by Amy Sumida
“That's no excuse for fucking up your chance of saving yourself,” my father snarled.
“No; it isn't,” I agreed. “But love makes you do foolish things.”
“You still love him,” my mom said softly. “Even after that?”
“I will always love Torin.” I shrugged. “I know him too well to ever hate him. He's a good man; he's just in pain, and like any wounded animal, he's lashing out blindly.”
“But now we have something else to investigate,” Odin interrupted. “I think the relic has left something behind in Elaria.”
“The relic?” The rest of us asked as one.
My hand went to my throat again. “You said you thought there was a piece of stone in my throat, but what you meant was a piece of gemstone, didn't you?”
“Yes,” Odin admitted. “We know that the witch relic left you with an increased amount of power, but what we didn't consider was the possibility that it left you that power in a physical way.”
“Wouldn't I have noticed a sliver of stone burrowing into my skin?” I rubbed at the hollow of my throat, and felt it: a thin, hard line, maybe an eighth-an-inch long. “I feel it! Shit; there is something there.”
“There was a lot of magic rushing through you in that final battle,” Odin mused. “You wouldn't have noticed something that small pierce your skin, especially if the relic numbed the area first.”
“Numbed the area?” My mother huffed and fluffed her wings. “It was a necklace, not a doctor.”
“It was a hell of a lot more than a necklace, Mom,” I said softly. “Numbing me to implant a sliver of gemstone is the least of what it could do.”
“You have a part of the relic inside you,” my father whispered in awe. “You have become the relic.”
“Whoa now.” I waved my dad down. “Let's not get carried away.”
“We don't know anything for certain yet.” Odin held up his hand as well. “Let's get Elaria to my workshop so I can take a closer look.”
“Thank you, Odin.” My father held his hand out to the elder.
“Of course, Robert.” Odin shook Dad's hand. “Your daughter is important to me too.”
“I don't care about the jewel in her throat,” my mom cried. “I just want you to save her. Robert, you save our daughter! I don't care what kind of magic it takes; whatever you have to do, you do it! Damn all the gods; I will not lose her!”
I gaped at my mom. She had always been firmly against black magic; to hear her not only give my dad permission but also encouragement, to use whatever kind of magic he had to, was shocking, to say the least.
“We will, my love,” Dad said gently as he hugged Mom close. “We'll figure it out. But this jewel may help more than I can.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“I'm going to be all right, Mom,” I added. “Either way, I've lived a long life. I'm content with whatever ending is coming for me.”
“A long life?” My mother shrieked. “You're not even half a century! You're a baby still—my baby—and I won't let you die.”
“We won't let her die, Kalliope,” Odin vowed, “I promise. You have the backing of the Coven, and the Coven never fails.”
Mom calmed and nodded, and then we all headed into Odin's chambers. He led us through his rooms, and then down a stairwell, into the earth. Odin's workshop was a cave like Vivian's, but it was more spartan. Spell ingredients, in matching jars, were lined up with military precision on wooden shelves. There were no oddities hanging willy-nilly or plush carpets to add comfort. The furniture was heavy and functional. Everything was tidy and put away in its place. Odin's circle was even different; bordered in large stones carved with runes, though the power trickling over from it felt just as strong as Vivian's had.
Odin led me to a simple, wood chair and had me sit. As my parents waited anxiously, Odin opened a drawer and revealed tools laid out in OCD rows. He selected a crystal wand and returned to lay it on the empty tabletop beside me. Then he went to search his library. It took him a few tries to find the spell he was looking for, but when he did, he tapped the page triumphantly.
“This will do it,” he said as he laid the book beside the wand.
Odin picked up the wand, placed the point into the hollow of my throat, and began to chant. He closed his eye as the wand began to glow, but the rest of us kept our eyes wide open. My parents watched intently as the glow seeped into my skin and collected within that sliver of gemstone. I could see the glow, but not much more than that; mainly, I felt the energy coalesce. It brightened, and I was able to see the magic flow back up the wand and into Odin. He inhaled sharply and opened his eye suddenly.
