Guardians of Magic: A Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance (Guardians of the Fae Book 1)

by Elizabeth Hartwell

  “Couldn’t sleep?” he asks quietly as I approach. I’ve gotten used to their hypersensitive hearing, but Cole still gets me sometimes with how he can look focused in one direction but then in an instant know exactly where I am and be able to make a helpful comment over his shoulder.

  “You know you don’t have to stand watch any longer,” I reply, running a hand over his shoulder and turning his chin to give him a kiss. “I appreciate it, but you don’t have to.”

  Cole smiles a little, shaking his head. “Until we are back in Lunaria and you are safe, we shall remain vigilant,” he says. “After today’s busy schedule of writing reports, I do not trust your government to not, what was it Jacob said? Kick in the door, wavin’ a four-four?”

  “Something like that. Your accent sucks for it, though,” I reply with a chuckle. “But I’m not worried. The Feds are too bureaucratic to get off their asses in time now that the mayor’s rescinded his state of emergency. It’ll take them until tonight just to finish reading the report and watching our depositions, then at least another two days just to figure out whether we’re for real or a bunch of kooks.”

  “Be that as it may . . .” Cole says before shrugging. He doesn’t really care about how the world absorbs the fact that faeries are real. He’s just worried about me. To him, I’m the most important thing on the planet . . . yeah, I’m getting used to it, and I love it. “I don’t think your bed could take the strain of another body.”

  I smile, nodding. “Thankfully, only another day. I still don’t know why I agreed to this ceremony tomorrow.”

  Cole steps away from the window, turning to face me. The connection we formed with that mental link between us hasn’t faded, and while I don’t know everything about his past, I know him in his soul, and he knows me. It’s . . . amazing, because it still gives us the opportunity to express to each other our thoughts without worrying that the other person’s going to miss the feeling behind it.

  “You know why,” he says. “It is perhaps the most difficult duty for people like us. To be symbols.”

  I think, then nod. “I feel like a fraud, Cole. I mean, I was partnered with Joe for a long time. I thought he was one of the good guys, and to know that he’s been pulling the strings my entire life, manipulating everything around me . . .”

  It’s even worse, really. Stories have come out in the past two days about how Joe was caught on camera at various vigilante events, never the leader, always in the shadows. Through a combination of direct and indirect magic, he’d stirred the pot on both sides of the river.

  All it took was the right trigger, and when the first lynchings happened, he provided it by killing people and letting it be blamed on vampires. Of course, the vampires retaliated, and with a little ego stroking of Marcus’s lust for power, the tinderbox almost went up into flames.

  “It was just an opportunity to create chaos, which demons feed and thrive on,” Cole says quietly. “And I have felt like a fraud often. I serve as a symbol for a government that is not always worthy of having symbols. I’m supposed to stand up for justice, for security and peace . . . yet I have not always been able to provide those.”

  “You’ve always done your best with me. I know I’m not the easiest person to protect.”

  Cole chuckles, nodding. “True. But the people need symbols. Especially now. Those symbols, they give the people a rallying point. A flag, a statue, an event that people can find heart in during the dark times, when their courage wanes and they need something to help them face the future. But symbols must be created, must be guided, or else, they can be perverted.”

  “Speaking of perverted . . . you boys are feeling rather repressed,” I murmur, chuckling as I run my hands over his chest. “How do you feel about me and all four of you?”

  Cole shrugs, smiling before placing his hands over mine and kissing my fingertips. “It wouldn’t be the first time, would it? I’ll admit that while we Fae are more open than humans, this is a new level for me. But you, Eve . . . you’re more than I ever expected.”

  “As are you, Cole. Some part of me feels stupid. Any one of you is more than enough to be a man—a husband—for any woman. So, is it stupid for me to feel a little greedy?”

  Cole smiles, shaking his head. “Is it greedy for us to rather share you than not have you at all? Come, it’s nearly sunrise. I’ll make some breakfast and we can get ready for the day.”

  “You cook?” I ask, grinning. “Cole, is there anything you can’t do?”

