Gabriel’s calloused hands caressed my breasts, his thumbs circling my nipples as he lowered his mouth to capture one between his lips.
I moaned, my head falling back as Sebastian’s pace increased. His grip on my hips tightened, possessive and demanding. The darkness that had frightened me earlier seemed distant now, overwhelmed by the connection between us.
“More,” I gasped, reaching for Gabriel.
He understood, shifting his weight to position himself at my mouth. I took him eagerly, my tongue swirling around him as Sebastian continued his relentless rhythm.
The taste of Gabriel filled my mouth as Sebastian drove deeper, his rhythm becoming more urgent. My body was caught between them, overwhelmed by sensation and the pulsing magic flowing through our connection.
Sebastian’s hands slid from my hips to my breasts, squeezing them as he thrust harder. “You’re perfect like this,” he growled, his voice rough with desire. “Taking us both.”
I moaned around Gabriel, my eyes watering as Sebastian hit that perfect spot inside me. The golden cords between us blazed brighter as I neared climax.
Gabriel’s fingers tangled in my hair, gentle despite his obvious arousal.
Sebastian’s pace became erratic, his breathing harsh against my neck. “I’m close,” he warned, his fingers digging into my flesh.
I took Gabriel deeper, wanting to bring him with us. The magic surged between us, building toward a crescendo that threatened to overwhelm me completely. Sebastian’s rhythm became desperate, his fingers bruising my hips as he drove into me with relentless force.
Sebastian thrust one final time, filling me as he groaned my name. His release triggered my own, waves of ecstasy crashing through me as I cried out around Gabriel.
My body convulsed between them, the magic surging through our connection in bright, blinding flashes. Sebastian collapsed against me, his breath hot on my chest as Gabriel found his own release, his fingers tightening in my hair.
For several moments, we remained connected, the golden cords between us pulsing with our shared satisfaction.
Gradually, Sebastian slipped out of me and rolled onto his side on the bed, his breathing still ragged. Gabriel moved to lie on my other side, his large hand gently stroking my hair. I lay between them, my body still trembling with aftershocks.
“Feel better now?” Sebastian asked, his voice rough.
I managed a weak smile. “Maybe.”
Gabriel’s arm tightened around me. “We’re not done discussing what happened in the bathroom.”
I sighed, nestling closer to his warmth. “I know.”
Sebastian propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at me with those sharp dark eyes. “The darkness wants you specifically, Eva. We can’t pretend otherwise.”
I stared at the ceiling, feeling the truth of his words settle in my chest. “I know that too. But I still think we need to keep moving forward with the pathways.”
Gabriel’s hand stilled in my hair. “You’re not going to change your mind, are you?”
I shook my head, feeling the weight of their concern like a physical presence between us. “We’ve come too far. And besides, I think I need to understand what this darkness wants from me. Maybe the fairy realm will give us answers.”
Sebastian’s expression darkened. “Or it could make things worse.”
“Maybe,” I admitted, rolling to face him. “But I can’t live in fear of what might happen. My mom is depending on me.”
Gabriel kissed my back. “We’ll face it together.”
I smiled, grateful for his steady presence. The golden cords between us pulsed gently, still humming with our shared energy, but in a more content and sleepy way. For now, at least, the darkness felt distant, pushed back by the strength of our connection. Through the small window, the city lights cast patterns across the ceiling.
“Tomorrow, then,” Gabriel said, his voice a low rumble against my ear. “The fairy realm.”
“Tomorrow,” I agreed, though anxiety twisted in my stomach. The darkness that had spoken to me felt different from the shadows we’d encountered before—more personal, more intentional. It knew me somehow, and that scared me more than I wanted to admit.
Sebastian’s hand found mine, our fingers intertwining. “Get some rest,” he murmured. “You’ll need it.”
23
