“Remind me not to piss you off,” Leukos laughed, the sound quickly morphing into a coughing fit, he was shocked to find blood on his hand. “What…?” he said, feeling light-headed. It was getting more and more difficult to breathe.
Then Magnar and Claire were looking down at him. Both of them looked concerned. In fact, Claire was saying something. “What am I doing down here?”
Leukos tried to stand.
“Don’t do that.” Magnar’s voice broke through his haze. “Stay down. We’ve got you. Claire is an expert at this.”
“I’m not,” he heard her say. She sounded…upset. Why was she upset? “This is no time for joking around.”
Then he passed out.
* * *
Later that day…
The bedsheets rustled as he moved. “He’s waking up,” Claire yelled, unable to contain her excitement.
Magnar leaned forward in his chair. He was sitting next to the bed, his expression grave.
Claire sat up as well, leaning over him. She watched as Leukos’ eyes moved beneath his eyelids.
“I think he’s just dreaming,” Magnar announced, still scrutinizing Leukos.
“No,” she shook her head, “he tried to open his eyes. I saw his eyelids flutter. There!” she shouted. “It happened again.”
“I think you might just be right,” Magnar muttered
Leukos opened his eyes a crack and shut them again.
“There…it happened again!” she yelled.
“I saw.” Magnar sounded just as excited.
“You’re both going to give me a headache,” Leukos croaked. He swallowed thickly. “Come to think of it, I do have a headache.” Only slightly less croaky. “And I’m thirsty.” He opened his eyes, which looked out of focus. “Why does my chest feel like it’s on fire?”
“Maybe he should go back to sleep,” Magnar said, grinning. “Your complaining is giving me a headache.”
“Stop it!” she widened her eyes at Magnar, catching his grin. He was feeling just as relieved as she was that Leukos was out of the woods. “Here…” Claire held a cup to Leukos’ mouth. She fitted a straw between his lips so that he could drink.
Leukos took a few sips before nodding once. “Thanks.” He groaned softly, sounding like he was in pain. “So, Gabin did hit one of us after all?” He winced as he tried to ease into a more comfortable position. “By the ache in my chest I would say he hit me there.”
“Claire and I got the spear out quite quickly,” Magnar said. “Silver, I’m afraid.”
“That would explain things.” His face was ashen.
“You were out cold for the whole ordeal. Lucky fuck! I, on the other hand, was fully awake. I didn’t pass out once.” From the glint in his eyes, she could see that he was teasing. “Pussy.” He faked a cough.
“You had a shoulder injury,” Claire interjected. “It’s hardly the same.”
“Don’t defend him, sweets. We both took spears to the chest. I stayed conscious, I flew you to safety, I fought off a pack of wolves. I—”
Leukos choked out a chuckle which quickly turned into a hard groan. “You’re full of shit,” he pushed out.
Claire was worried they were about to start fighting when she noticed that Leukos was smiling.
“No…really. It needs to be said…” Magnar was smiling too but it turned serious.
‘Here it comes,’ she thought to herself. ‘They are going to fight.’
“Thank you,” Magnar choked out, “for saving my life. It was a fucking stupid thing to do.”
“You put a target on your chest by stepping forward,” Leukos responded, his voice weak.
“I had no choice. That male was about to…” Magnar’s jaw clenched. “He had Claire,” he finally ground out.
“I felt the same.” Leukos shook his head. “I had no choice either. That spear was pointed at your heart. Besides, I didn’t really give it much thought. I just reacted. If I had contemplated my actions for even a second, I might not have done what I did.” There was a glint in his eyes.
Magnar threw out a chuckle. “Like fuck. You threw yourself in front of a silver spear for me…almost like old times.”
“Almost.” The word hung between them for a while. The mood suddenly shifted. The banter had ended. Things sobered.
“I—” they both began at once.
All three of them laughed.
“You first,” Leukos invited.
“Ekon has lost his mind.” Magnar looked like he was deep in thought. “I’ve noticed cracks forming lately and…there is something not right with the male.”
