by Lexi C. Foss
“And you’re being unreasonable,” I retorted, nipping her neck. “I won’t make excuses for myself, Aflora. I reacted badly and I’m sorry.” I nibbled my way up her throat to her ear. “Our relationship is forbidden. It breaks all the rules. It’s probably going to cost me my crown. But you know what?”
She swallowed, her nails biting into my scalp. “What?”
“That all only makes me want you more,” I admitted. “And if given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would, even knowing what it would cost in return.” I nuzzled her tender skin, my lips skimming her pulse once more. Her blood called to the predator within me, urging me to bite, to claim. But I wouldn’t. Not without her permission.
Unless she tried to unweave our bonds.
In which case, I’d bite her repeatedly until she stopped.
“Why?” she whispered.
“Why what, sweetheart?”
“You’re risking everything, Kolstov.”
“Am I?” I replied, drawing back to meet her gaze.
“You are,” she insisted. “You just praised me for being altruistic by putting my people before myself. What are you doing? You’re putting an abomination before your ascension. You’re going against everything you’ve been working for. I want to know why.”
“Because it’s time for change,” another voice replied on my behalf.
I glanced sideways to find Shade lounging in my favorite recliner chair with his feet propped up on the coffee table. As I hadn’t sensed his presence, I assumed that meant he’d just arrived. Unless he’d been lurking in smoke form.
His Death Blood abilities irked me greatly.
“Change?” Aflora repeated.
“Yep,” he drawled.
“Care to elaborate?” I asked, arching a brow.
His icy blue eyes flashed with knowledge and secrets. “Do you believe all abominations are evil, Kolstov? That they should be exterminated on sight without any trial or cause aside from their mingled blood and powers?”
“Abominations have historically proven problematic,” I pointed out, avoiding his direct questions like he did mine.
“Have they?” he countered, arching a dark brow. “Or is that what our Council wants us to believe?”
“It’s an international directive to execute abominations,” I reminded him. “Not just our Council’s.”
“Fair,” he conceded. “But who proposed that mandate originally?”
“My grandfather,” I replied, aware of the history involved. “Shortly after a certain issue a millennium ago.”
He nodded. “Yes. Right around the time he also had all the Quandary Bloods executed.” He cocked his head to the side. “Now, I might be overthinking this, but it seems to me your family has a history of fearing those with the potential to be more powerful than them.”
I narrowed my gaze at him. “If you’re trying to accuse me or my family of something, Shadow, then I suggest you stop hiding behind riddles and spit it out.”
His lips curled. “I see I’ve struck a nerve.”
“With your cryptic bullshit, sure.”
“No. With my concise recollection of just why all this started in the first place. Your grandfather didn’t want to risk the source being realigned again, so he exterminated the Quandary Bloods—or at least those he could find—and also strongly encouraged the fae community to execute all abominations. Which, when you think about it, is a very strange choice indeed when Midnight Fae males can become Fortune Fae Alphas by just refusing to ingest human blood. Thereby suggesting fae are actually somewhat related across the species. But I digress.”
He kicked his feet off the table and leaned forward, all signs of amusement leaving his features.
“Our Council requires change,” he continued, his blue irises landing on Aflora. “So you want a reason, little rose? That’s your reason. Our quad is going to change everything, including rebalancing a power source that has long been abused by the Nacht family. With, or without, Kols’s knowledge.”
“All right.” My hands went to Aflora’s hips to remove her from my lap, but her thighs clamped down around mine.
“Hold on,” she said.
“No. He’s just insulted—”
Her palm covered my mouth, shocking the hell out of me. “Why do you feel it’s been abused?” she asked Shade.
“Because the Quandary Bloods were removed from the equation, thereby dismantling the balance and allowing the Elite Bloods unfettered access to the source via the Nacht family line. Kolstov’s grandfather destroyed the Midnight Fae who were meant to protect the balance, all because he feared the source would be redirected to another line.”
