Page 35 of The Salvation

His stride is far too casual as he approaches me. “I know you didn’t simply keep me here to satisfy your release, nor discuss my Quinny darling. You need me for something. Perhaps my indelible wisdom.”

I roll my eyes and don’t acknowledge the comment. Especially when I know the feather-headed fool is indeed wiser than me. “Tomorrow, I will go with Reaver to this cult’s nexus and quash the most significant part of the threat. Drago will come with me. Mayce will remain with Quintessa. I need you to be my fly on the wall, so to speak. We know how good you and Shadow are at it.” My wing tips twitch, my talons themselves hardening at the thought of battle.

Kyan waves a hand. “True, true. But more specifics would help.”

“You’re the fastest damn bastard in all the known lands, Kyan. And Shadow is the best damn sneaky son of a bitch. I won’t be alerting any of the Founders, so more cunning will be required. It may take you a few days, but I need you to circumnavigate all six clan regions, determine if there are any sects of this cult in my realm, and report your findings.Including any knowledge you have regarding my Founders. After Arkenthorne, I will cover all my bases.”

“More than understandable.” He nods, wings lifting and curling. “Not only following your long absence and with three curses broken but also because of Quintessa.”

Yes. Our mutual interest is to quell all threats and ensure her protection. And Aislynn’s. But...

“You will evade all detection,” I command him. Kyan opens his mouth as if to protest, but I snarl at him, flaring my wings. “I don’t give a damn if you’re the God of Air with the fullest extent of your powers. None of your reckless storm moments, Ky. Quintessa will ring my neck if anything happens to you. And then, I will ring yours.”

“Spoiling all my fun as usual, Merikh.”

“You can have as much fun as you desire when you return. We will have it together with her between us, impaled on our cocks—fore and aft. But if you swear to me to keep your storm at bay and return unharmed and in one piece, I will give her a drop of my blood.” No pound of flesh. Not yet.

Kyan quirks a brow, skeptical as he vibrates his feathers. “You’ll give her us...?”

I march right up to him, bind a hand around the back of his neck, and growl, “Us.”

I crush my mouth to his in a fearsome kiss of promise.

14

“Apart from Merikh alone, no vampire may bite you.”

QUINTESSA

In the morning,I wake to a soft shushing sound.

The first thing I register is the lack of body heat hemming me in. Drago and Mayce are gone. But I can still see the indent of their bodies on each side. I smell their familiar masculine musk of smoke and earth.

Shivering from a slight chill, I gather the sheets around me and sit up slowly, wincing at the significant ache between my legs. I love every sensation, but it doesn’t mean taking three massive cocks inside me comes easy. If Merikh doesn’t want me to cut my skin, spill my blood, and heal myself, then he may need to take me to the Sea of Bones.

When I peer around the dark room, dimly lit by the red crystals and lantern light, I smile, noticing Kyan with our daughter, rocking her, and hushing her. Tilting my head, I take in the sight. His golden wings wrapping around her at the base of his arms are quite possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Something so intimate about how they bear hers, especially when hers are so similar.

Now and then, he parts his lips to sing a low, rhythmic melody in a foreign language—one I assume comes from his native land. Does he miss his realm? His people? He must. They all must.

Pursing my lips, I consider what might happen if I end the final curse. My best memories, the best time of my life, have happened in the Waste. Despite the cursed realms, it’s become home to me...every part of it. I had my baby in the Court of Earth, after all. Will we just...leave?

An ache compresses the inside of my chest until I listen to Kyan finishing the tune, and I chastise myself for even entertaining the notion of staying in the Waste. They deserve to take back their realms. And Kronos needs to die, to be wiped off the face of the world by my monstrous boys.

Once I end Merikh’s curse, we will all leave.

I leave the bed, reaching for the silky robe draped across the nearby chair, left there for me by Merikh or Kyan probably. Drago and Mayce have very little care regarding my state of dress and would probably prefer me in nothing but my ink for the most part. While Merikh prefers it, he mostly prefers it for himself.

My fingers tremble as I lift them to the swell of my breast and replay the events of the previous night. Events I know will not be repeated. Tracing the delicate filigree and the braided, intertwining serpents around Merikh’s alchemical symbol, I ponder the beauty of the crest he sealed upon me. It seems to hum with an undercurrent, like a pulsing hint of power.

“It’s protection.”

I jump, startled by Kyan’s sudden presence behind me, his warm breath skirting the side of my neck.

Smiling, I tug the robe on and tie the sashes while asking, “The crest?” I glance down at Aislynn, my shoulders sinking because she’s already asleep. With four fathers to share her with,I must adjust my expectations regarding my moments with her and milestones. If they can learn to share, so must I.

“Yes.” Kyan nods, lifting one hand to stroke my cheek while keeping a firm hold on Aislynn between his other and his wings. “With the Crest sealed upon your flesh, and with the altar accepting you, it serves as blood protection. Apart from Merikh alone, no vampire may bite you. No vampire may touch your blood, much less claim it.”

I blink, stunned by the revelation. The emotion wells up in my throat. Kyan smiles softly, approvingly as I cover my mouth with my hand while tears glisten in my eyes.

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