"He's headed there now?" I growled.
"Right now," he said eagerly. "Come on, boss. You know you wanna see him scream."
I nodded slowly, letting a smile spread across my face. "Get him warmed up for me, I'll meet you there," I commanded and he turned and shot out of the courtyard at high speed with a wild laugh.
I stood there in a dilemma, my jaw ticking as I tried to make myself just walk the fuck on and give no shits. But maybe I gave half a fucking shit. I shouldn’t have though. I should have let the Lion be torn apart and made into a fucking rug for taking Elise from me. Justified or not. So yeah, maybe I’d do just that…
I walked forward a step, but my heart jerked uncomfortably, awkwardly. It never did that. It felt like a corkscrew was driving into it and I hissed in irritation. Oh come on, am I really going to help the fucking Lion King?
I tried to let it go one last time before giving in to that urge in me to stop him from being brutally murdered. I might as well have turned into a fucking Care Bear and sung him a song about rainbows shooting out of my ass while I was at it. That was how low this was.
I took out my Atlas, bringing up Mufasa's number as I slipped out of the courtyard and moved into the shadow of the wall, cutting a path in the direction of the beach. Come on, answer you fucking Pumbass-
Gabriel dropped out of the sky and landed right in front of me. "I saw that you need me."
I growled in frustration at the fact this was the first vision he got for me. About fucking Simba. But I didn't have any time to waste.
"Carry me, asshole, we need to stop the Lion from going to the beach."
He didn't even question me as I checked no one was around then shifted into a snake the length of a ruler. Gabriel picked up my pants, tucking them into his waistband then lifted me into his grip. I hissed angrily as he squeezed me too tight and he murmured an apology before taking off into the sky. I had to battle every instinct in my body not to bite him as he shoved me into his pocket. I will. Never. Allow this. Again.
I poked my head out of his pocket so I could see and a flash of golden hair caught my attention down in the trees only fifty yards from the beach. I rattled my tail and Gabriel dropped out of the sky, falling like a damn rock from this height and I decided I didn't like this one fucking bit.
He landed softly in the trees and took me from his pocket, placing me down on the branch beside him. I shifted and the branch dropped half a foot with my added weight, cracking loudly and drawing Leon's attention to us.
"Oh holy snake balls!" he exclaimed as he stared at my junk and I snatched my pants from Big Bird's waistband.
"It's what real men have, asshole, grow a pair." I jumped from the branch, landing before him with a thud and pulling on my pants. I threw up a silencing bubble around us but before I could say a word, Gabriel whistled in warning and I heard footfalls a second later. Fuck.
I opened up the ground beneath me and Leon, swallowing the two of us whole and creating a chamber of darkness to stand in as I covered the ground above us in leaves and moss.
Footsteps pounded across the earth a second later right above our heads. "Where the fuck did he go? He passed Toby not a hundred yards back," Bryce growled and Leon's arm rubbed mine as he sucked in a breath of surprise.
"He can't be far away," Sandra snarled, sounding hungry for a fight. "Let's hunt him and spill his guts for our king." Leon probably could have lasted against a few of them, but any time he knocked one out, another would step into their place. And I had no idea how many Lunars Bryce had gathered for this, but I imagined it was enough to take down a powerful Lion eventually.
A cry of ascent went up and their footfalls pounded away into the trees. It wasn't worth the risk of leaving our hiding place yet though and Leon evidently agreed as he cast a Faelight to see by.
He was smiling like a fucking idiot at me.
"You rescued me," he announced and I hissed, spitting actual venom.
"I did not," I snarled, but I didn't know why I bothered lying. I'd come racing here in the pocket of a blackbird to warn this bastard. How could I deny that shit? I didn't know why, but I just couldn't let him be cut up by the Lunars for the sake of him taking Elise from me. Even if I'd pictured doing so myself more than once.
"By the stars, you're so in love with me, Rydikins," he taunted and I bared my teeth.
"I can still put you back up there, Mufasa," I warned.
