Claimed by Fae_MMF Paranormal Romance

by Lisa Gardiner

  “It’s all right, really. I’ll drink the black coffee.” She reached out and took the mug, had a sip, made another face.

  Arlan laughed. “You hate it. Hey, I’ll tell you what. You get dressed, and we’ll go to the market. It’ll be fun.”

  “Sure. There’s just one problem.” “What?”

  “I need some caffeine first.”

  Arlan laughed. He settled in the chair opposite her and put sugar in his mug, lifted an eyebrow to ask if she wanted any, and she nodded. She scrunched up her face as she took the first sip.

  “Tastes terrible, huh?”

  She grimaced again. They sat drinking in silence for a minute.

  “I feel bad I haven’t spent more time just the two of us,” Arlan said. “I mean, as a zoologist. You must be enjoying yourself with Kruger. Doing all that research? I’d have loved to see those new cubs.”

  “It’s fine. I kind of understand that you’re a magic warrior and all as well as a zoologist. You’re a genuine Warrior of the Light. It’s something to be very proud of.”

  He shrugged. “It pretty much sucks when you have so little power you can’t control anything.”

  She pushed hair back from her face and took another sip of coffee. “I get that. Maybe the three of us can fix it, eventually.”

  He wanted to turn the talk away from magic and talk about their shared love of science instead. “Have you and Kruger seen many big cats lately, besides lions?”

  Her face lit up. “Yes, we saw a leopard in a tree. He was crouched on a branch, eating an impala.” “Leopards kill impalas by suffocation so the prey doesn’t make noise and attract other predators.

  They need to climb the trees to eat so lions and hyenas won’t steal their kill from them.”

  Her lip quirked slightly, and he silently cursed himself for telling her stuff she would already know. “Sorry, indulge me. I try to talk to Jay about this stuff, and he just looks bored.”

  August laughed, and he smiled. Her laugh always sounded like a bubbling brook and made him want to laugh with her and then kiss her senseless.

  “I get that you’re really in love with Jay.” August covered her mouth with her hand as if she’d never meant the words to slip out.

  “Would you be weirded out if I told you I’m in love with both of you?”

  She blinked and set her cup down. He’d never seen a person so startled and surprised His brain chastised him. Wrong time. Stupid…stupid…stupid.

  “I thought this was casual sex to make the sex magic work, to save the prisoners. You don’t have to say stuff like that.”

  “I’m not saying it. I mean it. But I think you’re in love with Jay.”

  “I do have strong feelings for him.” She put her hands over her eyes. A heavy weight settled in his chest. “I see.”

  “No, Arlan I don’t think you do. All my life, I’ve listened to my mom bitch about how she hasn’t met her two fated mates yet and blah, blah, blah. She had a girlfriend from the Half-Fae Network that she believed had found her fated mates, and for weeks she couldn’t stop talking about it. She seemed consumed with jealousy, and she never talked to the woman again.

  “All this business about the full fae living in ménage relationships, fated mates et cetera… I’d come to think of it as just more of her bullshit you know? But…” She shrugged.

  “Now you’ve met us, and you’re not so sure?”

  She smiled at him, her soft blue-gray eyes conveying even more than her words. “Now…I’m not so sure.”

  It wasn’t until he exhaled that he realized he’d been holding his breath for her answer. “The thing is, I don’t feel any…you know…telepathy with you guys, or anything.”

  “Well, from what I’ve read, that kind of thing only happens when one of your fated mates is in extreme danger. Possibly you need the help of the blue spirit stone as well.”

  “The blue spirit stone? What’s that?”

  “Pure turquoise. It’s said to have magic properties among the fae.”

  “Even growing up with a dark-fae mother, I really don’t think of myself as fae at all, you know, or maybe that’s the main reason that the older I got, the more I avoided anything to do with magic, the more I studied my mortal subjects at school to try to get good enough grades to earn a living and move out. Not that I earn much of anything tutoring, but I make enough for the essentials.”

  You don’t need to worry about money. We have more than enough, and it’s yours, every penny.

