He debated on saying he needed her too, but it was obvious what was on Jag’s mind, and only one thing would quench the Malus’s thirst. Light wanted to be with Faith, of course, but he didn’t feel the overwhelming need to lay her down and have at her right this moment, unlike his friend. Jag’s body would have to go hungry for a little while longer, at least.
Light and Jag eventually made their way to Dracyrus and Vyserous. Vyserous was busy frowning at Dracyrus, who was at the water’s edge, rubbing Fang’s neck. The drake cooed and cawed, its large, scaly body purring, its tail thumping the water around it, splashing its body. Fang so clearly was in love with the Dread King, which only made Light think of Faith.
Faith had fallen on top of him in her drunken stupor, and even though Light couldn’t see her on top of him, he’d known, just by Dracyrus’s reaction, that she’d been against him the entire time. The whole time, leaning against him, pressing herself upon him, talking to him like she…well, as if she fancied him.
Until then, it had been so far out of the realm of possibility—at least in Light’s mind—but now he had to face the truth: there was something between Faith and Dracyrus. It went against everything the Dread King and the Harbinger were, but perhaps that was the point. Maybe only with their union could their feud ever truly end.
Light wanted to smack himself. He didn’t want Faith with anyone else, especially Dracyrus. He wanted to be selfish when it came to her still, but he saw the way Jag looked at her, knew how Cam had silently cared for her. He hated it, but he saw a similar expression now in Dracyrus’s eyes.
Dracyrus cared for her. Whether or not he loved her, if Dracon were capable of feeling something like love, was beyond him. Light didn’t want to think about it too much, for even thinking about it for ten seconds was too long, too much.
Jag stood on the other side of Vyserous, studying the younger Dracon. His horns were short and stubby, only beginning to grow their point. His skin was not as scaled as Dracyrus’s; more scales must come with age. Most of his face was free of the scaling of their kind. “Do you know of any Dracon who accept another woman into their nethelelum?”
“Nethelell,” Vyserous corrected him, shooting his golden gaze at the Malus.
Light had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Why couldn’t Jag simply let this be?
“And I have seen it happen, although both females typically have their own nethelell with separate males.” Vyserous’s brows came together. “You truly want your mate to be with another female? Why?”
“Because,” Jag spoke like the Dracon was beyond foolish, “I think it would be one of the most amazing things to watch. If there’s anything I learned while we were back at my tribe, it’s that I like to watch Faith with others—”
Light suddenly felt so very dirty. His friend enjoyed watching Faith be with others. That was…to each his own, he supposed. It was not something he would ever enjoy, he knew. And there were really things friends should not know of each other, the sizes of their cocks and the faces they made during an orgasm being two of them.
“Huh,” Vyserous spoke, nodding along to what Jag said. “Interesting. I know some members of a nethelell do enjoy it, but they usually only like it because they know their female is being pleased, and they are happy she is happy. You, however, seem to want it purely for a selfish reason.”
“Selfish? Me?” Jag scoffed, turning to face Light. “Can you believe that? This bastard just called me selfish—”
Light burst out laughing. Maybe this Vyserous wasn’t so bad after all.
Jag glared. “You think I’m selfish, don’t you?”
Dracyrus returned from the water’s edge, inhaling a particularly large breath in his equally giant frame. His voice came out low, a deadly kind of serious, “I find you incessantly aggravating and intensely annoying, but perhaps that’s only me.”
“I don’t think I asked you,” Jag muttered. “I asked Light, and I did not ask if I was annoying and aggravating, thank you very much.” His gaze returned to Light. “You do, don’t you?”
Light shrugged. “I think we should get moving, don’t you?”
Vyserous nodded. “You’re right. We’ve been grounded long enough.” He went for Fang, who was still in the water, playing and splashing around, a childish thing for a large, scaled creature to do. He corralled her out of the water, made her lower her chest to the ground so he could climb onto her back.
“Why?” Dracyrus sneered, darting his black gaze between Light and Jag, noting the tension oozing from the Malus. “This conversation is amusing me.”
