Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Garron brushed the loose hair off my face as Edmund lifted my hips. With my hands on Garron’s chest, I braced myself on my knees. Edmund’s palm stroked over my backside and then he slowly slid a finger into my wetness. Heat flooded my face as I stared at Garron. He smiled slightly, and I felt his abated desire grow again.
“Are you still hungry?” he asked.
I nodded jerkily, and he leaned up to kiss me.
“Then take what you need.”
I opened myself to them and felt their need for me to lose myself completely. Giving myself over to them, I did just that. Darian and Daemon arrived home in time to hear my final release, and I consumed their desire as I collapsed on Garron.
“You are so beautiful,” he said in soft praise as Edmund gently cleaned me with a cloth. “I can understand Edmund’s impatience to have you again, but I caution you to set some boundaries, or you will never leave your bed.”
Edmund hummed his agreement. “On your back. On your knees. Riding one of us.”
Their desire swelled at his descriptions, and I welcomed the endless lust.
“At some point, our poor Sparrow is going to need real food,” Eadric said from the doorway.
“Too tired to walk,” I said against Garron’s chest. “Carry me.”
Eadric made a giddy sound, and I found myself swept off of Garron and into Eadric’s arms.
“I’ve always wanted to feed you like this,” he said. “Who will be your chair, I wonder.”
“Liam,” I said, knowing he hadn’t yet returned.
Eadric cuddled me in his place until some of the feeling returned to my limbs, and I was able to lift my head. The sun was close to setting outside.
“I’ll need to dress soon,” I said.
“Why?” Daemon asked, sounding affronted.
“Any passerby will be able to see me once the house is lit from inside.”
“Then make some curtains,” Eadric said simply.
“I would much rather have curtains than see you clothed,” Darian said in agreement. “Ah, and there’s the brother we need to see. Brandle told us you have a spell for us. Let’s have it then.”
Ignoring their lightheartedness over what I still considered a serious matter, I looked at Brandle.
“Where is Liam? Should he be this late?”
“He should be home soon.”
“From where?” I pressed.
“He’s meeting with some potential friends.”
“Potential? You left him alone with people whose loyalty you are not certain about?” I tried to sit up, but Eadric’s hold kept me firmly planted against his chest as his palm stroked down my spine to circle one hip slowly.
“He’s safe, Kitten. I wouldn’t leave him if I weren’t certain of that. He’s with friends.”
“You just said ‘potential’ friends.”
“Yes. He’s meeting potential new friends with established friends.”
Finding his circular talk annoying, I touched my energy to his tunic. It fell off his torso, splitting into sections and expanding into curtains.
Brandle looked down at the heap of material at his feet then grinned at me.
“You only need to speak your wish whenever you want me to undress.”
“And my wish to stitch your mouth closed? Can I speak that too?”
His eyes twinkled with his mirth, but he wisely remained silent.
“I would like to get dressed now,” I said, once again attempting to straighten away from Eadric.
“Are you certain you don’t wish to greet Liam thusly after the long, tiring day he’s had attempting to acquire the help we need to free your sister?”
I stilled and turned to meet Eadric’s gaze.
“Are you attempting to manipulate me with guilt?”
“Yes, but not for my benefit. That would be beneath me.”
The man was positively exasperating but too cute to stay angry at. So I kissed him.
“How?” Darian said. “At the very least, that should have been a cuffing.”
“Next time she’s angry, I vote we send Eadric to calm her. He’s too gifted not to use.”
The rest of them chuckled, and I lightly pinched Eadric’s side as I ended the kiss.
“Spare me, Sparrow. I beg you. I only meant to surprise the youngest of us.”
The door opened a moment later, and we all turned to look at Liam. He paused in the doorway, his brows lifting to his hairline as he took in the sight of me and quickly closed the door.
His desire added to the heady mix already in the room.
“This is a pleasant sight,” he said.
“Come take your seat. Our Sparrow is hungry, and you are her cushion tonight.”
Eadric passed me to Liam, and while I settled on his lap, the others worked together to hang the curtains. Liam’s hands petted me throughout the meal, and though I could feel his wish to bed me, the day’s activities were demanding their due. I yawned continuously, barely finishing my meal before closing my eyes.
Liam kissed my temple.
“Put her to bed; then eat,” Brandle said. “You can join her again when you’re finished.”
“You can take the other place beside her, Brandle,” Garron said.
I drifted off to their collective agreement.
