Bound (Legacy Series Book 4)

by Ellendale, Max

  "Hush up, you." I swatted Mal as Vanessa scooted on the sofa and pulled the blanket off the back. "Can I sit now?"

  "Uh huh." She pulled the blanket over herself and smiled cheekily at me.

  "About time." I settled between them and Vanessa tossed the blanket over me, too. Mal plopped the popcorn bowl in his lap and we shared it from there.

  "Love, let me ask you something," said Mal.

  "All right, what?"

  "How come you can brew up crazy chemical concoctions in a lab but burn a frying pan full of eggs and bacon?" A grin spread around the popcorn headed into his mouth. Vanessa snickered as she rested her head on my shoulder.

  "You've been dying to ask me that, haven't you?"

  "Oh yes."

  "I think I get nervous. People are going to have to eat it and they'll tell me if it sucks or not. Chemistry and science don't judge you in the same way."

  "Fair point," said Mal.

  "We won't judge you if you want to try making an experimental pizza," Vanessa said against my neck. I laughed and nudged her forehead with my chin.

  "Lies, all lies."

  "A meaty pizza at that," Mal added while chuckling, his eyes glued to the yellow car-turned-robot on the TV screen.

  "Hmm, something tells me you two are hungry. I can order pizza you know. Delivery isn't beyond my skills."

  "I'm hungry," Vanessa said in a whisper against my neck, her breath sent a shiver through me. Mal seemed lost in the movie and popcorn.

  "Grab the phone from the table, baby. I'll order something."

  "We have plenty," she said, kissing along my clavicle. I bit my lip as the definition of Vanessa's hungry hit me full force. Her fingertips traced along the waistband of my jeans, hidden beneath the blanket that covered us. With my mates so close, both bonds fluttered eagerly. Mal kept his gaze fixed on the television, but his link between us told me he knew exactly what emotions I gave off. My breathing picked up as Vanessa's fingers moved lower, unbuttoning my jeans and pausing a fraction above my heat. Visions of our last triple encounter ran through my mind, as did the awkwardness that followed. Should I stop her and save us from the inevitable aftermath? Or should I let her, because, god, I wanted her to.

  Too much thinking on my part allowed her ample time to take control. Her lips met mine at the same moment she cupped me, fingers stroking me thereafter.

  "Like that?" Vanessa whispered. She'd never spoken to me like this before, especially not with Mal right beside us.

  "Yeah," I told her, mumbling as I gripped the sofa cushion.

  "Good," she said, a single finger drawing circles around my sensitive nub. I bit my lip to keep quiet. Her actions were no secret, nor were my feelings. I fought the urge to glance at Mal, knowing he would already be experiencing what I had. I noticed he was no longer crunching on popcorn. This close, I couldn't distinguish between their bonds. The only thing I could tell for certain was that they were both aware and enjoying it. "A little more?" Vanessa asked, and I did all I could not to whimper.

  She waited, continuing her circular movement until I nodded. She nibbled my bottom lip and slipped two fingers inside me, not holding back her intentions in the least. I gripped her thigh, squeezing her firm muscled leg and bit my tongue to remain silent. She stroked me, deeply and eagerly. Her lips never stopped moving along my neck and shoulder, occasionally returning to kiss me. Eventually, she slipped from the sofa beneath the blanket. A moment later, my jeans and panties were tugged from me and strewn across the carpet. Vanessa wasted no time in devouring me, her head moving beneath the blanket. I cried out, finally giving in to the sound I'd been holding on to. Her tongue raced across my saturated heat, diving inside of me and sending waves of sharp pleasure through me. She pressed my legs apart and moved with a starved determination. Our connection seared with succulence, demanding more from both of us.

