Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
MERI
O pening heavy eyes, I find Madoc sleeping in a nearby chair, feet propped up on the bed. The squinched shoulders and pained expression on his face tell me he isn’t the least bit comfortable. Frowning, I scan the room. Clothes and weapons are strewn everywhere, but it’s just the two of us.
Based on the low level of light coming into the room, it’s early, barely past sunrise. My brain is pounding. Why is he sleeping in here? And where is Cormal?
Memories filter into the dark recesses of my brain. An image of Cormal lying on the floor with his head barely attached. Slashing through skin and bone. A blackened and withered heart. Panicking, I sit up and look around for the shadowy beast. A large, scarred hand reaches out and coaxes my hand in his.
“Cormal is fine. He went to see Lucifer,” Madoc says, his voice rough from sleep. “How are you feeling?”
Like I can’t catch my breath. My heart races from fear and something I can’t quite grasp. I lift up my hands. The bones ache as if the skin is too tight. I put a hand to my head. Images continue to bombard me, showing me the truth. There I am… slashing at the monster with my bare skeletal hands, slicing through the shade as if it has flesh. Using an unnatural strength to pierce its chest and pull out a heart that shouldn’t even exist. My entire body begins to shake.
“Did I really do that?” I ask hoarsely, barely able to get the words out.
Madoc picks me up and enfolds me in his arms. “I’ve got you. Just breathe. Don’t think. Let your mind go.” He turns and sits back on the bed with me across his lap, surrounding me with his strength as his words work to ease the panic inside.
Cormal is fine. I’m a monster. Cormal is fine.
He runs a hand down my hair over and over. Safe and protected, I let my eyes drift close, unable to deal with it all, smothering reality under the blanket of sleep.
Light fills the room when I wake again. Still cradled in Madoc’s arms, I open my eyes and tilt my head back to find him watching me, his grey eyes full of concern.
“Thank you,” I murmur softly, visually tracing his full lips. “The panic was dragging me under.”
He reaches out a finger and runs it down my cheek. “We need to talk. Do you feel up to it?”
A shiver cascade downs my spine. Madoc’s usually surly demeanor is noticeably absent. “This is bad, isn’t it?” I trust him to give the truth without sugarcoating it.
“You killed the monster by invoking the power of The Wild Hunt,” he begins. His voice is even and soothing, but his words are nothing but alarming as he explains what the power is, how it’s essential to be king of the dark Fae, and how it came to me.
“Why didn’t it show up before?” I ask with a hysterical note in my voice.
He runs a hand down my back to calm me. “We’re not sure. Based on what we’ve pieced together with Solandis and Cormal, the power to mimic was the only power you had before you physically met your mother. Once you met her, you started picking up light Fae powers. This is a dark Fae power. Maybe Denir’s presence activated it.” He pauses for a second, as if he’s debating something.
“What?”
“After I left The Below with Aamon, I was drawn to the light Fae court and specifically to you. I believe the power has always been inside of you and the severity of Cormal’s injury triggered it,” he divulges. “I’m not a hundred percent sure, though.”
“You were drawn to me? Or to the power?” I ask with a frown, although I’m not sure I want to hear his answer.
“Likely the power drew me,” he reluctantly admits.
“I see,” I mumble.
A harsh laugh. “You see nothing.”
“I sort of thought… never mind,” I stammer, unsure of what I even want to say. I thought you liked me? Juvenile, but sort of how I feel. Honestly, it took him forever to even accept my friendship. Although, things have been changing between us. Little moments that felt like more.
“It might have been the reason I came, but it’s not the reason I stayed,” he croaks, as if he’s forcing the words out.
“Right,” I drawl, one eyebrow raised high.
Cursing under his breath, he confesses, “I followed you when you left the palace. Using the shadows.” He peers down at me to see my reaction to his words.
I stare at him, not entirely sure what he’s telling me. “When?”
“Never mind.”
“Fine.”
Apparently, he doesn’t like my answer. “Do you think I would hold you like this if all I wanted was the power inside you?” His voice is gruff, but his gaze is intense.
Wow. Man of few words. But I still can’t help the smile spreading over my face. “Mmm, do you think I’d let just anyone hold me like this?” I inch forward, my eyes on his full lips, but the rest of his words stop me. “Wait. You want the power inside me?”
His arms tighten around me. “Leandra stole it from me.” He places my hand on his chest. “This scar is from her.”
Reeling, I connect the dots, and a lot of things start to make sense. His arrogance, ability to fight, the level of power he wields, his stint in The Below, and so much more. “King of the Dark Fae?”
“I was supposed to be, but I can’t be crowned unless I have the power,” he informs me. “The Wild Hunt gave it to Konnyr in case they needed to call upon him in times of war. Only dark Fae can wield it. The power passes from the strongest in our bloodline to the next. Denir was never meant to possess it. He can’t control it.”
“How do you propose to get it out of me?” I ask, but then the answer hits me. “Leandra. You’re hoping she’ll transfer it back to you.” I look him straight in the eye. “She won’t. I’m her revenge against Denir. If he can’t use the power, he’ll lose the crown.”
