If Dante had eyebrows, he’d have raised them both. This wizard had fought alongside him and his mates, yet spoke for the others as if he was their leader. Dante’s gaze landed on those who still lived and finally understood. The most menacing paranormals had been killed while the weaker realms had lived because they hadn’t fought as hard.
It seemed dissention was in the ranks.
Again, Dante would care later.
Now he had a mother to kill.
Dante let out a puff of smoke, and Levi nodded, seeming to know that, though the battle with the Conclave was over, the end was not near. The wizard turned to the side, his gaze settling on something behind him. Levi sucked in a breath, seeming to go pale before shaking it off and moving to face the dragon who had killed one of their own.
Dante would deal with Levi’s reaction later.
“It’s about time you focus on me, you spoiled little brat,” his mother spat.
Before Dante could reach out and strangle the woman who had given him life, his mother went up in flames.
Fuck.
He’d forgotten she could do that trick by expending a lot of energy. He turned on his heel, not knowing where she would show up. In the same way she could use her fire to bring others to her, Stacia could use it to almost teleport herself to another place as long as she could see it.
Anything that had been in her line of vision would be fair game.
As soon as he turned, everything seemed to go in slow motion. Stacia appeared on the other side, her claws reaching out before Dante could blink. Jace pulled at Nadie, bringing her closer at the same time that Faith jumped in front of his mates, the seemingly instinctual response sending a shock of terror through him.
“No!” Nadie screamed as Faith fell to the ground, blood pouring through the gaping wounds in her chest and stomach.
Dante roared, jumping on Stacia’s back and flipping her over. She tried to claw at him, but he punched her through the chest, gripping the heart she didn’t claim to have, and pulled. His mother gasped then fell to the ground, her heart still beating warm in his claws.
Without giving the woman a second thought, he shifted to his human form and threw her heart to the ground. He ran to Nadie’s side and pulled her into his arms. Jace had his hands on Faith’s lifeless form, trying to keep her chest together, but Dante knew it was no use.
The human woman wouldn’t be able to live through that kind of trauma. Even paranormals wouldn’t be able to in most cases. Hunter ran to their side and shifted to his human form. “I can get Becca,” he panted. “She can heal.”
Tears fell on Dante’s cheeks as he shook his head. Jace pulled Faith into his arms, and Nadie cried out.
“Why did she do that?” his mate cried. “Why? She’s human! Why did she sacrifice herself for me?”
“Because she’s Faith,” Dante answered. “She’s your protector. She’s always been your protector.”
“Get out of my way,” Levi said as he pushed his way through the dragons, angels, and bears to kneel next to them. His face paled at the sight of Faith in Jace’s arms, his body shaking.
“Give her to me. I can help her.”
“You can’t bring back the dead, wizard,” Jace’s father whispered, and Nadie sucked in a breath against Dante’s chest.
Dante ran a hand down her back, trying to comfort, though there was nothing left inside him to do so. They’d lost so much today, yet what had they gained? Had it been worth it?
“She’s my true half,” Levi explained, and everyone around them quieted. “I have only a small window, but I can bond with her so she can live. Her life force will be tied to mine, but at least she’ll live.”
“How can you do that?” Nadie asked, a small kernel of hope in her voice. If this wizard was lying, Dante would kill the man himself for giving Nadie hope where there was none.
“I’m a wizard. I can use my powers and tie her to me in a form of the mating bond.” His hands shook as he placed them on Faith’s wounds. “It’s not a full mating bond. That can only be formed one way.”
“Do it, please,” Nadie begged.
Dante met Jace’s eyes over Faith’s body. “She’s not going to forgive us for this,” he said.
Levi shook his head. “You said her name is Faith?” the man asked of the one he was about to tie himself forever.
“Yes,” Nadie answered. “Faith. She’s so strong.” She hiccupped a cry, and Dante squeezed her tighter. “She’ll hate you for this. I know it’s selfish, but I don’t care. We can fix that later. I promise you, if you heal her, I’ll do all in my power to pave the way for you to have the mate you want.”
