Prophecy Fulfilled
Dominic
Ileaned against the balcony railing of my chamber, overlooking the vast dunes of the Obsidian Desert. The familiar sight greeted me like an old friend: the wisps of smoke that danced gracefully in the cool air, the moonlight that sparkled against the dark sands. Beyond, the purple waves of the Sea of Tebay crashed relentlessly against the shore. It had been over seven thousand years since I last beheld this view, yet it remained as breathtaking as I remembered.
The desert”s untouched beauty was stark, almost defiant in its permanence. Many demons had lusted after these lands, drawn by their stark beauty and latent power. Yet, here I stood once again, the unchallenged master of this realm. I was home, in the truest sense, but with a heart heavy with the weight of centuries and the scars of exile.
As I turned to glance back into the room, my gaze softened. Lucas and Talon were asleep on the bed, a tangle of limbs in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window. The sight of them, so peaceful in this foreign land, ignited a fierce protectiveness within me. We still had a lot to learn about each other, and while we bonded, I still had my doubts. Could I protect them? My being here would infuriate Juls, and I didn’t know how the emperor would react to my return. Perhaps I should let them go? I thought.
A groan from Talon, caused by Lucas elbowing him in his sleep, pulled me from my thoughts. A smile broke across my face as memories of our recent lovemaking on that very bed stirred, sending a rush of warmth through me. “My bed,” I whispered with a chuckle, a deep sense of belonging filling me. “I’m home.”
After all this time, it was still hard to believe. What’s more, I marveled at the return of my powers. Glancing down at my hand, I watched as it shifted from human to my demon form and back again with effortless ease. I wasn’t only back in my home—I was fully restored, a reality that filled me with both elation and a newfound resolve.
“Having fun?” Talon”s voice startled me, and I felt a blush creep across my cheeks. “Um… you’re awake.”
Talon rose from the bed, and my cock hardened under my loin cloth. His naked flesh glistened in the soft glow of the moon. Sadly, he grabbed a tunic from a chair and threw it on before walking toward me. I closed my eyes as he planted a gentle kiss on my lips.
“Damn, you guys are hot,” Lucas’s sleepy voice chimed in.
Talon smiled against my mouth and murmured. “Looks like the sleep fighter is awake.”
I chuckled, opening my eyes. “Sleep fighter?”
Talon nodded quickly. “I think I have bruises from the punches and kicks.”
Lucas huffed as he got out of bed and put on his tunic, placing his hands on his hips. “I’m not that bad.”
Talon raised an eyebrow, disbelief etched across his face. “The elbow to the gut just woke me. I”m sure it’s why Dominic was up playing with himself.”
Lucas cocked his head and looked at me, his tone a mix of accusation and curiosity. “Playing with yourself?”
I sighed. “Fates help me. I wasn’t playing with myself like that.”
“How were you playing with yourself? Is there a new way? Oh, is it a demon thing?” Lucas interrupted, and Talon burst out laughing.
I shot Talon a glare, which only made him laugh harder. “You two are definitely going to make my life interesting,” I said, pulling Lucas into an embrace.
“You’re gonna love it,” Lucas murmured, releasing a contented sigh as he returned the hug.
He leaned up and kissed my cheek. He was right—I was going to love it. Holding him now, especially after weeks of pursuit, felt surreal. My Du?a, my soul, was finally with me.
“It’s really beautiful here. I never would have believed the nether realm would look like this.”
I lifted my gaze to Talon, who was leaning against the balcony railing. I smiled. “Most humans—even paranormals wouldn’t believe it. But I must admit, there are parts of this realm that scare even the most ferocious of demons.”
“It’s that bad?” Lucas asked, worry filling his voice.
I nodded slowly. “It’s part of the reason my lands were so coveted. I’m surprised a lord like Juls hasn’t taken them.”
“Since you brought him up,” Talon said, turning to focus on me. “Who is Juls? Why did he attack you?”
I didn’t reply right away. Releasing Lucas, I moved to the railing and leaned heavily. The weight of the past echoed in my mind. For their part, Talon and Lucas said nothing. They waited patiently as I worked out my words.
“I had told you I was betrayed,” I began with a sigh. Talon and Lucas gave a single nod. “Juls was the one who betrayed me. I…. I cared for him.”
“Did you love him?” Lucas asked, and although he didn’t speak, I could tell Talon was equally interested.
“No. It wasn’t love. It was more lust and respect. But love, I’ve never really loved anyone. Demons don’t really do that,” I replied.
