30. Evelyn
30
Evelyn
I exploded into flames and shot skyward, the world below a blur of colors. The rush of wind fed my fire, and for a moment, I was a comet streaking through the atmosphere.
The wind rushed through my feathers as I soared above the treetops, my heart pounding with exhilaration. I was a phoenix - an actual, honest-to-goodness phoenix! My fears melted away as I flew, marveling at how natural it felt.
After a few minutes of flying around, I dove toward the courtyard and landed gracefully on the lawn where Rafe and Chad were waiting. Clearly, these wings were a little more well-behaved than my fairy wings.
Chad bounded over like an excited puppy as I returned to human form. “That was awesome, little witch! You were all whoosh and zoom and on fire!” He mimed my flight path with his hands.
I laughed at his enthusiasm. “Thanks. It was pretty incredible!”
Rafe approached. “You were beautiful up there!”
Thanks, Rafe. I don’t know why I was so freaked out about shifting—it’s the most liberating thing I’ve ever experienced,” I said, still breathless with awe.
Chad smiled. “Told you.”
“I think I’m going to grab a shower now—I smell like a burnt bird.”
“Here.” Chad pulled off his t-shirt and handed it to me.
I blinked at him, confused, then followed his gaze downward.
Oh.
I was naked.
…Oh well.
I finally shifted! I did it!
The experience had been incredible, but the toll on my body was more than I’d anticipated.
We walked back to the mansion, the cool evening air a relief against my still-warm skin. Rafe and Chad chatted about something—I wasn’t really listening. My mind was a thousand miles away. I had to read about Phoenixes and learn all I could to destroy Eris.
Night after night, she kept visiting me in my dreams. I wasn’t able to block her out, not entirely. Each time, she’d relive a memory with Lia and me, reminding me of the good times, suggesting that all could be as it was, that she held no true malice. She’d spoken of destiny and power, her words coaxing and soft. I guess this is how she got to Morgana. Each morning, I woke up feeling more exhausted than when I went to bed. It started affecting me in ways I couldn’t hide much longer.
“So, what do you think?” Chad’s voice broke through my fog.
“Huh?” I looked at him, blinking away the memories.
He grinned. “Pizza.”
“Pizza’s fine,” I said.
“We’ll get your favorite,” Rafe added. “The one with the pineapples.”
I nodded.
“Is everything okay?” Rafe asked, his concern etched on his face. It was hard to hide anything from him.
I smiled. “Just lost in thought. I’m just going to shower and maybe take a little nap. Thanks, guys. ”
“Ooh, want some company?” Chad waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
I chuckled. “Rain check? I need some alone time.”
As I started up the staircase, I paused and turned back. “Seriously, thank you. For everything.”
I smiled as I headed upstairs, thinking about each of them—my mates, my family, the ones who completed me in their own way. I was lucky to have them. But right now, I needed space. A moment to breathe.
So I went to my happy place.
My room with the unicorn wallpaper.
Lucien was out, making it the perfect time for peace and quiet.
Before anyone else could corner me, I slipped away, letting the house noise fade behind me. My room offered a quiet refuge, its soft colors and familiar details calming me in a way I desperately needed. After a quick shower, I sank onto the bed with a long, tired sigh.
The truth was, I was drained. With Eris invading my dreams nightly, I was getting increasingly exhausted.
I closed my eyes and let the weight of the day melt away. As sleep pulled me under, I hoped my dreams would be my own.
* * *
A rustling sound woke me. I turned to see Lucien sitting at the small writing desk, a book open in his hands. Those intense, analytical green eyes focused on the page before him.
He must have come in quietly, not wanting to wake me. I watched him momentarily, grateful for the sleep and his presence. Each of my mates brought something different to my life; with Lucien, it was a constant push and pull. He was the most conflicted, but also the one who kept me sharp—even if I wanted to strangle him every now and then.
“Lucien,” I called, my voice still thick with sleep.
He looked up, and a small smile played at the corners of his lips. “You’re awake,” he said, closing the book. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“You didn’t,” I said, sitting up and running a hand through my tangled hair. “How long have you been here?”
