11. Elzora
11
ELZORA
M y eyes fly open, and I spot the familiar ceiling in Necos’s castle.
My heart is pounding.
There’s an echo of it in my mind that seems to be rattling my skull.
My legs are trembling, and I can’t tell if it’s from being cold or from fear.
And my magicae is?—
“Fuck,” a muffled voice groans as my magicae bursts out of me, into the wards of our home. I don’t know what it’s doing, but I just close my eyes and let it happen.
“You can stop now, dragonfly,” Zohar soothes. His voice is husky with sleep, and as I pull back on my magicae, he gets on the bed with me. I open my eyes to take him in, and he looks exhausted.
“I’m sorry.” I roll so that we’re facing each other, and I cup his cheek. “I’m not sure why I was so panicked.”
“You’ve slept all night,” he says before yawning. I grin at the sleepy look on his face, but a part of me feels guilty that, for the second night in a row, he’s been on call for me.
“Don’t be sorry, dragonfly.” He leans forward and kisses my nose, grinning at me. “You passed out at the compound yesterday, do you remember?” I nod, thinking of the showdown between Ciar and my uncle. “Well, when that happened, your magicae was being fuelled by your connection to Etrix and adrenaline, so now, when you’ve woken up, your primordium is a little overfull.”
“Oops.” I cringe, and he laughs.
“Don’t be ashamed. This is a good thing. Maturing is amazing, but with that is a big adjustment period. Your magicae is learning the limits now and figuring out what it can handle.”
I nod, moving to sit up. I grab my glasses from the side and stretch out my body.
“What can I do for it?” I ask, an excited tingle rushing through me. I want to play, to explore the boundaries, to make something magicael.
Zohar smiles, tucking my hair behind my ears. There’s a joyous look on his face that resonates with me. Everything has been doom and gloom for a little while, we deserve some fun.
“A lot,” he says. “But right now, I’d advise getting ready and coming downstairs. Everyone is home, and we’ve got a lot to talk about.”
It’s like he’s thrown a bucket of icy water over me, and I flinch but nod my head slowly. Zohar leans in and brushes a soft kiss to my lips before leaving my room.
I don’t like that I’m suddenly alone, especially not with how antsy I’m suddenly feeling. The energy in me is so chaotic, and with the way that it feeds off of my mood, I’m scared.
I don’t want to hurt anyone, not like— oh.
Yesterday was a lot, and I hit everyone with my magicae… again . I don’t know why that’s my initial reaction or how I can stop it from happening, but it was a little embarrassing to do in front of Anomus.
I don’t know how I feel about having an uncle.
I don’t know how I feel about any of it.
“Pull your pants up, Ellie,” I mutter to myself before dragging myself out of bed. I get my things to shower and take my time getting dressed.
“How was your shower?” Ryes asks, lounging on my bed as I re-enter the room. I raise an eyebrow at the air witch, but he just gives me a cheeky grin. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Ry,” I say with a soft smile. “How is everyone doing?”
“Want the non-spying version or the version I hear?” He waggles his brows.
“Your version.” I don’t hesitate in asking, knowing that the majority of my men would never begrudge me their truth. I move over to the bed to sit down with him.
He sits up and uses his magicae to shut my bedroom door. For someone with access to so many secrets, he’s not a gossip. He’s usually a vault, so I’m glad he’s helping calm me by sharing.
“Your thoughts are always the loudest to me, baby, and I can hear how much you’re struggling. So I’m going to tell you what I can to help,” he says as delicately as he can. “Necos is all over the place. He’s got a lot of masks to wear, and none of them are the ones he wants to be wearing.”
I frown as the little hourglass inside of me pulses extra hard for a moment. It hurts knowing that he’s stuck in a mould he doesn’t want to be in, and I’m desperate to fix it for him.
“Can we help him?”
He shakes his head. “No, but I know that you’re worrying about the distance between you and Necos, and I think that’s part of the reason why. It might be worth trying to talk to him, if you can, so the two of you can get on the same page.”
“I’ll try.” I grab my comb from my dresser so I can sort out my hair as we talk.
“I’m doing okay. Very excited to go play in their playground and explore,” he says with a wink. “That training room was sick as fuck, and I can’t wait to start beating up rebels for real this time.”