“Never?” Talon asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t even know what love is,” I admitted honestly.
Talon and Lucas shared a look. And I knew I hurt them, but I wanted to be honest. Did I love them? I didn’t know. Could I? Again, that was an unknown. I knew I wanted to. I knew I cared for them on top of desiring them.
“Why did he attack you?” Talon asked, avoiding the pandora’s box I had put before them.
“I don’t know. I mean, it’s been forever since—Holy shit. He knew. He knew I’d get my powers back. Fuck me. He fucking knew it,” I said. The realization of Juls’ recent appearance and the reason behind it hit me like a freight train.
“Um. What? How did he know?”
“What’s going on?” Talon and Lucas asked in unison.
I grabbed their hands. “It’s the prophecy. That’s why,” I said excitedly.
“Prophesy?” They said together.
“When he betrayed me, the crone had cast a spell stripping of my powers.”
“Crone?” Talon interrupted, but I continued. “During the process, the crone was shocked as words of prophesy came from her mouth. It basically said that the triad union of my du?a would restore my strength. I didn’t realize it at the time. Hell, all I could focus on was losing my powers. But Juls fucking knew. He knew I met you. That’s why he attacked now. He didn’t want me restored.”
“And you think he knew?” Lucas asked.
I nodded again. “He was there and he heard the words of the Crone. He had to have known—the bastard.”
“Get back to the Crone—she’s real?” Talon questioned.
“Yes. But she doesn’t look how many in the mortal realm would picture her. She’s actually quite stunning.”
“And she was the one that stripped your powers,” Lucas confirmed.
“Yes,” I simply replied.
My mind was reeling from the revelations. This was insane. Why would the crone give an out? But that isn’t really what happened. Memories of that day flooded my thoughts. She was shocked. She didn’t mean to say the words. That just made me have more questions. Who could interfere with the Crone?
“So, what happens now? I mean, you got your power back, and we’re bonded. What are you going to do?”
Lucas’s soft question pulled me from my thoughts. “Whatever you guys want,” I answered honestly.
Talon raised his brow. “Anything we want?”
I released a sigh. “For many years, I plotted my revenge. I wanted my revenge and not just against Juls, but the emperor. He could’ve intervened long ago, but didn’t. They feared my rising power and strength.”
“And now you don’t want revenge?” Lucas asked.
I shook my head and smiled. “No. I met my du?a. To be honest, all I want is to find out everything about you both and live in peace. Maybe learn what love is.”
Talon and Lucas’s smile was instantaneous. “I like the sound of that,” Lucas said.
“Me too,” Talon agreed, but then his smile dropped.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“What about my pride?”
“Oh shit. My family,” Lucas added. “Can we go back? They must be worried.”
“Yeah, the pride must be worried, too. Fuck. The king doesn’t like you,” Talon said, staring at me with wide eyes.
“Relax. We’ll work things out with them, and we can definitely go back,” I said before calling out. “Jorin!”
Immediately, my faithful minion was in my room. He bowed low. “My lord.”
“My du?a and I are returning to the human realm. Ensure everything is cared for here.” I paused as another realization hit. “You’ve been handling things here while I was gone. That’s how the minions have stayed loyal, and no one else took my lands.”
Jorin bowed lower. “I couldn’t let your home fall to anyone else. You are the Prince of the Obsidian Sands.”
I walked close to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “How did you keep Juls at bay?”
Jorin looked away, and I felt his unease permeate the room. “I petitioned the emperor. I got him to agree that no one can take over your lands without them fighting you.”
Surprise filled me. I didn’t know Jorin would do something like this for me. He was so loyal that he even went to the emperor.
“Thank you, Jorin,” I said quietly. He jerked his gaze to mine. In all my years, I’d never thanked anyone—especially a minion.
“It was my honor,” Jorin replied, his voice full of emotion.
I gave a final nod. “See to things here.”
“Yes, my lord.” With those words, Jorin left the room.
I turned back to my mates. They both wore soft smiles. I cleared my throat. “Ready to head back to the human world.”
“Aw, you big softy,” Lucas said and hurried to my side, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t tell anyone. It will ruin my reputation.”
“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us, Honeybun,” Talon said.
Fuck, it seemed like I’d just gotten a nickname.
I sighed and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”
Light enveloped our bodies, and within seconds, we were materializing inside Talon’s pride house. It had been ages since I mist-flashed, and it was amazing to have that ability again.