* * *
“She’s right. Your fear of losing her shows you don’t trust her to stay. You don’t trust her love for us is real,” Liam said softly. “But the spell proves it is. We should tell her before this goes any further.”
“And if she refuses?” Brandle asked.
“Has she refused anything we’ve asked of her, you idiot? No. For the love of everything in this kingdom, Brandle, she was sitting on Eadric’s lap, naked, in the middle of our kitchen. How much more do you need to believe her?”
“No arguing in my bed,” I said sleepily.
“Sorry, Love,” Liam said, petting my bare arm as he pressed a kiss to my temple. “Go back to sleep.”
I gladly did so.
* * *
When I next woke, the sun had yet to rise, and I was alone in bed with Liam.
“Good morning,” he said when I opened my eyes.
“Good morning. Did the pair of you continue arguing?”’
“We weren’t arguing, Love. I was attempting to persuade him to see what a stubborn ass he can be.”
I laughed lightly and enjoyed the feel of Liam’s fingers running through my unfettered hair.
“Are you recovered from yesterday’s casting?” he asked when I remained silent.
“I believe so. Why? Is there another spell I should cast?”
“No.” His yearning teased my senses, awakening the hunger in my well.
“They said not to feel shame. That you all love me unconditionally, and if I’m hungry, I should appease it regardless of where the hunger stems from. And I’m trying to settle in my mind that I shouldn’t hold myself to the same standards of other maidens my age—though I’m not a maiden anymore, am I?” I exhaled heavily and drew closer to him, needing comfort from the unrest in my mind. “I’m trying, but it’s not easy to set free that part of myself I’d hidden for so long. A part that my kingdom would have shunned. Add loving the seven of you into the mix, and I’m not sure how to free myself to be who I am.”
“Ah, Love,” he said, holding me tight. It was then I felt his bare chest against mine. Skin to skin from head to toe. While his heart was filled with compassion and the need to comfort me, mine turned to hunger, the damned wanton thing.
“Don’t let the others rush you,” he said. “Move forward at your own pace.”
My current pace felt too slow in the face of my hunger. Setting my hands on his chest, I pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips. The blanket slid down my torso as I straightened, and I felt the storm of his emotions. The love and the need.
“The pace changed,” I said. “I’m hungry.”
His pupils dilated, and he gave me what I needed with a single heated look. Closing my eyes, I let it in and moved against his desire for me. His hands gripped my hips, guiding me so my folds parted. I shivered at the contact and continued my slide over him.
He sat up and wrapped his arms around me, increasing our contact as he lifted me to position himself. Sinking onto his hard length drew a low moan from me. He didn’t rush me to move. Instead, he let me set a slow pace that fed his desire for me.
Unhurriedly, I consumed what he felt as the pleasure inside of me grew.
“Please, Love,” he said, kissing my neck. “Tell me what you need.”
“More,” I breathed.
He shifted his weight, folding his legs underneath him.
“Lean back,” he said, gripping my hips with one hand and pressing at my chest with the other so I lay back. He half knelt between my legs, keeping my hips elevated as he continued his slow thrust. It was a position I’d seen in the book in Henry’s study. And in this position, Liam hit a spot in me that sent shivers racing down my spine with each stroke. He picked up his speed until the sound of skin slapping skin filled the room.
The others heard us. Their lust charged the air and flooded into me. I couldn’t think or speak. I could only feel. Their need. The sensual pleasure growing inside of me, climbing higher with each of Liam’s thrusts rubbing me from the inside, coaxing me to let go…to feel…to be free.
The maelstrom inside of me clamored to be unshackled.
Liam reached between us and flicked his thumb over that sensitive nub. My mouth opened with a silent scream, and I arched at the explosion he set off inside of me.
Pleasure rippled out from my core with an intensity that flung the lid clean off my well. The air around us exploded with color as I spasmed around him.
“Don’t stop,” he gritted out, keeping his rhythm steady. “Take what you need.”
I had no control to take. Liam was my master, and I accepted what he gave me. Even when I started shaking from the duration of the release and the growing sensitivity, I didn’t ask him to stop. I simply accepted what he gave. The second release started before the first fully finished. And this time, I was not silent.
My tortured wail shook the room, and dust rained down on us from the ceiling.
Deep inside of me, I felt the spell I’d remade lift. The vow to never again be controlled by another settled deeper, and I reveled in the freedom by undulating against Liam.
