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Malcolm’s mouth finally met her clit and Claire’s hips bucked. He held them down with his wide shoulders as he expertly worked her over with his mouth. Every lick and every kiss sent her higher and higher. The last few days of exploration providing him with a perfect road map to bring her right to the brink of orgasm.
Desmond pulled back from their kiss, letting her moans color the air. He ducked his head and lifted the breast Everett wasn’t holding to his mouth. He rolled her nipple with his tongue and then sucked hard as Malcolm did the same to her clit. Claire let out a cry as the orgasm rolled over her. Throughout it, her men continued to drive her wild and every time she thought it was over, another wave sucked her under.
They gave her a short reprieve as they shifted and then Claire was crying out for a new reason as Everett filled her from behind. Malcolm adjusted so Everett could wrap one hand around Claire’s hip and drive into her. Every thrust had her so full it stole her breath. The pleasure spiked higher and higher until it felt like Claire was floating above herself in an out of body experience.
Finally, Everett groaned and bit down on her shoulder, his hips moving faster until he stilled with a groan inside her. Desmond placed soft kisses around her nipple as Everett slowly pulled out of her. Strong hands pulled and shifted her until they were back to their original sleeping positions.
Claire let her head fall forward onto Desmond’s shoulder, eyes still closed. No one spoke for the next few minutes and she wondered if they had fallen back asleep. Only the steady wakefulness of their bonds said otherwise.
“We have to get up,” Claire whispered softly after a few minutes. She didn’t want to break the warm afterglow but they had shirked responsibility long enough. Physically, Claire felt fine although she was still weak and the darkness showed no sign of lifting.
None of her men stirred at her words and she tried again. “We need to get up. Holly and the others are waiting for us.” She had decisions to make.
“You don’t have to do it alone,” Desmond reminded her softly.
“I know,” Claire said. And she did. She knew she had a whole network of people behind her just waiting on her to say the word. And if she didn’t know what decision to make, her family would help her decide.
They still didn’t move out of bed though. Not until the distinct sound of a gnarly wooden staff hitting the door reverberated throughout the room. Greta.
Malcolm groaned as he pulled himself from the bed. The soft rustling of clothes told Claire he was getting dressed before heading out to the living room to let Greta in. They had found out the hard way a few days ago that Greta’s knocking was only a formality. The Elder Elf would only give them a few moments before she barged in anyways.
Malcolm’s grumbling voice sounded from the living room as Everett pressed a kiss to the back of her neck before also rolling away. Desmond’s magic rolled over her skin softly and she smiled as she recognized the cleansing spell. Feeling refreshed again, she dragged herself up out of bed. Forest and spice tickled her nose as Everett dropped clothes in her lap. She dressed quickly and accepted Desmond’s hand as they headed into the living room.
The soft push of wind and the single flap of wings was the only warning Claire got before Puck hit her chest with a soft thump. “Good morning,” Claire murmured as she released Desmond’s hand and buried her face in his fur.
Puck purred in her arms before climbing up to her shoulder and chittering at Desmond. A picture of the room layout flashed down her bond with Puck and Claire scratched his ear thankfully. He had started doing that the last few days, flashing images of the room from his eyes so Claire could navigate. And she was eternally grateful for him. Not just for the picture of the room but it was Puck who had killed Vanya’s raven familiar, allowing Claire to finally overpower Vanya without draining herself of magic. Her sweet familiar was a large reason why they had made it out alive.
“Time’s a’wastin, young Queen,” Greta grumbled at her. “Let me check you over.”
Claire made her way around the low table and sat on the edge of the couch. Greta’s staff pressed against the side of her knees as Greta rested it against the table. Warm, wrinkly hands cupped her cheeks and Claire felt the traces of Greta’s magic flow through her. The remaining fatigue that weighed down her bones lifted as the magic coursed through her body. Greta’s magic encountered Claire’s magic at her center. Claire’s magic sluggishly acknowledged the intruder but otherwise didn’t react. It hadn’t reacted to much of anything the last few days.
Soon Greta was done and pulled back her hands. “All done,” Greta said.
“What about my sight?” Claire couldn’t help but ask. She didn’t regret her choices but she was starting to miss the colors, especially the colors of her mates’ eyes.
Greta tsked at her. “It’s still too early to tell. Be grateful you’re even alive, young Queen. If it comes back, it will take time.”
A riot of emotions seemed to roll through her as Greta’s words settled into the empty room. She bit her lip at Greta’s choice of words. She had saidifnotwhenwhich meant the Elder Elf wasn’t sure it would come back at all. Taking in a deep breath, Claire let it out in a slow exhale. She was alive. Her mates were alive. Her friends were alive. If the cost of getting them all out of this was her sight, then it was a cost she would gladly pay.
“It’s good you bonded when you did,” Greta said gruffly as she prepared to leave.
“What do you mean?” Claire asked.
“A mated pair is strong. A Triad bond, even stronger. Strong enough to bring a member back from the brink of death.” She couldn’t see Greta but she felt her pointed look. “As the four of you healed, you distributed the healing among each other, amplifying the effects. Nothing else would have saved you.”
Claire nodded, taking the warning as it was intended. She didn’t have to tell Greta that she was never going to do that again. Realm be damned. Malcolm settled next to her on the couch, pulling her into his lap, a low growl rumbling his chest at Greta’s words. Claire felt Greta’s eye roll at the dragon’s behavior but thankfully she didn’t say anything.
Everett walked by the back of the couch, his fingers brushing Claire’s hair as he showed Greta out the door.
Claire nuzzled into Malcolm’s shoulder, content to breathe in his cinnamon and smoke scent. His growl softened as he squeezed her tighter. Claire’s stomach let out a growl that rivaled Malcolm’s and her men laughed.
“Come on, little love,” Desmond plucked her out of Malcolm’s lap. “Let’s get you fed.”
Malcolm stood with her in his arms but Claire managed to convince him to let her down to walk by herself when they exited the building. As they crossed the courtyard, her men sandwiched her in between them as if expecting someone to jump out at them. Despite their protectiveness, their surroundings were quiet. Her Energy Reading was as sharp as ever and she extended it out into their surroundings just to be sure.
The Academy’s magic thrummed around her, greeting her like an old friend. Claire smiled as it guided her steps almost imperceptibly.
“We haven’t talked about where we want to live now,” Desmond broke the silence.
