Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection

by C. M. Stunich

  “You’re misunderstanding him,” Case said gruffly. “He doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter because we think you’re beautiful no matter what.”

  “Although that is true.” Hayes gave him the big-brother look that I saw a dozen times when we were kids.

  “It doesn’t matter because we see through your magic.” Nick sat forward, clearly energized by this discussion. He pulled off his shirt, revealing a long, lean torso and chiseled abs and the same dark runes that covered Case’s body.

  “Any excuse to get his shirt off,” Case muttered.

  Nick tapped a rune on his right pec, below his clavicle. “This one keeps us from being taken in by magical illusions. We can see what we’re supposed to see so we can play along, but it’s like a translucent overlay.”

  “We see what’s real,” Hayes said, and tucked my hair behind my ear again.

  “So you always knew I was Fiona,” I said flatly. “You let me embarrass myself…”

  “We figured you had good reasons for being Melody,” Hayes said. “Didn’t you?”

  “You’re maddening,” I muttered. “All of you.”

  For some reason, my complaint eased a bit of the tension in the room. The three of them shifted slightly, smiling.

  “So you weren’t taken in by my mother’s magic?” I still wanted to understand.

  “She knocked us out when we came in here,” Hayes explained. “When we woke up, we were bound—physically and mentally.”

  “But she didn’t realize I had magic,” Nick said. “Most Hunters here are such prudes—”

  “Wrong word choice,” Case said, almost automatically as if he said it all the time to Nick.

  “People don’t expect a Hunter could be a witch.” Nick ignored Case, as if he did that all the time too. “So I broke our bonds, but by the time we’d come to and fixed the magic, I could hear you two coming in to our rescue—”

  “No need for sarcasm,” Case said. “All’s well now.”

  “Well, you shouldn’t have brought Fiona into danger,” Hayes snapped.

  “She wouldn’t stay away,” Case drawled, his tone slow and lazy and teasing. “Repeat what you told me, would you, Fi? So I’ll be out of trouble?”

  Oh, no. I was not repeating my little speech about who I really was and how I really felt about them. I crossed my arms over my chest. “Hunters are trouble, remember?”

  “And what else did you say?” Hayes rubbed his hand across the scruff of five o’clock shadow covering his jaw. “Something about how we weren’t relationship material?”

  “You aren’t,” I said. “Always on the move. Adrenaline junkies. Completely unreliable.”

  “There are plenty of things we’re reliable for,” Hayes promised with a wink.

  Nick yawned again. “Can we go to bed? We covered the past—Nick is a magical genius and saved us all—and we can talk about the future in the morning. I’m tired.”

  “The magical genius needs a nap,” Case translated for the rest of us.

  “I think Fi saved us all,” Hayes said. “Distracting her mother.”

  Case rubbed his hand across his lower abs as if the healing wound itched when he thought about it.

  “I think we were a good team,” I admitted, because obviously, I didn’t do it all on my own.

  Hayes grinned triumphantly.

  “All right.” I gently pushed Agnes’ front paws off my lap and stood. “I am going to bed.”

  Nick looked up at me with his bright eyes, in stark contrast to his skin and his long black hair, and I found myself pausing. “Good night, magical genius.”

  “Good night, kratoska.”

  It sounded sweet, and I was too tired to ask, although I had a funny feeling he was calling me a cookie in Russian. I’d ask tomorrow. I felt a tinge of longing, wanting for there to be a tomorrow with them. And a day after that. Even though I meant what I’d said about a life with them being impossible.

  “What about us?” Hayes asked.

  Case sounded hurt. “I don’t get a dismissive nickname?”

  “Good night, you adorable grouch,” I said, and then before Hayes could be offended, I turned to him and said, “Good night, you Southern charmer.”

  I could tell Case was dismayed by being both a grouch and adorable.

  “I meant, what about us in terms of sleep.” Hayes glanced around. “You got a spare bed?”

  “You know darned well I don’t, Hayes O’Connor,” I said.

  I turned and walked down the hall, but I raised my hand and waggled my fingers over my shoulder to call them over. “Fine. You can sleep in my bed. But I mean it—I’m tired.”

  “What kind of weird things do you think we’d get up to?” Hayes asked, his voice innocent, and I grinned to myself as I turned the corner to my room, knowing that they were following.

  In the morning, I woke up slowly. My head was pillowed on Nick’s hard shoulder, one of my thighs thrown over his, and Case’s corded forearm was draped over my side. His hard-edged body fit against mine perfectly, the curve of my ass against his abs.

  I was cozy and content, and yet I couldn’t help wondering where Hayes was. I sit up on my elbow, careful not to wake Nick or Case. Funny how my bed seemed just the right size for all four of us. I liked being close to them, even though I knew I shouldn’t.

  The window was cracked open. It let in the cool morning air, the sound of a bird singing quite insistently right outside my window, and a puddle of golden light across the honey-oak floorboards. There was no way I was going back to sleep, so I gently untangled myself from the men wrapped around me and scooted to the bottom of the bed.

  Wearing the t-shirt and panties I slept in, I padded out into the hall.