He cried out and stilled. His spend flooded me, and he collapsed forward. Breathing heavily, he braced himself on his arms and stared down at me as the room continued to shake and dance with colored particles.
“I checked outside,” Garron called. “The spell’s holding. Inside is a different story.”
His words and the slow, smug grin that tugged at Liam’s lips were the reminders I needed to calm the storm within me and recap my well. It wasn’t easy, but I managed.
The shaking stopped, and the colors faded.
“It’s a good thing you spelled the house,” he said. “I think they would have heard that one in Drisdall.”
“Amusing,” I said dryly. “Are you going to help me bathe now that you’ve had your way with me?”
“Gladly.”
With a thought, I filled the tub with hot water and held on as he carried me to it. We both sighed as he sank into the steamy depths and cradled me in his lap.
“This is nice,” I said.
“It is. Are you still worried about Brandle?”
“I am,” I said. “You were right last night. I don’t know what else to do to assure him I won’t leave.” I played with Liam’s fingers. “Edmund’s initial anger misled me to believe he would be the difficult one among you.”
Liam chuckled and kissed my shoulder.
“As the oldest, Brandle feels more responsibility toward us. He’s hesitant to make a decision that might cost us all that we’ve gained. His need to protect us is the heavy burden of being the firstborn.”
“That’s horse shite,” I said.
Darian’s bark of laughter from their shared room was cut short, and I heard the sound of scuffling.
“Does she get cuffed for cursing?” Eadric asked. I knew someone cuffed him for the remark and shook my head.
“Rather than fighting, start some biscuits,” I called.
Eadric stopped at the door and peered in at us. “Do you want honey with them or jam?”
“Leave them be, dolt,” Edmund said, pulling him away.
“Why? You didn’t leave her alone with Garron?”
The pair made a racket as Edmund chased Eadric down the stairs, which groaned ominously. I touched the wood planks with my energy, strengthening them.
Daemon and Darian both stopped to look in.
“You look right comfortable, Lamb,” Daemon said.
“Need any help washing anything, Princess?” Darian asked.
“Only your brother, if you’d care to join.”
Darian threw his head back and laughed.
“Well played,” Daemon said. “I believe we’ll leave Liam to your tender care. Although Brandle might be willing. He has experience cleaning Liam’s bollocks.”
“Daemon!” Garron yelled from below. “Liam was an infant, Snow.”
“I gathered,” I called back.
“Stop causing trouble, and go help your brothers,” I said to Daemon and Darian.
They left us alone to finish washing in peace. We didn’t tarry, though. I knew they needed to be about their day and didn’t want them to leave before I had my say.
Dressing quickly, I went downstairs with Liam a few steps behind me. Garron and Brandle were putting the biscuits on a flat cooking stone above the coals.
“Are we a family?” I asked.
They all stopped what they were doing to set the table.
“We are,” Brandle said firmly.
“And, in this family, do we all have an equal voice, or does one voice carry more weight than the others?” I asked.
They glanced at each other.
“We’re equals,” Edmund said.
“Good. And when we don’t all agree, how do we resolve it?”
“A vote,” Eadric said. “Majority rules.”
“Excellent. Then Daemon and I vote that we end any remaining secrets today.”
“I do?” Daemon asked.
“Recall your promise to agree to a future request when I let you avoid your labors in the glade? I’m collecting.”
Understanding lit his gaze, and he nodded. “I agree and vote we tell our Lamb everything.”
“I agree as well,” Liam said.
Garron’s vacant gaze remained locked on the floor, and I could feel his hesitation. I went to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
“I’ve tried holding myself back from you and your brothers out of fear of hurting all of you. Slowly, you showed me that I had nothing to fear. That it was safe to love you. That you wouldn’t leave me. Now, you’re the ones holding a part of yourself back. I want everything–like you promised.”
He nodded. “I agree.”
Turning, I looked at the rest. Darian was sober as he met my gaze. Brandle and Edmund shared an equal amount of fear. Eadric had calm determination and waited until I looked at him to crook his finger.
I went to him without hesitation.
“Secrets, once told, cannot be untold. Are you sure you’re ready?” he asked.
“Brandle’s fear is a shackle. The only way to free him is to face the truth.”
Eadric kissed my forehead and turned me toward Brandle.
“I agree,” Eadric said. “That’s five to three. Majority rules.”
Brandle’s fear spiked, and Edmund set his hand on his brother’s shoulder. Darian placed his on Brandle’s other shoulder. Brandle exhaled heavily and nodded.