  The mayor’s in a neck brace. Apparently, as part of his escape, he picked up a severe case of whiplash, but that isn’t stopping him from standing at the podium in front of City Hall, the media not just local but national, and even some international correspondents, if I’m reading things right. Thousands of Havenites are gathered, and as I look, I see Alyssa, Zack’s arm around her shoulder, giving me a thumbs up as I stand on the stage, itchy in my dress uniform.

  “It was another type of prejudice that created these words, but they hold just as true today as they did generations ago, that we should be judged only by the contents of our character,” the mayor says before sighing and lowering his head as best he can. “For too long, we have judged those different from us with another lens than we have judged ourselves.”

  There is polite applause. The line doesn’t have quite the impact the mayor wants, and he looks back at me, moving on. “For too long, I found myself just as guilty as anyone. I judged Paranormals by the fear, the scary stories I was told as a child. That all Paranormals are evil . . . that it’s in their very nature. But if anything, the events of two days ago reminded us of something. Not all Paranormal beings are evil, nor are all humans good. We are all the contents of our characters. When all else failed, it was the people up on stage with me who stood against the forces of chaos. When chaos said that it was time for eternal night, they were the ones who stood up and said that they will not allow this city to go quietly into that night.”

  I glance over where my four guardians are standing, still armed, their Fae clothing exchanged for white suits, all of them handsome and making my heart swell.

  “The past three days, we have seen so much. How a vilified woman who could have abandoned her city stood up and did her duty. How four . . . well, it seems hard to say it, but four faeries stood with her, even as we humans reacted with the same fear we did when shifters and vampires were proven to be real. You have shown us the light, and today, I vow that in this city, that light will not fade.

  “So, starting today, I declare that there will no longer be an ‘Old Haven’ and a ‘New Haven.’ We are Haven again, for one and all. Our police force will be reformed, with a vow to uphold the justice for all citizens of Haven, human, vampire, shifter, or whatever else might be out there.”

  That’s a bit of hyperbole, but not one I disagree with. With the most powerful lord defeated, most of the vampires in Haven have left, although those who remain have pledged to live by the law.

  “And our laws will be reformed,” the mayor says. “No longer will those who are not human be treated as second-class citizens, separate and unequal in poorly-maintained and herded ghettos, restricted to poorly-paid, poorly-respected menial labor or the black market to survive. No longer will it be one system for us, and another for them, whoever that us or them may be. Instead, we shall live by the shining example that Detective Eve Carter and the Fae have shown us.

  Now, I know that the hate that festers inside us, our own personal demons, will not die overnight. But just as the cameras showed us, overcoming those demons is a fight, and it is a fight that we can win. And it starts when we decide to set down our weapons and open our hearts.”

  The applause this time is greater as the mayor approaches me, shaking my hand before shaking hands with each of the Fae, exchanging a few words with all of them. Jacob makes him laugh, and I glance out at Alyssa, who’s got tears running down her cheeks as I take the microphone.

  “You know, I’m not used to public speaking,
” I begin, blushing a little.

  Symbol, Cole says quietly in my head, and I turn to see him watching me, all of them watching me, and my heart swells. Okay, Cole. I understand.

  “When I started on the police force, I’ll admit that I distrusted Paranormals. By now, the tabloids have said why. I don’t want to rehash that today. Because you see, it doesn’t matter. The problem lay within me. For a time, I thought that Paranormal was bad, and that justice meant distrusting them. Control was my word, not . . . not justice. But everything isn’t black and white. The world, it’s a rainbow, and without each color, the world’s a little dimmer.”

  “I’ve done a lot of learning, especially over the past week or so,” I continue, taking my papers that I’d prepared and tucking them in my pocket so I can speak from the heart. “And what I’ve learned is that together, we can build our future. And while there might be evil just around the corner, we don’t conquer that evil with fear but with love. I love Haven. I always will. And we will be stronger after this.”

  The cheer for me is bigger than for the mayor, and I shake hands with him again before accepting his award. “Are you sure about this, Detective?” he asks when the microphones are off. “You know, the 54th could use a new captain.”

