by Coralee June
“We have a hacker that will alter the database. He’s already working on it as we speak. We have dummy fetters that don’t electrocute but trick the guards. I’m handy with makeup, and her hair is already turning white. And she won’t be claimed by one of Cavil’s men because they’ll all be dead before it even gets to that point,” Jules assured him. Aarav stroked his chin, eyeing Jules with respect.
“So then what?” I asked. “Cavil still has guards eager to do his bidding. The problem isn’t just the men in power. There’s an entire way of thinking we have to go to war against,” I argued.
I stood and began pacing around the fire until I was standing in front of Jules. “I’ll help. But we need to have long-term solutions. We need to ensure that the next Cavil or Lackley doesn’t rise to power. We have to shut down the infrastructure.” A droplet of sweat rolled down my cheek from the heat of the fire.
“The night Cavil dies, we plan to start massive riots in the Zone," Jules replied. "The hope is Maverick will escape and figure out this cure once and for all. Then we'll get people in power that actually have good intentions for the empire. But there is a long road ahead of us before then. Right now, the priority is bringing down Cavil and his army.”
It was a plan. One without a high likelihood of succeeding. So much seemed stacked against us, but I clung to the hope that we could actually leave this all behind and end up in a better world for ourselves.
“So what about me? What about Payne? Surely you aren’t considering bringing us along?” Linda said, clutching her pearl necklace and looking around the campfire at us. I had almost forgotten that she was here. It was unlike her to be so quiet and amenable.
I looked to Aarav, praying he’d let them stay if we agreed to leave. Behind him, the elders began frantically whispering to one another. It was no secret that Mistress Stonewell hadn’t made many friends here.
“You may stay until after Cavil has been unseated. We will allow it,” Aarav said with a definitive nod, ignoring the groans of the elders. I heard someone whisper "damn" but bit back my laugh. “We will listen for updates. Should you succeed in killing Cavil, I will send word to the other Chiefs, and we will join your cause.”
“Thank you,” Jules and I replied at the same time.
The elders stood, placing their hands over their hearts, then in unison said, “It is decided. Go with strength.”
Chapter Six
We walked in silence back to our temporary home on the outskirts of the Water Tribe’s camp. Although feeling determined to follow through with Jules’ plan, I wanted to comfort my guys. I held Huxley’s hand as we walked, making sure to keep him grounded. I'd gotten to the point where I could predict his moods, and I didn't want him to slip into his triggered overprotective mode. It had been a while since he'd been destructive and closed off.
As we continued down the trail, Huxley’s grip on my hand tightened. I welcomed the pain of his hold, knowing it was what he needed to feel strong. I'd prepared myself for his moodiness. But before we could get to our tent, he abruptly stopped walking and pulled me backward. Ahead of us, Patrick, Kemper, and Mistress Stonewell kept heading down the path. “We’ll catch up,” Huxley growled.
Kemper and Linda kept going, seemingly indifferent to his odd behavior. But Patrick paused, turning to look at us with uncertainty. Patrick needed to feel useful when Huxley got like this. It was his own personal atonement for what happened to his parents all those years ago. Huxley would never ask for his brother’s help.
“Come on,” I told Patrick. Unlike Hux, I wasn’t too proud to say what I needed. I needed Patrick to be okay. I needed Huxley to feel like I was safe. Navigating Huxley’s triggers was difficult, and more than anything, it was important to me that Patrick didn’t feel distanced from his brother. I made a promise long ago to Hux that I wouldn't come between them, and I wasn't going to start now.
Huxley didn’t protest. He pulled me off the trail and guided us towards the grove where we usually held our sparring sessions. We’d spent so many nights walking these woods alone together, that I could have gone to our special spot with my eyes closed.
Once by our tree, Huxley pressed me up against the rough bark, the wood scraping along my bare shoulders. And when he crashed his lips to mine, it took my breath away. My heart lost its rhythm, and the steady balance of confidence I pretended to teeter on finally toppled over. I poured my doubts, my fears, and my inadequacies into the fire of his touch. With Patrick watching, Huxley darted his tongue out, tasting me. I felt everything and nothing all at once. He drank me in like I was the last drop of water in a large basin of disappointments.