“Not long. I just got back from the Academy. You looked peaceful. I didn’t want to interrupt your sleep.”
I nodded. “What are you reading?”
Instead of answering, Lucien held out his hand. “Come here.”
I crossed over to him, and he pulled me onto his lap. His strong and steady arms closed around me, and for a moment, I let myself lean into him, feeling the reassuring beat of his heart.
Lucien held out the book, and I took it, glancing at the cover. It was an old tome with yellowed pages and a cracked leather binding. The title, embossed in gold, was Mythical Transformations and Their Legacies.
“Anything about phoenixes?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said, turning to a chapter midway through. “Once the guys told me what you shifted into, I thought you might want to know more about what you’re dealing with.”
“So, what have you learned?”
He took the book from my hands, his fingers brushing mine. “A great deal, actually. The phoenix is a symbol of immortality and renewal. Each time it dies, it’s reborn from its own ashes, supposedly even stronger than before.”
“Supposedly?” I teased.
He shrugged. “There’s a lot of conjecture and legend. It’s hard to separate fact from fiction. But one thing is clear: the phoenix’s power is immense and not without its burdens.”
“Burdens,” I repeated, thinking of the constant, restless energy I now carried. “Like what?”
He opened the book to a marked page. “The eternal flame within. It can be both a source of strength and a consuming fire. Balancing it is crucial.”
I watched his face as he read, taking in the slight furrow of his brow, the lines of concentration.
I snuggled closer to him. “What else does it say?”
He glanced at the book and then back at me. “Would you like me to read it to you?”
I rested my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes as he began to read.
“The phoenix is a creature of paradox, both mortal and immortal, fragile and indestructible. Its tears can heal, its song can inspire, yet its touch can burn.”
“Song?” I cut him off, raising an eyebrow. “There’s no way I’m singing.”
He smiled slightly and continued, “To be a phoenix is to walk a tightrope between life and death, to carry the weight of eternity in a single, blazing heart.” Lucien’s voice deepened as he read, each word rumbling through my chest. “The phoenix, rarest of all magical creatures…”
As he read, I felt myself getting lost in the melodic cadence of his voice. The words painted a vivid picture in my mind—phoenixes rising from ashes, their flames burning away all impurities—reborn, stronger than before.
“The first transformation is always the most difficult,” Lucien intoned. “As the phoenix sheds its mortal skin, the pain can be overwhelming.”
I shivered. Lucien’s arm tightened around my waist, anchoring me.
“But from the ashes, the phoenix emerges anew, its inner fire burning brighter than ever before.” He looked up from the book, his eyes meeting mine. “Well, rebirth is nothing new for you.”
I swallowed hard. “I guess not.”
His steady, soothing voice flowed over me as he kept reading, a comforting warmth spreading through my heart, making me feel safe and loved. Yet, there was another kind of warmth—the feel of his body pressed against mine, his hand on my arm, and his breath in my hair. My heart picked up, racing from the story and the quiet intimacy of the moment. The words he was reading faded into the background, and all I could focus on was him—his presence, his warmth, and how much I loved this softer side of him.
Suddenly, Lucien paused, his gaze shifting from the book to my face.
“What is it?” I asked, my heart picking up pace. That look was pure hunger.
He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. “You know what I like more than reading about phoenixes?” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Getting to taste my mate’s pussy for the first time.”
I inhaled sharply.
Holy shit, did Lucien just say that?
A rush of heat pooled low in my stomach.
“What are you waiting for then?” I said with more confidence than I actually felt.
His lips curved into a wicked grin, and without hesitation, he gripped my waist and lifted me off him, the ancient tome forgotten.
“Remove your panties,” he ordered, voice low and insistent. “Sit on my desk and spread your legs.”
Of course, Lucien would be bossy. I should have known, but you know what? It kind of worked for me.
At his command, a rush of exhilaration coursed through me. With deliberate slowness, I removed my underwear, feeling both bold and vulnerable under the weight of his gaze. The wood was cool beneath me as I positioned myself just right for him.
“Good girl,” Lucien murmured appreciatively. “Look at you—all open for me.”
He sat before me, inching closer until I could feel the warmth radiating from him.