  Without much thought, I grabbed Mal by the shirt and pulled him toward me. He allowed it and I kissed him hard, hungry for both of them. The moment our skin touched, when the flesh of both my mates met mine, raucous broke out inside me. Mal gripped my breasts, massaging them as his tongue demanded entry between my lips. I lifted my hips, rolling them against Vanessa's hand and mouth. Mal tore away the buttons of my shirt, and he broke our kiss turn his attention to my breasts. I had both of them, the way I wanted them always. His teeth raked over my tender flesh as Vanessa's tongue lashed my clit. I cried out, gripping Mal's hair as the raging orgasm tore through me like a breaking dam. Vanessa worked me through it and Mal's deep growl told me he rode the sensations with me. He ripped away the blanket, revealing Vanessa's continued movements between my legs as another wave of pleasure rippled through me. I gasped for breath as Mal grabbed me into a demanding kiss. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him grip Vanessa's hair, and felt him push her to me harder. Her response was immediate, and she continued her escapade, though this time her fingers did most of the work, thrusting in and out of me with a fevered urgency that mirrored Mal's. This time, my cries met Mal's mouth and my climax lasted twice as long. Moaning and writhing beneath them, Mal pulled away and sucked on my neck, licking and nibbling.

  When I was about to die from lack of air, Vanessa released me, slipping from me to stroke me softly. My chest heaved as I fought for breath. I closed my eyes as Vanessa's soft fingers continued to caress my folds and inner thighs. Mal's touch met hers and both of them stroked and pet me together, as if they had practiced for this moment. I melted beneath them, as sparks seemed to burst from their fingertips when they touched me, sending little snaps of pleasure here and there. I didn't stop them. Instead, I basked beneath them, wrapped in their warm glow.

  Minutes passed and I remained in this position. Vanessa broke away to kiss my hip, moving her way up to rest her chin on my stomach. Mal dropped back on the sofa, panting heavily. Vanessa nudged me toward him, her nose twitching along with a single eyebrow, "Touch," she told me. Her gaze rested on Mal as she tugged me from the sofa, kneeling me in front of Mal. She moved behind me in the way that Mal normally would, she cupped me from behind and tugged on Mal's pants. He understood and a second later, his pants disappeared, leaving him towering in front of me. His eyes, flashing from hazel to red, locked on mine. His fingers gripped the sofa, as if he were holding tightly in fear of falling off. Vanessa urged me forward and I grabbed hold of Mal, as I had last time, and began stroking him from base to tip. He grunted under my touch, fingers clasped tighter into the sofa. Vanessa's naked body pressed against mine, she brushed my hair from my shoulder and whispered, "Mouth," in my ear.

  I glanced over my shoulder at her. I'd never, we hadn't… he… Vanessa ran her hand from my shoulder, over my arm to my wrist until she rested on top my hand that held Mal. She kissed my shoulder, then flicked her tongue across my flesh. Mal's gaze darted from me to Vanessa then back again. Yeah, that's what he wanted. Nerves threatened to kill my mood, setting off a swirling sensation in my stomach. Vanessa leaned around me, as if she sensed my anxiety. She nudged my forehead with hers, "Together," she whispered, her ruby lips a shade deeper than usual. I nodded and she urged me forward, our mouths an inch from Mal.

  Together, we flicked our tongues over the tip of him. He groaned and his hand found its way to my hair, gripping but not pushing. His desire, his want soothed me some, he wanted this and I was happy with that. Again, Vanessa led me through the movements, she wrapped her lips around him and then I followed, one after the other as if we were taking turns in a game meant purely for Mal's enjoyment. And he savored it, our throbbing mate bond told me so. Vanessa cupped my heat again, toying with my nub in a way that mimicked our tongues over Mal. After several rounds of play, Mal tugged my hair in a light warning of what was to follow. As if Vanessa sensed his pending climax, she slipped two fingers inside me at the same time that Mal burst forth between us. I gasped at the synchronous movement, the strength of Mal's orgasm raced through our bond, sending a burst of shuddering pleasure through my core.

  We stroked him tog
ether, letting him down gently as our tongues mingled along his tip. Mal's grip on me loosened and he leaned back on the sofa, his head tossed back as his chest heaved. Vanessa withdrew from me and returned to her position behind me. Heavy pants escape my lips as I dropped my head down on Mal's stomach. His hands massaged my hair, digging firmly in my scalp and raking downward over my shoulders. Vanessa's harsh purrs brought deep pulses of relaxation that washed over my shoulders. I kissed along Mal's abdomen, tracing the lines of his muscles. He flexed beneath me and a growly sigh escaped him. Our bonds thrummed inside me, both green and red, cooled and calm as if they too enjoyed the connection.

