Rookery Cove: The Keythong’s Blaze

by Emma Ray Garrett

  “Agreed.” The phoenix was pleased by the request, but the human ground her teeth. The only advantage she had now was her speed and surprise. A small part of her wanted to giggle as images of the three of them fighting naked flashed in her mind, but the phoenix’s focus was complete.

  Thwack!

  Her fist shot out, connecting with Viktor’s nose too quick for human eyes to follow. Okibi followed the punch through, leaning to her right, and pulling her left leg up and bending the knee. Muscles rippled along her thigh and calf as she extended her leg, foot flashing through the air, and landed a swift, hard kick to Branimir’s chin seconds after striking Viktor. Okibi snapped her body back into a standing position before spinning away in a flurry of flips and twists designed to keep her attackers from getting close. Her opening blows and maneuvering were over in less than a minute.

  “Son of a bitch!” Viktor cursed, lifting a hand to wipe the blood from his nose. Branimir rubbed his jaw, working it about. A trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth, and Okibi smiled. First blood was hers.

  She smirked. “I’ll kiss it better, if you want. After you lose, of course.”

  “Damn straight.” Viktor’s cock twitched and thickened between his legs. He looked to Branimir, watching the other man’s cock engorge with blood. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. What if she tears off our cocks?

  Branimir laughed out loud. “Then we’ll be in a lot of trouble.”

  Pheromones rolled off Okibi, lifted on the breeze, encircling Viktor. He saw Branimir’s nostrils flare and knew he’d caught her scent, too. A powerful surge of testosterone through his blood took Viktor by surprise. His inner warrior wanted to pound his chest, proving himself in such a bestial way filling him with pride and desire. Regardless that this test wasn’t about dominance or submission of the sexual kind, Viktor’s cock pulsed and his blood ran hot.

  With a sidelong glance to Branimir, Viktor rushed Okibi. She whirled, as he’d expected, and he stifled a groan when the side of her hand struck him hard at the base of the neck. He took the blow and fell to his knees, his left hand wrapping around her ankle and pulling her off balance in the process. She hit the ground with a thud, but didn’t stay there.

  Another flash of her arm, and her fist struck him just above the elbow, releasing his grip. She kicked her legs out and up, whipping herself off the ground and back upright before his arm started to tingle. Viktor growled, jumping to his feet. They faced each other for a moment before arms and legs flew in a flurry of blows, parried and returned. Viktor nailed her in the stomach, but Okibi barely flinched, a guttural grunt and a soft hiss her only reactions. She retorted with a harsh backhand to his right cheek, snapping his head to the side.

  “Bitch!” She laughed and danced away. Right into Branimir.

  Branimir had watched her attack Viktor, impressed with her form and fluidity. Viktor was better at hand-to-hand combat, so while he’d kept Okibi distracted, Branimir had planned an attack.

  While her attention was diverted, Branimir swooped in and caught her about the waist. Before Okibi could react, he spun her around and threw her over his shoulder, like a sack of potatoes.

  She squealed in outrage, her legs and arms thrashing. Branimir tightened his arms around her thighs and slid her higher onto his shoulder, hoping her position was awkward enough to gain him some leverage. Her fingers dug into his sides, her nails tearing his skin, but he held on for dear life. His back exploded with pain when she landed two solid blows to his kidneys, but Branimir refused to let go.

  Then he saw stars and hit the ground, out cold.

  “Damn it!” Okibi roared her outrage. She’d connected a lightning strike with her elbow to the back of Branimir’s neck, knocking him out, but in the process she’d failed to move clear of his bulk. Now, she was trapped beneath his body, the air forced out of her when he’d fallen to the ground and squashed her. On her back, her face in the small of his back, she levered her hips off the ground and rolled, using all of her strength. If she’d had her telekinetics, getting the oaf off would’ve been simple. Finally, with one last shove, Okibi rolled Branimir away.

  Only to be covered by Viktor.

  “Get off of me!” Okibi bellowed her rage, and Viktor hid a smile.