“Of course,” Odin said with a smile.
He collected the book and put it back on its shelf before gently placing the wand in its drawer.
“Odin!” My dad growled.
“Everything must be properly finished,” Odin huffed like a true neat freak. “All right; the gem inside Elaria's throat is kyanite.”
“Kyanite?” I blinked as I tried to remember the properties of the stone. I had studied a lot of crystals during the Sapphire War, but I didn't think kyanite was one of them, so I was surprised when it came to me. “That's used to enhance psychic abilities, right?”
“Yes, among other things.” Odin smiled approvingly. “Think about it, Elaria. What is the main purpose of your magic?”
“To create more magic?” I asked.
“You sing.” Odin rolled his eye. “It's a form of communication, which is another property of kyanite. Plus, the stone naturally breaks into slivers, and magic always takes the path of least resistance. The relic left you a gift that it thought would benefit you the most: a super-charged piece of kyanite to enhance your communication and psychic abilities. Oh, I believe it promotes lucid dreaming too.”
“Sweet stones,” I whispered.
“Precisely.” Odin nodded. “I believe that you've only scratched the surface of what you're now capable of, Elaria. The witch relic was created with the power of thousands of witches. A tiny sliver of one gem is probably more potent than all of the magic within this room.”
We all went silent as that sank in.
“Massive amounts of power literally lodged in my throat, and I'm going to die if I can't find a man to love,” I muttered in a go-figure tone and then started laughing hysterically. “Just my luck. Humph; I guess Vivian's dress didn't work. Or maybe she didn't specify what type of luck she gave me.”
They stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
“Come on, it's funny,” I prodded them.
“Ironic maybe,” my father said, “but not funny, Elaria.”
“You're right.” I sobered. “But I think I've had enough tragedy for one evening. I'm going home to the lovers I do have, and I'm going to hold on tightly to them both tonight.”
Chapter Seventeen
Odin and my father promised to keep working on a solution to my rooster problem, but I reminded Odin that he had the issue of monsters being brought over from Torr-Chathair to deal with too. He had grimaced at me and informed me that he was an ancient witch elder, and he could multitask. My parents were understandably upset, but I didn't have the energy to comfort them. I needed to get back to Alexandrite and be comforted myself.
So, I said my goodbyes and used my traveling stone to take me through the Veil to Declan and Banning. They knew how the evening went as soon as they saw my face. Both of their expressions went grim, and they came forward to hug me together. The RS lifted inside me and basked in our love, simmering her fire down a bit. But I knew that contentment wouldn't last, and so did my men.
Banning started kissing me while Declan undid my dress. It felt natural to be with the both of them now. We moved together as if it were a dance; choreographed but also improvisational. Declan's hands drifting up my thighs, Banning's mouth at my throat, and my arms out; one around Banning, and one bent back to hold Declan.
I sighed into the sensation of their bodies pressing in around mine and
then relaxed into their embrace as they carried me to the bed together. No words were spoken, only the sounds of passion left our lips. My hands filled with their flesh; gripping thick muscles and stroking hard lengths, before tangling in silky hair—holding them tighter to me as we feasted on each other.
Then Banning eased me onto my side, pressing in tightly to my back, and Declan angled my upper thigh over his. While Declan slid into me, Banning nuzzled my neck and rubbed himself against my back. I was ground sensuously between the men, and it was heaven, but I needed more... and so did Banning.
“Do it,” I whispered to Banning.
Banning tensed. “Are you sure?”
“It doesn't upset me anymore,” I said. “It's your path to magic. Go ahead; I want you to.”
“I don't know, El—”
“Sweet stones, man!” Declan growled around my breast as he thrust deeper. “Bite her already!”