"Alright,” he chuckled then gave me a serious look. "Thank you. I'm guessing that note wasn't from Elise? I did wonder why she'd signed it with so many kisses...but I hoped that meant I was gonna get a beach blowie. And speaking of blowies...." He wiggled his eyebrows. "I heard you and Gabriel got wild with Elise the other day. Shit, it sounded hot, am I gonna get an invite next time or do you wanna keep seeing her without me for now?" He gave me a genuinely hopeful look and I frowned at him.
"What the fuck's wrong with you?" I snapped. "You have her, she's all yours, you should wanna cut my throat for what I did with her."
"Nah." He shrugged. "I'm into it. It's always been cool with me, Ryder. It's kinda my thing being a Lion and all. We’re meant to have multiple mates, it’s in our nature. I didn’t exactly expect to have a pride of guys and one girl, but the idea works for me. I get seriously turned on by watching her with other men.” He shrugged with a what-can-ya-do expression. “Speaking of mates, I'm curious about Basilisks, do you usually mate with one Fae or what? And what do you call your mate if you mate with another snake? Like Elise is my Lioness so would she be your...Queen Cobra? Or your snakelet?"
I scowled at him in answer and he rolled his eyes.
"Come on, what is it? All Orders have a name for their mate."
"Elise isn't a Basilisk, or a Lioness for that matter. And she isn't my mate," I growled.
"Just indulge me," he pushed, dropping down to sit cross legged on the dirt floor and resting his chin on his knuckles.
I sighed, lowering down too and pursing my lips. Gabriel had probably left by now so I needed to figure out my next move. I had to face the Brotherhood and cover for this shitshow soon enough. But until I was sure it was safe to emerge again, it was best to wait.
"Basilisks don't tend to mate," I muttered. It was a fact I'd learned pretty early on after I'd Emerged as my Order. It was just another reason not to bother forming connections with other Fae. Even my genetics told me I was destined to be alone, so why fucking bother?
"Griffin shit," he refuted. "There just aren't that many of you around and anyway, how can they judge a whole Order like that? Everyone's different if you ask me. I hate labels," he huffed. "Even this Elysian Mate thing. I mean, it's great and all but...everyone makes so many assumptions. Who's to say this bond means we can't be who we were before the stars mated us? I don’t want to change. And I want you in this with us, Ryder. I want Dante and Gabriel too. I know you probably think that's fucked up, but it's the truth. It's just the way I am and the way she is too. It’s not in a Vampire’s nature to have a pride either, but she wants one. And I’m here for it."
I remained silent, accepting that he really did want this. It wasn't normal, but since when did I do normal anyway? Not that I was considering being part of some star-damned pride. Especially with fucking Inferno. I wasn’t a Lion. And I sure as shit wasn’t going to be a Lioness.
Leon sighed. "Please go to her. Stop this shit. I hate seeing you like this and it's tearing her apart too. She misses you. Don't you just wanna give in to that ache in you and be hers properly? I dunno how you even do it. It must be exhausting."
I shrugged, but he was right. It was exhausting. I was so tired of avoiding her, of being crushed over the loss of her. Leon was offering her to me and she'd told me herself she wanted me too. Maybe Simba was actually right about this.
"Go get your snakelet, you stubborn idiot," he demanded, smirking at me. "And come hang out with me soon. We can watch The Lion King Two and-"
"No," I cut him off, though a smile pulled at the corner of my
lips which I fought away.
"Well, we can just watch the first one again and-"
"Mufasa," I warned.
"Scar," he teased. "By the sun, just throw me over a cliff already you beast." He moved forward and I frowned as he closed the space between us then rested his forehead to mine. A heavy breath left me and I leaned into the strange desire in me to stay there for a second longer. Maybe I did make shit harder than it needed to be, fighting against my own crazy damn instincts in this situation. But there were too many rules that bound me, too much bad shit that could happen if I let the world see what I really wanted. Who I really was.
"Go get her, brother,'" he growled, moving away and I carved a hole above our heads, climbing up first to check the coast was clear. When I was sure it was, I offered him a hand out and he stood beside me.
