We’re both smiling and can’t stop pressing soft kisses against each other’s lips and faces. Why was I ever holding back again? I press my forehead to his and say, “Still not our first kiss.” At this point we’ve said it so many times, it feels like the right thing to say now.
He laughs, and between more kisses, he finally gets out, “Of course not. I look forward to having that kiss at some point though.” I reach between us to try and get his pants open, but he presses my back firmly to the tree and grabs both of my hands. “Not so fast, Angel, it’s not our time yet.”
What? Is he really going to deny me right now? “Why not, Alex? I need to experience the sensation of your cock inside me.” I pout, a serious whine in my voice.
His head tilts back as he growls out, “Fuck... I want to, so bad, but we need to meet up with the others. Our stolen moment will have to resume at another time.”
Chapter 25
Cecily
Present
Before Alex and I started heading to the small camp we’ve set up, I glanced around for Marcus. He wasn’t anywhere in sight, presumably already heading back to the camp for all of us to meet up. I just hope he didn’t catch Alex and I nearby, making out like two teenagers.
The walk back to the others is a lot quicker than my walk through the river had been. We leave the cover of the trees and make our way into the vast clearing again, greeted by a purple, pink, and orange sky. The fire has already been lit, and is crackling away with some meat roasting over the flames for our dinner. The rich smell hits me, and an overwhelming hunger strikes unexpectedly.
Derrick is rubbing sleep from his eyes, and Marcus stirs something in a pot perched over the fire. As soon as Alex and I walk over hand in hand, Klaus glances up and gives me a shining smile. “Ah, there she is! Come here, Sunshine.” As I walk over to Klaus, Alex smacks my ass, causing me to gasp and turn back toward him. His expression is pure innocence.
Reaching Klaus, he pulls me down onto his lap and I happily sink into his chest. “Seems like you and Alex had a lovely moment together duringalonetime.” His words are whispered, and end with a raised eyebrow. My mind immediately goes to the possibility of Marcus catching us watching him, and then the chance of him telling Klaus and Derrick.
The thought of being caught makes me blush, not the actual watching or the pleasure Alex gave me. “Mmm yep, seems like you had an even better time than I originally thought. You’re both glowing, floating on your toes, and your lips look ravished. Care to tell me what you were up to?” There’s a slight rasp to his words, and I just give him a teasing smirk before shaking my head.
Before he can question me further, we’re interrupted by Marcus handing out plates of food. My delivery comes with a kiss to the top of my head, and I can’t quite bring myself to look him in the eye.
The guys keep up a light chatter as we eat, but I’m silent, knowing what’s coming up in my near future. I have legitimate fears of being around Silas again, and the guys should know what kind of threat awaits us. Although, with the clear lack of Marcus’ memories matching up with my own... how am I to expect they’ll believe me when I say: “Oh, my mate—apparently your best friend here—who has acted completely devoted to me from the first moment he laid eyes on me, actually slit my throat and tried to kill me.” Yeah, I don’t see that going over well.
“You seem deep in thought there, Precious. What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?” Derrick asks, pulling me from my thoughts. I hadn’t realized they had gone quiet in their chatter.
“Oh, just a little of this and that.” My vague answer doesn’t relieve me of their attention though. Of course it wouldn’t.
Klaus nudges me to turn so I’m sitting between his legs, and rubs my shoulders. “Might as well get it over with, you’ve been acting squirrely ever since we brought up the fact you need to fill us in on everything. Clearly something big is on your mind, so would you like to get it out of the way first, or save it for last? I promise you, it’ll be a weight off your chest once it’s over with.”
He’s right, I know he is... I just don’t know what to say about it yet. I don’t want to face the fact they won’t believe me. “I did offer for you or Derrick to read the letter from my mom first, about having more than one mate... I was a bit distracted though to notice who reached me first.”
They both say “It was me” at the same time causing us all to laugh, and somehow, I feel better about sharing everything with them. Marcus might find the information hard to handle, but they’re all my mates and nothing can change it. I would know, because if it was possible, I would’ve nixed Marcus a long ass time ago.
I get up and brush my ass off to go find the backpack I stashed my letters in, returning to my spot between Klaus’ legs when I get back. As I flip through the letters to find the right one, I realize I haven’t read them all yet. Seeing as how I’m sitting with Klaus, I hand the letter over to Derrick. As he reads, I open one of the remaining unread letters and Klaus reads over my shoulder with me.
My heart has been broken over some of the other instructions the Fates gave us, not as much as erasing you from our people’s memory, but it felt like too much to add in the same letter. We were warned of an attack incoming to the castle, and were told to abandon it. Silas is truly an evil man. We know you were last in his care, and assume he has something to do with us not being able to find you.
We know the Fates have a full picture when it comes to seeing how every piece interconnects in the world, but my faith is slightly shaken with them telling me to completely abandon our home and pursuit of finding you.
Ah, well, this explains why she left our home. Dismantling it was better than thinking about someone finding it and taking it over. Derrick has passed the letter I handed him around to Marcus, who gave it to Alex at this point. I felt Klaus stiffen as he read the letter over my shoulder, and I’m just waiting for him to ask me about Silas being mentioned.
Thankfully, he waits to bring it up, and just wraps his arms around me waiting for his turn to read the letter in Alex’s hands, allowing me to stay focused on one item at a time. Once he finishes reading the letter talking about me having four mates, he lets out a low whistle. “Gosh, I had no idea we were playing such a huge part in keeping our people’s magic stabilized this whole time. Never felt a thing. I hate it had to happen, but I can’t say I’m upset to be included as one of your mates.” The others all nod in agreement.
“Well, that answers one of our biggest questions of how you have more than one mate. Some of my other questions were answered when you removed the spell blocking our memories of everything connected to who you are,” Derrick starts things off.
“So this anchoring stuff... is this why I’ve felt slightly off and sluggish since you woke up?” Alex asks.
My back stiffens in concern. “Have you really been feeling drained lately? Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
“Sorry, Angel. I didn’t realize it was anything to be concerned over.” He shrugs like it really was nothing he was worried about.
My face scrunches up with guilt. “Ugh, it’s totally my fault. I’m constantly becoming depleted, and my magic pulls from you guys when we’re touching, I can’t help it from happening. If you notice symptoms of being drained though, drink some of the fairy water. Not you, Marcus, you don’t get any since you gave me such a hard time about drinking it.” It’s only right I give him a hard time over it, at least we can look back at the moment with fondness.
Marcus gives me a pout. “What if I ask really nicely?”