  “I’m sure, sir. Maybe one day, I’ll pick up the badge again, but for now, I need to learn what I am, what I can do, and how to control it.”

  The mayor nods. “A detective slot will always be open to you. Actually, I’ll make sure your file is moved to ‘on temporary assignment’ rather than ‘left the force.’ Good luck.”

  Joining the crowd, Alyssa hugs me. “You still suck at speaking.”

  “I know that.” I laugh, hugging her back before looking her in the eyes. “I’m gonna miss you.”

  “I’m gonna miss you,” she says, swallowing.

  When I told Alyssa that all four of the Fae have become my lovers, she was supportive . . . after a few initial moments of shock. According to her, since I’m in good hands, I’ll be safe.

  I let go of Alyssa, warmth and joy filling my heart. I’m going on the biggest adventure of my life, and looking at my four guardians, I can’t think of better companions for it.

  Chapter 36

  Eve

  Dinner’s been eaten, Chinese takeout, and pizza tucked away in a feast that’s crossed cultural borders. I even insisted on paying, even though every single restaurant gave us double orders and wanted to refuse to charge us.

  All my bags are packed. Tomorrow morning, it’s time to go, and Tyler and I are in the kitchen, cleaning up the last when he winces, rubbing his arm. “Are you okay?”

  “Hmm?” he asks, looking at me before understanding. Faerie healing might repair a broken arm in two days, but it’s not perfect. Especially when the doctor is his own patient. “Yes, just still sore.”

  “I . . . I’m sorry that I caused you pain,” I whisper, taking his hand off the injured spot and massaging his muscle. It’s still bruised, the purple fading as I touch it, watching my fingers trace over his skin. “If I could have reached all four of you—”

  “I know you would, Princess,” Tyler says softly. “But you saved Jacob’s life with your powers. For Joe to be able to thrall all five of us . . . he was powerful, indeed.” He lifts my chin, looking into my eyes. “Eve, there is nothing to be sorry for. We’ll go to Lunaria, you’ll learn your powers, and you’ll be more powerful than any of us.”

  “And you?” I ask, the unspoken fear hanging heavy in the air. “You four will—”

  “We’ll stay with you. While you’re in training, you’ll need guides, ambassadors to the Fae realm to make sure that you acclimate and stay safe.”

  I smile, reassured as I reach out. Tyler pulls me to him and I let his long arms envelop me, burying my face in his chest. He strokes my hair, murmuring wordlessly. It feels totally natural when I turn my lips up to him, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him deeply.

  I don’t quite know what the Fae feel for me—their hearts are so open and overflowing with happiness and love that it’s hard to pluck my thread out of the rivers that pour forth from each of them—but I know what I feel as Tyler picks me up, his hands scooping underneath me in order to hold me easily in the air as our kiss deepens. “Princess.”

  “Why do you call me that?” I ask, nibbling at his neck. “I thought it was a joke of Jacob’s, along with honey buns and sugar tits and every other construction site nickname he has for me.”

  Tyler moans, squeezing my ass as I lick at his throat. He didn’t shave today, his skin rasping just a little under my tongue as I find his ear. “You are of noble blood, maybe even royal. We can feel it,” he explains. The knowledge thrills me and makes me feel even more special. I might be a princess, and if so, these four are my knights, maybe even my princes. “You deserve the title.”

  “Take me to the living room then . . . and your brothers,” I whisper, feeling his cock press against my inner thigh. “I want you all.”

  I don’t have to worry. All four of my guardians are waiting for me as Tyler brings me in, setting me down in the middle of the carpet. Jacob’s already hard, his cock swelling his pants and making my mouth water as I push him aside, smirking.

  No words are needed. I just nod, looking at them and slipping off my T-shirt.

  Cole nods back, sitting on the sofa while Tyler perches, the two of them both so different, but I care for both so much. They call me Princess, but Cole’s already a prince as he watches me strip, his cock rising in his pants until I turn to look at Noah, who looks at me with wide, passionate eyes. With a nod himself, he approaches me, kissing me powerfully as we sink to the carpet, his hands stroking my breasts and tugging on my nipples until I’m moaning, my pussy soaked and dripping as I cup his cock, pushing his pants down and stroking him.