  She played with the spoon in her coffee cup, obviously too shy to look up at him. “The connection between the three of us is… It’s intense. It’s something I want to explore more. That is, if Jay can ever get over his hang-ups.”

  “I still can’t believe you didn’t get angry or upset over the two of us kissing. I’m sorry that happened. We’re working on this project together, and I want you to be included in everything, and I want you to feel safe.”

  “Hey, I’ve had plenty of gay and bisexual men around me in my life. I’m a New Yorker. I’ve also heard plenty of talk about fae and ménage relationships, even if I never believed all of it.”

  “But still, August…”

  “It’s so not an issue with me. In fact, as I said”—her lips quirked a little, and she blushed— “it’s positively a huge turn-on.”

  His balls tightened, and his cock turned to steel at her words and her smile. Breath bottled up in his chest, hope that he was afraid to hold on to. But he wouldn’t ask her about her feelings for him. Not yet. “That makes some sense now that I think about it. That you’re turned on, I mean. If full-blooded fae live in these relationships, the female would be turned on at the sight of the males making love.”

  “It does. That’s part of why I think this is really possible.”

  “My reaction to you was so strong when I met you. I thought at first maybe you were using magic on me, like my ex Silvara did. Then it finally hit me that you were our third.” He squeezed her hand, stroked his finger against her palm. “But unfortunately, Jay has issues.”

  “No kidding. But actually, dude, he has a point on one level.” “What’s that?”

  She touched his arm. “Well, it is illegal in this country, Arlan.”

  Arlan blinked. “You mean gay and bisexual sex? Yeah, Jay told me he wove protection spells around us to protect us. But he’s only a half fae. To be honest, I thought he was fooling himself about how powerful his magic is.” Arlan shrugged. “Other times he’d say he could only do culinary magic, so he contradicted himself.”

  August shook her head. “Jay told me you were tough but naive. Too involved with your animals and your own research and worries about the kidnapped children to notice the rest of what goes on in the world.”

  “Jay said that?”

  “Goodness, Arlan, how do you think you guys have managed to avoid detection and trouble? Don’t you read the paper? Haven’t you read what Mugabe has to say about homosexuality? That it’s unnatural and degrades human dignity?”

  “Of course, I read the paper. I just thought that… I guess I thought my being a Warrior of the Light protected me in some way, because we’ve never had any problems.”

  August took another small sip of her coffee, then set the cup back in its saucer. “Well I suspect it’s Jay that’s been protecting you. I think he may be more powerful than you realize. My guess is he’s been using magic to protect you all this time, and it’s been a strain on him.”

  Guilt twisted in his gut, and she seemed to notice his distress. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Arlan. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m only guessing. It’s an issue between you and Jay.”

  “No. You could be right, and if that’s true, it’s something I need to talk to him about. There have been far too many secrets, in this house already. I don’t want to keep secrets from my fated mates.”

  As soon as he said it, a vision of eleven-year-old Gus flashed before him in his mind, and he winced at his own hypocrisy. His stoma
ch clenched, and he let go of her hand.

  She frowned “What’s wrong?”

  “I was just thinking how fast scorching sex can turn into searing-hot guilt.”

  She shook her head. “You’re still feeling guilty about kissing Jay? Seriously? I told you… Or is it about Jay? You feel guilty about what you feel for me because of Jay?”

  Tell her the truth now, asshole.

  But his mouth still couldn’t form the words. He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing more pain and hate in those beautiful blue-gray eyes.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tendrils of hair clung to the sweat on the back of August’s neck. The memory of the back view of Arlan, the muscles of his golden ass clenched as he passionately kissed his gorgeous, dark lover, would never leave her mind. Jay’s hand had been wrapped in Arlan’s hair, pulling him demandingly close…

  Arlan brought her attention back to the present when he stopped, put his hand on her shoulder and pointed to a handsome white rhino grazing, his powerful molars cropping the brittle yellow grass. His dull gray hide blended perfectly with the dusty vegetation he fed on. Arlan clapped his hands to let the creature know he was passing, not wanting to surprise the beast. She admired the effect of perspiration shimmering on Arlan’s muscular shoulders, bared by his sleeveless T-shirt.

