Pounding Earth

by ERIN BEDFORD

  I’m sorry officer, he just wouldn’t stop talking. I chuckled at the mental image.

  Even some dragons would have a challenging time living the way we did. We weren’t monogamous by any means, but most didn’t co-exist the way we did. One of my tutors had five mates, and they rotated who she spent time with based on a schedule. The men rarely saw each other except on special occasions, and those were scarce as well.

  I couldn’t handle that. I needed to see them all, every day. I couldn’t imagine not being allowed to see the others because it wasn’t their day. It made me happy that they got along so well.

  I thought back to Raiden and Firestar’s little argument. Good thing Jack was never far away. I had a feeling he’d be playing referee a lot in the days to come. With the upcoming fight, I worried if we would even live long enough for it to be a problem.

  My dark thoughts were interrupted by Firestar kicking the bedroom door open. He’d brought me to his bedroom. The dark browns of the fur cover on his bed tempted me to strip my clothes off and rub my skin all over their softness.

  "Thought we'd be less likely to be disturbed in my room." Firestar gave a wolfish grin before stalking across the room and dropping me on the bed.

  I bounced slightly but didn't complain, my eyes trained on Firestar as he ripped his shirt over his head. His thick muscles flexed under my perusal. I licked my lips and met his hot gaze, his canines flashed, and his hands dropped to his waist. My breath held, waiting for him to undo the ties of his pants. I had seen the guys without clothes plenty of times before, but it never got old. I always felt like a cat in heat, eager and willing to get my mouth on every inch of lickable skin as I could. Now was no different.

  My legs parted on their own as Firestar released himself from his pants, the long length of him hard and throbbing as if aching for my touch. Firestar grunted at my movement and rumbled, "Eager, are we?"

  "Always," I breathed, wrapping my hand around him. His breath hitched as he let me stroke him for a few moments. Before I could get too into it though, he pushed my hand away and crawled onto the bed.

  "Not today." Firestar prowled toward me, causing me to lie back on the bed. "Today, I want to be inside of you when I go. I might be gone a while. I need to engrain the feel of you on my dick."

  I threw my head back and laughed. "And you haven't done that by now?"

  Firestar's lips traced mine lightly. "Of course, but it sounded so much more romantic than what I had in mind."

  "And what would that be?" His hand found its way beneath my shirt and pinched my nipple, making me gasp. "Are you going to fuck me into your memory?"

  Firestar smirked. "Something like that." His fingers twisted and pulled at my aching tips. My back arched in response and a small keening noise fell from my lips. "I can't have Raiden getting it into your head that I'm anything smaller than I am."

  In between gasps, I giggled. "That's not possible."

  He pressed his length to my clothed heat and ground against me. "Does this feel small to you?" I bucked my hips against him, the need to have him closer becoming overwhelming. "Well, does it?"

  Raiden would have been proud. I'd thought he was the master of teasing, but Firestar was giving him a run for his money. Though I'd never say such a thing. Raiden's little jokes about Firestar were obviously getting to him. I couldn't let him think he's any less than the others. Even though we all knew that Jack was the big boy of the bunch.

  "No," I moaned and rolled my hips against him, wrapping my legs around his waist to pull him closer. "Not small at all."

  "That's what I thought." Firestar shifted me to the side and, with one fell swoop, rid me of my pants and underwear. The cool air of the room hit my slickened heat, and my eyes rolled back in my head. I didn't even notice when Firestar ripped my shirt off my body. I'd get on to him later, I told myself.

  A hot wet mouth replaced Firestar's hand on my breast, his tongue circling around the peak, tugging on it until I cried out. His other hand played along the inside of my thighs, stroking back and forth until he came just inches away from where I wanted him to be and then back again.

  "Firestar!" I let out a growl of frustration. "Enough of the teasing."

  He released my breast with a loud pop, his mouth trailing down my stomach and hovering over my dripping core. He blew on it, and my hand grabbed at the back of his head. He shook me off, not letting me take control. "Now, now. Patience. I want to make memories, not some quick fuck in between meetings."