Banning struck, and the circle was complete. The three of us connected with me forming a bridge between the men, and the spell rose inside me. That delicious sucking sensation on my throat turned into a tingling, and then wild electricity that danced through my veins and stimulated every sensual region I had. I clenched around Declan as I cried out and wrapped an arm back, around Banning, to pull him closer.
“Fuck,” Declan growled as he quickened his pace. “What the hell is that?”
Neither Banning nor I could answer him; we were both lost to the madness of the blood. I felt more alive than I ever had before; rather ironic when you thought about it. But somehow, the act of feeding Banning had become something far more erotic than I'd ever imagined. Pleasure rolled over me in waves of increasing intensity as Banning tensed against me and came in hot swaths across my back. The scent of his release combined with my blood and sent me reeling into my own orgasm.
Heat infused my body, but this time it flowed out into them. The spell gave back, sending Declan shooting into his first completion while Banning and I convulsed through our second. The RS may feed on them, but it also empowered them, just as it once had empowered Thomas. Thomas hadn't shared his energy with the sirens, but then he hadn't loved them either. Love changes everything. As soon as the shouting stopped, we were ready to start it all over again, refreshed and invigorated by the magic of the RS.
“I felt your pleasure when he bit you,” Declan said in wonder. “I had no idea that a blooder's bite could bring such ecstasy.”
“It's a well-known fact,” Banning murmured as he grabbed a cloth from the bedside table and wiped off my back.
“With humans,” Declan huffed. “I didn't know that it would have such an effect on supernaturals.”
“Because most supernaturals won't let a blooder bite them.” I sighed as Banning tossed away the cloth and turned me toward him. “It makes sense that it would be more magical with us.”
“Fair enough.” Declan slipped his hand between my thighs and started working me into a frenzy again. “Just one question.”
“Don't even think about asking me to bite you,” Banning said as he licked the remnants of blood from my neck. “I may be secure enough in my masculinity to tease you with some gay talk, but I'm not secure enough to penetrate you, even if it's just with my teeth.”
“I had no intentions of asking for that.” Declan made a disgusted sound. “And dear stones, man; even when you talk straight, you sound gay.”
“Then what was your question?” Banning asked distractedly as his hands roamed my body.
“If biting Elaria in a more sensitive location might result in ever greater amounts of pleasure.”
Banning and I went still, then began to smile at each other. I ended up laying on my back, Banning between my legs and Declan sprawled beside me, with his hips at the level of my head. I took Declan into my mouth, but I was soon moaning around his flesh because Banning had slid inside me simultaneously. Banning let the passion build before he finally latched onto my breast, biting my tender flesh and sending me shooting into another orgasm. Our connection once again shared the experience with Declan, and his hand shot to my hair, holding me to him tightly as he shouted and took his release.
That was just the beginning of the circle of pleasure we raced around all night. Every ending became a new beginning until weariness finally overtook us, and we fell into an exhausted slumber.
Chapter Eighteen
It wasn't until morning, when we woke in a sweet tangle of limbs, that the men finally asked what had happened at the Ball. I told them everything; about Gage, Torin, and what Odin had discovered. They listened quietly, tensing through the Torin bit, and their eyes widened when I spoke of the kyanite. Declan especially seemed shocked and went quietly pensive.
“What is it?” I asked Declan.
“You have a stone within you, Queen Elaria,” Declan said softly. “The ramifications could be... extreme.”
“How extreme?” Banning asked.
“The Kyanite Kingdom borders mine”—Declan began to smile—“and it is currently without a monarch.”
“How can it be without a king or queen?” I asked.
“You know the way the stones work,” Declan chided me. “They choose their own monarchs. The last Kyanite Queen died years ago, and the castle has remained empty ever since. The land is governed by the highest ranking nobles until Kyanite calls a new sovereign.”
“Until...” Banning whispered. “Fuck, Declan, Ellie doesn't need the responsibilities of a kingdom adding to her troubles.”