“Lately? It isn’t just lately, Magnar, and it’s just getting worse.”
Magnar stood up, his expression grave. He paced to the other side of the room, looking out over the view. A full minute later, he strode back, sitting down. He was frowning heavily. “I never noticed anything up until…” He clenched his jaw for a moment. “That’s not entirely true. He says things sometimes…I thought he was joking or being rash. He would always calm down and speak sense again. Ekon rules with an iron fist and can be ruthless but he’s not evil. He’s…” Magnar locked eyes with Claire and then turned back to him, looking dejected. “Are you telling me I’ve served the wrong king all these years?”
“Ekon is clever. He knows when to push and when to back down…at least he used to. I see that isn’t the case anymore.”
The cracks were definitely starting to show. Even Claire had been able to see that.
“That’s why you took the throne.” Magnar rubbed his forehead, looking like someone had just killed his dog. “You knew his mind. What he was thinking.”
Leukos nodded. “He confided in me. He assumed I would be fully on board. I was his twin. His other half. Ekon told me of his plans. He always said that the Feral were the most powerful species. That we deserved to be on top again.”
Magnar nodded. “He has mentioned that a few times.”
“Did he mention that he wants to wage war against the other species? To dominate and force them into joining us with the goal of defeating the humans?”
“No.” Magnar’s frown deepened. “I mean, he’s joked…” he rubbed his chin. “He said things…I assumed…” Magnar looked dejected.
“Ekon believes that humans are far beneath us, like cattle. He wants to make slaves of them. At least, of the ones he allows to live. He has a sick mind.” Leukos closed his eyes looking tired. Claire gasped at the admission. She could believe it after meeting the man.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this back then?” Magnar looked upset. “You should have said something.”
Leukos opened his eyes. “Ekon had you brainwashed. Would you have listened? Would you have believed me?” he whispered. “Be honest.”
Magnar finally shook his head. “I guess not. I would have assumed you were making excuses. I thought you were the evil one. Now I know differently. Ekon played me. Now I have seen first-hand. Ekon has no honor.” Magnar looked stricken for a moment. He bowed his head. “I’m sorry.” Magnar looked Leukos in the eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you and that I ruined the friendship.”
“You didn’t ruin anything.” Leukos smiled. “I just had to wait really long for you to catch a wake-up…as per normal. You’re slow like that.”
“Fuck you,” Magnar bit back, grinning.
Leukos held out his hand. Magnar clasped him at the wrist and Leukos did the same. Both of them were smiling. Claire realized that she was crying. She wiped her eyes.
They let go. “It still leaves us in a predicament,” Leukos said, mirroring her thoughts. “What the hell are we going to do?”
“Oh,” Magnar snorted. “You’re not going back to check out the new batch of humans after all?”
Leukos’ eyes misted. “I was being an idiot. I realized…” His Adam’s apple worked. “I love you, Claire. I’m sorry for putting you through that. I was afraid. You were right.” He turned to Magnar. “I was scared you were going to choose this bas
tard over me. I was certain of it. In a way, I was trying to make it easier for you. I had myself convinced of the outcome. Namely, Magnar being the victor.”
“Hell yeah, I mean, look at me.”
“Stop that.” Claire widened her eyes. “This is a romantic moment.” Her cheeks reddened.
“I suppose I should have waited until we were alone,” Leukos went on. “There will be no other females. There never was anyone else. No one comes close. All I could think about was you, Claire, the entire time. I couldn’t wait to leave.” He licked his lips and pushed out a breath. Leukos was blinking slowly. He’d lost a ton of blood. The healers had said that if the spear had entered a little bit more to the left, his heart would have been pierced and then he may well have died. “That brings me back to my original question. What the hell are the three of us going to do?” He slow blinked again. “We both love you and you’re in love with us right back. Equally, you asshole,” he croaked, looking at Magnar.
