Epilogue
Kayne
King Foxe glared at all three of us from his throne in the center of Atlantis.
The circular building had an ornate spire consisting of crashing waves and sea life marked the center of the island.
The throne room was underneath, with all five kings having a throne dedicated to their ocean, which sat evenly spaced out along the outer wall.
Quite intimidating for anyone facing the kings’ wraths.
“Your council has relentlessly sent demands for your extradition. Normally, we’re not inclined to follow the mandates of the shifter council, but they’re becoming… problematic.” King Foxe announced as he tapped his index finger on the arm of the throne.
“But we could be inclined to ignore them if we had a proper distraction.” King Drake added.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “We have two more jets due to land today with possible mates.”
King Foxe traced the intricate design on his throne.
“We’re growing impatient, and having this many humans brought to Atlantis goes against everything we’ve worked for.
No one from your world is supposed to know about Atlantis, not in its current iteration.
We already waste enough Triton time concealing Atlantis and deterring island hunters. ”
“King Foxe, please know we greatly appreciate all that you’re doing for us.
” Fritz spoke up. “We already have the probable mates on the way. Wouldn’t want to risk accidentally turning your true mate away when she’s this close.
As soon as we leave here, Kayne and I will reevaluate our method and present it to you tomorrow. ”
King Drake waved his fingers, dismissing us.
I didn’t bother to protest, since one king dismissed us.
Anything I tried to say now would make things worse in their eyes.
With a small bow, I stalked out of the throne room.
I heard Fritz’s footsteps behind me, but I was too annoyed at him for taking over.
We’d agreed to let me do the talking, but he’d changed the plan.
“Kayne!” I felt him grab my shoulder, but I brushed him off as I stomped toward one of the water tunnels. “You look like you were going to pop, and that’s the last thing we needed in there.”
I ground my teeth until I reached the built in traveling tunnels that gave anyone willing to get wet an accelerated ride through the island.
Before I jumped in, I turned on my mate.
“However close I was to popping still doesn’t give you the right to go against everything we planned.
Us being here is enough of an inconvenience to them.
They’re volatile on the best days as it is.
We don’t need to give them a reason to kick us out of Atlantis. ”
A part of me realized I was lashing out at him from my own frustration at the lingering curse.
I clamped my jaw shut before I said anything else and ruined the harmony our throuple just achieved.
I loved him more than words could ever convey, but I had to tamp down on my angry emotions before they flooded him and Blythe through our mating bond.
Before he could say something back to me, I dove into the pool of water in front of the tunnel.
Since we’d been here for a little over a week and had fled without any supplies other than what we kept stocked on our jet, I wore Triton clothing which didn’t soak up water.
It molded to my body and acted more in line with a wetsuit once it came in contact with water.
Kicking through the water, I propelled myself from the calm pool into the rushing water leading through the tunnels.
Dammit Kayne, stop storming off every time you don’t like something I do. Just because I’m no longer in line of sight doesn’t mean I can’t still yell at you. Fritz’s voice came through the telepathic connection our mating bond gave us.
I felt Blythe brush my mind as she sent me a soft, calming emotion.
Or maybe you should stick to the agreement. Dammit, I hadn’t meant to shoot the thought at him. My head popped out of the water at the next pool, but I dove back into the current before Fritz could catch up.
How about you stop being a grumpy asshole?
Fritz’s words sent me over the edge. I felt the pressure buildup inside of me, but it was too late.
My body burst apart as popcorn filled the water tunnel.
Thankfully, I pulled all my bits and pieces together before I lost anything.
I floated as a popcorn ball while I waited for the curse’s cool-down period to pass.
This series of current tunnels let the Tritons travel all over Atlantis quickly.
Each calm pool worked as a stopping station for the tunnel, leading to a different area of the island.
There were a few main tunnels leading around the island, with offshoots connecting each circle so most everywhere could be reached within minutes… if getting wet wasn’t a deterrent.
Go ahead Kayne, run all you want. I know where you’re sleeping.