“So be it. Sit, Kellen, and I’ll tell you our tale.” Rather than sitting, I took his hand and led him to the table. Understanding, he sat and opened his arms for me. I settled into his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist.
Daemon and Darian sat on either side of us. Liam and Garron sat behind us on the other side of the table while we faced Eadric and Edmund, who leaned against the staircase.
“I’m ready,” I said.
“It starts with the fall of Turre. Some of what happened likely reached Drisdall since the path through the Dark Forest was still open then.”
“Yes, a caster killed the royal family and took over the kingdom.”
“The Foul Queen did that and more.”
Edmund fisted his hands. Eadric remained solemn and silent as we listened to Brandle continue.
“Before her arrival, Turre was a peaceful kingdom boasting relative prosperity. Relative because there are always those who go hungry in the shadows. The King and Queen did as they thought any caring rulers should do and handed out provisions to those in need.
“Some who received their help were grateful. The provisions fed their children and kept them warm through the lean winters. A small number saw it as a vulgar display of the kingdom’s disproportionate wealth. A seed of resentment sprouted and grew, gaining the attention of a caster who believed as they did—that the royal family had everything she wanted. Wealth. Recognition. Power.
“It wasn’t long after the news of another royal birth spread throughout the land that rumors reached the King and Queen. Rumors of children disappearing from their beds in the middle of the night. Patrols were doubled. Frightened parents acquired charms to prevent entry into their homes and amulets like the ones we wear to prevent spells that might lure the children from their homes.
“And the division grew between those who had the means to protect their children and those who did not. However, within a fortnight, even protected children began to disappear. The King and Queen hired every caster in the kingdom and sent them out in pairs with the patrols to find the person responsible.
“But the caster was smart. She hid in plain sight as one of the casters helping the kingdom. It was her patrol that spotted the carrion birds circling near the rocky foothills to the south. The uninhabitable fields only fit for sheep during the rainy season were seldom visited by man.”
“South?” I asked, knowing it had been the direction from which we’d arrived.
Brandle paused and nodded.
“Very near where Andrew and Sarah settled.
“After we’d grown, Henry did not spare us the details of what they found there. He needed us to understand the true wickedness of the Foul Queen. Over one hundred children under the age of four, Kellen, all missing their hearts.”
My chest tightened with the emotions I struggled to keep at bay.
“How could anyone be so cruel?” I said, my voice tight.
“Because she doesn’t love,” Eadric said simply. “Anything.”
“What happened next?” I asked.
“She helped cast a spell to capture the caster responsible for the deaths of those children,” Brandle said. “Then she and the patrol waited nearby. At dusk, a bright light signaled a caster’s capture. They arrested the woman and brought her before the King and Queen with many other casters in attendance.
“The woman screamed her hate at the King and Queen and blamed her actions on the growing rift in the kingdom. She said that only when the current ruling family toppled from the throne would the kingdom once again find peace.
“Due to her confession, she was publicly executed. The parents who’d lost their children found the execution just. However, they still blamed the crown for what had occurred.
“Unaware of the ruse, the crown rewarded the caster truly responsible and her partner for capturing the false caster.”
“The caster responsible accepted her payment of two hundred gold coins and left the castle to give a coin to each of the parents of the taken children. She acted sympathetic but subtly fanned the unrest by stating that the two gold coins awarded to her for each life lost should have been given to the parents instead of her.
“People started leaving Adele for the more remote towns in the kingdom, believing it would be safer. In the chaos, no one noticed the dwindling number of casters. Or if they did, they believed they were leaving as well. It wasn’t until Henry sought out his mentor, Pogwid, who had noted a caster of considerable ability was missing, that he began to suspect our kingdom was still in dire trouble.
“The royal family was well-protected by charms made by several casters. Strong charms that would deflect any spell. But it hadn’t been a spell that had killed those children. It had been a caster’s knife. And when dealing with a blood caster, nothing is certain. So, he pleaded with the King and Queen to go into seclusion.
“They refused to leave their people, believing the kingdom would fall without their presence. However, they agreed to send their children away. They were saying their farewells in the privacy of their chambers when guards burst in.
“The King and Queen didn’t react at first, thinking they were there to protect them. Even when the caster they’d rewarded walked in, they still believed they were safe.
“But when the caster said, ‘Bring them to the courtyard so their people can see them tried for their crimes,’ they understood they’d gravely misplaced their trust.”