“We’ll never forget this,” Jace said, his voice hollow. Dante knew they hadn’t dealt with the pain of losing Torrent, probably never would, but right then, Faith was someone they might be able to save.
Levi nodded then closed his eyes. Magic filled the air as the wizard chanted. Dante pulled Nadie closer, needing to know she was alive, safe.
An hour passed, and others moved to clear the dead and mend their own wounds, but their circle never broke. Finally, Levi fell to his side, and Ambrose held the other man up.
“It’s done,” Levi whispered.
They watched Faith’s body. Waited.
Finally, she sucked in a breath, and Dante let out one of his own. The wounds had closed up on Faith’s body. The wizard’s healing had worked, though the man looked drained from it. Nadie cried softly against his skin, and he held her close.
“The bond…” Levi rasped out. “The bond is weak, but it’s there. It will grow with time. She will have to sleep for a long time before she’s fully recovered.” Levi met Dante’s gaze. “Keep her somewhere safe. She’ll sleep for months, if not more. I don’t know. I’ve never done this before, but I know the magic. She won’t need to eat or be cared for other than be kept in a safe place. That’s all I can promise you.”
“What about you?” Nadie asked.
Levi looked at the woman in his arms, and Dante had no idea what the man could be thinking.
“I don’t know her,” the man whispered. “We’re tied together, but I don’t know her. I’m not leaving, but I cannot stay either.”
Dante nodded and stood, understanding. He brought Nadie to his chest, refusing to let her stand on her own. His dragon couldn’t handle not touching her.
“Thank you,” Nadie said. “Thank you so much. I know you don’t know my friend, but what you did…it cannot be repaid. I know that. All of us will be here if you need us. Please know that.”
The others agreed, and Levi stood, holding Faith to his chest as if he, too was unable to let go of the woman who was his mate. The woman he’d never known before this battle.
“We’ll take Faith to Amara’s Inn,” Ambrose said, breaking through the silence. “She’ll be safe there, and we can set up wards. That way you’ll be free to come and go, and she won’t be in danger from other factions.”
It made sense, and the others nodded while Levi handed over the woman he’d just met to the angel they all knew would care for her like his own.
Others left them one by one, Jace’s family taking Torrent’s body with them. Dante knew he and his mates would follow soon, the battle over, the war won. The costs were almost too much to bear.
Jace threw his arms around them, and the three of them stood in the center of the silent battlefield, tears streaming down their faces, their bodies shaking.
In the end, his dragon would heal, would one day fly again knowing that he’d done all he could to protect his people, his family. They’d lost so much today, yet as he held his two mates, he knew that he’d fight it all again to have them in his arms.
Jace and Nadie were his reasons for breathing, and he’d tear down the fabric of the realms to keep them.
He’d proven it today, and as he held the soft weight of Nadie against him and felt Jace’s strong hold along his side, he knew it had been worth it.
They were his mates, his salvation.
His everything.
Chapter Nineteen
By the time they got home, Nadie was ready to be in her mates’ arms. She couldn’t wait any longer. While she should have been tired, she wanted. No, she wanted her mates, there, now, and everything.
She needed to know they would be there, be in her life and in her arms.
The three of them took a silent shower in the master bathroom. She’d long since given up the idea of calling it Dante’s. No, it was the three of theirs.
There was nothing sensual in the movements, just the idea of wiping off the grime and who knows what else made her body feel better.
When they finished, Dante and Jace took turns drying her off then she took the extra towel to do the same to them. She gently patted them dry, checking their bruises and wounds. Luckily they had all started to heal quickly and she had a feeling with what she wanted to do next, they’d heal fully.
There were perks to being a succubus after all.
“Ready for bed?” Dante asked, his voice low, cautious.
