Page 2 of Changed

But I got the feeling that Ruya thought she was unimportant, and I couldn't let that stand. A couple of weeks ago, I probably would have stubbornly insisted that she was right. What was one beautiful bit of witch compared to decades of planning to avenge my murdered family and free the paranormal people from the syndicate's corruption? But oh, how my traitorous heart had betrayed me.

I might refuse to tie her to me, but I couldn't stand to have Ruya think she was unimportant.

"Everything else pales in comparison to this," I whispered, letting a bit of my control slip, letting my magic reach out for hers, brushing up against her aura like a cat in heat. "Come distract me, love," I invited, taking her hand and backing across the room, drawing her after me.

Sanka closed the door and followed us, his brown eyes flaring with glints of fiery orange magic. He yanked off his t-shirt and tossed it aside, revealing delicious brown skin stretched over miles of thick muscle. I stopped before the bed, and Sanka stepped up behind Ru, slipping his arms around her waist and bending to whisper in her ear. "Tell me what you want me to do," he said in a low rumble filled with humor and heat. "I'm afraid I might be completely inadequate at satisfying two gorgeous women at the same time, without a little direction."

Ruya snorted, and I huffed a laugh. I wasn't sure what these two had gotten up to with the others—Ruya's freedom was important, and it was better for my jealous alpha nature if I didn't pry—but Sanka was well used to dealing with both my appetites, and those of our frosty pixie lover. I was sure he wouldn't suddenly disappoint us now.

No need to let him know that though. "Don't worry," I told him with a haughty lift of my chin. "Ruya and I are fully capable of satisfying ourselves. You're just an accessory, Sanka, dear. A walking, talking sex toy for our amusement."

He laughed at that. "Well, princess, amuse yourself however you like, then."

Ruya shook her head as her hands landed on my hips, smoothing over the soft weave of my sweater dress as she pulled me closer, pressing our hips together. "I get the feeling you two might do nothing but tease each other all afternoon." She pouted. "And here I was hoping for some excitement."

I chuckled. Ruya had come to us so innocent and sheltered. But that wasn't her true nature. This goddess of a woman was a lusty creature at heart, and I thoroughly approved. Leaning in, I nuzzled at her neck, then bit down, making her gasp and lean into me. "Don't you worry," I purred against her soft skin. "We can focus when we're… properly motivated."

Sanka smirked at me as he set to pulling off Ruya's shirt over her head and ridding her of her bra. "I'm feeling pretty motivated at the moment," he murmured happily. "Very focused."

I kissed Ruya again, deep and possessive this time, as my hands cupped her heavy breasts, glorying in the way her omega need heated her skin to nearly match my own dragonish body temperature. Ruya slipped her fingers into my hair and kissed me back with all the passion I had come to expect, giving as good as she got, sending heat coiling through me as all the blood rushed to my pouch. She pulled back long enough to kick her pants and underwear aside when Sanka slid them down her long legs, then she was back, reaching for me hungrily. "Robin," she pleaded, that breathless little sound going right to my core.

I yanked my own clothes off with less grace than usual, and pressed my more slender body to her curves eagerly, forgetting all pretense of poise. Mine. I sank my teeth into the sweet, tender flesh at the juncture of her neck and shoulder, fighting the instinct that said we should bite deeper, harder, draw blood and mark our mate as we bonded her to us…

Pulling back, I made myself take a deep breath, urging the dangerous instincts to recede. The headache let me know what my body thought of that, with a fresh stab of pain. "On the bed," I said with what I thought was a relatively calm and seductive voice. "I want to watch Sanka pleasure you, witch. You're so handsome together."

Ruya frowned, then held out a hand toward me. "Wait. Something's wrong."

I shook my head, then realized how dumb that was, since she couldn't see me. And since it made my head throb with a little burst of renewed pain. "I'm fine," I said airily. "It's nothing, love."

But of course, Ruya wasn't put off by my lies. She was one of the most stubborn people I had ever met, which was saying a lot when you knew the rest of my rebellious court. But it was easy to forget about that iron will of hers, when she kept it all wrapped up in sweet softness most of the time. "No," she said firmly. "It's not nothing. I can sense it. You're uncomfortable. In pain." When she reached for me again, I sighed and let her have her way. I couldn't stop her from reaching out her senses and finding all my weaknesses even if I tried. She didn't have to touch a person to sense their pain. She'd do it from a distance if I resisted.

Ruya's hands touched my shoulders, and she opened up her healing magic, sending invisible fingers of her aura questing along my own. "It's just a little headache," I mumbled, unimpressed with myself for showing weakness.

Sanka clucked his tongue at me. "You don't get headaches."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Apparently, I do."

He looked away, but I knew his deference only went so far. He wouldn't be satisfied until the matter was addressed.

Ruya sent golden healing magic through my body, easing all my discomfort and making every cell in my body feel as though it was vibrating with vitality and good health. It wouldn't heal what was really wrong—she couldn't restore the part of me that was missing, magically locked away and abused by the nasty slug of an emperor. But it was something. "There, that should feel better," she murmured.

I rolled my shoulders. "Thank you," I forced out. I was grateful for her care, of course. But needing help never sat right with me. Accepting favors without some sort of repayment felt wrong. It wasn't how I operated. "I appreciate it," I added, for good measure.

Ruya frowned and I could tell that she and Sanka were about to start in with the questions. And I did not want to discuss why I might be having headaches all of a sudden. I didn't want to acknowledge my fears and play tiring games of "why" and "how" and "what does it mean."

I was pretty sure I already knew all the answers to those questions. And I didn't like any of them. The source of my headaches came down to one thing—weakness. I wasn't whole. And no alpha in their right mind would be comfortable admitting something like that to the people they were supposed to protect and rule.

Slinking around Ruya, I nuzzled up against Sanka's back and started undoing the fly of his jeans. "Back to matters at hand. Focus, remember, Sanka?" I cooed, freeing his thick cock from his pants. "I want to see this," I said, stroking his previously flagging erection back to life, "sink inside our witch while she writhes in ecstasy." Giving him a firm squeeze, I kissed one smooth, warm shoulder blade. "And don't stop until she comes at least twice, my big, strong, loyal beta."

Grinning against his skin, I continued, saying things I knew would make him forget all about my stupid headache or any talk of weakness. "And if you do a very good job, I might just let you come inside my slit this time."

Sanka groaned and thrust into my hand, immediately hard and ready. His hands gripped Ruya's hips and she leaned back against his chest, tilting her head for his rough, hungry kiss. "Please say you're on board with that idea, Ru," the big sorcerer begged, his deep voice cracking. Asking for consent. Always. A pleased hum vibrated in my chest.

In response to Sanka's question, Ruya pulled away and climbed up onto the bed, probably unaware of the delicious, erotic view she gave us in the process. "Only if you'll touch me too, Robin," she said, her voice gone husky. "I want you both at the same time. Please."

I met Sanka's eyes and lifted one brow. Our omega was so pretty when she confidently voiced her wants and needs. Sanka got rid of his pants and crawled onto the bed with Ruya. "Lay down, sweetheart," he rumbled, his big hand reaching for her thighs as he helped position her in the center of the bed. "Robin's gonna climb her sexy ass up here and sit on your face."

"Oh, that sounds amazing," Ruya said with a breathless little laugh as she made grabbing gestures in my general direction with both hands. "Please, Robin?"

---