  Hayes was up, in the kitchen. I could smell coffee and bacon and hear the sounds of him bustling around. I walked into the kitchen just as he cracked an egg expertly against the side of a frying pan. His broad, tattooed shoulder muscles drew my eye, the lean taper of his waist, because he’d only bothered to throw on his jeans. Apparently, he wasn’t worried about cooking grease splattering on his abs. Part of me wanted to press myself against his back and run my hands over that leanly muscled torso.

  “I’m glad you made yourself at home,” I said. “Help yourself to anything you want.”

  He turned, a cocky grin turning up one edge of his lips. “Do you know what I want most of all, Fiona?”

  “An apron?”

  He crooked a finger at me.

  I crossed my arms over my chest, shaking my head—and took two steps toward him. Even I could tell that was a mixed damn message.

  He turned to the sink and quickly rinsed his hands. When he turned back, we were so close I could feel the warmth of his body.

  One of his big hands cupped my cheek gently. “No more mask.”

  I pressed my hand over his, my fingertips brushing the rough skin of my scarred cheek. “Oh, I guess not.”

  By now, I’d gotten so used to holding this magic that I even kept it up when I was asleep. I thought. But sometime last night, in my exhaustion, my spell slipped.

  “I like it. The magic makes kind of a blur for us, with our rune.” His thumb stroked over my jaw, his touch tender. My chin rose, as if I wanted him to continue. “It’s nice to see just you.”

  My lips twisted. “Even when this is what you see?”

  He leaned in close to me, and his breath tickled my throat when he whispered, “You think Hunters don’t have scars?”

  I shook my head. “It’s been fun, Hayes.”

  His eyebrows rose slightly. His kissable lips were so near mine, but I resisted the impulse to close the small distance between us. Not quite yet.

  We had to talk about the elephant in the room. “It’s been fun having you guys again for a night. You know? But you can’t encourage me to want anything more. It’s not fair.”

  “Because we have to go?” He cocked his head to one side. “There’s work for us to do out there. I think your mother’s deranged mission wa
s someone else’s idea.”

  “Because you have to go,” I repeated.

  “But we’ll be back.” His eyes were warm and intent on mine. “If you want us. If you say the word.”

  I smiled mirthlessly. “And then what? You share?”

  “Yeah.” He shrugged one broad shoulder carelessly. “I don’t know if you noticed this, Fi, but we aren’t exactly ordinary guys. Maybe we can manage a love that’s not exactly ordinary, either.”

  “I don’t know that I believe that’s possible.” My voice came out a whisper.

  “That’s all right.” He nodded, looking into my face like he understood me. The kind, patient look in his eyes made my eyes flood with tears. “But give us a chance to convince you. Maybe? Think about it?”

  “Okay,” I said softly. “But for now…”

  I reached over and snapped off the burner beneath the eggs.

  One of his eyebrows lifted in a way that was entirely adorable.

  He took my hips in his hands, his fingertips brushing the curves of my ass, and leaned in to kiss me. Feeling how securely he held me, I bobbed up on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. His lips met mine, and he kissed me hard. He kissed me like it was a promise.

  11

  Fiona

  I stood on my front porch, watching the guys throw their bags into the car. Hayes slammed the trunk shut.

  Case started to open the passenger door of their car, and then turned and bounded up the porch steps to me. His lips parted like he knew what he was going to say, but then he hesitated. He rested his big hands on my shoulders. “Keep an ear out for us, would you?”

  “Sure will. I’ve still got your card.”

  He nodded, his eyes intent on mine. His lips were so near my face that it seemed a waste not to lean forward and kiss him.

  So I did.

  When our lips met, Case’s hands tightened on my shoulders. His mouth parted against mine, our kiss deepening. I swayed toward him.

  He pulled away first, but he kissed me again, this time a chaste peck on the lips.

  “Is it all right if we come back?” he asked gruffly. “To see you?”

  “For business?” I asked, cocking my head to one side.

  “Not for business. And you know it.”

  “Yeah. Come back and see me some time,” I said. “Maybe don’t wait nine years this time around.”

  “How about a week?” he asked. “We have to follow a lead in Saint Louis. But assuming it doesn’t take us too far out of our way, I’m thinking we could be back by Saturday.”

  “It doesn’t sound very practical,” I said.

  “I don’t want to be fucking practical.” His voice was a growl.

  Nick clapped Case on the shoulder. “Ever the romantic.”

  “It’s romantic in his own way,” I teased Case, smiling up at him. “Saturday, then. That would be nice. If you can make it.”

  “Watch me,” Case said in a way that made me imagine bad witches being cold-cocked and rabid Weres being run through because they dared to get between us. He squeezed my shoulders one more time and brushed his lips against my forehead in a sweet kiss goodbye. Then he turned and jogged down the porch steps.

  “Bye, kratoska.” Nick’s big hands spanned my hips. “I hope it’s not bye for long. I’d like to get to know you better.”

  “I’d like that too,” I said softly. “What does the Russian mean?”

  “Gorgeous.” He said it matter-of-factly, like it was not even a compliment, just a statement of fact.

  I reached up and touched his temple, alongside those intense dark eyes. “Thank you for letting me peek inside your brain. When I was—”

  When I was falling apart.