  "That was one time," I snarled. "And months ago. My patience is not what it used to be."

  "Was it ever?" Firestar chuckled between my thighs, making me groan in ecstasy. I opened my mouth to argue but pulled in a hard breath as his tongue lapped at me. My fingers tightened on him, and I rotated my hips into his mouth, begging for more.

  Thick fingers found their way into my entrance without warning. My hips jumped off the bed as they thrust into me, his mouth pulling hard on my bundle of nerves. It didn't take long for me to find my release, and Firestar wasted no time in replacing his fingers with his length. We groaned in unison as he pushed into me. Every one of my guys knew exactly how to play my body, but nothing beat having them inside of me, moving together as one.

  With each stroke, I felt him deep within me, bringing me higher and higher. He leaned down so that our chests pressed together as much as they could with my stomach. I savored this position as long as I could, the face to face contact. I knew our three babies eventually would grow so large it would seem like a small planet separated us, and it would be harder to handle this position. Though there were many others we could try that Firestar and the others were just as proficient in.

  My nails dug into Firestar's back as I screamed my second release, my toes curling and my nerves tingling all over. Firestar thrust a few more times into me before he tensed and let out a heavy breath, signaling his own orgasm. I didn't immediately push him off nor did he seem in a hurry to move.

  Propping himself up on his elbows, he stared down at me with such adoration that my eyes prickled with tears. I didn't know how I deserved such a wonderful mate. All of them. They had their faults, but they were mine. No one could ever make me feel the way they did, nor would I want them to try.

  "Promise me something." Firestar stroked the side of my face with his thumb. "While I'm gone, you will take it easy. None of this ‘I'm a grown ass woman and can take care of myself’ crap."

  I snorted. "This coming from the man who just tried to make me train longer."

  "Hey!" Firestar pointed a finger at my face. "That was for your own good as well. If you can control your fire magic, then I will feel better about leaving you behind. And now that you have Jack's power as well ..." he trailed off, but I knew what he meant.

  "More powers are a good thing," I explained to him. "I've been bitching about the lack of benefits on my end." Firestar raised a brow in amusement. "Why should you guys get all the cool abilities and I get what?" I gestured down to my stomach. "Fat. That's what I get."

  "And beautiful," Firestar added, leaning down to kiss my stomach. I smiled despite myself and shoved at his shoulder. Firestar's smile went serious once more. "I mean it, Maya. While Jack and Raiden are here too, I don't want you to leave either of their sides. Even the twins would be fine, but we don't know who might be in Lord Fafnir's camp that might want to hurt you or our children." His hand slid across my stomach as he said it.

  I placed mine on top of his and met his worried gaze. "I promise."

  5

  "Shouldn't you take someone with you?" I argued for what felt like the millionth time. "What if someone attacks you? I'm not the only one with enemies out there."

  Firestar adjusted his bag onto his back and gave me a look. "I'll be faster on my own. We need all our people here with you."

  "No, we don't," I countered, grabbing his arm so he couldn't dismiss me. "I will be fine. At least take the twins."

  "They're needed here." Firestar shook his head. "If s
omething happens and they need to head to the front, how are they going to do that if they are with me on the other side of Waesigar?"

  I shrugged. "Fly?"

  Chuckling, Firestar kissed my forehead. "I'll be fine. I'll stick to the high altitudes so I won't be seen and rest in hidden areas. Don't worry about me. You just work on controlling those powers of yours."

  "Not worry?" I scoffed, hugging him tightly. "That's impossible, but I will work on my new powers." I grinned up at him. "Just wait, I'll be as good as you by the time you get back."

  Firestar snorted. "No one is as good as me, but if anyone could be, it'd be you."

  "Are you prepared?" Jack asked, coming up next to us.

  He and Raiden had done their best to give us as much alone time as possible before Firestar left. I appreciated it, but I also missed them. I hadn't been lying about not being able to handle getting to be with only one of them. They had all dug their claws into my heart, and it would be hard for me to pry any of them out.