  He trapped her wrists in his hands, his fists tightly wrapped around each one, pressing them hard to the earth beneath them. He slammed his weight atop Okibi’s wildly bucking form, riding each roll of her pelvis and jerk of her limbs with careful balance. Losing his advantage now meant losing the whole thing.

  Viktor spread his legs, pinning her calves to the ground with his heavily muscled thighs. The difference in their height meant his groin wasn’t nearly close enough to press to hers, but he also didn’t have to stretch uncomfortably to hold her body pinned beneath him.

  Okibi looked up at him, seething and unwilling to surrender. Branimir groaned and she snarled at Viktor. “I beat him.” There was truth in her words, but neither the phoenix nor Viktor agreed with it. Yes and no. Didn’t finish. The dark-haired one is a draw. The fair one bested us. Okibi fumed, so pissed off and squished, she couldn’t breathe. She lifted her head from the ground and snapped her teeth at Viktor. He pulled back but didn’t release her.

  “Maybe for a moment, phoenix. But you didn’t finish with Bran. And I’ve bested you. Submit.”

  She opened her mouth, determined to tell him where he could stick his submission. “I concede.” The phoenix spoke. The air rang with a soundless knell. Power flowed through Okibi, draining the fight from her before shimmering over Viktor and outward to Branimir. One more test passed. Only the fire remained.

  Chapter 13

  Branimir shook his head to clear the muzzy feeling. He looked up to see Viktor straddling an infuriated Okibi. Viktor smiled roguishly and Okibi went limp beneath him. Branimir struggled to a sitting position before crawling the few feet to his lovers. Lovers. That word struck him deep, the rightness of it filling him up.

  A wave of power rolled out from Okibi, and the hair on his body stood at attention. They’d passed. Jubilation and fear crowded Branimir’s thoughts. He needed to prepare himself for what would come next.

  “Okibi.”

  “What?” The warmth of Branimir’s voice tripped all her triggers, turning the rush of anger and adrenaline into a churning storm of lust.

  “Tell me about the final stage of Kokugen Nenshou.” His long fingers sifted through her short hair, soothing and stirring. She shook her head to dislodge him, wriggling beneath Viktor to no avail.

  “It’s simple. The next time we have sex, you have to draw the phoenix out, basically dividing my soul and raising the phoenix alone. If she finds you lacking, you’ll burn to death. If not, she’ll take a bit of your essence and leave some of hers behind, and we’ll be bound, mind and body and heart.”

  “That’s it?” Viktor’s warm eyes burned into Okibi.

  “Yeah. That’s it. You live or die. And there’s not a damn thing I can do about it but watch. And smell the acrid, disgusting odor of burning flesh.” Okibi’s breath froze in her chest. Her eyes welled and she was overcome with the feeling of being trapped. “Get off.”

  Viktor eased his grip, but didn’t release her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Get off of me, Viktor.” She held back unshed tears and tried to jerk her hands free. Though loosened, his hold was still firm. She needed room to breathe, to try and assimilate the chaotic mix of feelings rising in her chest, her mind.

  “Just calm down, phoenix. Nobody wants to die, but Branimir and I are big boys. We accept whatever happens.” Viktor’s eyes were kind, his tone soothing, and Okibi couldn’t take another minute. The battle was done; she was free to use her powers once more.

  Her eyes flashed and Viktor sailed through the air. She was careful not to slam him down, rather controlling his descent and settling him safely on the grass a hundred or so feet away. Leaping to her feet, she focused her ability on Branimir, freezing him in place when he
’d have reached for her.

  “I’m glad you’re so accepting! But I’m not! Gods damn the two of you! I can’t stand the idea of watching one of you, both of you, die!” Fat, hot drops of emotion slid down her face unchecked. Knowing she’d said too much, fearing what Viktor and Branimir might infer -- emotions she wasn’t sure she felt yet -- Okibi turned and ran.

  “Okibi, wait!” Branimir tried to get off the ground, but his body might as well have been glued to the earth. It wasn’t until after Okibi had completely disappeared into the tall pines that her power lifted and he regained mobility. “Damn it. I’m going after her.” He dusted his ass off, growling to himself as he moved to follow her.