  “You don’t need to thank me. I’ve never shared that with anyone before. It was nice, letting someone else see.”

  The thought of being the only one he’d used that magic with made my heart lurch. It was touching that Nick either trusted me enough to show me that tender scene or cared so much about calming my nerves that he made himself vulnerable. He looked intimidating, but his tenderness intrigued me.

  “Do you really think this could work?” I asked him, my voice low so it wouldn’t carry to the other men at the car.

  “I’m a Russian at heart, and Russians are pessimists,” he said, and my heart dropped a little. He leaned in close to me, like he was about to tell me a secret. “And yet I think this can work.”

  “Good,” I said.

  He turned his face, his lips grazing my cheek, and it was only when his sweet kiss lingered on my skin as he turned and jogged down to the car that I realized he’d kissed my scarred side.

  Standing there with the driver’s side door open, already half-in, Hayes raised his hand in goodbye.

  When all three of their doors slammed shut and the car backed down the driveway, it seemed too quiet. I leaned in the doorway, and Agnes padded out onto the porch. She looked up at me and whined.

  “I’m going to miss them,” I said. “Even though I shouldn’t.”

  Agnes whined again. I was pretty sure she was telling me not to be stupid.

  The rumble of the engine caught my ear. The boys pulled back into my driveway.

  Hayes threw open his door and hopped out. Over the growl of the engine, he yelled, “Fi. You ever been to Saint Louis?”

  I didn’t know how to answer his invitation, but even as I debated what to do, I found myself smiling.

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  About the Author

  May Dawson traveled to all seven continents and spent several years as a Marine before settling in Virginia to raise children (and foster cats). Now she finds her adventures on the page.

  Read More from May Dawson

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  At Water’s Edge

  LA Kirk & Lyn Forester

  At Water’s Edge

  The time of gods has ended. Can one abandoned nereid find love among a new place among the humans? Dare she hope for love?

  After thousands of years, the gods retreated to the heavens to watch their beloved creatures thrive in the world built for them. Other than the humans, the gods chosen ones, moved far from civilization. That is, except the water nymphs.

  The water nymphs were loved by everyone and could not bear the thought of leaving the humans behind. Without the gods to entertain, they choose to stay near the towns and villages that dot the seacoast.

  People travelled from all over to vacation in spots where the nymphs lived. One such town rested on a small peninsula. The nymphs enjoyed their time teasing and playing with the inhabitants and visitors.

  Years later, Thelsa found that she was more interested in the day-to-day activities of the locals than amusing the travelers. Her watchful eye on the men of the fire brigade led the men to feel like they were blessed. They moved their training to the beach and brought gifts to Thelsa to thank her.

  Little did the men know that the protection they received would be the one thing that kept them apart.

  1

  When I rise from the water to greet the new day, laughter already fills the beach. The festivalgoers arrive earlier and earlier every year and flock to the warm sands as soon as the sun rises. A dozen of my sisters sit on a jetty farther out to sea, their songs luring the humans into the water to play.

  They love the festival season and the new gifts the visitors bring with them from towns located too far from the sea for us nereids to visit. Only thirty of us remain, remnants of a forgotten time when gods and goddesses roamed the lands.

  Uninterested in frolicking with the humans in the hopes of receiving bobbles, I swim down the beach, away from all of them. I pause to enjoy the rising sun, the waves lapping at my ankles. While my sisters spend their days teasing humans, my joy comes from the town’s watchmen who venture to the beach each morning to train.

  “Thelsa!” a strong voice calls, and I glance up to see Kaveth waving from the top of a dune. The y
ellows, oranges, and reds of the morning sun catch in his red hair and turn it to fire. “You came again!”

  A flush creeps into my cheeks, and I count on the warmth of the morning to mask my embarrassment. I’ve been too obvious in my desires to be close to these men.

  As Kaveth slides down the dune, Neo and Harun come into view. Harun’s broad shoulders stretch the white cotton of his shirt and make him appear taller than Neo, though the two men stand at the same height. The sea wind rustles his golden locks as he shades his eyes, then grins when he spots me.

  Neo springs forward, his strong legs having no issue with the slippery sand as he passes Kaveth quickly. Of all the watchmen, Neo runs the fastest and is their appointed messenger when emergencies arise in the nearby town. At the edge of the waves, he skids to a stop in a spray of wet sand that hits my skirts and bounces off.

  “Sorry about that.” He makes a move to bend, as if to brush the dirt away, then straightens again, his hands hovering in the air between us.

  “It’s okay.” I shake my skirt, and the sand slides off. Nereid dresses are magical, just like we are, and nothing sticks to them that we don’t desire.

  “You’re full of energy this morning,” Kaveth jokes as he comes up alongside Neo. He gives the other man a playful push. “You can put that into our morning workout.”

  “Will you be sitting in your usual spot, Thelsa?” Harun asks as he joins us.

  My gaze shifts to the dune they just came down. Its slope is perfect for reclining and has the added benefit of hiding me from the busier side of the beach. It also gives a perfect vantage point for watching the men as they exercise. My shoulders tense as I glance back to them.

  Do they know I come here specifically to visit with them?