Tortured Royals (Game of Psychos #3)

Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

~ Princess Blake ~

T heon leads us through the dead forest until the ashen trees abruptly end, and the forest is teeming with life again in the span of a single step. The trees are lush with heart-shaped golden leaves that glisten in the sun, and bees and other insects fly through the air, visiting the flowers nestled amongst the weeds and grasses.

It feels like not much time has passed when we reach a small valley filled with thousands of golden and violet wildflowers that scent the air with a rich, sweet aroma. We climb down a slope, and nestled in the middle of the valley, we find three large pools of water. Steam rises in wispy curls from the water’s surface, making the air thick and humid, and magic makes my skin prickle with awareness. Carefully, I assess my surroundings.

“Whoa, so I guess these are the hot springs,” Shade comments, perking up on my shoulder. “Have you ever seen water so blue?”

“Only once when I visited Norso,” I reply, eyeing the crystal water and recalling a time when I’d had to attend a royal celebration in the realm of the water monsters. It had been a strange event that involved a lot of nudity from the citizens, but the water surrounding the island we were on had been an incredible vibrant blue that glittered like sapphires, sparkles dancing on the water like we were staring at an ocean filled with glitter.

Theon places down the large golden basket he’s been carrying this entire time, and he walks over to the closest pool. Crouching, he dips one of his hands into the water, and he closes his eyes as he scoops water onto his head. Droplets trail down his face, clinging to his lashes, and he smiles as he lets out a long breath. It’s a wide, relaxed, unnatural smile, and I watch the male suspiciously as he opens his eyes and stands, still beaming like he’s just heard the best news of his entire life. He looks nothing like the solemn archangel who’d been leading us through the forest not long ago.

“Okay, I don’t know what just happened, but I’ll have whatever he’s had,” Shade comments, hopping excitedly on my shoulder.

Frowning, I study the archangel’s face and watch him for any more strange behavior.

“What is this place?” Alaric growls, clearly having picked up on Theon’s odd change in mood as well. I can still feel the foreign magic in the air, and though my senses aren’t telling me it’s dangerous, I remain wary.

Theon’s eyes sparkle, and he indicates to the three pools with his hand. “These waters have unique properties. Angels come here when they need a little…reminder of how life is to be cherished. Individuals are affected in different ways, but the result is always the same.”

“Unique properties?” I repeat to Shade.

“I knew it! He totally just got high off that stuff.” She opens her wings like she’s about to fly into one of the pools, but I lift my hand, stroking her feathers as I try to calm her.

“We don’t even know what it does, let alone how it will affect a bird,” I try to rationalize with her.

“True,” she admits. “But he said the result is always the same, and if that result is a buzz that lasts as long as their eternal summer, I’m down.”

I shake my head, and I keep stroking her, mostly to make sure she doesn’t dive into the pool. Not until we have more information.

“What unique properties?” Dante asks, looking just as eager as Shade to go for a dip.

Theon stares at us, that giddy smile still on his face. “The water has been blessed by one of Toralyn’s most gifted archangels. The magic within it temporarily washes away any negative thoughts and allows you to focus on positivity.”

Positivity? I think of how grumpy Prince Callan has been for the majority of the time that I’ve known him. “Okay, so clearly Prince Callan never visits this place,” I tell Shade, and she cackles in my head.

“Why did Prince Callan order you to bring us here?” I ask Theon.

“These springs are a treasured landmark of this forest,” he explains. “It might not seem like it, but this location is guarded by a strong protection spell that repels any being with ill intentions.”

“So, if there are any witches remaining in the area, they won’t be able to find us here,” I say as understanding filters through me.

“That is correct, your highness. You can rest here for a while knowing there is no threat to you.” The archangel indicates to the basket on the ground. “Please use these supplies I have gathered for you all. I am sure Prince Callan will not keep you waiting for long.”

“So, this water,” Nate says, pushing for more information. “It’s safe?”

Theon’s gaze slides to the shifter, and I swear there’s an amused glint in the healer’s eyes before he says, “Quite safe, I assure you. You are welcome to freshen up before you leave to meet the queen.” He pauses as if he’s only just taking in our appearance. “Something I would highly recommend given your current state. Queen Vespera may not take kindly to you should you arrive to her halls like this.”

I get the distinct feeling there’s something the archangel isn’t telling us, but he merely bids us farewell and spreads his wings, lifting into the air and leaving us behind.

The moment he’s out of sight, Nate stretches in a way that’s entirely feline. “Well, now that he’s gone let’s check out what he’s left us, shall we?” He strides to the basket and rifles through the contents. Before long, he’s pulling out a golden wine bottle and holding it up triumphantly. “Thank you, Lady,” he mutters to the sky. He kisses the glass bottle, removing the cork with his teeth before guzzling some of the liquid down.

Dante moves past him, going to the basket next, and Mason helps the demon spread a golden rug on the ground. They arrange an assortment of food on it, from lush golden apples to a range of glittering cheeses and breads that look so good my mouth waters.

“Princess,” Dante says to me, flourishing his hand toward the blanket dramatically when he’s finished.

I grin, settling down and stretching out my legs.

Mason and Dante make themselves comfortable on either side of me, and we spend the next while relaxing and devouring the food. There is fruit and seeds for Shade, and even Alaric eats his fill, though he watches me with intensity, staring at my mouth as I eat.