  Farther along, Arlan stopped to take a few pictures of a purple her on with his phone.

  Lavender jacaranda petals lay in cascades across their path as they walked through the market hand in hand. His fingers were so wide, there was a hint of pain as they stretched hers, but the strength of his big hand felt comforting. Made her feel safe.

  Unfortunately, as they finally got near the market, the heady honey smell of the jacaranda trees didn’t smother the stench. Fresh kills, the carcasses still oozing, made her nose wrinkle. August thought it might be elephant flesh; it didn’t smell like any meat she knew of.

  A woman wearing a traditional headdress and beads and a worn denim skirt seemed to be following them. She finally held out a hand. “Please, lady.”

  Arlan reached in the pocket of his shorts and pulled out a handful of Zimbabwe dollars. “Maita zvenyu.”

  “Unotendei? Zvakanaka.” The woman walked away, her flip-flops slapping in the red dust.

  “I thought you weren’t supposed to give money to beggars. I mean, it says in the guidebooks they can mob you.”

  His green eyes held a hint of arrogance. “Do I look worried?”

  No. No, she supposed he wouldn’t be worried. He was all alpha, a Warrior of the Light and a were-lion. He had little to fear.

  “So, you two go to this market a lot, you and Jay?”

  “Not usually for food and drink, ’cause Jay magics it up, but we like to support people here by buying this and that. I know a guy here that sells milk. I’ll get some other stuff from him, make him happy.” He winked, and that slow smile she’d come to love lit the green and gold in his eyes. Her own lips curved in response, and a sweet peace filled her mind.

  He took her hand and they walked on. August stopped to peek at a stall filled with colorful flat shoes decorated with traditional Zimbabwean patterns. When the man started pushing her to buy, Arlan held up a hand, and she smiled at the man apologetically. Arlan bought a small dyed rucksack the man was also selling.

  “Lady, best shoes in the area, you buy now,” the man tried again, blocking her exit from his stall. Arlan made a low growling sound in his throat, and the man backed off, wide eyed. August grinned at the unexpected hint of his were-lion showing through.

  With one hand on her shoulder, Arlan steered her through the crowds. They passed stalls selling thick black twist tobacco, baskets, carvings and Shona sculpture. A woman was selling painted wooden masks. She had only rough wooden crates to display them on. A little boy about five was rolling a tiny metal car along the top of the crate. August frowned. They both seemed familiar.

  “Nhamo.” The woman dropped the mask she had been holding and swore. Arlan bent and picked it up. “Nice work.”

  The woman stared at him, her expression filled with awe. “I-I…”

  “Hello, Mukuru.”

  The child stopped playing and stared at him. “How’d you know my name?”

  Arlan just smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair, then picked up about ten masks. “I’ll take these.” Nhamo’s mouth dropped open. Arlan lifted his shirt and took some money out of the pouch around his waist.

  Nhamo gulped. “Thanks, boss,” she managed.

  Mukuru suddenly ran up to August, his toy car clutched in his fist. “Look, it’s a car. It’s blue.” Nhamo smiled. “Been teaching him English.”

  August crouched down. “It’s a pretty cool car.”

  Mukuru threw his arms around her legs. “I like you. You’re pretty.” August laughed, heat rising to her cheeks. “Thanks.”

  Nhamo suddenly made eye contact with Arlan. “I’m expecting another baby. I’ve heard rumors good people are trying to find the tower. The were-lion and his friends. I pray they can find it before I have my baby.” She grabbed his hand. “Please, if you know anything about these things, if you’re the… If you know anything, please don’t let them take the baby.”

  Arlan blanched. “The rumors you heard are true. There are good half-fae trying, Nhamo. That’s all I can tell you. They’re trying.”

  August’s heart went out to the woman. She gulped a lump forming in her throat, and all she could think to do was smile and nod. Arlan put the masks into the rucksack, put it on his back, and they continued on.

  When they came to a jewelry stall, August slowed to a halt. Arlan hugged her from behind, his arms safe and warm around her, as she looked over the items. Her gaze was immediately drawn to a stunning turquoise pendant on a silver chain. Arlan drew in a sharp breath.