I groan, and he laughs, as my mind wanders to Etrix. Passing out when I did means I left him vulnerable and alone.
“Etrix is fine. He’s had some sun this morning and is in full health and is in a pretty good mood considering he nearly died yesterday,” he continues, and I flinch thinking about how lifeless my light witch anima nexum was. “Don’t worry, we’re all glad he didn’t. Although, it would’ve been better if he lost an eye or had some permanent damage to his?—”
There’s a cough, and both of us turn to the doorway where Necos is standing. He’s wearing a dark grey suit, although the jacket is missing, and he looks a little tired. I get the feeling he had a late night last night.
“What are you two talking about?” Necos asks, his eyes darting between Ryes and I.
“Just filling Zoe in with what she missed whilst she was sleeping,” Ryes replies cheerfully.
“I see.” Necos shakes his head. “We’re having a meeting in a few moments, Elzora, but I wanted to come and give you some advice.”
“Advice?” I glance at Ryes, unsure, but he doesn’t seem concerned.
“Your magicae is unstable,” he says. “Use us and the bond. Gift us some magicae, and let your stores settle.”
“That could be a good idea, but won’t her primordium just generate more if she’s constantly using it?” Ryes asks, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
“It won’t, Zoe. Right now, you’re over capacity. Your primordium isn’t going to try and replenish anything because there’s nothing to replenish,” Necos replies. “Listen to your body, and don’t dip into those supplies.”
I nod slowly and take Ryes’s hand, letting my intention flow through as I use the rune I branded him with to store some magicae. Once he’s full, I move over to Necos.
I flinch when Necos takes a step back and offers his hand out, putting as much physical distance between us as possible. Our bond shows his tension at having to endure this, and I feel awful, so I get it over as fast as possible for him.
“Go share with the others, and keep an eye on your stores, ZoZo,” Ryes says with a grin. Whilst his tone is upbeat, his eyes are narrowed into slits.
“Are you two okay?” I ask nervously.
He nods his head. “Just got to have a small chat with Necos here about his thoughts.”
“We’re fine, Elzora,” Necos says, and I take the dismissal with a heavy heart. I don’t hear a single thing as I leave my bedroom, but I hope they’re not fighting because of my feelings.
“You good, princess?” Etrix asks, and I drop the frown as I race over to his side. He swings me around into his arms, hugging me close, and I’m not even embarrassed that I burst into tears.
“Of course, she’s crying at you,” Jasper says.
“It’s because of how ugly he is,” Mael tells him. “Don’t worry, it’ll be your turn next.”
I can’t even bring myself to tell them to stop, my relief at Etrix being alive is too overwhelming.
“Shh,” my light witch soothes, clutching me as tight as I’m holding him. “You’re safe, I’m safe, it’s okay.”
“You nearly died.” I choke the words out between sobs, my face pressed so firmly into his chest I doubt anyone can understand me.
“Let it out, I can take it,” Etrix soothes, and I continue crying as I examine his soul to make sure he’s truly okay. He’s not drained any more, there’s no real sign of him being harmed yesterday.
He’s fine.
Healthy.
“Alive,” I whisper, and he presses a kiss to my forehead.
“I wish I was the one to nearly die,” Ryes says. I don’t know when he arrived, but I can’t pull away from Etrix just yet to find out.
“We’re waiting on Vexus and Ciar coming back,” Eirik says softly. “Why don’t we move through to the lounge and let Etrix and Zoe have a few minutes?”
“They don’t need any space,” Mael protests, and I can hear the sulk in his words.
I giggle, pulling back from Etrix’s chest a little. My light witch grins down at me. “I’d like some space.”
“Why is her blush so cute?” Zohar wonders as they all leave the room, some more reluctantly than others.
“I’m okay, I promise,” Etrix murmurs, cupping my cheek.
“You were—” I start as tears fill my eyes once more.
“I know, princess, I know.” He brushes a soft kiss to my lips, and I let my hands roam up his chest, feeling the warm skin, reminding myself that he’s alive, that he’s here, that he’s healthy.
“Mine,” I murmur against his lips, deepening the kiss.
He moves over to the counter, sitting me on there, as my hands roam around his back, pulling him closer to me.