I swallowed hard as he buried his face between my thighs. A gasp escaped my lips when his tongue flicked against my clit—deliciously teasing at first before he devoured me completely.
“Goddess!” I moaned, throwing my head back in delight.
And then he drove two fingers deep inside my vagina without warning, curling them just right while his tongue teased my clit—hard enough to keep me on edge but soft enough not to push me over just yet.
“Lucien…” I breathed, but he cut me off.
“You were meant to be worshiped,” he murmured, every thrust of his fingers and lick of his tongue making my head spin. “You want it harder?”
“Yes!” The word came out in a breathless plea.
Lucien obliged, his fingers picking up speed and intensity. “You’re close, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Good girl,” he repeated, pushing me closer to the edge. “But I want to hear you say it. Tell me how badly you need to come.”
“I need to come! Please!”
He groaned with satisfaction at my plea. “Then let go for me.”
That familiar coil inside me unraveled and exploded into pure bliss. My back arched off the desk, a high-pitched cry escaping my lips as pleasure washed over me in waves.
Lucien’s fingers didn’t stop moving—he milked every last bit of ecstasy from me until I was trembling uncontrollably.
“That’s it,” he said as I came down from my high, his fingers still lingering possessively inside me. “See? You’re not just Hecate champion; you’re a fucking queen. My queen.”
My heart fluttered as I met his gaze, simultaneously feeling exhilarated, safe, and loved.
“You’re insufferable,” I managed to say breathlessly.
“And yet here you are,” he replied with a smirk. “All spread out for me on the desk.” He pulled his fingers out slowly and brought them to his mouth, licking them clean with such deliberation it sent another shiver through me.
Lucien stood and gently lifted me into his arms, cradling me against his chest. He carried me to the bed and laid me down as if I were something precious and fragile.
He straightened, and I watched as he began to undress; each movement was deliberate, a slow tease that made my body ache with anticipation. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing lean abs. My eyes traced the lines of his muscles, the hard planes of his body, and the evidence of his arousal.
He took his time, unbuttoning his trousers and letting them slide to the floor. He stood before me, naked and unashamed, his cock hard and ready. My mouth went dry. I reached for him, but he caught my hand and held it, his touch sending sparks up my arm.
“Not yet,” he said, his voice a low growl. He climbed onto the bed, his body hovering above mine, close enough that I could feel the heat of his skin but not the contact I craved. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for this, Evelyn?”
I tried to answer, but my words caught in my throat. He was so close, his breath warm on my cheek, his scent filling my head. He kissed me hard and demanding, then pulled back before I could lose myself in it.
“You’re mine,” he said, his green eyes boring into me. “I’m going to take you, claim you, and make you scream my name. I’m going to fuck you until you can’t think straight. Until you know exactly who you belong to. Do you understand what that means?”
I nodded eagerly.
“You were made for me. Every inch of you. Are you ready, mate?”
“Yes,” I breathed. “Please.”
He positioned himself between my legs, his cock brushing against my entrance. A shiver ran through me. He paused, his eyes searching mine, and for a moment, I saw something softer, more vulnerable.
“Tell me you want this,” he said. “Tell me you want me.”
“I want you,” I said, my voice trembling with need. “I want all of you.”
With a slow, agonizing thrust, he entered me. I gasped, clutching at his shoulders. He held still, letting me adjust, his breathing heavy and controlled.
He said, kissing my neck and my collarbone.
He started to move, each stroke deep and measured. My body responded, meeting his rhythm, as a growing wave of pleasure hit me. His relentless dominance was tempered with fierce tenderness.
“Lucien,” I moaned, and he silenced me with a kiss, his tongue claiming mine. He broke away, his lips brushing my ear.
“I’m going to fuck you all night,” he said. “Have my mate panting for me, begging for more.”
The thought of it sent me over the edge, my body tensing and then shattering around him. He groaned, his movements growing rougher, more urgent. He was close. He thrust one last time, deep and hard, and I felt him spill into me, his body shaking with release. He collapsed beside me, pulling me into his arms, our skin slick with sweat.
“Now,” he said, his voice low and sultry after regaining his breath. “Let’s see how many times we can do that before the sun rises.”