Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
T hey moved along the winding village streets, the townsfolk fleeing into their shops and homes when they spotted them.
Ash didn’t care. He kept his sights trained straight ahead as they neared the castle gates. To the warrior awaiting them, mud and blood caked to his armor.
“Chogan,” Alaric informed him. “A member of the Warborn, and Calian’s cousin.”
“Everyone that is not dead or behind bars is on the side of the queen,” Stefen sagely reminded.
Indeed, Palomi’s message had stated as much. She’d sent it via owl messenger the second she felt their army enter Ventus. It read: Everyone you care about is alive. The rift has been closed. Sage Astamere has won the war. Bastian is the Chosen One.
The last line still clanged through Ash. It should be impossible. Not yet. His son was still so young.
He hadn’t had time to contemplate what the news meant. For Bastian. For Eirik. For the realms as they knew them …
Chogan bowed before them. “Your Majesties.” He straightened and waved them on toward the castle front steps. “This way.”
Ash respected the warrior already. Just on the ability to get to the meat of the matter and not waste their time. All he required at this moment was to lay eyes on his loved ones. To know they were indeed alright.
Chogan led them through the halls and up a flight of stairs. The bodies started to pile up. Each covered in red and black blood.
Ash’s gaze went to the back of the Warborn ahead of them on the steps. It wasn’t mud caked on the warrior’s armor. It was two different types of blood.
Kielyn tensed beside him, noting the same thing. Ash clasped her hand.
At the landing, Chogan turned left. Away from the carnage and causalities that littered the long hallway to the right. The heaviest fighting had taken place in the ballroom at the end of that hall. Whatever siege made its way up from the smoldering harbor had been contained well. A brutal and sudden attack, nonetheless.
The fae solider stopped outside a set of double doors and turned to face them. “Eirik and Sterling are at a camp just outside the city.” His eyes met Kielyn’s, as if he knew who needed to hear that the most. “I will take you to them when you are finished here.”
Ash said, “Why are they not here now?”
“The Princess of Windsong was gravely injured,” the male replied. “Sterling flew her to safety. Eirik went straight there after the battle.” Something softened in the warrior’s eyes. “He likely won’t leave until she is able to leave with him.”
Ash didn’t have to look at his mate to know her bottom lip wobbled. He squeezed her hand. Much had occurred here over the past year. More than they knew. Possibly more than he was prepared for.
Stefen nodded to the warrior. “Thank you.”
Chogan moved aside and inclined his head. “The others are expecting you. ”
Ash stepped through the double doors with Kielyn, Alaric and Stefen flanking them. The room was unscathed. But Ash’s eyes didn’t take the time to assess it.
His son turned from the window covered in blood and gore. Though a beautiful fae female stood beside him, it was the crown of mist and shadows atop his head that drew Ash’s stare.
B astian caught his mother, absorbing the impact as she barreled into him so hard they rocked back a step. He didn’t hide his tears, or the shaking that overtook him when he heard her strangled sob.
Too long. He had been away from them for too long.
The emotions only intensified when he looked at his father and saw the relief and love in his eyes. And… pride.
Bastian then looked at the brothers standing beside his father. Stefen’s eyes were lined with silver, Alaric stalwart beside him–even as the King of Anu’s gaze drifted to what was atop Bastian’s head.
His mom lifted her head, scanned his face, and no doubt, too, the crown above his head. More tears ran freely down her face. Bastian grinned and said, “Some things have occurred.”
She chuckled softly. Then her amber eyes caught sight of Sage standing behind him and they brightened further.
She was gone. Out of his embrace and pulling Sage into her arms. Bastian’s mate hugged her back, despite the look of shock that flitted briefly across her face.
Stefen laughed. “I don’t suppose you had a chance to warn her about your mother’s affections?”
“Trial by fire.” His father walked up and embraced him, then whispered in his ear, “She’s stunning, son.” Fresh tears burned in Bastian’s eyes.
Ash looked at him. “I’m proud of you.” He stepped back, though his hand on Bastian’s shoulder remained. “Tell us everything. ”
Bastian began at the beginning and did just that. With his mate by his side.
A rcher found her where the note said she would be. Sitting on the edge of the castle roof that looked out over the bay. Naked…
He swallowed when she stood. Her long brown hair nearly touched her perfect heart-shaped ass. She turned to face him.