“Mine,” he echoes as the magicae in me bursts out of my hands. Etrix doesn’t care, he doesn’t stop kissing, so neither do I. There’s a pull between us, something desperate, needing our connection.
Pleasure builds inside me, and his kiss is all-consuming as we grind against each other. He absorbs my magicae, groaning into my mouth, holding me close, as his hands heat up, too.
We’re sharing magicae, we’re nourishing our bond, and I’m reassuring myself that he’s alive.
I whimper as my orgasm bursts through me, magicae exploding throughout the room, and Etrix shudders under my touch. The two of us ride out the wave together, and I feel so lovely and balanced when it stops.
I pull away, and my light witch is grinning at me, his amber eyes bright and full of life. I hear numerous footsteps and bury my head into Etrix’s neck, embarrassment overtaking me.
“You’re so cute, ZoZo baby,” Ryes says, and I can hear the grin in his words.
“What the fuck is— oh ,” Eirik demands before faltering. I can’t move, despite the heat of my cheeks likely burning Etrix as I hide. “Everyone out. Now.”
“That’s the kitchen, for fuck’s sake,” I hear Jasper mutter, and I giggle.
“Don’t be long,” Eirik says, and I can feel his awkwardness as he turns to join the rest of the group back in the living room.
“Well, that’s new,” Etrix says, gently pulling me back. I shiver with the intensity of his gaze. “You’re beautiful. Don’t hide from me.”
“I was hiding from all of them,” I murmur, and he laughs, running his knuckles down my cheek.
“You used your magicae during.”
“I didn’t mean to. Was it… okay?”
The smirk that adorns his face should be criminal. He leans in and gently brushes his lips against mine before softly kissing along my jawline.
“Trust me,” he whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine, “that was the best orgasm I’ve ever had, princess.”
“But I don’t… I didn’t…” I trail off as he bites my earlobe, whimpering under his touch.
“What didn’t you do, baby?” he asks, one of his hands moving to grip my nape, and I soften under his touch. The pressure feels amazing , and he tightens it ever so slightly.
Wow.
“Answer me, baby girl,” he commands. “What didn’t you do?”
“Touch you.” The words are more of a moan than anything else, and his eyes darken with desire.
He licks my earlobe, and I shiver again as butterflies flutter in my tummy. I’m breathless, desperate, happy.
“It doesn’t matter,” he promises. “The fact that it was with you is what tops them all, princess. Now, let’s go join the others.”
“Now?” I gasp as he steps back from me. I see the wet spot in his pants, and he just shrugs and the spot disappears.
I don’t know what spell he used, but it worked well enough.
“Now.” Etrix waggles his brows, seeming far too happy and energised.
“Fine,” I mumble, and he laughs, helping me down from the counter. “But just know, I was happier in here, E.”
He roars with laughter, and I roll my eyes as I smile. He leads me through to where the others are all sitting expectantly, and I immediately hang my head.
Am I embarrassed? Nervous? Aroused?
“Leave her alone, fuckers,” Mael demands, tugging my wrist. I meet his eyes, and he smiles. “Come sit with me.”
I immediately drop into the spare spot beside him, curling up against his chest.
“Don’t sit with him,” Ryes whines, shaking his head. “Come sit by me.”
“Is this how meetings go around here?” Vex asks, looking around the room. When nobody corrects him, he leans forward with a grin. “Come sit by me, little love. Fuck the rest of them. I don’t even have a bond with you like they do, I miss you.”
Jasper smirks. “Good use of all your tools, soul witch.”
“Don’t try and guilt her. That is not the way we do things,” Ciar warns as he forms a shadow ball. I watch as he tosses it in the air, giving both Vex and Jasper dirty looks. Neither seem to care.
“It so is,” Ryes mutters, and Mael snorts.
“It wasn’t a lie,” Vexus says with a whine that is almost identical to Ryes’s.
“The chosen seats are final,” Eirik says, sharing a commiserating look with Necos, who doesn’t return it. “How are you feeling, Zoe?”
“Better,” I say, blushing at some of the laughter.
“What helped more—the time with Etrix or sharing your magicae with Ryes and I?” Necos asks. My cheeks heat up, and I don’t know how to answer when he’s using such a clinical tone.
