Page 10 of Of War and Realms

“You.” Smack. “Insufferable.” Smack. “Males!” Smack. I giggle, lowering my hand to the worn journal resting on my thighs. Ivana handed it to me before we left her shop, insisting that her ancestor—Ivy—wrote some information in it about Breoqan.

I’m sitting on Casmir’s lap in the common area with my legs draped over Emrys. They are struggling to cease touching me enough for us to read Ivy’s journal. I rest my head in the curve of my prince’s neck; he sweeps his lips over my forehead, pulling me tighter against him with the arm circling my waist. His other hand holds Em’s, while they both caress the skin of my exposed leg. I’m only wearing one of the captain’s shirts, so they almost have full access to my naked body and feel no shame in taking advantage of it.

Xamira mewls, her tail flicking sharply as she sits in front of the window watching birds flutter their wings.

I smile to myself, focusing on my males once more. My soul squeezes impossibly tight at the sight of Cas and Em pressed against each other, almost looking as if they’re sleeping. Emrys rests his head on Cas’s shoulder, while the prince does the same to his best friend’s head. Their eyes are closed, faces relaxed.

This. This right here is the only thing I’ve wanted my entire life. To be surrounded by love. To feel cherished and important to someone. I was never foolish enough to think I would get to experience anything more than a few moments of another’s attention. It was always but a childish dream, wishing to feel loved.

Now? My heart breaks for that part of me who never knew what she was truly missing. I longed for something I hadn’t experienced…but if I had known just how blissful this feeling was? Fuck. I would have left Europa much sooner.

When I first arrived on Earth and Andras spent his days giving me the attention I so desperately craved, I thought that was love. I was convinced that feeling was what I’d been dreaming about for decades. But then these two males crashed into my life and the second I saw them, I understood that everything I thought I knew had been a lie.

I shake my head, willing myself to focus on the journal. This is the only piece of information we have about Breoqan, and I’m nervous it will not be enough. I carefully creek open the thick pages, turning to the one that Ivana indicated was the entry we need.

How does this both help and make things more confusing at the same time? I’ve gathered that they’re around ten feet, have dark, thick skin, no eyes, insane hearing, scary claws, and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth.

We do not know what kills them, how they kill, how fast they are, or how accurate they are. But, knowing how to kill them is the one piece of information that could change our odds in this war.

Ivy said her magic did not work…though she used blood magic and didn’t have access to the Earth at the time. She also was in a vision. Maybe the gods’ magic will be the weapon we need.

But what if it doesn’t work? What other weapons do we have that could go against an army of highly trained fae and giant demons? Using our strength alone would cost us everything.

Unease settles heavily in my torso; this just became significantly more complicated.

“Well, whatever the fuck she did to Imogen clearly didn’t work.” I huff a breath at Emrys’s annoyed tone. He’s probably come to the same conclusion that I have.

“What do we even do with this information?” I mutter, resting my head against Cas’s chest once more. I nuzzle further as my males tighten their holds on me.

“We do what we can. We give the information we have to the camps and train until our time runs out.”

I close my eyes and attempt to sort through the torrent of thoughts I have circling my head. I do not have the mental capacity to deal with any of this right now. Which just makes me feel worse because time is a luxury we do not have.

“Okay,” Em emphasizes the word. “Let’s not sit around brooding about things we have no control over. It will not change our knowledge of the demons. And it will not help us better prepare for them.” He sits forward, a dangerous glint to his eyes. “I prefer to focus on things I do have control over.” His hand slides up my thigh, nearing the edge of the shirt that hides almost nothing.

I lift my chin, smirking. “I think you’ve focused on me enough for today,” I tease, knowing it will get a reaction from him. His hand stills as those caramel eyes narrow.

“Is that so?” He breathes, his voice dropping to a level that immediately gets my core throbbing. I bite my lip, turning my face into Cas’s neck to hide my giggles. I feel giddy and light, as I always do when Emrys directs the full strength of his intensity toward me.

The prince lifts my chin, planting kiss after kiss across my cheek and jaw. I laugh loudly, unable to control the undiluted happiness swimming through my veins. I open my eyes to look at him and see two fae walking in from the hallway behind the couch. I tense and quickly assess the situation. I have not seen these fae before, so how did they know this part of the castle is where the prince lives? Are they here to hurt him?

I see no weapons, and their body language does not speak of ill intent, but I will not risk the safety of my males. Especially when we are not yet bonded and their lives are not tied to mine.

I immediately stand from their laps, erecting a box around the new fae and hiding my males behind my essence.

“Who are you?” I demand, allowing power to fill my voice. Cas and Em shift, attempting to stand, but I hold them down.

The two fae take in the space in front of them, a sense of wonder evident on their faces. The male, tall and lean, laughs as he runs his hand fully around the barrier keeping them in. The female is not focused on the magic, though. No, she’s looking at me with a small smile tugging at her lips. She’s amused…why?

My males attempt to talk to me, but I don’t hear them. No one will threaten them and live. Heat travels swiftly to my chest as my fists clench. These fae have not answered me.

I step forward until I’m directly between them and my bonds, ensuring they see death in my glare. They’re both watching me now, the male’s eyes widening when he takes in my features.

“I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. Who. Are. You.”

The female’s smile widens, brightening her pale features. Why the fuck is this funny to her? The other one clears his throat, realizing neither of them have spoken yet.

“This is amazing,” he gestures to their cage. “And the way you just made Casmir and Emrys disappear? Incredible!” My brows furrow, and my heated emotions falter. He speaks of my bonds as if he knows them, saying their names with an ease that only comes with familiarity.

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