Fritz meant it more of a playful threat, but my stupid, mated brain instantly went to how he looked underneath me in our bed.
To say we were making up for years of lost encounters was an understatement.
At this rate, I’d wondered if we were part bunny shifters and I’d missed the memo.
Then the image of Blythe naked between us ruined my aerodynamics as my erection grew.
I surfaced in the pool that was my stop and took in a lungful of air.
Without waiting to catch my breath, I grabbed onto the side where the water met the floor and pushed myself up until I could climb out.
Pain exploded in my groin as I caught on the edge.
My breath caught as my legs gave out, and I hit the floor hard.
I rolled onto my back as I pulled my knees up and forced myself to breathe through the pain.
Any distance I’d put between us disappeared as I took a moment to compose myself.
Water splashed near me, and Fritz knelt by my side. “That sucks.” He reached out, running a hand along my shoulder, but I rolled away from him, then forced myself to my feet.
“You always sucked at letting me be mad.” The world tilted around me, but I barely stayed on my feet.
“Of course, because I love you too much to let a rift form between us.” Fritz rose from his kneeling position and crossed his arms as he watched me.
The infuriating, adorable male stood there full of love and affection while I stewed.
As usual. A growl rumbled in my chest as I put a hand on his chest and walked him back against the wall.
His lips parted as he sucked in a breath.
I cut his protest off with a kiss. “You’re too fucking cute right now.
” I kissed him again. “I’m so damn angry.
” My hand slid into his hair, gripping him tight as I gave him a punishing kiss.
“Nothing I do ever sways you.” His arms wrapped around my waist as I kissed him again.
“You just love me and do anything you can to make things better.”
When I pulled back to glower at him, Fritz leaned forward and kissed my neck. I tightened my hand in his hair and pulled him back. He looked up at me with a grin. “You deserve every ounce of my love… besides, I like how dominant you get when you’re angry.”
I spun him around and pinning him against the wall with my chest pressed against his back.
Still gripping his hair, I craned his head to the side so I could growl in his ear.
“I’d fuck you right here,” I pressed my aching erection against his ass, “if we had time for it. Instead, I want you horny and begging for release by the time I let you come again.”
Fritz whimpered and nodded.
“That’s a good little mate.” I trailed kisses along his ear and neck before I stepped away from him.
The moment I let go of him, he swayed a bit before he caught his balance. “I’ll never get tired of that.”
“Ha, you say that now, but just wait until what I have to say when we get home.”
The quick walk back to our suite was charged and full of lusty glances. Blythe smiled at us when we settled into our room. “I’m not sure if we’re having a serious conversation, or if I should find an errand to run while you to bang it out.”
“Let’s go with option one, even though I’m already kicking myself for it.
” Blythe raised an eyebrow at my words. “The kings aren’t impressed with the results so far, and they’re only interested as long as they get something out of our arrangement.
So Fritz told them we’d come up with a new plan and present it to them tomorrow.
For extra incentive, I’m holding our orgasms hostage.
None of us gets any kind of release until we find their mate. ”
“Next time, warn me to sit down before you make such a declaration.” Blythe chided with a hint of a smile.
She stacked up a few pillows and sat up against them in the bed.
Fritz left a vapor trail as he jumped onto the bed and laid his head on her lap.
Her fingers slid through his hair and he practically purred.
Not that bears could pur, but he got pretty close.
“If we can give them their mate, then we’ll have ample time to locate other mating groups like our own. With enough support in the shifter community and examples, we can fight for full mating rights.” I ran my fingers through my beard. “We can’t do one without the other.”
Blythe watched Fritz’s expressions as she pet him, then looked up at me.
“Does this mean you’ll finally admit the competition between the two of you to be the one to find the kings’ mate is ludicrous and you’ll start working together?
Because if that’s the case, I think I have the answer to our problems.”
“Are you saying you don’t like our constant competitive nature? We give you some of the best orgasms that way.”
She tsked at me. “There are times for competition, and others are for team work. I think this falls into the latter. Besides, I think I know who we should bring next.”
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