their love through the bond, which had grown stronger in the last few minutes. If we kept this up, we would be unstoppable.
24
Kira
We spent a week at the Water Temple, which was good for everyone. We hadn’t had a chance to rest since we’d visited Slade’s village, and while there we were constantly worried the Dragons would show up and attack. Down here we could truly relax, although we did miss sunshine and fresh air and were all starting to get a little sick of eating fish at every meal.
My mates and I spent our days training with Doran and discussing strategies for the battle at the Spirit Temple. And our nights…we spent those strengthening our bonds together, both as a group and one on one. Sometimes I would share a bed with only one of my mates, since I sensed that they needed their alone time with me. On other nights, two of them would join me in bed. And on our last night together, they all did, taking turns to please me over and over.
And then it was time to leave.
We stood outside the temple, with all of our supplies packed and ready to go. Opea moved forward and embraced me. “Good luck on your journey. We shall be praying for your success.”
“Thank you for everything,” I said.
Opea’s handsome priests bowed before us, while her daughter clung to her skirts and peered out at me. I’d considered asking for their help at the Spirit Temple, since Opea had been blessed with magic from her God like the other High Priestesses, but I was too worried about her young daughter growing up without a mother.
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 56