She turned naked in his arms and stood on her tip toes. Dante seemed to get the message and lowered his head for her. She cupped his face and kissed him.
“Make love to me. Both of you. I need you both inside me. We’ll heal, we’ll be together. Please.”
Dante’s eyebrow rose, the glint from the overhead light on his eyebrow ring looking just as sexy as it had when she’d first seen him.
“Both of us?” he asked, his voice even huskier.
She reached out and slid her arm down Jace’s chest. He stood beside her, his breath coming in pants. “Yes. Please. We’ve waited long enough for this.”
“Anything, my sprite, anything,” Dante growled and took her mouth.
She gasped into him then tangled her tongue with his. Her other hand drifted down to Jace’s cock, squeezing.
Jace let out a grunt then ran his hand down her back, cupping her ass. She moved into his touch, rocking her hips. She could feel him moving behind her, sliding his hands down her legs as he knelt.
Dante kept his mouth on hers, kissing her with all the passion of an age old dragon. His hands played with her nipples, egging her on.
Jace spread her cheeks and she moaned. He massaged the globes of her ass, then licked her pussy from behind. She wiggled in her men’s hold, trying to get more of…something. She just wanted them both, the sensations so intense, yet not hard enough.
He licked around her hole, then tonged her ass, preparing her. God, it felt so good, so dirty. She loved it.
Dante fucked her mouth with his tongue while Jace fucked her ass with his. Her inner succubus reveled in it, wanting more. Before she could pull back and ask for more, Dante stood back and Jace did the same. Her two men shared a look before leaning over her and kissing, hard, full of desire.
They pulled back, breathing heavily, before leading her out of the bathroom.
“Jace is going to fuck your pussy while I take your ass,” Dante purred. “Does that sound good?”
She nodded, breathless. “Yes, and the other way too. I want it all.”
Dante grinned. “We’ll try the other way tomorrow. And then maybe put Jace between us again.”
“And then our dragon can play the creamy center of our Oreo,” Jace added in.
Nadie snorted then pushed her bear onto the bed. He let her and fell on his back. She climbed up on top of him, beyond ready for his cock.
On her way up, she stopped at his dick and took a quick swipe, loving the flavor on her tongue. He groanded and tangled his fingers in her hair.
“I’ll come down your throat next, baby. Now jump on so our dragon can get that ass ready.”
She did as she was told and hovered above his cock. He grinned at her as she rocked against him, sliding her pussy along his cock, but not letting the head enter her.
“Tease,” he grunted.
“You know it,” she teased, then rose up so he was at her entrance. He gripped her hips and she held his cock in one hand and his wrist in the other for balance. With their gazes locked, she lowered herself on him, his girth stretching her in all the best ways.
When she was fully seated, they both let out a groan. “I love the way you feel around me, Nadie. All warm, wet, and mine.”
Jace moved one hand off her hip and fingered her clit. She’d been so ready for him, for everything that came with her mates, that she came with one touch.
A rustling behind her told her that Dante was ready for her, and she bit her lip, bending over Jace so she was ready.
Dante’s hand ran down her back, and she shivered. “I’ll never get over how beautiful you look with Jace’s cock in that pussy, her body all blushed and ready for more. I’m going to prepare you now, my sprite. Get you all nice and ready so you can take my cock.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
Jace wrapped his arms around her waist and started to move slowly, his cock gliding in and out of her as Dante spread her ass. He’d warmed up the lube before he touched her so she didn’t gasp like she had when they’d played with her ass with their fingers before.
He slowly worked one finger in her tight sheath before adding a second, then a third. The sweet pain that came from the intrusion didn’t feel wrong, no, it made her want more. Made her want the dragon who was so careful behind her.
He and Jace would never hurt her.
She wanted them.
Together.
Forever.
“Ready?” Dante asked when he pulled his fingers away.
She nodded and Jace stilled lifting his hips up so she was in a better position for Dante. The bed dipped as Dante moved behind her.