“A kingdom is not a burden,” Declan snapped, “it's a benefit. Elaria would have a seat of power within Tír na nÓg. She'd be a landed queen at last.”
“That's great, Declan.” I sighed and rubbed at my face. “But Banning's right; I don't need this stress right now.”
“Elaria, the relic gave you that kyanite for a reason,” Declan growled. “The witch relic that lives here. Hasn't it occurred to you that it may have had more in mind than just giving you a power boost?”
“Are you saying that you believe the relic specifically gave me a slice of kyanite, not just because it's the perfect stone for my magic, but also because the relic knew the Kyanite Kingdom was ready to be claimed?”
“Yes.” Declan smirked. “I think the relic knew exactly what it was doing when it put that particular gem inside you. It made you a true jewel queen. You may not be a Shining One, but you have a gemstone placed inside you by the relic that guards our realm. I think they'll overlook your race.”
“And then there's its location.” I frowned in thought. “Odd that the Kyanite Kingdom is right beside yours. Where is it exactly?”
“Onyx lies to the West,” Declan said. “The Sgàthan Sea and Primeval are to the East, and Kyanite is in the South-East, between Tiger's Eye and the Primeval Forest.”
“The Kyanite Kingdom,” I whispered, and the sliver in my throat trembled. “Damn it all, but it feels right.”
“Like fate,” Declan agreed.
“But I still can't go claiming a kingdom right now, Declan,” I protested. “I need to find a way to survive first. It would be irresponsible to set myself up as queen only to die.”
“Where is this Gage guy?” Banning said, ignoring my talk of death.
“No.” I shook my head. “The last thing I need is you two hounding the griffin.”
“How can he give up his mate?” Banning asked. “Griffins only get one, and he's found his one; he can't just ask for a redo. Why would he walk away?”
“As Gage said; he hasn't bonded with me yet, so he can still be with other women.” I shrugged. “It's a valid choice, Ban.”
“It's not one he'll stick to,” Declan said confidently. “It's simply not possible. Shapeshifters are driven by their instincts. Gage can walk away from you, but his griffin cannot. The beast will drive the man back to you.”
“I can't be certain of that,” I protested.
“Trust me, Elaria,” Declan said gently. “I've lived a very long time, and I've seen it happen again and agai
n. The griffin is not lost to you. You will live, my love.” Declan kissed me gently, then laid his forehead to mine. “Even if I have to drag that bird squawking and clawing back to you myself.”
“I'm with Declan on this,” Banning said. “Tell us where he is, El.”
“I don't know.” I backed away from Declan so I could think easier. Yes; he's that hot. So is Banning, for that matter. “Odin offered Gage a room at Coven Cay, but I don't know if he accepted. He may have wanted off the island after what happened between us.”
“He's a griffin,” Declan huffed. “He was sent here on a mission, and that mission will compel him to place himself in the best position possible to fulfill his duties. He'll be at Coven Cay.”
“Then that's where we'll be as well,” Banning said to Declan.
Declan was already pulling out his traveling stone. He held his hand out to Banning. “Indeed; let's go hunt us a griffin.”
“Hey!” I shouted as the men disappeared. “Blast it! Dang overbearing idiots.”
Chapter Nineteen
Banning and Declan returned without Gage. Gage had stayed at Coven Cay, but he was out patrolling and assimilating (whatever that meant) when they got there. They were telling me how they planned on returning later that evening when my contact charm chimed. It was Cerberus.
“El, Odin tried to call you on your cell phone, but it kept going to voicemail, so I figured you were out of the realm,” he said by way of greeting.
“Yeah, I'm in Alexandrite.”
“Odin also told me what went down with the griffin,” Cerberus growled. “That's some bullshit, or should I say birdshit? Either way, it's fuckshit!”
“Start the bird jokes, and I will start the dog ones,” I said serenely.
We'd been playing this game for years, except the bird jokes were usually targeting me.
“Fair enough,” he huffed a chuckle. “You want me to talk to the bi... bastard?”