“Whoa, a little more warning,” Talon groaned.
“Yeah, that form of travel isn’t on my favorite list,” Lucas said, shaking his head.
“Lucas!”
A shout cut off my reply, and I turned to the source. It was an older version of Lucas, and at the moment, he was hugging my mate. I tamped down my initial jealousy and took a breath, knowing I needed to behave.
“Where the hell have you been? We were so worried about you. Mom and Dad are going nuts because they couldn’t get through to you, and the hurricane hit Crystal Cove directly. Wait,” the older version of Lucas said, holding Lucas at arm’s length. “What the hell are you wearing? How the hell did you get here? The roads are still closed.”
He scanned the room, and Talon raised his hand as if to say hello while I stepped closer to Talon.
“Brian,” another voice said from the doorway. This wasn’t a normal voice. It held power and authority. An older gentleman stepped into the room, and I stiffened. By the way he carried himself, this was the King of the pride.
He wrapped his arm around the look-alike I assumed was Brian. “I believe he had something to do with your brother’s arrival.” He nodded his head toward me.
The room quickly filled with more lions; the second was there, as well as Jeremy and Leon. I smirked as Mike and Jake entered the room. Mike’s eyes widened, and I heard his low growl as he pulled Jake close to his side.
The older man released Brian and stepped forward. “My name is Edward Satchel, and I am King of the Satchel Pride. I believe you’re the demon my second warned away,” King Edward said coldly.
I inclined my head and stepped forward. “Yes, Dominic Billings.”
“You also threatened me,” Mike growled.
I rolled my eyes. “I was bored and just wanted to have a bit of fun. I wasn’t really going to harm you or do anything to Jake.”
“All the same, you threatened one of my pride members and disobeyed my second,” Kind Edward said.
“What the hell are you doing with my brother, anyway?” Brian asked angrily.
“Brian, he’s my mate,” Lucas said, stepping in front of me.
Lucas’s brother’s eyes widened, and he held an expression of utter disbelief. “What the hell do you mean? He’s your mate? Talon’s your damn mate. Everyone knows it—the pride—our family, everyone! How can you say an ‘other’ is your mate? He’s a damn demon, for fuck’s sake.”
Lucas scowled at his brother. “So what if he’s a demon? Who are you to question fate? I’d expect you to be more understanding after the bigots tried to separate you and Edward for being predator and prey. Fuck, you were even ready to cut off our family for him. Not to mention you told Talon to stay away from me, too. What the fuck?”
“I didn’t want you to get hurt!” Brian defended.
“It caused more pain than you know,” Lucas retorted. I saw the fire blazing in my du?a’s eyes, and I had to admit his defense of Talon and I was a huge turn-on.
“Now, wait just a second. Your brother was looking—”
“Yeah, and meddling caused a huge misunderstanding,” Lucas interrupted the king.
“Edward, Lucas is right. I should have stayed out of their business.” Brian sighed and stepped close to Lucas. “I’m sorry for interfering. I just hoped… Are you sure he’s your mate?” he asked, emphasizing the word he.
Lucas smiled and looked back at Talon and me before staring back at Brian. “I’m sure. Dominic’s my mate, just like Talon is also my mate. They both are.”
Brian’s eyes widened before shouting, “What!”
Lucas chuckled and grabbed his brother by the arm before guiding him to the couch. “I’ve got so much to tell you.”
I watched as Lucas and Brian walked away, the former talking animatedly while the latter listened with a mixture of shock and curiosity. The murmurs of their conversation faded into the background noise of the pride house, leaving me with my own tumultuous thoughts.
My reverie was interrupted by King Edward”s authoritative voice. “I suppose you can stay,” he began, his gaze piercing as he turned back to face me. “But make no mistake, we”ll be watching you closely to ensure you behave.”
The king’s stern warning hung in the air, a clear reminder of the delicate peace I needed to maintain here. Before I could respond, his attention shifted to Talon, who had remained unusually quiet throughout the exchange.
“And you,” the king continued, his tone shifting slightly, “there’s another matter you’ve kept quiet about. We”ll discuss it later. But first, we have to talk about your family.”
”My family?” Talon’s voice cracked slightly, confusion and concern etching his features.
The king’s expression was unreadable, his eyes reflecting a seriousness that hinted at unpleasant news. Whatever he had to say, I sensed it wouldn’t be good.
Fate, what are you going to throw at us now? Give us a break, won’t you?