by Tara West
The queen heaved a sigh, tapping a long fingernail on the jeweled tip of her scepter. “This is a unique situation. I will need a few days to decide your fate. In the meantime you will await my answer in the dungeon. Guards!” She waved a hand and two muscular fae wearing starched lavender uniforms rushed forward and pulled Brayne into a standing position.
“Wait, My Queen!” Brayne said as they started to drag him away.
She held up a staying hand, and the guards stopped. “What is it?” She didn’t bother to mask her annoyance.
“What about my son?”
Of course, Serah thought bitterly. Alexi was all Brayne cared about. Not that she begrudged her brother. He was most likely being tortured or worse.
The queen slapped her palm with the scepter. “Where is Goldenwand keeping him?”
“On Gae’s island.”
Serah sucked in a breath, and Draque swore.
Rhia said, “Where on Gae’s island?”
Brayne’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t know.”
Banging her scepter on the floor with a resounding crack, her eyes practically glowed as the scepter’s jewel pulsed. “Have you any idea of the size of the island? The thousands of caves and tunnels there?”
“Can you not send the hounds?” Brayne pleaded.
“Your son is a peer of the realm. We will recover him.” She walked over to him until they were toe to toe. “But you, sir, are a worthless sack of troll dung.”
For once Serah wholeheartedly agreed with the fae queen.
THE GUYS WEREN’T KIDDING about that party bubble, though Violet thought a better name would be the dragon den of desire. The place was decked out for love. In the center of the bubble was a round velvet sofa as big as two king beds, recessed into the floor. It had an awful lot of bounce for a sofa, too. In the center of that was a circular hole for them to put their feet and a few folding table trays, or in their case, for Bastian to kneel while licking her pussy. She had a feeling he’d be very good at it.
There was a flat screen TV, a pool table, a ping-pong table, and a tiki bar. They also had a full bathroom with rain shower, and she couldn’t wait to use it. The bath she’d taken in the clawfoot tub the night before hadn’t been enough to make her feel really clean after her travels.
Violet was smack in the middle of a stud sandwich, sipping a siren sangria and licking bacon grease off her fingers, swearing she was going back to her vegan diet soon. But for now, bacon! Her mates had prepared a huge breakfast buffet. Thaddeus had already refilled his plate three times with stacks of pancakes.
“I didn’t know you liked pancakes so much,” she said, nodding to the platter of eggs. “You haven’t had a single egg.”
He popped a strip of bacon in his mouth. “And I plan to never have another egg for as long as I live.”
She gave him a funny look. “But I thought eggs were your favorite.”
“Eggs were the only thing on the menu at Eagleheart’s.” He grimaced. “Griffin eggs, to be precise. At least that’s what Katherine said they were.”
Dare she tell Thaddeus Katherine was the only female griffin?
“Who were those two ugly witches we passed on the way here?” Hector asked.
Violet wanted a change of subject, but she feared Thaddeus would bring up her battle with the unbreakable curse, something she’d rather forget.
Thaddeus’s eyes shifted from brown to deep gold. “Mercenaries.”
Hector’s features hardened to stone. “What did they want?”
Setting his plate down, Thaddeus belched into his fist. “To summon us to Goblingout.”
Bastian raised a brow. “What does the prime minister want?”
Thaddeus pursed his lips. “I don’t know.”
Yes, he did. Wrapping her arms around herself, she rocked back and forth, fighting sudden nausea.
Bastian touched her shoulder. “Violet, what’s wrong?”
“I-I don’t want to talk about it.”
Closing her eyes, dark memories resurfaced like a recurring nightmare. Violet couldn’t get the lifeless eyes of the pixie who’d bullied her out of her mind. Even though they’d have killed her if she hadn’t killed them, the finality of her actions was still hard to stomach. “Is it okay if I use the shower?”
“Sure.” Bastian jumped to his feet, holding a hand down to her. “I’ll get you set up.”