He thrust his knee between my legs and ran his hands up and down my body. The tips of his fingers grazed the sides of my breasts as he moved from hips to chest. I couldn’t remember why I was sad or what numbness I’d been clinging to. His kisses reminded me I’m worthy. His kisses tasted like home. Like Dormas. Like family and hope and all the things I’d been missing these last five months.
“You’re not going,” he growled against my mouth as I arched my back to get closer. Angry, I pulled back, but the hard bark stopped me from distancing myself too much.
“You’re not going to stop me,” I replied. I wanted my voice to sound harsh and unrelenting, but the words that escaped my clenched teeth sounded like a whimper. I craved Huxley’s kisses on a visceral level—and he knew it.
Huxley danced the tips of his fingertips along my collarbone before pushing down the straps of my grey tank top. He dived into nibbling the defined bone, causing my sensitive skin to pebble wherever his wet lips touched. I opened my eyes and was gifted with Patrick’s hooded stare. The last time he watched us, he seemed uncertain. Now, there was nothing but hope in his gaze.
“Huxley, you can’t kiss me until I forget,” I moaned out as he dragged his teeth along my skin, knowing my words held no truth. Huxley’s kisses were already making me forget.
“Are you sure? It seems to be working,” he replied with a chuckle. His hot breath feathered along my skin, making me blossom with white-hot desire.
“I thought you needed me to help you…” I wasn’t sure if he was comfortable mentioning his episodes. Nor did I want to distract him from the delicious pleasure he was washing over me. As I writhed between the rough tree and his calloused hands, I appreciated this new distraction tactic.
“The only thing I need is you coming on my cock, little Walker,” he replied.
Patrick gasped, and the sound made Huxley pause and spin around to stare at his brother with a wide smile. This was interesting—and thrilling. “Come here,” he urged. There was something sexy about knowing Patrick wanted me.
Patrick didn’t need telling twice. He practically stumbled over his feet to get to me. Huxley moved aside, making room for Patrick, and I stared into the hungry eyes of my playful twin. For five months, I'd been in an emotionless haze, but now that hope was on the horizon, my feelings were flooding back.
“Kiss her,” Huxley ordered. Patrick was more forgiving than Huxley. He kissed me slow and sweet, licking the seam of my lips like he was asking for my consent. I was greedy with his touch, hanging on the edge of each of his movements and pressing for more.
“You’re not going, Ash,” Huxley said again. His voice was grave as he spoke. Desire dancing along each syllable of his demanding words.
I pulled back once more, earning a groan of disapproval from Patrick. “Yes, I am.” Patrick dipped his hand between my legs. Curling his finger, he stroked me with a grin as I gasped.
“You’re not going, Ash,” Huxley growled once more. “Tell me you won’t go, and we’ll give you what you want—what you need.”
I was too embarrassed to admit what his words were doing to me. I felt like a knot that had been tied tight, and the twins were pulling at the ends.
“And what is it you think I want?” I asked while placing my hands on Patrick’s shoulders. In my limited experience, I usually let the guys take the lead. But tonight, I
wanted to show them just how capable I was. I ran my hands down his chest then over the bulge in his pants, slowly stroking over the denim material.
“You want us,” Huxley said while unzipping his pants and pulling out his throbbing cock. It was glorious and hard. He stroked it for me then, dragging my attention away from Patrick and onto his graceful movements.
I swallowed deeply before yanking Patrick’s hand out of my pants and dropping to my knees with a thud. The ground was dry and hard, but I kept my eyes on Huxley to my left while fumbling with the zipper on Patrick’s pants. “Are you saying I can’t have you if I go, Hux?”
He stopped mid-stroke to stare at me as I freed Patrick. The anticipation was carnal. Huxley stood still, holding tightly to his hardness while I let out an exhale of hot breath over Patrick. “Because there was a time I might have accepted that. But not anymore,” I said before twisting my head to look up at Patrick through my thick lashes. My body was straining to please him. I wanted to show him that his patience had been worth it. “Now? I fight for what’s mine. And don’t you forget that you all belong to me just as much as I belong to you.”