I’m not… it didn’t feel like a clinical moment. I was just embracing my bond with Etrix.
Necos’s gaze softens, and I drop my head, avoiding their eyes as they all clearly hear my thoughts.
“Um, the time with Etrix,” I admit. Zohar reaches over from the armchair next to me and takes my hands in his, giving me a gentle squeeze.
“Calm, dragonfly, you’re okay. Nobody is making fun of you.”
“She’s embarrassed because you’re all nosy cunts,” Etrix says with a frown. “Leave her alone.”
“Ryes, come sit here,” Mael demands, gesturing to the floor in front of us.
“Why him?” Vexus demands, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “I could sit on the floor next to you.”
“Fuck me, you’re all acting like children,” Jasper says with a sneer. “Did I really get out of bed for this shit?”
The shadow ball is launched at Jasper’s head, but Ryes deflects it away for the earth witch as he moves around to come and sit at my feet. I understand what Mael wanted Ryes for when my air witch rests his head in my lap, and I start running my hands through his hair.
I won’t pick at my nails if he’s here.
“Thank you,” I murmur, kissing Mael’s jaw.
“I’m going to cut my hair,” Vexus decides, the envy in his eyes clear to see as he watches Ryes.
Jasper’s looking down at his feet, an air of tension clinging to him. I can’t get a good read on his aura at all—there’s just some sort of grey haze that I can’t identify.
He’s not sad, but he’s almost empty . Not unsettled, but very out of sorts. Bright red angry spots, but the darkness of them makes me think he’s more angry at himself than anyone else.
It makes my heart hurt, and I wish he’d let me help his soul.
“You’re going to cut your hair?” Etrix asks, and the soul witch nods. “Why?”
“Nobody cares why,” Eirik says with a sigh. “Can we please stay on track?”
“So that I can have my head scratched. It looks so nice.” I burst into giggles at Vex’s wistful sigh and Eirik groans.
Jasper rolls his eyes. “That’s stupid. She can still touch your head with longer hair.”
“Just because Zoe doesn’t want to sit by you doesn’t mean you need to be getting mad,” Ryes taunts.
“I don’t want to sit by her ,” he corrects, and my giggles cut off as a wave of hurt hits me. Everyone sobers up, and Jasper trains his gaze on the wall opposite him in an effort to ignore the looks from the other men in the room.
“I feel a lot better,” I say, looking up to Eirik, hoping that my tone stays even.
“It’s hard as a soul witch to remain balanced,” Vex says, and I turn to face him, intrigued to learn something new about my magicae. “You replenish yourself by connecting with souls, and of course, connecting with the souls belonging to your anima ? — ”
“Oh, shit,” Jasper says, sitting forward. “All she needs to do is connect with us, and she’ll replenish herself faster.”
“It’s so funny when he steals someone else’s breakthrough and acts like it’s his own,” Ryes says, and Zohar starts laughing.
Jasper rolls his eyes and doesn’t argue. “That’s fucking amazing, sunflower.”
“It is. We’re walking, talking batteries for Zoe’s use,” Vexus says with a nod.
“I’m signing up for the orgasm type of recharging,” Ryes says, raising his hand. “Etrix sounded like he had fun.”
“You were listening ?” Etrix demands before gagging dramatically.
“Fuck, I did not need to know that,” Mael adds.
“You’re entitled to use your magicae however you want, Ryes, but let’s not verbalise it in a meeting, okay?” Eirik says, and the fact that he manages it with such a straight face sends me into a giggle fit.
“I didn’t think you had it in you, Eirik,” Vexus says, which makes me laugh even harder. I turn my head into Mael, trying to hide it.
“It’s futile, Ellie baby,” Mael murmurs, his voice thick with amusement. “Your giggles cannot be contained.”
“I wish the rest of you could,” Necos says dryly, sending me into another round of hysterics. “I’ve got a meeting in an hour and a half, and I want to get through this before I go.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” Jasper asks, his tone full of sarcasm. “Come on, boy band, let’s all hush up so the only one with things to do today can get to them.”
“Don’t be such a dick, Jazz,” Necos says with a sigh.