“Doubtful!” Magnar smirked and they both laughed. Okay, Magnar laughed and Leukos laugh-coughed. It was surreal to watch. The two of them getting along so well. Magnar sobered first. “I’m glad you raised the question. I might just have a solution.” Magnar developed a naughty smile.
“What kind of a solution?” she asked, feeling skeptical.
“Yes, what my female asked,” Leukos said.
“I think what you meant to say was our female. Ours. Not mine or yours but our. I’ll make it quick, because I can see you’re getting tired. All I ask is that you don’t shoot my plan down…” He looked from her to Leukos and then back again, although his main focus was Leukos. “Promise me you’ll give it some thought first. What I propose is…”
Chapter 34
Five days later…
“What are we supposed to do? How do we begin?” Leukos asked.
“We just start, that’s how.” Magnar chuckled. “There’s a bed…let’s get in it and fuck.”
Claire slapped the side of his arm. “Don’t be so crude.”
“You love it when I’m crude.” Magnar looked taken aback for a moment before grinning. “You know I find hitting and biting kinky…it’s not a punishment to me.” He kissed her. “It’s a turn on.” He winked at her.
Leukos was scowling when they looked back his way. “Can we please focus here. You didn’t answer my first question. How do we begin?”
“Same as normal.” Magnar sighed in frustration. “You know how to get our female all worked up don’t you?”
“Of course I do.” Leukos had a rough edge to his voice.
Magnar shrugged his broad shoulders. “That’s what we need to do.”
“Wait a minute…we? As in together?” Leukos sounded apprehensive. In truth, Claire was feeling the same way. This felt…weird. Weird was good though, right? She had been excited at the thought of the three of them and now that they were there…together…she wasn’t so sure.
“Yes, all of us. That’s the whole idea,” Magnar insisted.
“Do we both start together, or do we go one at a time?” Leukos’ brow was deeply furrowed with worry lines.
“Does it matter?” Magnar threw back. “Let’s just do this thing already.”
“We need to have a plan,” Leukos said.
“It’s fucking. We should just go with the flow. Who needs a plan?”
“A plan might be a good idea,” Claire butted in; her stomach was in knots.
“Thank you.” Leukos looked at her with gratitude. His gaze moved back to Magnar. “If I start then you’ll watch us, right?”
Magnar nodded. “That’s the idea. We’re trying to see if the three of us will work, remember? I have seen the two of you before, I’m not sure what you’re so shy about.”
“I didn’t know you were there, you bastard,” Leukos snapped back. “I’m not sure I can perform with you watching.”
“Like hell you won’t be able to.”
Leukos widened his eyes. “My prick might go limp.”
Claire had to bite back a laugh. It was nervous energy coupled with seeing Leukos so flustered. It was sweet.
“Your dick won’t damn well go limp. Stop it already,” Magnar growled. “I’ll start. How’s that? You had no problem watching, even when you knew I knew. Maybe that’s the better way to go. How do you feel about that, sweets?” Before she could respond to say that she was a touch unsure, he pulled her against him and stuck his tongue in her mouth. The kiss was searing. It should have had her panties melting right off her. Claire was too nervous for that. Then he was undoing the buttons on her pants.
“Wait,” Claire yelped as she pulled back. “This feels too…it’s too much. I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Just a sec,” Leukos interrupted, his eyes on Magnar. “You know that both of us love you…” He turned his gaze back on her while he spoke. Her racing heart slowed just a fraction.
“I love you both very much as well.” She cringed. That still sounded so wrong and yet, so right. Her eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t cry, sweets.” Magnar rubbed his hand up and down her back. “I’m sorry I came on too strong. I’m just really hoping this works out. Two houses. Two males. Bouncing between two homes won’t be an ideal situation. It might even be an impossible one. I personally would rather see you bounce between us in the same bed.”
Her heart went nuts all over again but for different reasons. “You still want to try, don’t you?” Magnar asked.
She nodded. “Of course I do.”
“Right. I’m going to start this off,” Leukos interjected. She could feel his heat behind her. That’s how close he was standing. “You kiss Magnar, my love.”