  “No, Bran. I’ll go.” Viktor’s strong palm pressed to Branimir’s chest, holding him back. “I need to go.”

  “Okay. But why?” Amber eyes met orange, a shadow passing through them before Viktor looked away.

  “Because you don’t understand what’s eating her like I do.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean? I understand loss as well as anyone.”

  “It’s not about loss. It’s about having no control.”

  Branimir opened his mouth to retort, though nothing came out. Viktor was right, he didn’t know anything about losing control, or about wanting it but not being able to find it or retain it.

  He nodded to Viktor, his own warm hand covering the other man’s on his chest. The tension between them thickened and Branimir wiggled his eyebrows lasciviously. Viktor laughed before leaning close and pressing his lips to Branimir’s.

  Strong arms and thick muscles wound around broad bodies, as the two enjoyed a carnal embrace. The rough caress of Viktor’s five o’clock shadow against Branimir’s smooth jaw pulled groans from both of them. Two dominant tongues dueled for supremacy, each man mimicking, with subtle strokes and deep thrusts, the strength of their need for each other.

  Viktor pulled away first, his breath unsteady. “When we return, you should be ready for the final stage.”

  “Be careful, Viktor. You know…”

  “Yeah, I do too.” Love shone in his eyes, bright and clean. Branimir gave the emotions back tenfold to his lover, watching Viktor head into the forest. Gods, please. I can’t lose him. If one of us must fail, let it be me.

  * * *

  Okibi ran until her legs burned, her throat was raw, the metallic taste of blood flooding her mouth, and her lungs couldn’t bellow another breath. She sagged against the trunk of the nearest tree, the rough bark abrading her uncovered flesh, and wondered how far from home, from the men, she was. Rookery Cove wasn’t a very large island, but the thickness of the forest surrounding her offered no glimpse of homes, people, the manufacturing plant, or the ocean.

  She let the bubble of emotion burst, unable to hold back. The tears fell while an agonized roar of uncontrolled rage and desperation tore itself free. Okibi wailed in an earthy, elemental way, trying to relieve the pressure, hoping to regain her focus. Floundering was new to Okibi and she didn’t like it one bit.

  Sinking to the damp ground, she laid her forehead against her knees. She dug her fingers into the earth, body shuddering until she’d released enough turmoil to come back to herself, at least nominally. Exhausted, she sniffed and opened swollen eyes to find Viktor standing opposite her, quietly watching her meltdown.

  “Go away.” Okibi winced at the whiny tone and hid her face in the crook of her right arm.

  “No.” Viktor shifted slightly on his feet, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “You know, I’m getting tired of hearing you say that.” Okibi swiped her palms over her eyes.

  “Maybe you haven’t heard it enough.” His low voice rumbled, tickling her senses. She narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Maybe you’re a little slow. I want to be alone. Are you in such a hurry to burn again?” Viktor’s nostrils flared and Okibi’s mouth turned up in a nasty grin.

  “I don’t think I’ll burn.” A part of Viktor laughed at the phoenix. Her reactions were absolutely predictable because they were identical to what his would be in her place. When backed into a corner, one must lash out, get angry, vent, fight, then cram the cork back into the bottle once more.

  “I’ll buy that. You don’t think. Neither of you think. Why the hell did he come here? Why did you let him?”

  “Our women --”

  “I don’t want to hear the statistical facts of male to female ratios. Cut the bullshit and tell me the truth!”

  “He’s been fascinated by you for a long time, Okibi.” He laughed softly. “Humanity may be clueless, but supernatural beings keep track of each other, more or less. Your family’s power and nobility is well known. When Bran heard you’d chosen to come here, he was determined to find some way to get on this island.”

  “But why?”

  “You have all the qualities a keythong looks for in a mate. Strength, intelligence, grace, but most of all you have honor and dedication. You’d be right there by his side, defending our people, offering guidance. And he’ll do the same for you.”

  “Say I buy your bullshit. What the hell do you get out of it?” She wasn’t sure she believed Viktor, but she couldn’t deny he had integrity. She noted he seemed uncomfortable answering her, yet he trudged on.