  "As prepared as I'm going to get." Firestar shifted his bag again and then offered Jack a hand. "You'll take care of her, won't you?"

  "Need you ask?" Jack cocked his head to the side and took Firestar's hand in his. They shook, and then Jack stepped away, allowing Raiden to step forward. Firestar tried to offer him his hand as well, but of course, being who he was, Raiden bypassed it and pulled Firestar into a hug.

  I held back a giggle as Firestar awkwardly patted Raiden on the back and then shoved him away when he whispered something I couldn't hear. Firestar had a scowl on his face as Raiden laughed and dodged his swing.

  "Will you ever grow up?" Firestar asked with an exasperated huff.

  "Not likely," Raiden smirked and then wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "But don't worry, I won't let it interfere with my duties. I promise not a single strand of hair will come to harm on our precious mate's head." I raised a brow at him and then he quickly added, "That was not begged for, that is."

  Firestar groaned and rubbed a hand over his face. "Maybe I shouldn't go. I could just send my father a message like you did yours." Firestar gestured to me with a hand, his unease to leave really showing on his face, completely the opposite of what his expression had been moments before.

  Pushing out of Raiden's grasp, I took hold of Firestar's hands. "You will be fine. I will be fine. And you can't send a message because you know your father will never believe that you would ask for help. Especially since he doesn't know the whole story. He will be more likely to offer up help if you go to him in person. My father will understand my lack of wanting to travel." I placed a hand on my stomach with a soft look. "Besides, I messaged my sister, not my father. She'll be more diplomatic about it than I ever could."

  "Good idea." Firestar nodded and then took one last look at our little group. "You know, I never did find that dagger for you, like I promised. Maybe you could work on that while I'm gone? Keep you out of trouble."

  Jack gave a short laugh. "You know that's not how it works. Trouble finds her."

  "Isn’t that the truth?" Raiden scoffed. "We could be cooped up in our rooms the entire time you are gone, and she'd still find some way to end up in the infirmary. Actually," - Raiden slid his arm around my waist - "that's not a bad idea. Want to fuck like rabbits for a few weeks? We could have your food delivered."

  I rolled my eyes and didn't even bother to answer. Instead, I said to Firestar, "Be careful. I'll be thinking of you every day." I moved into Firestar's arms and pressed my mouth to his in a short but passionate kiss. When it ended, I had a bad feeling in my stomach. The kind that usually meant something would happen soon. Shoving the feeling down, I forced a smile on my face and hoped he didn't notice.

  "Alright," Firestar sighed and pulled away from me. "I guess I can't wait any longer. I'll send word once I have arrived. And you let me know if you hear from your father first." He pointed a finger at me, and I nodded. He turned away from us, his fiery wings appearing on his back. With one last wave, he lifted off into the sky and then he was gone.

  Wrapping my arms around myself, I frowned. I didn't like this. I knew it was important and it had to happen, but it didn't make it any better. I hoped the feeling I had was just anxiety in general and not some premonition. If one of our children had Jack's abilities, it was all too easy for them to have some kind of seer power as well. That was one ability I did not want to have.

  "Come on." Raiden ushered me back into the house. "Dinner will be served soon. You don't want to miss out." He leaned in close and whispered conspiratorially. "Carl told me he just got a new batch of raspberries."

  My lip twitched up in a grimace. During the first trimester, I had longed for nothing but the yummy warm goodness of the palace cook's famous raspberry tarts, the very thought of them now made my stomach curl. "No more raspberries please."

  "What?" Raiden gasped his hand going to his chest and then looked at Jack who followed quietly beside us. "Do you hear this nonsense? Maya, the queen of the raspberries, is refusing such a mouthwatering treat?"

  "Since the babies would rather drink their own embryonic fluid than eat another raspberry tart …" I half gagged just trying to get the words out. In total opposition, my stomach growled, demanding it be fed. "Please tell me there will be something else at this meal? Maybe something with pickles and maple syrup?"

  Raiden made a disgusted face but had the restraint not to say anything about it for once. Jack placed his hand on my lower back and guided me into the dining hall without another word.