Threading his fingers through hers, he led her to the bathroom and closed the door behind them. “Towels, soap, bath robe.” Releasing her, he gently cupped her chin. “You sure you’re going to be okay?”
Choking back tears, she nodded. “I will be.” She loved Bastian’s touch. She felt so comforted and safe when she was with him, as if she’d known him her entire life.
“Okay.” He moved his hands to her shoulders. “If you need anything, I’ll be right outside.”
She fought the urge to swoon in his arms. She could still hardly believe these amazing dragon shifters were her mates. How did she get so lucky? “You don’t have to wait on me.” Biting her lip, she focused her gaze on the shower tiles, embarrassed at the attention he was giving her. She wasn’t used to being so loved, at least not from anyone other than her mother. “I’ll be fine.”
“I know.” His smile was tender. “I’ll be outside.”
“Thanks.” Leaning up on her toes, she kissed his warm cheek, her lips lingering, but she couldn’t help herself. He was amazing.
When she pulled away, his hand flew to his cheek, and he blushed deep crimson. He was too cute for words.
The shower was divine. She had no idea how much water the bubble’s tank held, but she lathered up every inch of her body and took extra care to clean her private spots. Just in case, she and her mates made love. No longer anxious about sleeping with them, she smiled at the thought. They would be amazing because they were amazing. By the time she finished, she realized sex with her gorgeous dragon shifters was exactly what she needed to get her mind off her troubles.
True to his word, Bastian was waiting when she emerged from the bathroom in a plush bathrobe.
They moved into the living room area. Hector stood, holding his hand out with a smile.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she let him lower her onto the sofa. She felt a lot less short being eye level with him.
“Thaddeus told us what happened,” Hector said, rubbing her back. “Listen to me, Violet.” He searched her eyes with such intensity, it stole the breath from her lungs. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
Placing a hand on his chest, she felt the steady thrumming of his heart, amazed at how each beat matched hers. “Thank you.”
He continued stroking her back, moving lower with each pass. “What can we do to get your mind off your worries? Do you play pool? We also have an extensive library of movies.”
“There’s only one thing that will distract me.” She untied her robe, slid it off her shoulders, and let it fall.
Bastian, standing beside Hector, gawked at her as if she was a goddess.
Letting out a low whistle, Hector looked her over, lingering on her heaving breasts, her nipples pebbling from the cool air on her damp skin. He ran a hand across his bearded chin. “Those are the most delicious tits I’ve ever seen.” He paused. “You sure about this?”
She held her arms out to him. “Very.”
They roared in unison and stripped out of their clothes as if they were on fire.
Sweeping her into his arms, Hector laid her down on the sofa, wasting no time as he crawled up the length of her body, his erection pressed into her mound while he feasted on her neck and then her breasts.
Threading her fingers through his long, thick hair, she arched when he traveled lower, his kisses branding every inch of her skin.
Bastian spread her legs and massaged the insides of her thighs with deft strokes.
Thaddeus leaned over, gently kissing her forehead. “Do you mind if I shower first?”
She cupped the back of his head
and brushed her lips across his. “Of course not.”
He kissed her back before jumping to his feet. “Don’t wear her out,” he said to his brothers as he left.
“Can’t make any promises,” Hector said, then licked her pussy with one long, languid stroke of his forked tongue.
She nearly flew off the sofa. She should’ve been nervous when Thaddeus disappeared, leaving her with two shifters she barely knew, but she was too consumed by Hector’s tongue and Bastian’s touch.
Her eyes rolled back when Hector kept licking, making her gush in his mouth and sending waves of pleasure through her.
She protested when Hector sat up, elbowing his brother. “You should taste her nectar,” he said. “Before I plunder her orchard.”
They switched places, and Bastian licked her like a dragon possessed, fucking her with his tongue, making her pant so hard, she was gasping for breath. All he did was insert a single finger into her dripping channel, and she exploded, gushing all over him, her pussy throbbing so hard, deep pulses radiated all the way to her toes. He laughed and traded with Hector again.