“This is more like our meetings,” I say to Vexus, and he snorts into his fist. He’s not the only one, the others around me all start to laugh as if I said something funny.
I wasn’t trying to joke. I was being serious.
“Something the rest of us lack, ZoZo,” Ryes says, tilting his head back further to grin up at me. “But I can feel your anxiety, so we’re all going to behave.”
“And if we don’t want to obey you?” Etrix asks, raising an eyebrow at Ryes.
“Please,” I ask, looking over to Etrix. I don’t know where the wave of exhaustion has come from, but I’m so drained.
I love the joking and the teasing from my men, when it’s all done in jest. But the moment it sours, like it has been constantly lately, it’s just too much. It affects me so badly, and I don’t know how to cope with it.
“Yesterday was enlightening,” Eirik says, moving to take centre stage. “My dad is up to something, and it won’t be good for us, whatever it may be.”
“It’ll be a formal announcement to the kingdom, more than likely,” Etrix says. “Publicity, media?—”
“People who want to harm our mate,” Vexus says with a heavy sigh.
“Yes,” Eirik replies. “We’ve probably got another week or so before he shares those plans with us. Dr Kunya has helped regarding the test results, and his daughter is obviously a rebel, so not someone we should be concerned with causing us any issues.”
“She’s a helpful rebel, too,” Necos says, and it almost seems like he’s smirking. “Works within our research facility.”
Eirik shakes his head. “From here on out: Theran is someone we do not trust. We’re closing off from him and will keep it cordial but no further.”
“Is that wise?” I ask, looking around the room.
“Yes,” Necos and Eirik say as one.
“Okay.” I relax back into Mael, trusting the two leaders. They know what they’re doing, and that’s good enough for me.
“You don’t want to know more?” Jasper asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Not really.” I shrug when his green eyes narrow as if I’m telling a lie. “I don’t need to know the ins and outs of everything. I trust you all, and if you say it’s a smart move, I trust that.”
He crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Seems stupid to me, but you do you.”
Mael lifts my hands back to Ryes’s hair, stopping the picking I started to do. I bite the inside of my cheek, desperate to not cry.
I never thought it was a stupid decision. I thought it was smart, not overwhelming myself with every issue.
“Enough,” Necos snarls, slamming his foot down as silver threads fly out, securing around each person’s neck. There’s not one around mine or Eirik’s, but everyone else is held underneath one.
I frown, leaning forward nervously, not sure if I should intervene or not.
“It doesn’t hurt them,” the time witch says to me. “They’re just held in the moment whilst we talk and are forced to listen.”
“I don’t like it,” I say, looking up at the vacant expression on Mael’s face.
“And I don’t like that we’ve wasted fifteen minutes,” Necos says firmly. “The danger with the doctor’s appointment is settled. Anomus would like it if you’d consent to one of his healers checking you over, but it’s up to you whether you want that.”
“I don’t know,” I say with a small frown. “I trust Zohar, and he’s confident I’m okay.”
“Zohar is exceptional, but he doesn’t have access to a high-tech medical institution and some of the advanced tests that might be worthwhile doing,” Necos replies. “I’m sure that Zohar and the healer could work together, and Anomus wouldn’t allow any harm to come to you.”
“What do you think?” I ask Eirik, twiddling with Ryes’s hair as a means to control myself.
Eirik nods. “I agree that it’s something that is needed. I was monitored extensively for the first three months because of how haywire my magicae was. I’m sure Zohar knows what to do and can access their medical network, but having trusted support will be essential.”
“Okay.” I wrap my arms around myself, trying to avoid looking down at the vacant Ryes or opposite at where Jasper’s paused with his mouth open.
“Anomus wants to see you again as soon as you’re ready,” Eirik adds.
“I need… can I have today?” I ask. I hang my head low, letting the shame overwhelm me at not being ready to face my uncle just yet.
To my surprise, it’s not Eirik who crouches down and takes my hands in his but Necos. He kneels just to the side of Ryes, and there’s a gentle expression on his face that I so rarely see from him.
“You can take as long as you need, Elzora,” he promises. “Don’t feel any pressure to come to terms with things on anyone else’s timeline.”