  “I get a woman who mirrors my passionate nature, who understands that in battle we do horrible things. Who’ll fight with me and forgive me when I lash out, because she does too. And I get the man I’ve loved since I was a boy.”

  Inside Okibi preened at his words, but outside she sneered. “Wonderful.”

  “What is it that’s really bothering you, Okibi? The fact that you’ll most likely be mated in the next day, possibly to two males, or the fact that you have no power to stop it?”

  Chapter 14

  “Fuck you, Viktor.”

  “Gladly.”

  Okibi narrowed her eyes at him. His cock stood at attention, so the possibility of fucking was there. But his observation of what was really tearing her up stung her pride. She wasn’t easily read.

  More than that, Okibi Rowe never buckled under pressure. She never gave in. Viktor was right, though. She had no control over what happened next and it thoroughly pissed her off.

  “No thanks. Since you can’t take the hint, I’ll go.” Pulling herself off the moist earth, Okibi dusted her derriere and turned away from Viktor. Without looking back, she started deeper into the greenery.

  “No.” Two massive hands wrapped around her upper arms, jerking her off her feet and back into an equally impressive chest. Her temper, ever on the edge of boiling over, flared and she lashed out, her right heel landing with a satisfying thud against Viktor’s shin.

  “Damn it, Okibi!” Viktor shoved her forcefully into the nearest tree, pressing his body to hers, holding her firmly in place. Rough bark scratched her bare skin, the little pain only heightening Okibi’s passion. When he thrust one powerful knee between her slightly spread legs, making room for his large body, fitting his throbbing cock into the cleft of her ass, Okibi melted. Her pussy liquefied; sweat broke out on her upper lip, pheromones pouring from her flesh. She couldn’t give in without a fight, but in her current position, Viktor had the advantage.

  Sliding his hands down her arms, Viktor yanked them over her head by the wrists. He wasn’t careful when he locked one hand around both of hers, effectively immobilizing Okibi from the waist up. She screeched, trying to escape his hold, to no avail. He’d held Branimir in this position more than once.

  Viktor sensed her calling on her telekinetic power. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to her neck before biting the place where shoulder met throat, sinking his teeth deep enough to mark her without drawing blood. Her entire body went limp and Okibi whimpered. The smell of her musk ascended amidst the heat between them, and Viktor growled in response, slipping his cock from her ass to the slippery space between her thighs.

  “Sometimes when it seems like you have no control at all is when you actually have all the control
. Tell me what to do, Okibi, and I’ll do it. Open up to me.” He whispered the words against her skin, squeezing his eyes closed when her body shivered, the slick lips of her sex gliding along the aching length of his cock.

  “Make me forget.” Her broken voice affected his desire more potently than any come hither look or insinuating motion. Viktor ground himself against her heat, his chest pressing hard to her back. He brought his free hand up, savoring the texture of her silky skin, moving it between her body and the tree to cup her breast. Shifting, he laid a trail of kisses along her shoulders to her other ear, plunging his tongue inside, nipping the lobe with strong teeth.

  “Yes.” Her husky sigh made the world hold its breath. Viktor found her engorged nipple, circling the taut skin of the areola before taking the hardened nub between his thumb and forefinger. He pulled it, twisted it gently, pinched it, felt his mouth water to taste it.

  Okibi moaned and thrust her hips as best she could back at Viktor. Her clit bumped against the head of his cock and desire wept from her body. A sharp, biting edginess tore through her. She needed more. Before Viktor totally wiped her brain, she flicked a mental rope around his mass and jerked him from her.

  “Hey!” Viktor landed with a soft oomph a few feet behind her. Before he could get angry, though, Okibi leapt onto his prone body, sinking her fingers into his hair and covering his lips with hers.

  Passion, savage and sublime, consumed them. His hands gripped her scalp, pulling her short hair as he plunged his tongue deep into the warm recesses of her mouth. Okibi met him stroke for stroke, her nails scoring his neck and shoulders as she tried to climb into him.