“I’ll see you for that bro date soon.” He pulled off his clothes, shifting into a huge Lion before me with his mane rippling in the damn wind.
He winked at me and I shook my head at him as he bounded off into the trees with his clothes in his mouth.
I made my way to the beach to face the Brotherhood, texting Bryce to ask where he was. I noticed Gabriel was flying out over the lake and as he spotted me, he flew away like he'd been waiting to see I was okay. But that couldn't have been the reason.
Bryce soon appeared with the group of Lunars he'd gathered for this event and my jaw clenched at the sight of the chains a couple of them were carrying. They glinted with magic and my throat tightened at the image of them getting their hands on Leon before I'd gotten here. It made me want to tear their fucking heads off. But I couldn't let on about that. It was still a surprise to my damn self.
"Where is he then?" I demanded, flexing my fingers as if I was hungering for a kill.
Bryce sighed, dipping his head. "We lost him. He was heading this way then...nothing."
"So you've brought me out here to waste my fucking time?" I snapped and they all flinched.
"We'll get him another day," Bryce swore.
"Forget it," I snarled. "You're all useless. I'll deal with him myself."
I strode away from them, shoving Bryce to the ground as I went and heading into the woods, my feet carrying me faster and faster. I knew exactly where I was going. Bryce had said Elise was in the library. So I was going to find her and release this pain in me. I was done with it. Leon had told me straight and he was right. I was a fool to let her go. She could have him all she wanted, but she could have me too. All of me. Every worthless scrap. And whatever she gave in return would be more than enough. I'd worship her like the queen she was and let her do whatever she wanted with me.
I felt some of the chains that bound me loosening. Breathing became easier and the void in me shrank a little. I'm coming, baby. I'm done fighting, done waiting, done hurting. Just say you want me too.
I arrived outside the library and realised I couldn't just storm in there and drag Elise away by the hair – oh fuck it, yes I could.
I strode up to the entrance, shoving the doors wide with a loud bang and the librarian got to her feet with a look of fury. She quickly shrank back into her seat when she saw who it was though and I hitched on my most terrifying expression as I stormed through the stacks hunting for her.
"Elise Callisto!" I boomed and her head popped around the end of the aisle I was in as she leaned back in her chair. Her eyes widened as I strode towards her at a fierce pace and by the time I rounded the corner, she was up on her feet. Her old roommate and the rat were sitting at the table, staring at me like I'd carried the apocalypse here on my shoulders.
"What the fuck, Ryder?" Elise hissed and a bunch of other students appeared to see what the fuss was about.
My heart pounded out a powerful beat as I gazed at Elise. My girl. Mine.
I lunged for her, grabbing a fistful of her hair before she even considered trying to stop me. In the next breath, I had her hands bound in vines, wrapped so tightly together that she wouldn't be able to access her magic. Her fangs snapped out. I could see the fight in her and it made me grin as she tried to jerk free of my hold.
"You're in trouble with the Brotherhood," I snarled and a frown formed between her eyes.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" she growled, but I didn't answer, grabbing her waist and throwing her over my shoulder. Her hands were locked against her stomach and she wriggled wildly as I laid my hand firmly over her ass, keeping her skirt in place so no shitbag could sneak a view at her panties.
"Elise!" Laini cried as I strode away with her, marching out the door while the librarian tapped furiously on her Atlas, pretending she couldn't see me.
"Ryder, what the fuck is going on?" Elise growled and when I didn't answer again, she tried to get her teeth into me. I flicked a finger, making a gag out of soft leaves to wrap around her mouth and she screamed against them as they muzzled her.
I walked her back to the Vega Dorms, shoving through the door as students scattered around me, screaming in fright. I carried her down the corridor to my room, pushing the door open and slamming it shut behind me, making sure it was locked before placing Elise down on her feet. She tried to kick me and I laughed as I caught her ankle then waved a hand to release her from her binds. The second the gag dissolved and I dropped her leg, she came at me, slapping me hard while I laughed even harder.