“It took you long enough,” Katarra said, the setting sun a halo around the silhouette of her body.
Archer nearly forgot what he had come here to tell her. That his nephew was alive and well, and on a ship from Windsong coming down the coast. There was still no sign of Xavier, and it was suspected he had fled the realm entirely when the gateways had been reopened. He also wanted to warn her the Fire King had arrived. Wanting an audience with her.
“I trust the child gave you my note?” She looked him over, not budging from where she stood like a beautiful gargoyle.
“She did.” Archer nodded. “They seem to be recovering okay. All things considered.”
He’d found Oakley and her sister and Legion sitting in the middle of Katarra’s bed, surrounded by towering trays of assorted sweets, confection rings around each of their mouths, before coming up here. The little girl had hopped off the bed, hugged him tightly, and then handed him the chocolate-smeared note.
“How did you manage the shift into Dagan?” he asked.
“A last minute gift from Sekhmet.”
“How did–”
“I don’t want to talk, Archer.”
His balls tightened. He couldn’t help it. Could never curb his reaction to her. Or that insolent, point-blank mouth of hers.
Archer took a step toward her. “What do you want, Katarra? ”
She angled her head, those long wavy tresses swinging to one side, the sun making art of the shimmering gold and burgundy highlights. “I want you. Fucking me from behind on this rooftop.”
In three long strides, he was directly in front of her. “Where anyone could glance up and see?”
“I want you to give them the performance of a lifetime, Commander.”
“I’m covered in blood and sweat and–”
“I don’t give a shit.” She rose on her toes to kiss him.
Archer met her halfway, hauling her against him, lips finding hers at the same moment her luscious body pressed against his. Her warm, naked body. Standing on the edge of the roof for anyone to see.
He broke the kiss and she snapped her fangs at him in protest. But she didn’t fight him when he spun her around and away from the edge. His teeth grazed her shoulder and he growled, “You want them to watch me claim you? Make you writhe and beg beneath me?”
“I do,” she purred, rubbing her ass against him.
Archer hissed at the exquisite torture where she pressed hard into the jutting length of him. He could feel her heat through the unforgiving fabric of his pants. He reached around and slipped his fingers between her dewy curls and circled her clit. She gasped.
His other hand squeezed one of her breasts, rolling the perk nipple between his thumb and knuckle. “I want you to scream my name for them when you come,” he breathed into her ear.
Her answer was unintelligible as she arched into his administrations and moaned.
Archer bent her over, forcing her onto all fours against the sloping roofline. He took his time unbuckling his belt, unbuttoning his pants, enjoying the sight of her on her hands and knees before him.
The fading sun bathed her in its golden light, kissing the slickness between her legs as she spread for him. Gods, she was beautiful. Beautiful and wild, and all his. If only in this moment.
Archer knelt behind her and pushed his pants off his hips before positioning himself at her entrance. She trembled when he gripped her waist with one hand and pushed inside her.
Inch by excruciating inch, he took his time stretching her, running his hand over ass until he was fully seated. Then he withdrew to the tip, savoring the glistening wetness of her on his cock. He shuddered.
“Is this what you needed?” He ran a hand down her arched spine. “Me to fuck you senseless?”
She nodded, dropping her head between her shoulder blades, balling her fists out in front of her on the slate tile. He pushed back in until her ass pressed firmly against him. Then he laughed. “I like you like this,” he said. “Completely at my mercy.”
He moved again, and set a steady, punishing pace, slapping his balls against her clit. She let out a breathy moan, rocking her hips against him, taking him deeper still.
He groaned. Close. So close. He thrust faster, harder, his fingers making indentions on her hips. She bit out a strangled scream of pleasure.
Archer reached out, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and pulled her head back as he pounded into her tight cunt. She shook, her body quivering and clamping tight to his cock. He continued to fuck her mercilessly, harder and deeper, faster. Until she shattered around him, crying out his name for all the realm to hear.
Archer shouted as he came. Cock pulsing, he continued ramming into her, spilling himself into her, over and over again.
His body finally stilled. But they remained there panting, Archer buried deep inside her on the castle roof.
He bent over and kissed her spine. “You pierce my soul, Katarra Diablo.” He rasped, “There is no surviving you.”