  Mal slipped his hands under my arms and lifted me to him, I wrapped myself around him as he embraced me. Vanessa followed my movement and knelt on the sofa beside us. He drew his gaze from me and eyed her. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her into our embrace. I hugged both of my mates, flesh on flesh upon flesh. My skin seared and my body threatened climax just from the triple connection. I quivered and Vanessa bit lightly down on my shoulder at the same time Mal gripped my rear. That was all it took to send me over the edge and I gasped, tossing my head back and exploded between them, with barely so much as a caress against most sensitive parts. I collapsed again between my mates, hugging, breathlessly, on to both of them. Vanessa's purrs rattled the sofa and we melted into a blissful, wordless afterglow that required no explanation.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  I woke up on the carpet beside the hearth nestled between my naked mates under the weight of furs and blankets. The early morning sun burned through the kitchen windows. I squinted as I rolled onto my back. Mal didn't stir but Vanessa moved with me. She tucked her head under my chin, draping her arm across my middle with fingertips grazing my thigh. Xany and Caden weren't in the house, the pack bonds allowed me that much. Images of the previous night flashed through my mind and I covered my face with my hands as the intensity set alight the burning embers of my core. It really happened, and not by accident either. What had I started? What if this caused imbalance of our bonds? What if—

  "Shh," Vanessa's hush brushed against my neck.

  "Hmm?"

  "Stop thinking, I'm comfortable," she whispered, giving me a squeeze as her hand slid across my middle, settling above my heat.

  "I'm sorry, baby," I muttered, brushing my lips across her forehead.

  "Mhmm." She sighed deeply and slipped her hand between my thighs, cupping me as she had the night prior. I warmed to her touch and a quiver ran through me.

  "Are you starting something again?" I asked under my breath.

  "Mmm… fun."

  It was fun, is fun. But I couldn't admit that to her yet. She closed her eyes and let her hand rest where it was. Our mate bond stilled as she drifted back to sleep.

  I watched the sunrise beyond the windows, shadowing the kitchen once again. Sometimes it seemed like all I ever did was watch the sun rise and set. For a few solid hours, my mates distracted me away from the horrors of the hospital. Robbie's memory returned to me and flashes of Oliver's eviscerated torso met my mind's eye. I cringed and attempted to push it from my mind. I wondered how Sam was healing, and the little girl. Had she returned to her family? What about Laura? Would she join the Sept? I hoped Barron kept her safe. Maybe Alice would invite her to join them and they would find solace in each other’s company. How much more destruction would Ileana cause before she finally got to me?

  "The thing to know is every word she speaks to you has meaning."

  Kat's voice echoed through my head.

  "The same is to be said of her actions."

  Yeah, but which ones were the most important? Everything she says and does is a riddle. Five and a half humans must die in order for her to heal. Vanessa sensed voodoo magic around her.

  Haven't you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, you're the abomination, Doctor Twofeathers? That Gaia intended to make vampires and dark ones? That you and yours are the mess up? That maybe you came from something else? You've been worshiping the wrong god, Doctor. It's time you figured that out, Ileana's voice raked through my consciousness.

  Actions, her actions mean something. We shot her up in the chest with no resolve. Voodoo magic. Robbie was turned, Laura's once healed arm was broken again. She knows I'm a healer, knows how I healed Laura exactly. Maybe I leave a magical residue as well. The little girl was simply to make me angry. Xany was a victim of opportunity. The only other female Breeder with us and one who shared some of my heritage. Her attack was symbolic of my own. I was a victim of opportunity. Another just to piss me off and threaten. Oliver, his death was different. She tore his heart clear out of his chest, leaving a gaping hole. Where was his heart? We looked for it, no remnants remained in his body. No heart. No heart.

  "No heart." I shot up sitting. "No heart!"

  My mates jolted awake. Vanessa groaned at me but Mal shot to attention, his brow narrowed.

  "Jus' a bad dream," he muttered, patting my shoulder awkwardly.

  "No, Mal. I'm awake. She has no heart!"

  "I do so." Vanessa frowned at me.

  "No, no. Not you. Ileana, she has no heart. That's what she was telling me when she killed Oliver. She tore out his heart, cleanly, with nothing left behind. Ness, can voodoo magic remove a heart?" My own heart thundered in my ears. This was right, it had to be. Her words and actions meant everything. Worshipping the wrong god. Voodoo practices work with spirits and sometimes dark magic.