That was all Jag needed to hear to want to take back to the sky. “Well, the last thing I want to do is amuse you, so fine. Let’s go.” Jag was usually good-natured about these things, so Light knew after a few hours, this little tiff would be long forgotten.
Watching Faith with someone else. Light couldn’t understand Jag’s fascination with it as they all climbed onto Fang’s back. Why would he enjoy watching Faith being pleased by someone else? It didn’t make any sense to him, so he should truly stop thinking about it. But then, of course, his mind began to think of how she’d been all over Dracyrus while she was inebriated.
Okay, nothing was safe for his mind to think about, so Light closed his eyes as they ascended into the sky. He let his body focus on the wind at his back, at the feeling of the sun on his yellow head.
They’d crossed into the Aetherium sometime ago. The deeper in they went, the pinker the grass became and the stranger the general plant life was. Nothing was as it was outside of the Aetherium. Magic had its hand in everything here. Dracyrus directed Vyserous where to steer Fang, and Light felt the anticipation hot in his gut.
Soon, Faith.
Soon.
Chapter Eighteen
“Tell me about your mother,” Hart spoke as they walked through the expansive halls of the Eldertree.
Just when Faith thought the tree hid no more wonders, her father brought her to a new section of it, a new room, a new place to astound her. A tree like this was spectacular; how did it even grow in the first place? It was the only tree around for miles, a landmark in the Aetherium and a place where Fae came and went at all times of the day and night.
And there were parties every night, too. Parties that Faith kept herself from after the first night. No more drunken kisses. No more pounding heads in the morning, even with the yellow elixir Swift and Foresh had brought her.
“I really don’t want to talk about her,” Faith spoke. It was not the first time he’d asked her about Penelope, and it wouldn’t be the last. He asked about her at least once a day, probably hoping she’d have a change of heart and suddenly want to drown him in details about her mother.
No. That would never happen.
“I am only curious,” he said.
“Then stop being curious,” she paused, shooting him a look. “You don’t get to know about her. You used her.”
“I loved her. I still do.”
Faith let out an incredulous chuckle. “You have a hell of a way of showing it.”
Hart simply shrugged, not taking offense to her curt response. “You know, I think most children don’t speak to their fathers that way.” It was something he wouldn’t know, because he’d told her he never had another kid after her. Supposedly, no other woman could compare to the beauty that was her mother.
Yuck. Gag her. Gag her right now, because that was something Faith never wanted to hear, just like she didn’t want to picture her mother as a free, wild, spontaneous woman who’d had one of the first missions ever into the Second, where she’d gotten knocked up, apparently, by a Fae man with a glowing purple claw around his neck.
It was now Faith’s turn to shrug. Changing the subject, she said, “That necklace. Is it aether?”
The Lionheart went to touch the claw resting above his clothes. When he touched it, its glow intensified, and she could’ve sworn she saw energy surge off it and travel up his arm. “This is not aether, though it might lo
ok like it. Similar in most ways, but more powerful, more concentrated.”
Though she’d never actually been there, she knew: “It’s from the Upperworld, isn’t it?”
Hart nodded. “It is.” He abruptly stopped, changing the direction of their walk. “Come. There’s something you must see.”
Faith followed him without hesitation; he might’ve been the reason the gateways between her world and this world were open, the reason New Hope was full of stone Fae, but he’d done nothing bad to her. Nothing but drop some shitty news—the whole save the known and unknown worlds bit.
They walked down, emerging at the base the Eldertree, the sun shining brightly over their heads. Hart stood tall, or as tall as he could, considering he was as tall as Faith was—five foot two or five foot one, depending on whether it was in the morning or night. All of the Fae that currently nested under the Eldertree’s root system had gathered into a landing strip of sorts. Fae on two sides with a clear strip of land between them.
What the hell was going on?
Faith watched Swift and Foresh push themselves out of the crowd, heading to her side. Both Fae were grinning. Swift spoke first, “Please try to stop them from attacking me. I only did as Hart asked. Foresh, well, they can take Foresh.”