When I can’t fit in another bite, I lean back against Dante’s hard chest, entirely ready for a nap. Yawning, I close my eyes as the sun beats down on us.

Dante’s tail curls around my thigh as his fingers trace lazy circles on my arm, and the idea of sleep quickly vanishes as I focus on his touch.

“Feel better?” he murmurs in my ear.

“Mhmm,” I mutter, mentally willing him to move his hand lower. My stomach might be satisfied, but liquid heat pools between my thighs as my mates’ scents swirl around me.

Opening my eyes, I find Alaric, Mason, and Nate are all watching me with interest, their bodies tense. Nate’s stare is predatory as he finishes another bottle of wine, and I get the feeling he’s looking for any excuse to pounce. Blood pounds in my ears, desire making my body tighten.

“You do realize you’re all still filthy, right?” Shade’s words cut into my head, and I blink. I’d almost forgotten she was there, eating on the grass.

I take note of the mottled blood and gore still covering me and my mates. Blood doesn’t usually bother me, but there’s something about the battle with the witches that still has me feeling unsettled.

“What did Theon say?” Shade goes on. “That you should clean up before seeing the angel queen? Hmmm,” she muses. “If only there was water nearby that you could use.”

I give her a deadpan look. “You just want to go into one of the pools.”

“Can you blame me?” she says, staring back at me with beady eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re not curious.”

Lifting my head, I stare over at the crystal blue water. Curls of steam rise into the air like small puffs of smoke, and the light breeze is pleasant against my skin. Going in there does sound amazing, and surely Prince Callan wouldn’t send us here if it was unsafe. Right? Then again, who knows what goes through that archangel’s head. At the thought of my missing mate, irritation sparks through me, and I sit up.

Dante raises a brow, his hand falling from my arm. “Something wrong?”

“We should be on our way to the palace,” I answer. “Not stuffing our faces and lazing in the sun.”

“Speak for yourself, gorgeous,” Nate replies, tipping up the bottle to get the last drops of wine out. “We earned this.”

“We should wait for Prince Callan,” Mason adds. “This is his land, after all.”

His words sting a little, but only because I’m once again reminded of my mother. Of the fact, that in a way, this is my land, too, even if the place feels foreign to me.

Standing, I walk to the closest pool, remembering how happy Theon had been after he’d doused himself with water. The water is so clear the smooth stone at the bottom of the pool is easily visible, and if I’m seeing correctly, it’s not that deep. At least I know this isn’t like the bath in Perstalia. Not that I would expect any ancient water demons in Toralyn, but Dad has taught me not to underestimate any situation.

“Yesss,” Shade hisses in my head. “You go in there and if you don’t die, I’ll follow you.”

I grin at her. “You really are keen for this, aren’t you?”

“I’m dying of heat exhaustion,” she squawks dramatically. “If you’re not going to let me go first, you can at least take one for the team.”

My lips stretch wider. I’m still pretty certain there’s something about these hot springs that Theon didn’t tell us, but if we’re going to get ourselves cleaned up to meet the queen, there’s no point wasting more time. Without hesitating any longer, I start peeling off my shirt.

I barely have the garment over my head when a large body is behind me, taking over, and gently pulling my shirt off. I don’t even need to look to know who it is. Mason’s rich amber and leather scent fills my nose, and awareness prickles through me.

“I can undress myself,” I grouse.

“If you couldn’t, I would be worried,” my centaur replies, a hint of humor in his voice as he kisses my neck, his hands sliding up my arms.

My hands are still in the air when Dante moves in front of me. He crouches down, removing my weapons belt before he works on unfastening my pants. Slowly, he pulls my pants to my ankles before sliding them off entirely.

“No one is doubting your capability, princess,” my demon drawls, “but why should you have to when you have us?” I’m completely exposed now, and my legs tremble at the thought of having Dante’s face between my thighs. He smirks up at me, his midnight blue eyes framed by thick black lashes, and my breathing starts to quicken.

“Soooo, I’m guessin’ it’s bath time?” Nate says, cracking his neck and coming over to strip beside me. In a matter of seconds, he’s naked, and he leaves his clothes in a pile next to the pool. “See you in there, gorgeous,” he says with a wink, and he dips his fingers into the water before striding into the pool. The water reaches to just under his muscled butt, but he sinks down until he’s submerged up to his chest. My shifter mate becomes preternaturally still, and for a moment, my heart skitters.

Shade squawks in my head. “Please tell me your sexy shifter is still alive.”

My heart pounds, and I watch intently, the seconds clawing by as Nate keeps his back to me, but then he turns toward us. The predatory gaze on his face is purely carnal, and his slitted eyes never leave me, the tips of fangs showing from between his lips.

“Oh goodie, he didn’t die,” Shade comments, and she pauses before adding. “But damn, when is it my turn to have a guy looking at me like that?”

I swallow thickly. “We’re just bathing and washing our clothes,” I say aloud, my voice annoyingly breathless. “Prince Callan will be here soon, and we’d better get to the queen.”

“Of course, my mate,” Mason agrees, still kissing my neck, and Dante gives me a sensual smile, his dark gaze promising pleasure.

“Don’t forget to tell me how the water is,” Shade sing-songs in my mind as my demon leads me into the pool.