I moved my mouth away from Aflora’s hand. “Is that the bullshit your father tells you?” I demanded with a humorless laugh. “Un-fucking-believable.”
“Yes, he’s told me this version of events, and he’s also droned on and on about how the source was stolen from our family.” Shade lifted his hand, palm up, in a version of an odd shrug, then let it fall back to his lap. “He wants it back for all the wrong reasons. As do all the members of the Council. Which brings me back to the need for change.”
Zeph chose that moment to enter with a tray of food. He set it down on the coffee table and fixed his gaze on Shade. “You have my attention, Shade. Elaborate on your suggestions for change.”
Of course Zeph would want to entertain this nonsense.
This time Aflora allowed me to lift her off my lap and into the space beside me. Zeph took the spot on her opposite side, his forearms going to his sprawled thighs as he leaned forward to focus on Shade.
“Well?” my Guardian prompted.
Shade studied him for a long moment. “Did you enjoy being demoted to headmaster as a result of your sexual shenanigans?”
Zeph merely smirked. “Nice try at evasion. Tell me your ideas for change.”
“It’s not my ideas that will matter,” he replied cryptically. “It’s our mate’s.”
Aflora had been staring intently at the tray of food, but Shade’s words pulled her gaze sideways. I stretched my arm out across the back of the couch so my fingertips could lightly brush her shoulder. It was a natural move, similar to Zeph widening his legs to ensure his thigh touched hers.
Shade noticed but didn’t comment. Nor did he seem bothered by it. Actually, he appeared almost content with the possessive display, as if it satisfied some part of him.
“I will never understand you,” I decided out loud.
Mischief danced in his features. “You will. One day. Just not today.” He looked at Aflora. “I’ll see you in your dreams later, little rose.” And then he disappeared into smoke once more.
“I hate when he does that,” I said, irritated as hell.
“Which part?” Zeph asked. “Accusing your family of hoarding magic, or the vanishing act?”
“Both,” I admitted on a huff. “He’s infur—”
“Is that dragon steak?” Aflora’s attention was on the tray again, her blue eyes wide.
I followed her gaze to the dark gray meat surrounded by leaves. The other two plates just had sandwiches. I assumed one of those was meant for me, the other for Zeph. Shade was definitely not on our guest list, despite being able to get past my gargoyle. Which was a discussion I’d need to have with Sir Kristoff later because I hadn’t given approval for the Death Blood to enter at will.
“Yeah, with salad patty,” Zeph replied, palming the back of his neck. “Kols asked Sol for some meal suggestions since you’re not fond of our meals. This was what he recommended.”
“He also told us to get you some scurbuttle snacks,” I added. “After he left, Cyrus informed me that would be a bad idea and suggested I stick to dragon steak. He also recommended I not give you bacon.”
“Bacon?” she repeated.
“Yeah. I guess it’s like troll fat?”
Her eyes rounded in horror. “Why would you eat troll fat?”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Then wh
y eat bacon?”
I shook my head. “It’s not the same, it’s just… Never mind. He recommended dragon steak. So.” I waved to the plate as if to say, There it is.
“I hope I cooked it right,” Zeph mused. “Reminded me of beef, so I grilled it the same way.”
That explained why it took him so long to prepare the food. “What kind of sandwiches did you make us?”
“Turkey and cheese,” he replied. “I added mayo to yours since you like it.” He grimaced with the comment, causing me to grin.
I covered my heart with my hand, my other arm still draped over Aflora’s shoulder. “You do love me, Z.”
He snorted but didn’t deny it.
“You made me dragon steak,” Aflora said, still focused on her plate. “Because Sol suggested it.”
Zeph glanced uneasily at her. “Yeah, he suggested it to Kols. Did I make it wrong?”
“And you added salad patty.”