  Carl popped out with a tray just as we sat down, but Raiden quickly intercepted him with a shake of his head. He spoke rapidly in hushed tones to Carl who went from delighted to horrified. Then Carl turned his eyes to me, and I think I just lost a friend.

  "What did you say to him?" I hissed when Raiden sat beside me, keeping my eyes on Carl who kept giving me the evil eye.

  Raiden shrugged. “I told him you didn’t like the tarts anymore.”

  “No, you didn’t,” I accused, daring him to lie to me. “If you’d said that he wouldn’t have looked at me like I’d just killed his puppy.”

  “Well,” - Raiden moved his head from side to side - “I might not have said it so nicely.”

  I threw my napkin at him. “God, Raiden. You don’t piss off the cook. Everyone knows that!”

  Jack shook his head, disappointed in Raiden as much as I was. Okay, maybe my expression was more enraged than disappointed, but that also might be the hormones and the hunger talking. Either way, I would have felt better about my outrage if Jack had displayed a little bit more emotion as well.

  “I’m sorry,” Raiden patted my hand. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I really wanted to get you your pickles and syrup.”

  I was only half listening to his apology as Carl approached our table with a plate. He sat it down in front of me with as much indignation as possible. Before he could scurry away back to the kitchen, I grabbed the sleeve of his shirt.

  “Carl,” I started, putting my best puppy dog face on. “I think there’s been some misunderstanding. Whatever Raiden said, forget it.” I waved a hand in front of me. Carl gave me an incredulous frown, not at all believing me. I’d have up to up the ante. “Look, Carl, you know I’m pregnant. Well, sometimes the little guys don’t always cooperate.” Carl seemed to calm a bit, so I quickly added, “I would love to be able to eat some of your delicious raspberry tarts but the triplets.”

  Carl’s eyes widened at the bombshell I’d just dropped. Seemed to be a pattern around here. “You’re having triplets?” he asked, leaning against the edge of the table. “I didn’t know.”

  “Yeah,” I sighed and shook my head. “Neither did we until the other day. And you understand how that makes me outnumbered in the what goes in my stomach department, right?”

  “Of course, of course,” Carl replied, nodding enthusiastically. “And don’t worry about the tarts. They’ll be there when your stomach settles.” He nodded toward my lower half. “If you have any n
ew cravings, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

  “Thank you so much, Carl.” I cooed, fluttering my lashes after him. When he was gone, I turned back to my plate and the guys staring me down. “What?” I lifted a shoulder.

  “You just flirted with him.” Raiden grinned cheekily, exchanging a look with Jack, who looked way too amused for the serious one of the bunch.

  “I did not.” My voice rose as I picked my fork up and stabbed one of the syrup coated pickles.

  “Maya.” The way Jack said my name was the way he said it in the bedroom, which in itself should have told me he wanted something.

  “I didn’t!” I insisted once more.

  “You fluttered your eyelashes at him,” Raiden pointed out with smug satisfaction.

  “And your voice lowered in pitch.” Jack’s lips curled up at the edges.

  I took a large bite of my pickle to give myself some time, grimacing as I forced it down. What they hell had I been thinking? Pickles and maple syrup? Disgusting.

  Setting my fork down, I shifted in my seat. “So, what?” They just stared at me. “Fine. So maybe I put on the charm a bit. But you,” - I pointed a finger at Raiden - “just about put me on the shit list for the only man in this area who can give me some satisfaction.”

  “Oh,” Raiden grasped his chest like he’d been shot. “That’s cold, Maya.”

  “Raiden,” Jack said slowly with a sly move of his head, “I think we may need to work together to rectify this obvious misunderstanding.”

  “I think you’re right.” Raiden grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Clearly, we aren’t doing our job, if the cook is getting special treatment.”

  My mouth went dry at the salacious leers. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my panties completely ruined from the visual I had of the two of them tag teaming me. If I’d known they’d react this way to a little jealousy, I might have thought about doing it on purpose.

  “So,” - Raiden stood up and offered me a hand - “what are we waiting for?”