Page 36 of Gift from the Stone

“Who told—”

“All right, asshole, I took a shower and changed my clothes. That’s as long as I’m willing—” Draken comes charging in, his hair still dripping, no shirt, no shoes, just wet, half-dressed perfection.

“Little wanderer,” he breathes before running out my door, and I hear him bellowing down the hallway. “She’s awake. Get the fuck in here.”

He comes running full tilt back into my room, not slowing his pace at all as he throws himself on the bed.

“Be fucking careful,” Caspian shouts, shooting him in the chest with water as I sit up laughing, preparing for the ambush. His flames burst to life across his chest, drying the water off him, then he gathers me in his arms.

“Little wanderer, I was going crazy. I didn’t think I was going to survive another hour.” He pulls me close, nuzzling into my neck, and an unexpected purr falls from my lips. An even louder, more masculine purr permeates the air, soothing every muscle in my body as I slump limply into his chest.

“Cut that shit off, Draken, before she falls back asleep. Now.”

“Shit, shit. Don’t do that. Don’t close your eyes, Willow. My dragon was just responding to yours,” he yells, shaking me a little, forcing me to sit up straight.

“I’m fine. I’m not going back to sleep. I just didn’t expect that to relax me so instantly.”

“I’ll explain later the meanings of purrs, but right now, I need to know you’re okay.” Pulling me to where I’m sitting between his legs, he wraps his arms around me and steals a kiss, swift and fiery, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Damn, these two know how to give a girl a proper wake-up call.

“I’m okay. Where are the others?” I ask breathlessly.

Neither Draken nor Caspian have to answer as Tillman and Corentin come charging into the room, freezing as they take in the sight of me. Both look just as Draken had. Hair dripping, not styled, wearing only sweatpants that are hanging low on their hips. Their chiseled bodies on display for my viewing pleasure.

Another purr creeps out of me, this one low, needy.

“If they were shifters, little wanderer, you’d be calling them to fuck you right now.” Draken whispers in my ear. My eyes widen, but as I continue to devour the sight of them, I wouldn’t mind that.

“Well, are you two just gonna stand there or are you going to come see me?” I whisper. That snaps them out of their frozen state. They make it to me at the same time, but Corentin’s able to pull me from Draken’s grasp first.

“You’re okay,” he breathes as he cradles me close to him.

“I’m okay, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” I swear, wrapping my hand around the back of his neck, rubbing my thumb back and forth, as I breathe in his scent. Allspice and chocolate. It’s fitting to me that the most controlling and bossy of my Nexus smells like the sweet makings of a delicious dessert.

Another body presses against my back, this one the size of two of me. Gently running his hand up my throat, he grips my chin and tilts my head to the side and back so I can look up at him.

“Will—” Whatever he was planning to say is cut off when I close my eyes and push back, silently begging for a kiss. He places his other hand on my belly, tugging me off Corentin, and kisses me senseless.

When he breaks the embrace, he turns my head back to face Corentin and I barely have a moment to gain my composure before he captures my lips.

I’m lost to the sensation of them. Corentin’s lips sealed to mine as Tillman presses his firm chest to my back. I’m dizzy off them and growing wetter by the second. A small moan slips out as Corentin slows his kiss to bare pecks, causing four groans to echo around the room.

“Let’s get some food in you, baby.”

“Let’s take a shower. I mean, I need a shower. I haven’t showered in two days. You just took a shower. Your hair is still…a little wet…” I’m a panting, blubbering mess. They have me so worked up I can’t even think straight. My mind cracks a little more as Corentin smiles down at me, rubbing his thumb across my bottom lip.

“Actually…” He cuts his eyes over to Draken, who’s rubbing the back of his neck. I can feel nervousness and apprehension filter through the bond from him.

“What? Just tell me.”

“I washed you while you were sleeping. Nothing was working. No matter how much I talked to you, told you stories, rubbed your feet, brushed your hair, nothing woke you up. You love your bathroom, especially relaxing in a bath, so I thought maybe it would work. You were still dressed in an outfit you’d wear to the academy, not one to lie around in and relax, so I figured a warm bath, comfy clothes, and some lotion on your feet would work, but it didn’t. I couldn’t get through to you.” His eyes are growing glossy, and his feelings are bleeding into pain. He thought I’d be mad at him for trying everything he knew to do to help because it invaded my privacy.

I know where his concerns come from, and he’s fearful he overstepped a boundary. I know he did this out of a place of worry and love, though, not some sick satisfaction for himself.

Plus, his mouth’s been all over every inch of my body and he’s been inside of me. What’s giving me a bath when I was physically unable to do it myself?

“Draken. I’m so sorry for scaring you. I mean, I didn’t really have a say in the matter, but I never would want you to feel like this. Thank you for taking care of me and staying by my side the whole time, I’m not mad at you, I promise. I’m thankful all of you were here for me.” I look at each of them so they can see the truth in my eyes, and I flood Draken’s bond with love and reassurance.

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