  I kiss down Noah’s huge rock-hard chest, muscles like slabs of sidewalk on his torso before licking his nipples and making him gasp. He reaches over my back, running a hand over my ass before slipping a finger between my pussy lips, swirling it back and forth as I stroke him, moaning.

  I lick my way down to Noah’s cock, tasting it and teasing his head with my tongue as he slides deeper into my mouth. I suckle on his head, popping my lips around him as he holds back with all his strength and self-control until he growls, adding another finger to my pussy as he pumps them in and out, his thumb massaging my asshole.

  “Mmm,” I mumble around his cock, loving every stroke. He brings me to the edge before I pull back, gasping. “Wait. I need your cum.”

  Noah nods, waiting as I turn around to see Tyler and Cole both leaning back, their cocks standing straight and proud for me. I lick my lips, running my hands up their calves to their thighs before looking over my shoulder at Noah. “Noah?”

  “Yes, Princess?” he asks, his cock standing straight out, dripping wet with my saliva and his precum.

  “Show me how fucking strong you are,” I growl. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jacob leaning against the wall, his cock hard and standing out, giving me a slow nod as I kiss Cole’s and Tyler’s thighs.

  Cole makes an amused sound as I grab their cocks, pumping them with each hand as Noah grabs my hips, his cock pressing against my entrance, spreading me open.

  “Fuck,” I groan as Noah thrusts inside me, and I lean forward and swallow Tyler’s cock. He throws his head back as I moan around him. Noah pauses, grinding as I bob up and down on Tyler’s cock before switching to Cole, licking him from his balls all the way to his tip. I lock eyes with him, swallowing him slowly.

  He moans while I slide him deeper over my tongue. Behind me, Noah begins pumping in and out, my hips slapping as he takes me harder, not fast but wanting to draw this out, loving every second of our contact. I love it back. I love them all.

  Cole runs a hand through my hair, unable to resist pushing me down on him, encouraging me to take him deeper. He moans, his hips lifting to thrust as deep as he can.

  Suddenly, a jolt comes over me as Noah smacks my
ass, his inner power coming out as our bond forms tighter. I push back and squeeze his cock as tight as I can, and Noah’s fingers dig deep into the flesh around my hips as he fucks me harder and harder, my body overwhelmed as he takes me ferociously. Thoughts lose all coherence as I devote everything to my guardians . . . my lovers . . . and more. Everything becomes thrills shocking up my spine as Noah turns my pussy to molten heat.

  Tyler’s ready first, I can see it in his eyes. I switch and swallow him deep, and he comes hard down my throat, crying out my name in a raspy gasp as he fills my mouth with his sweetness. I feel Noah swell next, his cock stretching me wider and pushing me into ecstasy. I cry out, stroking Cole as I come around Noah’s cock, squeezing him until he also groans, his deep voice thundering through the air. “Princess!”

  I feel Noah come, each hot spurt sending me further up the heights of bliss as I stroke Cole faster. He grunts, and an instant later, I get my third dose of perfect Fae goodness.

  “I hope you aren’t worn out, sugar buns,” Jacob says, smirking as I look over at him. He’s stripped, his cock so sexy as he smears his precum all around himself. “You still haven’t gotten to the main event.”

  Jacob crosses over, kissing my sweaty back as Noah takes a place on the floor. Jacob kisses up to my neck and nibbles on my ear. He reaches around and massages my breasts. “Thank you for this gift, Eve. You can trust me,” he whispers.

  “I trust you with everything, Jacob,” I whisper in reply, looking back and kissing him. “All of you.”

  Jacob’s tongue swirls with mine while he reaches down, his wet, slippery fingers finding my tight asshole and teasing it. I moan. This is even better than I thought it would be.

  “It gets better,” Jacob promises me as I relax, opening to a finger. He slips it in, his eyes captivating me as he pumps it in and out. I’m moaning. This is different, kinky but not naughty at all as I get this tingly feeling all through my hips and spine. “Mmm, I don’t need telepathy to see you like this.”