Foresh glowered. “What is that supposed to mean? I was only doing as Hart said, too!”
“What—” Faith was about to ask what they were talking about when a dot in the sky appeared. Her words died in her throat as she watched the dot grow larger and larger the closer it came. Excitement grew inside of her, and when she watched the scaled beast land, spotted the men riding on its back, she broke out into a run.
Faith didn’t want to get too close to the dragon-looking creature, but she didn’t care—because they were here. They were finally here. Half of them were, anyway. Finn and Cam—they’d find them after. Right now, it was reunion time.
A grinning Elf was the first one she saw, and Faith did not hesitate as she leapt into his tall arms, throwing her arms around him and pressing her nose to his neck. “Light,” she murmured, still holding onto him as she pulled back her head. She wanted to tell him that she missed him, that it felt like she hadn’t seen him in forever, but he hushed her by pressing his lips against hers, blocking out all thoughts with his kiss. Tender and slow. The best greeting he could’ve given.
When their kiss ended, she gave him a smile, slow to set her feet back on the ground and get her arms back to herself. Not for long, though—next was Jag.
Jag was the one who reached for her first, pulling her into him, rubbing his cheek against hers. “I’m so glad to have you back in my arms,” he whispered, and she grinned, playfully tugging on his furry ear before kissing him. Just another quick kiss, but enough to satisfy him and the craving beast she knew was inside.
Faith moved out of Jag’s arms, which the Malus clearly didn’t want, and she went straight to the next guy in line, not even thinking before she hugged him. Then, of course, suddenly aware there was a massive audience and Jag and Light were looking at her like she was crazy, Faith realized she hugged a stranger. Another Dracon, and a total, absolute stranger.
She was slow to untangle her arms from him as she looked up and met his metallic golden stare. “I don’t know you,” Faith said. The Dracon looked years younger than Dracyrus, his horns small pointed stubs on his forehead. His scales were black along with his hair, the skin beneath his scales a dark grey, making the color of his eyes pop even more.
“No,” he agreed. “You do not.” His eyes blinked, and a look of curiosity formed on his gaunt features, as if he could not understand her actions.
“Sorry,” Faith said, taking a step back. “Got a little excited. Throwing hugs out left and right. I’m not normally like this, I swear. God, am I always a rambling idiot?” The question was not meant for anyone in particular, but the fourth and final member of the group before her took to answering her.
“Yes.”
Faith moved aside, away from the new Dracon, watching as Dracyrus slowly got off the winged creature. He looked the same as he had all those times when she’d seen him in her dreams, saw him across distances—only this time he was here. This time he was really here.
“I…” She could hardly speak while under the scrutiny of his black stare. Such intensity, so stern, every facet of his face sleek and pearlescent. “I am not.”
He tilted his horned head, gazing at her intently. So intently she felt her heart speed up. Her bad, traitorous heart. Now wasn’t the time to lose herself in Dracyrus. He opened his mouth to say more, but the Fae onlookers started to mumble, began to glance at each other. He was the Dracon who had caused their kingdom to fall. He was the reason they now lived in ruins and trees. Of course they feared him. Who wouldn’t?
Hart spoke loudly, suddenly behind Faith, his voice booming as he spoke to the Fae around them, “Do not be afraid. Remember what I have told you. This is the beginning of a new era. These are the ones who will deliver us, save our world.” His voice seemed to speak too loudly, and the claw on his chest glowed brighter, almost as if its magic amplified his.
The Fae’s murmurings grew quieter, but did not disappear entirely, as if they weren’t certain whether he told the truth. The two Dracon, Dracyrus especially, made each and every one of them uneasy.
“Tonight, we feast,” Hart spoke to the crowd. “And tomorrow, they go off to find their destiny. Let us give them a feast they will never forget.”
Faith was about to tell him that they weren’t staying, but Jag instantly perked up at the mention of a feast. “I could go for a feast,” he said, flashing his sharp teeth as he grinned, his tail flicking back and forth. His eyes darted to Faith as he whispered in a hushed tone, “I could go for a lot of things.”