I licked my lips before lifting up on my knees a little. Gripping the base of his cock, I slid my mouth over the head slowly. Patrick’s want was palpable. I drew him into my mouth with patience, taking each incredible inch of him while Huxley watched. And when he bumped the back of my throat, Patrick let out a moan that made me preen.
“Fuck, so good.”
I moved up and down his shaft, sucking and savoring as he praised me with his gasps. Leaning forward, Patrick placed his palm against the trunk of the tree, squirming as I alternated between swirling my tongue around and moving my lips along his shaft. “Don’t stop,” Huxley ordered in a hoarse voice as I continued to give Patrick's well-deserved pleasure.
I felt his cock jolt against my tongue, and I pulled away, earning a string of expletives from Patrick’s chest. “Fuck, Sweets, don’t stop. Please.” I loved the affectionate nickname that slipped. Hearing him beg ignited me. I’d never felt more powerful, and this was the most alive I’d felt in ages. Instead of giving in to his wishes, I turned to Huxley who was biting his lip and staring at me with his hazy green eyes.
“I’m going, Huxley,” I whispered. “But you’re going with me. We’re in this together.”
Huxley didn’t respond right away. I wondered if I had pushed too far. They could want to protect me, but I knew that this was right. I felt it in my gut. This was always how it should have been. Us trusting one another. Making decisions as a family. “Fine,” he finally whispered. With a nod, I turned back to Patrick to finish what I’d started. Up and down I went, testing different sensations. I hummed on his cock and kept moving until he was jerking in my mouth. Hot, salty cum slid down my throat, and I sucked off every drop like it was my job. Knowing I did this to Patrick. Knowing that he was at my will felt better than fighting, than numbing myself. If I’d known how good giving into my desires would be, I wouldn’t have waited so long.
Standing, I turned to stare at Huxley.
It was the most relaxed I’d ever seen him. His hooded eyes were free of stress and the responsibilities he wore every day. I slowly approached him, keeping my eyes on his broad shoulders until I was resting my hands on his chest. His hard cock bumped against my stomach. Soft wonder came over his face as he stared at me.
"I've missed you," he whispered before stroking my cheek.
"What do you mean?"
A hand on my shoulder made me turn around to face Patrick. He intertwined our fingers and smiled down at me. "You know I've always had to do all the talking for him." Hard hands jerked down my pants from behind, and when they landed on the ground, I stepped out of the heap of fabric and kicked it away.
While I stared into Patrick's eyes, Huxley slid his hardness between my thigh gap, rubbing it against me and sliding along my bundle of nerves. I gasped while Patrick threw me a wicked grin.
"He means, even if he hates the thought of you going into danger, he'd go to hell and back to see you this alive again. You've been numb for so long."
Huxley gripped my hips, his nails digging into my skin and lifting my shirt up. Patrick cupped my cheeks in his hands. "We know you need this, sweetie." His voice was husky, his words slow and savory. "So we're gonna do whatever it takes."
Patrick then kissed me as Huxley continued to rub along my slick seam. I clenched my thighs tighter together. Huxley and Patrick owned my moans. The three of us went like this for what felt like hours. I craved Huxley inside of me but was glad that he didn't cross that barrier. When things calmed down and I finally took that step with my guys, I wanted it to be special. And I wanted each individual to have my undivided attention.
I squirmed, grabbing Patrick's hair to deepen our kiss. Each time Huxley slid along my clit, a sharp and wanton thrill flowed through my core, rising my pulse to a peak of ecstasy.
"Oh, God," I moaned into Patrick's mouth as I rode a wave of pleasure, and determination settled in my bones. I knew that this was it. There was power in accepting an uncertain future.
I spun around and grabbed Huxley, pumping up and down his shaft with my palm. Huxley, my wordless warrior, allowed nothing but sighs to escape his lips as he came. It felt wonderfully wicked, like my needs were finally awakening.
"Just be safe," he finally whispered before resting his forehead on mine.