His eyes glowing brilliant gold, Hector let out a deep rumble, and her pussy contracted in response. Flipping her over, he lifted her ass and straddled her from behind.
He entered her with one, deep thrust. She cried out and ground against him while he fucked her hard and deep, setting off another orgasm that squeezed his thick cock. He spilled into her, jerking against her while she pushed into him, relishing the feel of him deep inside her.
After he cleaned her up, Bastian turned her over and climbed on, settling between her legs. “I’m sorry if this goes too fast. You’re just so beautiful.”
She wrapped her legs around his hips. “That’s okay,” she said and kissed him deeply. “We have a lifetime to get it right.”
He lasted longer than she expected, but only because he moved slowly. Just as he brought her to that pinnacle of pleasure, a slow and glorious orgasm rolling through her like a gentle wave, he spurted for several heartbeats and collapsed, rolling over with her in his arms.
He covered her face and neck with kisses. “That was amazing,” he said on a breathy whisper. “You’re amazing.”
Smiling, she caressed him. “You weren’t so bad yourself.”
Hector snuggled up behind her, pressing his erection into her and trailing gentle kisses down her neck.
She craned her neck to look at him. “Are you ready for another round already?”
He pinched her nipple. “I will always be ready for you, my beautiful mate.”
She giggled and was just about to let him hop on for another ride when Thaddeus emerged from the shower, fully naked, his erection looking like a Minotaur horn, with just the right amount of curve as it jutted toward the ceiling.
“Did I miss anything?” he asked, climbing into their pit of pleasure.
Hector chuckled. “You missed everything. You didn’t tell me our little witch was a siren.”
“I’m not.” She laughed. “But I’m a quarter pixie, and pixies are known for their sexual appetites.”
“That explains why you’re so short.” Hector grabbed her rump and squeezed hard.
“Hey!” She swatted him. “That’s not nice.”
“I wasn’t aiming for nice,” he said. “I heard a rumor pixies were good at giving head.” He stroked her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “Is that true?”
She wouldn’t know since she’d never done it. Heat crept into her cheeks. “I was a virgin before Thaddeus.”
“But she’s a fast learner. I’m sure we can show her.” Thaddeus stroked his thick erection. “It’s like sucking a popsicle.”
Desire coursed through her. “I can do that.”
Bending over him, his cock twitched when she took him in her mouth, then paused, looking at him for direction.
“Slide up and down,” he said. “Wet your hands and lather my balls.”
She dripped saliva all over his engorged member while he held the back of her head, thrusting his hips. It didn’t take him long to explode. He warned her he was coming, but she continued to suck him, wondering what his seed would taste like. It was salty and warm, thick, but not unpleasant. She swallowed while he twitched against her lips.
“My turn,” Hector said, a devilish gleam in his eyes.
Feeling more confident about her new skill, she bent over him, taking him in her mouth and sucking as far down as she could manage, gasping when Bastian latched onto her rear and slipped his thick erection inside her.
She had a hard time focusing on Hector when her orgasm started to build. Sensing her distraction, Hector thrust faster until he bathed her throat in his juices. She sucked down every last drop while he slumped on the sofa with a satisfied groan.
She focused on Bastian pumping into her, his swollen cockhead banging that tight bundle of nerves until she exploded, closing her eyes and focusing on her rolling orgasm as stars burst in her brain.
Sated and spent, she laid in Hector’s arms while Bastian rubbed her feet and Thaddeus made himself another plate of food. She drifted off to sleep, feeling more loved and happy than she’d ever felt in her life.
Chapter Eighteen
SERAH WAS RELIEVED to finally be in the Grotto with her mates. Though Thaddeus wasn’t there to celebrate with them, their parents had turned the throne room into a party palace with food, punch, and entertainment. The “Welcome Home, Thaddeus” poster looked odd, considering he’d gone to Valhol with Violet, but Serah wasn’t about to tell anyone that, especially not her mates’ parents, who were so happy as they gathered around the punch bowl in human form.
