AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 1
Nariana
Iwoke up to the sound of the shower and the smell of something clean. Winter break was over. I had to be up for my grappling class, but I'd had nightmares after watching my old friend get slapped - again - by his desire. Rolling in the bed, I faced the bathroom door to wait my turn. The sound of two men breathing slowly and evenly beside me lulled my mind back toward sleep, I started dozing off again, until I heard the latch click.
My eyes immediately flicked open to find Wraythe walking out, rubbing a towel across his hair. It was the only one he had. Every inch of his body was exposed, giving me an amazing view, and I drank it in. The god-lace running from his fingers, up his arms, and around to his back made him look massive.
I swore he'd gained more muscles in the last few weeks. The man was physically perfect, and then some. His brown hair had grown out a bit, and his beard was short but thick. I didn't even mind the smattering of hair across his chest. Mostly because he kept it short below the belt, and the V at his hips drew my eyes right down.
Then there was the dark ring around his dick. Knowing it was no longer torture, I couldn't help but think the thing was oddly sexy, even when he was soft. The only problem was that my eyes were roaming across his thighs when Wraythe finally lowered the towel to catch me gawking. One little chuckle made it clear I was busted, and my gaze jumped right up to his face.
"You were supposed to be asleep." His voice was deep enough to rumble when he tried to speak softly.
"I was waiting for the bathroom," I admitted.
He moved to the side, getting out of my way. "If you tell me what you're wearing, I'll find it for you."
"Um, just anything for grappling," I said. "I dunno, whatever you like."
His green eyes met mine. "Gonna let me pick?"
"Sure," I decided, because there was something about the way he was looking at me. It made my insides want to flip a few times.
Wraythe nodded once. "Then go get ready. We don't want to be late after the break. I think the whole temple knows you were with the baron last week."
"Thanks." I scooted off the bed, but caught his arm before he could slip away. Stretching as far as I could, I managed a quick peck on his lips, but it required pressing a hand against his damp chest to balance. "I enjoyed the show," I whispered before heading into the bathroom.
And I had. Wraythe wasn't usually the kind of man to let me just look. It seemed to make him self-conscious, but he was beautiful in his own way. Not pretty - not at all - but he also wasn't ugly. Masculine was the best word I had to describe him. His features were harsh, his size was intimidating, and I liked it. I just likedhim.
But four of us and one bathroom was something we hadn't planned for when the guys had started staying here full time. I was barely out before Talin needed in, and all of us moving around woke up Eladehl, who didn't have a class for a few more hours. Oddly, he didn't complain. My partner just sprawled in the bed, watching the three of us try to get dressed in the minimal space. I had a feeling it was quite the show.
On the upside, it was nice to have a few extra hands to straighten the back of my bustier and tie the corset-like laces. While Talin went to look for my heeled boots, Wraythe headed into the main room to put another log in the fireplace so the suite would be warm by the time Ela had to actually get up. Then, only a few minutes later than normal, the three of us left as a group.
Of course, the hall wasn't empty. A single man was headed the same direction as us, and the look on his face was filled with confusion. He also lengthened his stride a bit. I didn't recognize him, but it seemed that Wraythe did. A grunt of greeting proved it, some version of man-talk that I could recognize but not quite follow.
"Morning, Wraythe," the man said, sounding a little too chipper.
"Shiran," Wraythe greeted him. "This is Eladehl's partner, Nari, and her guardian, Talin."
Shiran fell in beside us. "Heading to your initiate classes, huh?"
"Yep," Talin agreed, eyeing the guy carefully.
Shiran just chuckled. "Um, please tell me that Nariana knows where her partner spent his holiday?"
"In a general sort of way," I assured him, starting to put the pieces together. "With your ward, I assume?"
"Desire," he corrected, "but yes. I haven't seen Eladehl since. I hope Cayden didn't cross any lines. Rumor has it that your partner is now taking private lessons in punishment."
"The lines needed to be crossed," I admitted. "I hope Ela didn't hurt your desire."
"Just enough," Shiran said, pausing as we reached the cross hall. "So, what's the story with all of you in one room, or should I not ask?"
"Lessons in observing," Talin told him.
Shiran gave him a look that proved he wasn't that dumb. "Look, most of the temple is of two minds about you four, and everyone is talking about you. A lot of us guardians are rooting you on. I say you should own it. Just make it clear that the partners aren't jealous of your guardian bonds, and that you all enjoy the physical closeness. There's no rule against sharing a bed. There's not even a rule against intimacy, since most of us make out with our desires. It's just arousal that we're not allowed, but the more you four show affection for each other, the more we can."
"Yeah," Wraythe said, his eyes narrowing, "but what do you think they'll do to us to make an example? Put us in smaller rings?"
