Page 18 of To Bleed A Kingdom

Kace’s gaze darts to mine in surprise, his eyes widening momentarily before dropping his gaze altogether, jerking his head in assent.

“I think Darius found his bedmate all on his own,” Aurora says with a smile in her voice.

Returning my attention to the captivating female, I find her and her companions already seated and Trip heading in our direction.

I adore Trip. The young Earth fae has had a similar upbringing to Kace and is just as determined to change his lot in life. He wants to be a warrior, not for the glory, but to protect others. Being that he's too young to join the Guard and lacks a father figure to teach him, we've taken him under our wing and alternate as his trainers. His infectious smile and sweet personality even softened the Harpy herself and managed to get himself a job here where very few were able to do so.

Like I said, I adore Trip, but I can barely comprehend speech at the moment, let alone be polite. I demonstrate this lack of control when Trip passes by and I snatch him up by the arm. “Who is she?”

Trip’s signature smile spreads across his face. “She’s pretty, isn't she?”

Trip snickers at my silence and Aurora joins in, but quickly composes herself with a motherly warning. “Trip.”

“Don't know.” He shrugs. “I was walking past as they entered the city and one of the guards asked me to escort them here. They're nice, though.” Thumb gesturing over his shoulder, he pulls from my grasp. “They said they’re hungry, so I'm going to grab them some pie and ale. They look like they've been traveling for a while.”

He turns to leave, but when Aurora lunges forward and grabs a fistful of his tunic, he stumbles over his feet.

“We’ll take the ale!” she shouts, then shoves him away. Grabbing four pints from the bar, she smacks two to my chest, sloshing ale over the rims to drip down my vest, before doing the same to Griffin. Then, with an impish smile, she loops her arm through mine and pulls me toward the newcomers.

The female and her companions have their heads huddled together, speaking in hushed voices, but as we near their table they pause their discussion to peer up at us. When the mesmerizing creature meets my gaze, that same paralysis from before overcomes me.

Fuck me, her eyes practically glow from this distance.

“We noticed you when you came in and thought we’d introduce ourselves. I’m Aurora, and this is Darius, Kace, and Griffin,” Aurora says, pointing at eachof us in turn.

The female’s amethyst eyes drift towards Aurora, freeing me from her snare. “I’m Lena and this is Amara, Tristan, and Zander,” she says, nodding toward each of her companions.

“It's a pleasure,” Aurora replies, but I barely comprehend her words once hearing Lena speak.

She has a raspy voice with a strange accent. It's rough and throaty, yet surprisingly lyrical. My body instantly responds to the seductive sound, my dick straining at the leathers as I imagine the raspy moans she would make while milking my cock.

“May we join you? We've brought ale.” Aurora bumps my arm with her shoulder, reminding me that I’m still clutching their drinks against my chest. I pass the pints to the two females, while Griffin does the same for the males.

“Of course.” Lena nudges the empty chair I’m standing in front of with her boot, sliding it across the floor in invitation. Spellbound by this sensuous creature, I drop down into it without breaking her gaze.

“You’re pretty,” Kace says in a dazed voice. “Like, really pretty.”

Hearing the wonder in his tone, I tear my gaze from Lena and my clouded thoughts instantly clear when I see him. Still standing, still awestruck, and attempting to catch flies with his gaping mouth.

Uriella’s Light, I hope I don't look that ridiculous.

“Sit down,” I bark, angry at myself more so than him for my own foolish behavior.

Quickly doing so, Kace scurries to the seat beside Griffin.

“You’ve got a bit of drool right there,” her companion Zander says, tapping his chin.

Kace slaps a hand to his face and wipes vigorously. “Did I get it?”

He nods with a smile, then claps Kace on the back. “All gone. Don’t worry! You're not the first male to drool over her.” Zander leans into Kace and whispers conspiratorially, “It's a common reaction to our lovely Lena.”

They both laugh at the females’ answering scowls until Griffin smacks Kace on the back of the head.

“Ow! Whatd’ya do that for?!”

“Stop talking,” Griffin says to Kace, then adds to a snickering Zander, “Both of you.”

“So,” Aurora says with a roll of her eyes. “Where are you all from?”

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