  "Probably." She rubbed her eyes, dropping her head in her hands. "What are you talking about?"

  "Ileana." I looked between them. "She used some sort of voodoo magic to remove her own heart. We can't stake her because she has no heart to be staked. It makes perfect sense!"

  "You sound like Xany, love," Mal said, his voice deep and raspy. "Slow down."

  "Xany! We should call her. And Caden to let them know we figured it out."

  "Shawnee," Vanessa whined and dropped back on the pillows.

  "We haven't figured anything out yet." Mal gripped my elbow and tugged me to sit beside him. "Start over, since the first time you began while we were unconscious."

  "Okay." I took a deep breath. "Ileana doesn't have a heart. She used voodoo magic to remove it somehow. That's why she tore out Oliver's heart. That was the message."

  "How can you be sure?" asked Vanessa.

  "I can't be but it's safe to assume." I glanced between them. "It makes sense."

  Mal leaned his elbow on his knee, mulling things over. He glanced to Vanessa than back to me.

  "I know very little about voodoo or dark magics. Is it possible?" he asked.

  "Yeah, anything is. She would need a heart to live regardless. She's not undead." Vanessa yawned during the latter.

  "How can you keep a heart alive outside a body?" Mal asked. I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or serious.

  "Magic," Vanessa answered simply.

  "So she could have used some sort of dark magic to remove her heart and shove it in some sort of vault fifty leagues under the sea or something?" I gawked.

  "Sure. Why not." Vanessa flopped back on the pillows. The blankets remained draped across her middle as she sprawled out in all her naked glory. Her image had me staring for a moment.

  "That's some fairytale bullshit right there," Mal said, pulling his hair back into a ponytail. I swatted his arm.

  "Leave it down," I said.

  "Why? You like me looking like an old school Indian?" He wagged his brows at me.

  "Yes, I do, in fact." I smirked and he pulled me into a hug. "Might as well make our own fairytale if vampires can create theirs."

  "If what you're saying is true, Shawnee, we'll have to find her heart in order to kill her," said Vanessa as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

  "If it is true, it's probably why she hasn't been killed already," I added. "If she's treating me this way, and she's centuries old, she's treated others the same way."

  "Agreed."
Mal nodded. "Today is Christmas," he said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Merry Christmas."

  "Merry Christmas." I kissed his cheek. "And to you, too, ginger brat cat." I nudged Vanessa with my foot. She laughed and swatted my leg.

  "Happy Christmas," she said.

  "Are you sure you don't want to go to your mother's house, baby? We need to tell the others what we suspect anyway."

  "I'm sure."

  "Are you really sure? Because you don't sound sure," said Mal, a smirk tugging the corner of his mouth.

  "I'm really sure."

  "Are you really really sure?" He egged her on.

  "No." She pouted at him.

  "Then we can go, Red. C'mon." Mal bopped her with a pillow. Why wasn't today as awkward as last time? Don't get me wrong, I was very grateful for it. "We can talk to your mom about what Shawnee thinks of the heartless fairytale leech."

  "Fine." Vanessa rolled to her feet and sauntered off down the hall. The bathroom door clicked shut behind her.

  "Oh boy," I said. "We're in for a hormonal few months ahead."

  "Sounds like a ride." Mal simpered and tugged me into a possessive hug.

  "Are you um…okay with everything?" I asked as he moved me to straddle his lap.

  "Are you?" He lifted a brow at me.

  "Yeah," I said on the tails of a nervous laugh. "But you…wolf, I mean…"

  "It's different. Unexpected." He paused. "But still you, it's all you." His hands fell to my hips.

  "That's comforting…I think."

  "Seems she's the only one who knows what she's doing."

  "Tell me about it."

  ***

  An hour later, we were showered and ready to head to Ireland. Mal joined me in the kitchen as I tied on my trainers. A white button down shirt had his skin almost glowing.

  "Well, aren't you fancy," I said, grinning at him.

  "Thank you, thank you, I try." He tugged on his collar like it was a tuxedo and I laughed. Vanessa emerged from my bedroom in a pair of black jeans that she fastened below her small rounded belly, and a gray sweater that was clearly too big to belong to her.