“If she gives it to me, she can still get her revenge,” he insists, almost desperately.
Another thought occurs. “If I can’t control it, what will happen?” I’m afraid to hear his answer, but I have to ask.
He tightens his arms around me. “I’m not going to let that happen.” His finger lifts my chin higher. “I promise you.”
“Tell me,” I implore him. “Knowing the worst-case scenario is how I deal with bad things. Please. Tell me.”
He hesitates but seeing my set jaw and narrowed eyes, he finally relents. “It would consume you, making you a permanent rider in The Wild Hunt.”
“Bloody hell,” I curse. “Why does everything have to be so damn difficult? I mean. Where is the karma here? Leandra should be writhing in the pits of hell. With Denir at her...”
The smallest of smiles appears on his scruffy face and stops my ranting in its tracks. It’s the first one he’s ever given to me. It looks so good, I want to see more of them. Although I don’t mind his gruff and surly nature, either. Or his blunt approach to everything.
It makes sense with every little bit I learn about him. If he was groomed to be king, was he even allowed to be carefree? I try to picture him laughing and joking with others, but the image eludes me.
Closing the gap between us, I place my lips on his, peppering them with small kisses and nibbles. His smile disappears, and I wait, breath held, to see if he’ll push me away. Full lips open under my tender onslaught and return my affection with the sweetest, deepest kiss I could never have imagined.
I thought he would want to dominate, not seduce, demand, not give. This is sensual and enticing. My body melts into his, humming with need, but in no rush to move beyond this moment. Sliding my hands around him, I shift my body until I’m fully wrapped around his torso. Who ever thought he would let me hold him like this? I bring one hand up and slide my fingers into his thick hair. Luxurious and soft, I play with it while we kiss.
He pulls back a little to suck on my bottom lip, then swipes his tongue across it. His tongue plays with mine, then delves deep again, taking ownership of the kiss.
I scrape my fingernails lightly against his neck, and his lips harden a little. Of course, I do it again. He shifts my lower body until it’s flush with his. Fingers tighten on my waist, but his kiss remains languorous and sensual.
My body settles on his and I pull my lips from his to groan. “Goddess, you feel good.”
“Mm, I want to touch you all over,” he says in a low, husky tone.
My shirt disappears, and his hands slide up and down my bare back as if he’s mapping all the ridges and valleys.
Desire courses through my veins, and I brush my breasts against his chest. “Touch me.” My voice is surprisingly guttural and almost harsh.
Madoc jerks away from me. “Stop.”
Confused, I slide my hands from his body, and when I do, I see the faintest impression of skeletal bones superimposed over the skin. Fear tries to take hold, but with us joined so closely together, I know I can’t let it. Sucking in a huge amount of air, I hold it in until my heartbeat slows.
Large hands glide gently across my back and over my shoulders. “That’s it. Just breathe.” He picks me up and turns me around until I’m sitting across his lap and puts my shirt back on.
If I wasn’t extremely scared, I’d be pissed off. I finally get him to smile and give me a kiss, and we have to stop.
The door opens, and I turn my head to watch Cormal stride into the room. He pauses when he sees us on the bed, but not for very long. In his usual arrogant fashion, he strides over and sits right down beside us.
“You look like you’ve been thoroughly kissed.”
I blush and glare at him, hoping he doesn’t make Madoc uneasy.
Cormal shrugs, then leans over to give me a hard kiss. “About time you woke up.” His words are simple, but his tone is heavy with relief.
My hand stretches out and slides around his throat so I can feel its strength for myself. “You scared the hell out of me.”
He picks up my hand and nibbles on my fingers. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’ve waited too long to be denied forever.”
My mind embraces his words. The events from our past are no longer hidden by an impenetrable curtain. The episode I had must have wiped away the barriers. Or the power inside me did. Either way, I know. All of it. This man has sacrificed a lot to claim me as his without Leandra standing between us.
“I remember,” I tell him.
His eyes flick to mine, and he freezes. “What do you remember?”
“All of it. Our past. The love we shared. The night I attacked Leandra with her own powers. You… accepting my punishment.” My voice breaks when I think of the caning he got and the scars it left on his back. “Leandra threatening to unmake me. Going to Rivan to get the rune.”
The last thought makes my blood boil, but when the power inside me stirs, I have to shut off the sharp emotion.
Madoc stands and passes me into Cormal’s arms with a warning. “Go through the memories later. She needs to stay calm. The power is near the surface.”
Cormal holds up a beautiful gold bracelet with a large ruby on it. “Evren sent this. She said it will help you to control the power.” He slides it on my arm.
Cold metal dangles from my wrist. “It’s gorgeous, but I don’t feel any different.”
“Did you get Evren’s blood?” Madoc interjects impatiently.
“No,” Cormal replies with a grin. “She only gave me the bracelet.” His hand grasps my chin. “Let’s test it out, shall we?” Pulling the two of us up until we’re standing in front of Madoc, he bends his head and captures my lips in a devastating kiss.
The past blends with the present, and my passion rises hard and fast.
Cormal pulls my head back. “Let me see your face.” He darts a glance at Madoc. “I don’t see anything, do you?”