We walked to the creek to bathe. Patrick massaged my back as Huxley kissed the tingly droplets of water along my skin. I wasn’t sure where we went from here. And the rapid way their chests rose and fell made me think that there was still much more left unsaid between our hearts—and our bodies. No, this wasn’t over. This was a battle I’d gladly be fighting until there was no longer air in my lungs.
But for now, there was work to be done. “We should go back and pack,” I suggested while wading over to the bank of the river.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay a bit longer and…?” Patrick offered, but I placed a hand on his muscular chest and grinned.
“There will be more time for that,” I replied. I was determined to explore everything with my men. I was done being the martyr. I was done keeping my emotions at bay or feeling guilty for the decisions Cyler, Maverick, and Jacob made. It was time to fight for what I wanted. It was time for revenge.
Chapter Seven
Aarav gave us two days to leave, but we planned to head out by morning. Luckily, the elders allowed Mia to stay while she healed, so Jules slept with her in the medic tent for the night.
Of everything, I feared saying goodbye to Payne the most. I knew Linda, Mia, Lilly, and Aarav would watch over him, but we’d built up a strong bond in the last five months. He represented everything I once loved about Josiah. He represented the naive innocence I’d abandoned when I left Stonewell Manor.
He couldn’t come to where we were going. Although I didn’t know Dominique well, she was the reason we were able to escape. I owed it to her to keep him safe and happy, which meant I’d have to leave him behind.
He was lingering outside the tent he and Linda lived in, watching Patrick, Huxley, and me approach. “So you’re gonna leave me, huh?” he asked. His boyish face was scowling at us, and the bright, glowing trees of the Deadlands left ominous shadows along his pale skin.
“Ah, come on, kid. It'll be fine! We'll be back before you know it,” Patrick joked while nudging his shoulder. I sensed that he was trying to lighten the mood, but Payne didn’t budge.
“Why can’t I go?” he pleaded. Linda emerged from her tent to see what the commotion was. She then frowned at his dirty shirt and began brushing off his clothes.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to climb the Deadlands trees?” she scolded. “I’ve told you numerous times, we need to keep your clothes clean.”
“I don’t care,” he said with a pout while pulling away from her. “Why are you leaving me, Ash? I can help!”
I knelt so that we were eye level, peerin
g into his crystal blue eyes and forcing memories of a young Josiah from my mind. “You’ll be safe here. We’ll come back, and I’ll show you Dormas. Don’t you want to see Dormas?”
I’d been telling him about Dormas since the day we met. Keeping my memory of home alive gave me hope. He, too, seemed infatuated with the town of cabins and kind people. He wanted to visit my bakery and check out Cyler’s treehouse. I vowed to show him one day.
“I guess,” he said. “My mom said you’d play with me forever. She said you’d be my best friend and keep me safe.” My heart ached. Payne had been forced to grow up quickly, but he was still a child, after all.
“You know we can still be friends, right? Me being far away doesn’t change that. Nothing will stop us from being friends.”
I looked behind me, and Huxley and Patrick discreetly filed into our tent. Linda stayed put, eyeing Payne with annoyance and...jealousy? I knew that she’d always been jealous of Josiah’s and my close relationship. Now she was projecting onto Payne as well. I should have wanted to keep Payne from her. She was a major source of sadness in my life. However, I also wanted some small form of redemption for Mistress Stonewell. I wanted her to be loved. I wanted her to right the wrongs of her past.
“You know Mistress Stonewell will need to learn how to fish since we’ll be gone. Do you think you could be a big boy and take her to the creek and show her? I know she's excited to spend more time with you. Mistress Stonewell loves you very much.”
Linda froze but kept her expression cool. I'd never heard her tell Josiah that she loved him. She never voiced her feelings, and looking back, I wondered if she regretted not letting him know. Josiah died thinking that his mother prioritized her affair with Lackley over his wellbeing. I knew, if given the chance to do it all over, she would pick Josiah. She would have always picked Josiah. But maybe now, she could pick Payne—in her own weird little way, at least until she returns.