Nyx carries me to the back of the cave, and all three of us settle in together. Their hands move over my body, gentle and reverent as they ease my aching muscles.
“We make the best sandwich,” Rhune says happily. “Now it’s official.”
I laugh softly under my breath, too exhausted and happy to argue.
I can’t say I disagree.
28
Nyx
Morning comes,but there’s no sun to show it, just the slight shift from black to a dim blue light filtering from the exposed roots. I’ve been awake for some time already, my body curled protectively around my new mate, listening to the steady rhythm of her heart.
I can’t believe we mated. It was almost too wonderful to believe. Half of me thought it was a dream, but when I checked Willow’s neck, my mate bond insignia was glowing brightly from where Circe placed it.
I pull Willow’s limp body in closer to mine, careful not to wake Rhune slumbering right next to her. I just want to bask in this for a while longer. To convince myself that she’s real, that I might finally be able to find happiness.
However, I only get a moment of peace before I hear it.
The sound of claws scraping against stone, emanating from deep within the tunnel and drawing closer with every passing second.
The hair on the back of my neck rises, and my muscles coil tight. I ease Willow gently from my chest, laying her downamong the furs and rise to my feet, my wings flaring out at my sides as a low growl builds deep in my throat.
I will protect my Willow with my life.
Just before I lunge, Dravik’s head pokes out from the tunnel, his long orange locks splayed haphazardly around his blocky head. He tumbles out into the open cave, and Cin follows close behind, his face lowered in shame. Though, as soon as he scents Willow, his eyes lock on to her, brightening with a look of ravenous hunger.
Dravik notices us a beat later, and he rushes over, leaving Cin alone by the tunnel as he crouches at Willow’s side.
He reaches an arm out to her, freezing when his hand is a breath away from her cheek. “Is she…?”
“She’s sleeping,” I answer, reaching over to pet her head. “She’s been doing a lot of it recently. It’s… troubling.”
“But she is unharmed?” he demands, his eyes scanning her for injuries. “She smells of your cum.”
A smirk tugs at my mouth. “Oh. That. We sort of bonded while you were gone.”
He whips his head to me with a scowl. “You did not.”
“I did.” I shrug. “It was her choice. You know this.”
“I know, but still…” His frown deepens. “She is too good for you. Too good for all of us.”
“That’s just your self-hating nature talking,” I grumble. “Why don’t you learn to appreciate the good things in life?”
“We do notdeservegood things.” He shoots me a look. “You know why. But… there is nothing we can do about a soul bond, so we will just have to deal with the repercussions now.” He lets out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Tell me you at least pleasured her before thinking of yourself?”
I gasp, hurt. “I’m surprised, Dravik. OfcourseI did.”
At that moment, Willow’s eyes flutter, and she blinks sleepily up at us. For a moment, she doesn’t recognize us, but when sherealizes Dravik is here, she lets out a gasp and leaps out of bed, throwing her arms around him in a massive bear hug.
“Willow,” he whispers, nuzzling her neck. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“What took you so long?” she asks, a hint of hurt creeping into her voice.
“As soon as Cin snapped out of his trance, we were hit with another massive storm,” Dravik explains. “Plus,someonedecided to fly all the way out to the welwig forest with a fractured wing, and couldn’t fly to the cliffs.”
“Idecided nothing,” Cin mutters, turning away with a frown.
