Page 89 of Maleen

Nero bites his finger and flies off. “He never calls me a pretty birdy, but when you’re in my body, all of a sudden I’m pretty. I may need to move him down a notch on my favourites list.”

I stifle a laugh and enjoy the feeling of soaring through the woods. After a few minutes Killian pops into my mind. “See anything that resembles lights?”

“Nope, nothing but trees, leaves and darkness. Oh and dirt,” I sass. “I’ll let you know the moment we see anything.”

After a few more minutes I get this weird sensation that we are being watched. “Nero? Do you feel that?”

“Yeah, I do. I don’t like the feeling,” he mutters, speeding up a bit more.

“Wait, do these plants look different to you? We should turn back. I have a bad feeling.” I reach back out to my mates. “I don’t think this is the path. The plants look almost black and—Nero watch out!”

A vine spears towards us and Nero rolls, narrowly avoiding the violent plant.

“What’s going on?” Killian bellows and I feel his confliction to race down the path after us.

“We’re safe. A plant almost took us out. We are almost back; Nero is flying as fast as he can, and I don’t see any more of those plants. Safe to say this is definitely the wrong path.” I wince.

He rumbles and I swear I feel it in my skull. “You better be ready not to sit for a week once we get back to Maleen.” I shiver in excitement which he must feel because he adds, “Don’t get any more ideas like that again, do you hear me?”

“Yes sir,” I murmur, and Nero snickers, knowing exactly where my mind went.

The moment we get back to the fork in the road, I jump back into my body and Jesper steadies me as I get my bearings.

Nero lands on the saddle and stares up at me. “Those were not normal plants.”

“Obviously. I never even heard of plants that attack before…”

“I have,” Aemon mutters darkly. “But I thought they were myths. Plants as dark as night that hunt living flesh and consume their prey.”

I shiver in horror and disgust. “Oh fuck no. I never want to see those things again. That was too fucking close.” I scoop Nero up and hold him to my chest, realizing what a close call that was.

“We are okay, Rav. No more fae-eating plants,” he tries to joke, but I can hear the shake in his voice.

“Let’s get moving. Remember, eyes peeled,” Aemon states worriedly.

All their bonds reach out to comfort Nero and I, but I know for a fact they aren’t letting me leave their side again and at this point, I don’t want to.

With only one last obstacle to go and the most confusing one yet, I’m ready for this adventure to be done. I want to be home, snuggled between all my mates. I want this war to be over and peace in my realm, but I know that can’t be done yet. My bones ache with exhaustion and I want nothing but to rest for a bit, to not have to worry when the next attack is coming or if my family will be in danger.

Jesper’s hand tightens on my thigh and snakes up between my legs. “I don’t like where your thoughts are going. Want me to take the edge off? You have to be super quiet though.” He teases my clit through my pants and my hips buck toward his hand, searching out more. “Good girl. Now remember, not a peep.”

Nero shifts himself behind Jesper, sitting on our horse’s rump to give us some privacy.

I lean back against my mate as his hand slides into my pants, and when his finger grazes my clit I bite my lips and tilt my hips, giving him access to more.

He circles and teases, drawing me closer and closer to the peak of pleasure. “Fuck, Jesp… I’m going to come.”

“Come all over my hands, Temptress. Let me feel you squeeze my fingers, and if you don’t make a noise I’ll treat you to my tongue later.”

I arch my back and feel his cock against my backside, and the moment I imagine him thrusting it inside of me I shatter, biting into his bicep to keep quiet because I really want what he’s promising.

My body melts into his as my chest heaves.

He removes his hand and brings his fingers to his mouth, sucking off my essence. “Mmm, such a tease. You taste absolutely delicious, Temptress.”

“Do you think the others know?”

I feel him smirk against my head. “Considering all I can smell is your arousal, I would bet they’re all a bit distracted right now.”