“Push out when I tell you,” her dragon whispered.
“I’m ready,” she panted.
The head of his cock breached her entrance and she gasped, not at pain, but at wanting him deeper. He froze and she couldn’t wait anymore. With a deep breath, she pushed out, then moved her ass back.
“Sweet goddess, you feel so good,” Dante ground out.
She smiled and stilled when Dante gripped her hips hard enough to leave bruises. Bruises she’d wear as a badge of honor, of passion.
By the time Dante was fully seated, sweat covered all three of them. The tension from holding back almost too much to bear.
“I feel so…full…” she whispered.
“You’re so beautiful, baby,” Jace whispered, then kissed her.
She kissed him back, wishing she could do the same to Dante, but in this position on their first time, she wasn’t sure she could accomplish that.
When they were ready, her men took turns slowly pushing in and out of her. Their cocks rubbed together with that thin layer of tissue between them and from the groans that escaped their mouths, she knew they loved it.
She arched her back trying to take more of them as they sped up. Her succubus, already raring to go from their first orgasm, pulled on the bonds, taking her mates’ energies before pushing back.
Dante and Jace increased their tempo and she closed her eyes, trying to memorize every breath, every touch.
Dante’s hand moved between her and Jace and fingered her clit. With that one touch she shot off, coming hard. Her pussy and ass clamped down on her men and they shouted, filling her up with their seed.
Panting, they moved with their cocks still deep inside of her so they were laying down on their sides.
“Mine,” Jace whispered against her lips.
“Yours,” she whispered back.
“Ours,” Dante added in and she smiled.
Yes. Ours. Theirs. Forever.
****
“Is it me, or is Dante dancing behind the bar?” Becca asked as she leaned into Nadie’s side, a couple weeks since the battle.
Nadie’s lemon drop almost went down the wrong pipe, and she swallowed hard, setting her glass down to look at her very sexy, tattooed mate, who was indeed shaking his ass behind the bar.
She licked her lips and leaned back, enjoy
ing the view of that jean-clad butt grooving it to the music coming out of the speakers on the wall. In the months they’d been together, her dragon had loosened up somewhat.
Dante had been quieter in the days since the final battle. He’d lost friends, family, and had to kill his own mother. The others had been quiet, not knowing how to deal with such a brutal battle and its tattered remains. Tonight they were supposed to learn to smile again. To show everyone that, despite their losses, there was something worth fighting for. She didn’t know how to comfort him other than be there for him. Be there for Jace. What else could she do?
“Stop staring at my ass, Becca Brooks,” Dante said, his back to them as he kept his focus on whatever he was doing behind the bar. “You have your own mate and wolf right by your side, woman.”
Nadie snorted as Hunter, Becca’s mate, growled softly beside her. She could tell, though, that he didn’t mean anything by it—it was just a normal I’m-a-dude-and-this-is-my-woman growl.
“It’s a scrawny ass anyway,” Becca shot back, and Nadie did her own growling.
“Hey, my mate’s ass is firm and amazing. Don’t talk crap about his glorious behind.”
Jace, who had been quietly chuckling beside her the entire time, threw his head back and laughed.
She turned to him and tried to keep from smiling. “What? You don’t agree about our mate’s fine ass?”
Jace cupped her face and kissed her softly. “I think you’re at your limit on those lemon drops, love. But, yes, Dante does have one fine ass.”
“Can we please stop saying ass?” Amara asked from the other side of the table, her eyes practically rolling to the back of her head. She’d been unsure she could join them that night. She’d been spending her days at her closed inn—the owners having closed it for finacial reasons—caring for Faith and watching the other woman sleep. Nadie knew it had to be hard and visited daily, but the burden rested on Amara’s shoulders. Tonight, though, Levi had said he would watch over Faith so she could leave and smile. Nadie knew the wizard had to be reeling from what he’d discovered on the battlefield, but he was closed off. She also knew Faith would wake up and never forgive them.
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