AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I exhaled a long sigh when the sharp fire faded, leaving behind minimal soreness and strength in my muscles.
"Best I can do, Sugarplum," Harvey murmured, kissing my temple. "I need to recharge."
"You sleep first," I told him, drawing him into a deep hug, squeezing him extra hard so he knew he was loved. "Kai and I will watch the Labyrinth."3
"You can sleep over there," Kai told Wynvail, nothing but nastiness in his voice. "That way if something comes down the path, it'll eat you first."
A bolt of alarm went through my chest, and Wynvail's eyes snapped to mine, smugness spreading through the silver depths. "I don't think our mate is too happy with that arrangement."
"Just worried about the monster that'll eat you," I said, my tone sweet as sugar. "You'll probably poison it from the inside."
"Whatever you say, honey," he replied, a knowing look on his face as he settled where Kai had told him to. It completely threw me when he did what he was told, not arguing or threatening us first.
I cast him a wary glance as I settled with my back against the wall a few feet away from where Harvey laid out on the ground. We were going to get so many back problems from sleeping on the floor. I stayed close enough to drape the edge of a wing over his legs, feeling better with some part of me touching him. I did the same when Em laid down, giving Wynvail a suspicious glare even though the man was, to all intents and purposes, asleep. As if anyone could fall asleep that fast; it was unnatural.
Then again, he hadn't spent his entire adult life on the run. Smug, privileged bastard.
"Sleep tight, babies," I told Em and Harvey, rewarded with sudden laughs. "I'll guard over you. You’re safe under my watch, fair damsels."
"You know your ass is going to pay for that, don't you?" Emlyn drawled. The threat was a billion times more heightened coming from Em than any of the others. I swallowed, my ass tightening, my shoulder tingling even though the bite’s power had faded.
"I hope so," I replied in a low purr.
Emlyn groaned, rolling over, and I grinned in victory. Good, he deserved a boner for teasing me.
I drew my daggers from my back and set them across my legs, just in case Cronus sent any more dragons for us. Kai lowered himself to the ground beside me with a grunt, catching my hand in both of his.
"This floor's too fucking cold," he muttered, making me laugh.
I leaned my head on his shoulder and let out a long breath. "Use your snakes as insulation."
He snorted, but sobered. "I'm too low on energy; I don't want to waste any. Losing my shit earlier took more out of me than I realised. Now I'm just … fucking knackered."
I turned my hand over, linking my fingers with his. "Here, lay down. You can watch the bottom of the maze and I'll take the top."
He made a show of complaining but when I pulled him down, shifting my knives so he could lay his head on my lap, he melted into the embrace. If I'd told him to sleep, he would have made a manly show of refusal, but my Kai could never turn down physical contact of any kind. Did I feel bad for tricking him into resting? No. And I'd do it again.
"I'm sorry we were separated," I murmured, running my fingers through his wine-red hair as he relaxed into me, his breaths slowing, more even.
"Not your fault," he replied with a yawn. "Sorry I went batshit insane."
I huffed a quiet laugh. "Don't be sorry for fucking me against the wall. It was so damn hot. I want a replay."
"That can be arranged," he agreed, nuzzling his head against my stomach. "I don’t think I can get it up now, though. Too tired."
I brushed hair off his face, trailing gentle touches over his scalp. "Tomorrow, then."
"It's a promise," he agreed.
I didn't need to see his face to know he was fighting the closing of his eyes. Another few minutes and he was limp and unconscious in my lap, breathing deep. I let out a relieved sigh, a tiny part of my worry for him evaporating. At least his body would recover while he slept. His mind, well … I'd have to work on caring for that myself. And I didn't mind that he'd be clingy and over-possessive for a few days.
A rush of worry filled my soul, making my heart skip. Wane. I reached back, spearing myself down that strong tether until I felt him on the other side. I couldn't give myself to the bond entirely when I had to watch the Labyrinth around me, but just feeling him there on the other side was a comfort that made my eyes blur and my bottom lip wobble.
I miss you,I told him, as if he could hear me.I want you here. I want to hear your voice and watch you laugh and see your smile. Fuck, I hope you can smile, and Cronus hasn't stolen that from you forever.
I knew he didn't know the exact words, but my emotions must have reached him because he sent back a wave of love so strong I had to cover my mouth to trap my sob.
I wish Harvey could feel you. I wish you could feelhim.He's so strong, but I know he's suffering. He misses you like hell, Wane. We all do.