“Yeah, that part just seemed appropriate based on what I know of Elemental Fae cuisine. Seems like a popular side? But I had to use magic because we don’t have a lot of those root vegetables here. So, uh, I hope it’s okay.”
She finally looked at him. “I thought we agreed on burning thwomp and fire gnat juice.”
My lips twitched at the mock condescension in her tone. Teasing had to be a good sign, right? Maybe it meant she was past the idea of rewiring our connection, or had at least put it on hold. Regardless, I’d take it.
“Yeah, sorry, all out of burning thwomps, I’m afraid,” Zeph replied, his tone contrite. “But if you don’t want the dragon steak, I’ll eat it, and you can have my turkey sandwich.”
He made to reach for her plate, and she batted his hand away. “Don’t you dare.”
Zeph smirked at her. “Oh, you want it now?”
“Did you poison it?” she countered.
He nodded. “Yep. Laced it with an agreeable charm so you’ll do everything I say for at least a week.”
“I actually think you might mean that,” she replied.
He grunted, grabbed her plate, and set it in her lap. “Eat, Aflora. Or I really will enchant you.”
Rather than snipe something back at him, she plucked a leaf off her plate and used it to rip a piece off her dragon steak, then made a show of putting it in her mouth.
Suddenly, food was the last thing on my mind.
And her lips were all I could see.
“Fuck,” I muttered.
“No,” she replied without missing a beat. She finished chewing and swallowed before looking at me. “I’m not ready to do that again yet.”
Zeph met my gaze over her head, then we both gazed down at her. “All right, sweetheart,” I conceded. “That’s fine.”
My Guardian nodded in agreement. “I’m not ready to fuck yet either.”
She glanced at him. “You’re not?”
“No.” He leaned in to whisper in her ear just loud enough for me to hear as well. “I won’t fuck you until you beg, pixie flower. And even then, I still might not fuck you. Do you want to know why?”
“Why?” she asked as if hypnotized by his voice. And maybe she was.
“Because you haven’t earned it yet.” He kissed her on the cheek, then reached for his plate and began to eat.
“He’s a dick,” I told her conversationally as I grabbed my own sandwich. “And, unfortunately, he means it.”
When Zeph set his mind to something, there would be no changing it. He was a stubborn ass like that. But on this, I sort of agreed with him. Until we were in a better place with Aflora, sex was off the table.
However, that didn’t mean we couldn’t play in other ways.
Such as in her dreams.
I smiled at the memories of all the times I joined her in her mind. Mmm, that was fun. Maybe we’d do it again later. After Shade finished toying with her.
Or perhaps I’d kick him out and take over.
Zeph caught my gaze again, the knowing flicker in his green irises telling me he agreed with my plan. We didn’t even need to talk about it; he just knew.
Poor Aflora. Now she had three mates hungry for her dreams.
I pressed my lips against her temple, showing affection because I wanted to, then returned to my midnight lunch. “I’m glad to see you eating a healthy meal, Aflora,” I told her. “You’re going to need that energy later.”
“What?” she asked, her mouth full of dragon steak.
“For your dreams,” Zeph replied. He lifted his hand to draw his knuckles down her cheek. “And for your independent training tomorrow.”
She groaned, the sound going right to my cock. “Stay out of my head.”
“Never,” Zeph and I replied at the same time.
“Willow stumps,” she muttered to herself. Then she dug back into her meal, the argument forgotten.
Well, one thing was clear—I needed to order more dragon steak.
Chapter Fourteen
Aflora
Seven nights of sexual torment.
With no orgasms.
To say I hated my mates right now would be an understatement.
And they knew it, too, the three of them all watching from different corners of the yard with matching expressions of amusement. Even Zephyrus smirked, his lips reminding me of the way he’d held me down last night and devoured me to within an inch of my life.
Just to stop and wake me up seconds before I exploded.
I glared at him, not caring at all that he was in headmaster mode today.
Physical Training with No Magic. Yeah, I’d show him some physical training, all right.