Madoc peers down at me, his steel-grey eyes growing dark. “No.”
Cormal moves in closer and presses my body against Madoc until I can feel every inch of their hard bodies against mine. “She dreams of all three of us.”
Madoc’s hands settle on my hips. “Rivan, too?”
“Yes. Tell him,” Cormal demands.
Unable to say the words, I stare mutely at Cormal.
“Or should I show him?” His wicked smile is the only warning I get before my shirt disappears.
Madoc growls behind me, then his hands slide up my sides and stop.
Taking a deep breath, I twist my head to look up at Madoc. “Touch me.”
Calloused hands slide forward and cup my breasts, weighing them, learning their curves. His breathing becomes harsh, but his hands lightly skim over the mounds, pausing only to pinch or play with my nipples.
Arching my back, I revel in the feel of his hands on me. “More.”
Hearing my demand, Cormal removes all of our clothes.
Madoc freezes, then his hands fall away from my body.
I immediately turn to face him, taking his hand in mine. “Talk to me. I thought you wanted this, but if you don’t, that’s fine. Or if it’s something else, tell me.”
Madoc’s expression is unreadable.
I lay my hands on his bare chest and lean forward to kiss the place where Leandra stole his power. “Please, tell me.” Unable to help myself, I map the contours of his muscular body as I wait for him to answer me.
He lifts his chin. “This… doesn’t bother you?”
Puzzled, I look up at him, then back to his body. My gaze dips down and finds his cock. Thick with hard ridges. I lick my lips. “Define bother.”
Cormal leans in close to my ear and chuckles. “She doesn’t see them the way you do. To her, they’re a testament to your strength and ability to survive.”
I give Madoc an incredulous look. “This is about your scars?”
Madoc searches my face, and whatever he sees must convince him. He cups my face in his hands and destroys me with a kiss full of broken dreams and hope. “Thank you.”
I lick my puffy lips and give a dazed nod. “Are we good to continue?”
“Yes,” he says gruffly.
Relieved, I sigh and glance back at Cormal with a silent request.
Cormal’s hand slides down my body and parts my folds. “She’s drenched with need.” His fingers slide into me, and his thumb makes small circular movements on the most sensitive part of me.
Madoc watches Cormal pleasure me with a look of satisfaction on his face. His hand grabs his cock, and he strokes it a few times. “You want both of us?”
“At the same time,” I say breathlessly. Heat scores my cheeks as my body trembles on the edge of an orgasm. “Cormal!” My cry has him picking up the pace until I thrust forward, surrendering to the overwhelming need to come.
I lean against him, chest heaving, and let the waves crash over me until they’re nothing but a ripple. Tilting my head back, I bring Cormal’s lips to mine for a deep, wet kiss. “More.”
Madoc picks me up and places me on the bed.
Looking up at them both, I spread my legs and wait for them to join me.
Cormal slides up beside me to continue our kiss.
Madoc crashes to his knees and jerks my body to his mouth, where he literally devours me. Firm lips cover my core as his tongue dips and swirls. He flicks a glance at me, his eyes dark with desire and intent.
The kiss with Cormal gets wilder and more carnal as we both enjoy the sight of Madoc’s mouth dripping with my juices. Dark shadows spill from Cormal, wrapping around my wrists and pulling them to the sides.
With his wicked tongue, he leaves my lips to carve his own path of destruction on all the most sensitive parts of my body.
Abandoning all control to the two of them, my body trembles and shakes beneath their sensual attack. Lost in a haze, I’m only cognizant of them and the pleasure they’re wringing out of me.
“I want you. Inside me,” I whimper, looking first at Madoc, then Cormal.
Madoc immediately stands, his hands pushing against my thighs to widen them, then he thrusts into me. “Goddess, you feel so fucking good. Your wet heat wrapped around my cock.” His hands raise my hips higher, then he plunges slow and deep inside me. “Better. Lean up. Take what Cormal’s offering you.”
Automatically following his command, I turn toward Cormal, who’s kneeling beside me and open my mouth.
Cormal’s hand tangles itself in my hair in a firm grip.
Relaxing my throat, I take all of him into my mouth. He curses. Humming, I move up and down, wanting to torture him as much as possible before he comes. I peek up at Cormal and see the utter bliss on his face. I wink at him and begin sliding up and down on his shaft, sucking and swirling, faster and faster. His cock swells in my mouth, and a bolt of pleasure shoots through me. My body begins to tremble.
“Now,” Cormal orders Madoc and me, his own body releasing itself into my mouth.
My body contracts, and I clamp down on Madoc’s cock, milking him with my own orgasm. I hear him curse as he comes, too, his body twitching and thrusting a couple more times. Calloused and scarred hands run over my legs and body lightly until the waves slowly subside.
They both ease from my body, and I can’t help but stare at them as we all try to catch our breath. Dark hair plastered to their heads, chests heaving, and cocks semi-hard. Fierce expressions on both of their faces.
“Remind me to thank Evren.” My tone is full of innuendo, but damn if I don’t mean it. “That was incredible.”
Staring at Madoc, I could wonder if this means anything, but I know he rarely lets his guard down for anyone. For now, that’s enough.