A welcome party for the grandparents would have been more fitting, but the old people looked out of place, hanging out in the shadows while only a few people greeted them. Serah backed up a step when she saw them approach, an eager look in Grandmother Adora’s eyes as she focused on the baby in Serah’s arms.
The old dragons are coming for her, Thelix warned. They will make her eat prunes and listen to boring stories.
Hush, she scolded her siren.
She clutched Lily to her heart, backing up a step when her mates’ Grandmother Adora held out her hands.
“Just let me hold her,” Adora pleaded.
Serah’s gaze shot to her mates, who gave her approving nods. She knew what this was about. They were trying to take the baby from her.
“Our children don’t want us interfering with their rule, and I don’t think our subjects missed us,” Adora said, motioning to the rest of the partygoers.
“Our fault for running from Goldenwand instead of fighting him and ending this nightmare ten years ago.” Grandfather Acheron sipped a cup of punch.
“We feel so useless,” Grandfather Domov said, his smile reminding her too much of Ladon’s.
“Caring for and guarding the Phoenixfire flower would not only be a great honor, it would give us a sense of purpose,” Grandfather Jagua said.
No doubt her mates had planned this with their grandparents. She should’ve been angry with them, but she was too tired after staying up with a fussing Lily most of the night. She wouldn’t have slept at all if Grandfather Jagua hadn’t relieved her and Ladon, letting them sleep while he soothed the baby. He’d already proven himself to be a good babysitter. But would he and his mates make good guardians?
Of course they would, Thelix said. And Teju can’t lick our pussy when you’re always holding a baby.
Please stop talking, she begged. And try to think about something other than pussy licking, for Goddess’ sake!
Fine, Thelix said with a huff. I’m leaving, but we’re getting our pussy licked tonight.
Serah frowned at the sleeping child, her throat tightening with emotion at the thought of something bad happening to her in her absence. “I have a hard time parting from her.”
“You can visit her on weekends and holidays,” Adora said. “The school isn’t that far away. Imagine having to give up all your children and grandchi
ldren for ten years, like we had to.”
She gave Serah a smile that reeked of a guilt trip, but Serah didn’t feel bad. They’d chosen to run from their adversary instead of fight. Goldenwand could’ve been defeated years ago. Maybe he wouldn’t have caused so much destruction and heartache if he’d been denied the chance to increase his wealth and power.
“We will love her as our own daughter and guard her with our lives, we swear.” Jagua’s eyes crinkled as he grasped Adora’s hand, giving her a loving look. “No one will abuse her powers.”
Draque laid a hand on her arm. “One more semester, sweetheart. You can do this. My grandparents will take good care of her.”
She realized her mates’ grandparents had plenty of experience with children. More importantly, Lily would be safest in the Grotto. When Teju and Ladon also gave her expectant looks, she finally relented, handing the baby to Jagua.
“Thank you.” Fighting back tears, those two words were all she could manage.
Jagua rocked the baby and hummed a familiar lullaby. “Thank you,” he said, “for trusting us with this beautiful child.”
The grandparents sat in a corner with Lily, doting on her as if she was their own child.
When Draque took Serah in his arms and kissed her, she heaved a sigh. “Careful,” he whispered. “If you pine over her too long, our eggs will hatch.”
“Really?” She blinked. “I thought it took at least three years.”
“I have heard of them hatching sooner,” Teju said, rubbing her back, “though it’s rare.”
Draque cupped her chin, smiling down at her. “And we need to finish school.”
She released a shaky breath, afraid to look at their grandparents sitting behind her. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.” Draque chuckled, then banged his ear again.
Worried, she said, “Maybe you can ask Adora to examine you.”
“I’m fine. Come.” He pulled on her hand. “We have something to show you.”
She reluctantly followed them to their private bedchamber. Draque wasn’t going to brush her off so easily. Tomorrow she’d enlist Ladon and Teju’s help to figure out what was wrong with him.