That Shade and Kols had chosen to go shirtless for today’s sparring activities only added insult to injury. Because yeah, they looked good and they knew it. And while Zephyrus’s torso was covered, his arms were fully exposed in his sleeveless shirt. He made a show of stretching, his muscles bulging and inviting me to lick him.
I preferred it when I thought they all had betrayed me.
This was worse.
Much, much worse.
I was even starting to dream of some random guy with long white hair and silver-blue eyes. He at least let me come in those fantasies, which was how I knew I’d made him up. Because it hadn’t escaped my notice that his traits were the opposite of my mates’—clearly, my mind’s way of retaliating.
Tulip-burning willow stumps, I thought, glaring at the males in question. I hope you all fall into a burning thwomp.
“You okay?” Ella asked, appearing out of nowhere at my side. Or maybe she’d been there the entire time. As my focus was entirely on the eye candy across the yard, I couldn’t be sure.
“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended.
“You sure? Because it sounded like you just growled at Zeph.”
“I probably did.” I’d been growling at him a lot lately.
“I thought you were getting along better,” Ella murmured. “You’ve all been studying a lot.”
“Yeah, they’re helping me with control,” I muttered. And then tormenting me in my dreams afterward.
“Come spar with me, little rose.” Shade’s voice came from my left, drawing my focus to his toned physique. The moon played off his tan skin, making me wonder what he’d look like under the heat of the sun. Gorgeous, obviously. And wicked.
I almost refused, but then a better idea entered my mind. I couldn’t be alone in my agony here because the guys hadn’t orgasmed either. Which meant they’d been teasing themselves, too. Maybe it was time I returned the favor a little.
“Okay,” I replied.
“Hey, I thought we were sparring together,” Ella cut in.
Tray scooped her up into his arms before I could comment, his lips brushing hers as he murmured, “I guess you’re all mine, El.”
She sighed. “I’m already yours, Nacht.”
“I know.” He waggled his brows at her. “How about we ditch sparring and do a little of our own physical activity back at the suite?”
Tray just smiled. “I prefer my plan.”
Zeph did not share his amusement. “Put her down and start running. Ten laps.”
Ella groaned and Tray cursed.
“Okay, fifteen,” Zeph amended.
“Put me down,” Ella snapped.
Tray did reluctantly and gave Zeph a look that spoke volumes. “You’re a cockblocking dick, Zeph.”
“Shall I make it twenty?” he countered, that famous eyebrow of his inching upward into his hairline.
“I’m only listening to you right now for Ella because twenty laps would piss her off,” Tray replied before taking off after his mate.
“Goading my brother?” Kols asked as he jogged up to join us, his abs flexing seductively with the movement. And now I wanted to lick him.
“He just makes it so easy,” Zeph drawled.
Shade wrapped his arm around me, pulling me back into his hot form. “I thought we were sparring?” he whispered against my ear.
“You all are killing me,” I muttered, more to myself than to them.
“Ready to beg already?” Zeph pitched his voice low so the others couldn’t overhear. “That’s a shame, Aflora. I expected to have to try harder.”
Kols chuckled, but Shade just pressed his nose to my neck and inhaled softly.
My blood was on fire.
And I wanted to choke all of them.
“Stop stalling and come play with me,” Shade breathed, causing goose bumps to trail down my exposed arms.
He pulled me backward by several feet, drawing me into one of the sparring rings. His flirtation captured the attention of several students in our class, including the two standing in the circle beside ours.
“Well, aren’t you two cute,” Emelyn drawled, her tone holding a touch of derision.
“Someone’s jealous,” her partner replied, smirking at Shade and giving him a friendly nod. Yeah, these two were definitely friends. Which had me wondering how Emelyn had found herself partnered with Ajax for today’s assignment. Elite Bloods didn’t tend to mix with Death Bloods.
“I’m not jealous,” Emelyn snapped back.