"Explain," she snarled, shoving me in the chest and I caught her wrists, dragging her closer as I gazed down at her, my laughter dying away.
Nerves crept up on me as silence fell between us and all I could hear was my pulse thumping wildly in my ears, faster than it ever should have beat for a cold-blooded snake.
Now I had her here alone, everything I wanted to say was just a jumble of bullshit in my head. "You're my snakelet," I blurted. By the fucking stars, what the hell was that?
"What?" She frowned.
"I mean, fuck, forget that, I dunno why the fuck that came out," I growled, releasing her as I scored a hand over my face. Idiot.
"Ryder, you're freaking me out. Has something happened?" she asked, reaching for my hand to pull it away from my face.
I met her sea green eyes ringed with silver and a groan left me. I reached out and raked my thumb along her cheekbone then down to her cherry lips. Her pupils dilated as she stood there, her chest heaving as she waited for me to speak. And for once in my life, I had to try and bare my soul without flinching. It was uncomfortable and felt like dragging rusty nails up my throat, but for her, I'd do anything.
"I thrive on pain, baby. I've been gutted and flayed and burned, and none of it has compared to the agony I've been in over losing you."
Her lips parted and I brushed my hand down to her throat, curling my fingers around the back of her neck and gripping tight.
"Ryder," she breathed but I shook my head to hush her. I needed to say this and if I stopped now, I might never have the balls for it again.
"I spent years in the dark, living in an endless expanse of emptiness. Where I felt nothing but the words I branded on my knuckles. I thought I was broken, but maybe my soul was just lying dormant, stopping me from experiencing anything good in this fucked up world. But you’ve awakened me, Elise, and I can't go back to sleep."
Tears spilled from her eyes and I felt a deep pain tugging within her that made me ache too. She was so beautiful when she was hurting. Smiles could be faked, but tears were the most real thing in the world. I watched as they slid over her mouth and made her lips glisten.
Words locked in my throat, but I had to say them before I took the kiss I was craving. Words that I had thought would never leave my mouth, let alone feel them in every drop of my blood, right down to my rotten core. "I'll always be a monster, baby. I'll be the reason Fae lock their doors at night in Alestria, I am branded on the inside of my enemies' skulls and my name will always strike fear into their hearts. But I will also be your monster, if you'll have me. If you deem me worthy. I don't have much to give but a blackened heart and a tarnished soul, but they'
re yours because...” I took a breath and expelled my deepest truth, “I love you."
Her eyes searched mine and more tears fell before she brought my knuckles to her lips, kissing the words branded there and making my heart lurch and jolt.
"I want all of you, Ryder," she whispered directly into my soul. "The dark and the light, and everything in between."
I dragged her forward and kissed her lips, tasting her tears as I devoured her slowly, raking my tongue between them and she moaned with urgency. She shoved me back against the door with her strength and I laughed. Her fingers clawed at my bare shoulders and I growled hungrily as she kissed me fiercely, the heat of her body igniting a fire in my frozen flesh.
"I want my monster," she panted against my mouth, jumping up to latch her legs around my waist. I gripped her ass to hold her there as her nails tore down the back of my neck and made me groan from the sting of pain. "There's no more rules, Ryder, and I've wanted this for so long. You promised me it a hundred times. I want your worst, your darkest self. Show me," she demanded, the need in her voice clear and my dick was already rock hard for her.
She dropped down, backing up and starting on the buttons of her black shirt. I growled as I stalked after her, letting the serpent in me coil through my veins and take over. I'd give her what she was asking for, and I knew she could take it. She was the strongest creature I'd ever known. She'd lived through unspeakable pain and blossomed with it, her heart forged in the hottest of fires.
"You need to choose a safe word," I said and her eyebrows arched. "I'll stop the moment you say it."
"Okay," she breathed, her gaze roaming down my bare chest. "Scar."
I nodded, smirking as I closed in on her, pushing her hands away from her shirt and ripped the rest of the buttons open. She bit her lip as I shoved it off of her and took in her pale pink bra which pushed up her tits and made my cock twitch needily.
Broken Fae Page 27