Her cheeks burned with the implications of his words. Of course sex was on her mind too, but surely they should get out of here? Start to look for Finn and Cam, not to mention this Fae chick who had it out for everyone. There wasn’t time to relax.
“Swift, Foresh,” Hart spoke, and the two Fae in question were at his side in an instant. “Show them to Faith’s room. We have much to prepare.” He waited not a second longer before spinning on his feet, going to do whatever preparations were needed. Apparently saying no wasn’t an option here.
“Guys,” Faith spoke, frowning to herself, “that was my dad.”
“Your…your what, now?” Jag sounded both confused and freaked out, and she didn’t blame him. There was a lot they all needed to be caught up on.
Behind them, Dracyrus let out a growl when he spotted Swift and Foresh. “You,” he glowered, “you were the ones who—” He reached for his sword, but Faith moved toward him, shaking her head. “But I—” He wanted to kill them, yes, she was well aware of that; still, she wouldn’t let him. “Fine.” He dropped his hand from his sword, which had a fancy new sheath she didn’t remember him having before.
Swift muttered, “I’m glad you have him in check—”
“Watch your tongue, or I will cut it out,” Dracyrus growled, not one to be put in place for long.
Letting out a laugh—because this was so ridiculous—Faith said, “Let’s just head inside.”
“Head inside?” Jag echoed, pointing to the giant tree. “Into that thing?” He almost sounded nervous, as if he was afraid the tree would crack and fall and crush them all. Hmm. Probably not the best thought to have before going inside it.
“The Eldertree,” Light said, impressed as he gazed up at the giant tree. “I never thought I’d see it.”
“Fang,” the newcomer was busy talking to the small dragon-like creature, “go hunt.” It let out a chirp. “Not any stray Fae.” Its neck made a whining sound before it took off, flying high in the sky within moments.
All right. Now all that was settled, they could head inside and Faith could tell them everything. And then they’d have shit to tell her, officially introduce her to the new Dracon. What was his name? She was terrible with names. Oh, wel
l. At least they were back together again, a happy fellowship.
Well, some of them, anyway. And minus two fellows, because who could forget Cam and Finn? Not her. No, tonight should be spent planning. Not feasting, not laughing, and most certainly not relaxing.
Although…relaxing with her guys did sound like fun. And by relaxing she meant sex. Loads of hot, sweaty sex to make up for the time they hadn’t been together. Oh, yes. That was something Faith could get behind, at least for tonight.
Chapter Nineteen
The Lionheart, or Hart for short, was Faith’s father. Faith was part Fae—and not only that, but her grandfather, Hart’s father, had been from another world. Not her world, but another one; one above it. The Upperworld. Light didn’t know what to say, and neither did everyone else. She told them everything she’d learned during the time she was here, that they had to fight a Fae woman, to which Dracyrus muttered a tense "Yulena".
Yulena was their enemy now, not each other. It was beyond crazy to Light to think of how quickly things had changed.
Light gave her the rundown of everything that had happened while they traveled, how Cam and Finn had all but disappeared from the Malus tribe overnight. And then, of course, formal introductions to Vyserous.
It was a lot of nitty-gritty stuff, getting everyone caught up on everything and on the same page, but it would be worth it in the long run. Luckily, no one brought up the whole drunken confession she’d made about some Fae woman. Maybe Jag was too busy ogling her, wanting her to strip naked in front of them and throw herself at them all.
Vyserous was busy staring at the lone bed in the room, his black scales reflecting the light blooming off the vines. “I do hope we receive our own rooms.”
“Why?” Jag asked, glancing from Faith to the younger Dracon.
“Yeah, why? Am I really so repulsive?” Faith waited a beat before adding, “Don’t answer that.” She was slow to look at Dracyrus, her cheeks flushing. Light had noticed she’d done her best to avoid glancing at him at all costs. “Can you two give us the room? I need to talk to Light and Jag.”
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