  “What?” She wriggled around in his arms to face him. “I have to buy this for you.”

  “What? No, you don’t.” “Don’t you like it?”

  “It’s gorgeous, but really, I was just window shopping.” She set the pendant back down. “I’m saving money to rent a bigger apartment when I get home. I’m not buying jewelry and stuff right now.”

  “August,” Arlan said through gritted teeth, “are you going to take a gift from me, or do I have to spank you when I get home?”

  His words sent lust curving deep in her belly. Blood rushed to her cheeks. “Boss, you buy for the lady. Very good quality. The best!”

  Any white man here was called “boss”. It made August cringe a bit, but it was standard. “You don’t need to buy me anything.” Even as she said it, a wave of pleasure swept through her at the thought that he wanted to.

  Arlan tilted his head. “When reading about the fae, have you ever read about the blue spirit stone?”

  “The what?”

  “A turquoise stone of this exact color, this pretty robin’s-egg blue, is considered a spirit stone. It is said that if the stone is worn by the fae, it can help them bond with their true fated mates. Fae call it the blue spirit stone.”

  “I… Like I said, you don’t need to buy me anything.”

  Arlan pulled her close. “Listen to me.” He captured her chin in his hand and tilted it up so she had to look at him. “In the short time I’ve known you, you’ve become the most important person in the world to me other than Jay. I believe you’re our third, our woman, our fated mate. I want you to be with us.”

  Her heart beat so fast, she was sure everyone in the market could hear it. He gently traced her lower lip with his thumb. His sensual touch and his intensity made her positively melt. He truly wanted her. Her heart was lost. It simply slid out and dropped at his feet. Her tongue was too thick for speech.

  “Boss, boss?”

  Arlan broke away and paid the man. He took the necklace, then, putting his hands on her hips, he turned her body a little and draped the chain around her neck, lifting her braid and fastening the clasp at the back. She breathed in his scent of cedarwood and musk.

 
; He pressed his mouth to the side of her neck, warm against her flushed skin. His tongue flicked over her earlobe. His hands on her waist, he spun her round and kissed her face, slow and sweet, cheekbones, eyelids, the corners of her eyes. She heard the low whistles around her and didn’t care about the public display.

  Finally, he brushed his lips over hers. The drugging taste of him flooded her body, made her knees week. He tilted his head, deepened the kiss. The longer the sweet torment went on, the wetter she became.

  Slam! A bolt of pain exploded on her shin, forcing her to push back and break the kiss. “Fucking hell!” Her hand went down to her bruised leg. “What was that?”

  Arlan pulled her back into the jewelry stall and pointed. Just up ahead, she saw what he was gesturing to, a young boy pushing the hand cart that had grazed her.

  “You okay?”

  “I guess we we’re blocking the path. Yeah, I’m okay, just a little bruised.” She gazed up into Arlan’s beloved face. He reminded her of her father in a way. He had Donald Peak’s fine qualities— warmth, integrity and kindness. The one thing he had that her father had not was bravery. Arlan tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, his expression full of concern. “Poor baby. That was my fault for being a dumb ass and kissing you in the middle of moving traffic.”

  “So, this blue spirit stone, it’s supposed to help connect fated mates? Do you think it can help us with our problem with Jay?”

  Arlan shrugged. “Magic is unpredictable. And it might just be a silly superstition. But I wanted to buy it for you. Will you accept it?”

  She couldn’t find words to answer him.

  “It’s supposed to strengthen the psychic intuition between mates. Help warn one when another is in danger, that kind of thing. I want you to take it, August. I want you to accept it willingly.”

  She swallowed. “Thanks again. It’s beautiful.” A simple lift of his brow was his you’re welcome. She glanced down at the pendant, rubbing her finger over the stone. “Are you worrying about Jay right now as much as I am?”

  “I’m trying not to, trying to just enjoy the time alone with you. He’s such a damn closet case.” Depression crashed down on her without warning. She should be happy just to be with Arlan now.