“Necos is right, darling,” Eirik adds, and I look over at him with tears in my eyes. “Anomus isn’t going anywhere. He’s waited this long, and he will wait to let you come to him when he’s ready.”
“I’m terrified.” I bite my lip.
“You’ve only ever had your grandma, and I know that this must be hard, but it’s also a good thing,” Eirik says, moving to sit on the arm of the chair, next to Mael. He cups my cheek, and I lean into his warm touch.
“I thought you all hated him?”
“We thought he was a murderer.” Eirik tilts his head, as Necos snorts. “Fine, we thought he killed your parents. I’m sure he’s still killed people, but we don’t really care too much about that.”
“Oh.”
“Do you dislike him?” Necos squeezes my hands.
“My magicae knows him,” I say softly. “But I don’t. I don’t feel one way or another right now.”
I’m lying. My magicae loves him, knows him, desires the familial connection. And honestly… I long to know the one remaining family member I have.
My soul needs it.
Eirik and Necos share a knowing look.
“Thank fuck,” Vexus says, and we all turn to where he’s sitting rubbing at his neck. “I fucking hate when you do that to me.”
“I’d apologise, but I’m not sorry,” Necos says with a huff. He rises to his feet after squeezing my hand once more.
Vex grins at me. “We can hear everything you all said, and I just want to say that I know Anomus the best out of us all, and trust me when I say he’s obsessed with you just like we are.
“He adores you and has since the day you were born, little love. He will wait, and he won’t care how long it takes or how many questions you have?—”
“Lots,” I whisper tearfully.
“I can imagine,” he says softly. “So breathe, and don’t worry about that side of things until you’re ready. I’ll make sure Anomus knows you just need some time.”
“Okay.” I slowly let out a breath of air, trying to calm myself down. “What else is there to discuss?”
“The biggest problem of all,” Eirik says, and his words sound ominous. My magicae tingles expectantly, but then he winks at me, his face lighting up, and I relax. “Our initiation to the rebels.”
Necos snaps his fingers, the silver collars disappearing as the lights go dark, and I’m snatched into someone’s arms.
I don’t bother moving, not when I feel the familiar shadows covering us, and I turn to look into the dark brown eyes of my dark witch.
“I hate him.”
I grin, cupping his cheeks as his hands hold me so that I’m sitting on his forearms. We’re almost eye level, and I hear in his thoughts that he’s not referring to Necos but to Anomus.
My uncle. My family.
“I know.”
“I hate that he left you.”
“I know,” I soothe, rubbing the nape of his neck with my thumb.
“I hate that you’re going to move past it.”
I grin at him. “I know.”
“I hate that he’s going to steal you away from me,” he says with a sneer.
I gasp, wrapping my legs around his waist the best I can, and shake my head. “What are you going on about? I’m not leaving you.”
Ciar’s pouting at me. “He’s your family.”
“You are my anima nexum ,” I protest, leaning in to press my forehead against his. “You’re part of my soul— m’anam . Family is important, sure, but to a soul witch? You’re everything.”
He smiles, and it’s one of his authentic, soft smiles that gives me butterflies. “I love you.”
“As I love you,” I whisper. “No matter what bond I end up forming with my uncle… he can’t ever take me away from you.”
“He will want to. Who would want their… niece with nine men?” he asks, stumbling across the word.
I know for years that he’s only ever had to share me with four other men, and now… there’s so many more who want my time, my attention… my love.
“Probably nobody,” I reply gently. “But who would take the love of their niece’s life away from her?”
“I’d like to see him try,” my dark witch snarls, tightening his grip on me.
I wrap my arms around his neck and let my magicae soothe him from where we touch. He relaxes little by little and presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head once I pull back.
“I’ll try to be nice to him.” My dark witch drops the shadow wall and gently places me on the floor, spinning me to face the rest of the room.
“You two good?” Eirik asks, raising an eyebrow.
“They’re perfect,” Vexus says with a smile. I know he’s not looking at us, not really, he’s seeing our auras.
“I want the record to show that I’ll try to be nice,” Ciar says slowly, and as I tilt my head back to look up at him, I see the dark smile on his face. “But I make no promises.”
Etrix snorts. “I think you being nice will be scarier than you being yourself.”
Ciar’s words are filled with dark promise. “I’m counting on that.”