“O-okay.” She still felt unsure.
“I get to start after all.” Magnar sounded excited.
“Not on your life,” Leukos murmured. “You get to kiss our female. I’ll start.”
“Fine by me. I just want to see a cock buried inside our female’s tight pussy. I don’t mind which—”
“You’re being crude again,” Leukos growled.
“Claire loves it when I talk dirty. I’m willing to bet she’s nice and wet.”
Holy crap but Magnar was right, she was feeling turned on by the banter. Now that the focus wasn’t so much on her, she was able to feel excited by the prospect of having them both touch her.
Both.
Magnar kissed her. His tongue tangled with hers. Leukos…at least, she was sure it was him, cupped her sex through her pants, his finger rubbing on her clit. She moaned into Magnar’s mouth.
Just the mere thought that she wasn’t sure who it was doing the touching ramped up her drive. Her nerves sparked to life in an instant.
“Fuck, you taste good,” Magnar said against her lips. “There’s somewhere else I’d like to kiss as well.”
“Keep kissing her mouth.” Leukos sounded angry but she knew better.
Leukos rubbed harder on her clit as Magnar kissed her with more passion than she thought possible. Her eyes sprung open. Good lord, this was happening. Claire moaned harder. She felt Leukos tug open the remaining buttons, pulling her pants down a little. Using a finger, he moved her panties to the side.
Claire cried out as his finger breached her pussy.
“Lift your arms,” Magnar rumbled.
She did what he asked, almost on autopilot. Magnar pulled her sweater off. She moaned when Leukos added a second finger.
“Whatever you’re doing…keep doing it,” Magnar murmured. “Feel free to rub on my cock while you’re down there.” He unclasped her bra and groaned as her breasts sprang free.
“Fuck you.” There was no venom in Leukos’ voice, which was thick with need.
His finger slid in and out, slowly at first and then faster…deeper. His thumb found her clit and she gave a hard cry as her orgasm began to build.
Magnar kissed her breasts and suckled on her nipples. It was too much. It wasn’t enough. She was panting and moaning in earnest, her orgasm right there.
“Easy, tiger.” Magnar’s voice had an edge. “How’s about you put our female on your cock and finish her off. At least…” he sounded arrogant in true Magnar style, “give my sweets her warmup round.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Leukos sounded calm but she felt the tension in him. His fingers inside her shook slightly with nerves.
“Don’t…” she pushed out. She could see how turned on Magnar was. She could also see that he was worried. His face had a pinched look that had nothing to do with being aroused. Claire kissed him, breathing hard through her nose. She did it to shut him up and to calm him down.
Leukos kept fingering her while he pulled down her pants, sliding them down her legs. “Maybe the bed would be better.” His voice was gruff. It sent shivers down her spine.
“Yes,” Magnar growled. “Excellent idea!”
Leukos pulled his fingers out of her, his hands still shook. Stepping on her pants, he lifted her out of them and then maneuvered her to the bed. Shaking hands. Wait a minute. Claire turned back to face him. There was still a puckered scar on his chest. She touched where the gaping wound had been, reminded of all the blood. In that moment, she’d been so sure he would die. When she’d watched the spear leave Gabin’s hand, she’d been sure it would be Magnar. Right then, she’d known she couldn’t live without either of them. “Are you okay?” She let her finger trace the wound. “If it’s too soon—”
“I want you,” Leukos ground out. He picked her up, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Where was Magnar?
Claire turned her head.
“I’ll watch.” His smile was tight. “I enjoy watching you being fucked, almost as much as I enjoy doing the fucking.”
Her clit throbbed. Good thing Leukos chose that moment to rub on it. She groaned long and deep.
“I can’t wait to be inside you,” Leukos whispered.
She couldn’t wait either. Claire lifted herself, gripping his cock, loving the way Leukos’ eyes narrowed at her touch. Loving how his jaw tightened.
Hate Awakened: Book 3: The Feral Page 27