Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Whist set me on thecounter of the sink, pressing his length between my spread legs. I clawed at his clothes, wanting his bare skin against mine. His hands joined mine, and once his clothes joined mine on the slick floor, he cupped my face in his palms, kissing me gently.

“I’m not going to break.” I nipped at his bottom lip and sank my fingernails into his back.

He growled and kissed me so hard I knew I’d be bruised the following day and I loved it. One of his hands dusted down my still sore neck until he reached my breasts. He plucked and pinched at my nipples, then twisted one of them with harsh fingers. My hips lifted, trying to create some friction against my core.

“I’m going to take you fast and hard, okay?”

“Please, yes.” I didn’t want to be teased tonight, I wanted to be fucked immediately.

Thankfully, Whist was more than happy to oblige. He rammed his cock into me without any prep, but I was so desperate for him, it was unnecessary. I threw my arms around his neck and licked up his throat. He growled again and thrust into me even harder. I loved it when they growled, it woke something deep inside me, something primal and wild. His hands grasped my ass, and he moved faster and rougher, his pelvis grinding against my clit. My hands clutched at him as we rode the waves of relief and need, releasing the fear and worry and pain.

Whist lifted me from the counter and slammed me against the bathroom door, reaching even deeper inside me, sweat slicking between our chests. We gasped and grunted and grappled until with one final plunge, we fell over the edge together.

He set me back on my feet, kissing me softly. I smiled against his lips and pushed him back. “I think we need another dip in the bath.”

He snorted. “Agreed.”

We cleaned up and left the bathroom. I stumbled to a stop at the sight of Aster sitting on his bed with Saber and Sky. My dress was soaked and bloody, so I’d come out completely naked.

All three men stared, their eyes roaming up and down my flushed body. My nipples pebbled beneath their perusal, but I took a step back, hiding behind Whist. Sky chuckled and tossed me a nightgown. It was a short and silky green thing, but it was better than being naked. I slid it on and strode out from behind Whist with my head held high.

Sky and Saber surrounded me, murmuring nonsense and stroking my bruised throat and scraped skin. They each took one of my hands and drew me over to the bed. Aster pulled back the corner of the blankets and I slid into the prince’s bed.

“Get some sleep, love. We’re all here and you’re safe.” Saber kissed me softly.

I considered arguing with them, but I was exhausted, so for the night I would let them take care of me and spoil me. I’d be strong and stubborn later. I curled up between the two of them, needing their touch as much as they needed mine, reassuring each other we’re all okay and still together. Whist and Aster moved to the corner of the room, talking quietly.

But not so quietly Aster’s words didn’t filter over to us. “You need to get her out of here. She isn’t interested in being my kindred and I understand. Even if she agreed, she’ll never be safe here. Not until my father is deposed. And we’re playing the long game, so it could be years.”

I kept my eyes almost closed, peering at them through slitted lids.

“We promised her from the beginning it would always be her choice. I’m not going to take that away from her now.” Whist shook his head.

Aster huffed. “Then talk her into it. My father isn’t going to stop. And if he can’t get to her, he’ll take you three out to make her more vulnerable.”

The king could try. Maybe Indigo and Aster wanted it to be a peaceful dethroning, but I was more and more willing to assassinate the damn man myself.

“None of us are willing to run away at the first sign of trouble. We’ve been fighting with you against your father for years since we were still just royal guards. We already tried to run once. Unless it’s what Rhapsody wants, we aren’t doing it again.”

Aster sighed and rubbed his perfect hair into a tousled mess. “Damn it, Whist. I don’t want to watch my kindred die by my father’s hands. I’d rather know she’s safe and happy with you three.”

“Even if she decided she wanted the bond?”

“Even then. You know how much I want her and the bond, but not at the expense of her life.”

Whist groaned. “You’re an idiot, my friend. You’ve spent all this time pushing her away, waiting for her to turn you down instead of letting her get to know you and getting to know her. So she’s going to deny the bond even though the two of you would be powerful and amazing together, you were literally created for each other. The changes we could usher in with her at your side could heal our country.”

“How is the bond letting you keep her in danger? How have you not thrown her over your shoulder and run as far and as fast as you can?” Aster’s mask was completely shattered, leaving him torn and in pain.

“The bond doesn’t work like that. Which you know. The bond is strong, yes. It draws you together and seduces you. But it doesn’t make you fall in love, it doesn’t take away choices and free will.” Whist gestured over at us with his chin. “Something which that kindred of ours is a big believer in.”

Aster opened his mouth to respond, but Whist kept going.

“And your father’s laws take those choices away. You either marry your kindred, or you live your life alone. You saw what my father was like. He was a complete asshole and the day he died was the day my mother and I were finally free. She never would have married him if the laws didn’t demand it. And since he was her only kindred, she’s alone for the rest of her life, never getting to have the relationship she deserves.”

Aster grimaced.

The special smile of his lit up Whist’s face. “Then I find my kindred, a woman who rails against the very thing that broke my mother’s heart. And she gets people talking about it and spreading her music throughout the land. Her music makes people think and feel and change their minds and hearts. It’s a powerful force that could end this fight even sooner. But yes. Part of me wants to wrap her in seventeen layers of blankets and lock her away. But if I did that, she’d never forgive me and I would break whatever relationship we’ve been building. Rhapsody can’t be manipulated or pressured. She’ll make the choice that helps the most people while staying as true to her core beliefs as she can.”

I closed my eyes against the tears gathering in my eyes. Whist so rarely spoke what was in his heart. I wanted to leap from the bed and throw myself in his arms.

Aster let out a dark chuckle. “She’s changed you. You never were one for speeches and feelings. It was always planning and logic and militant stoicism.”

Once I got myself under control, I sneaked glances at them again, hoping Sky’s body curled against mine hid my attention. He and Saber were already knocked out. I envied their ability to fall asleep so quickly, whenever, wherever.

“She has and I don’t regret it the slightest. You should fight for her, Aster. She’s worth it. She’ll change you too.”

Aster glanced over at us. “Sky and Saber seem thrilled too. Like the found their missing piece.”

“They did.”

“How the hell do I fight for her?” Aster threw up his hands.

Whist exhaled as he leaned against the wall. “Not with your usual flirtations and charm. Saber told you that.”

Aster rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t, Whist. I cannot try and tempt her to stay. Maybe there’s a way you four can help us from Havisam. It’s what would be best for her and you three.”

“But what about you? What about this kingdom?”

“Fuck the kingdom and me. We’ll either win or we won’t, but not with her as collateral damage.”

Aster didn’t know it, but his words helped me cement the decision I’d already made days ago, I just hadn’t had the courage to admit it yet.