Page 54 of A Surrender Of Hope

“Shit, sorry,” he whispers, taking a step back as if to leave.

“You're fine,” I rasp out, not liking the idea of anyone not in my Legion close to Meyer while she's naked and defenseless, even if it's my brother, who I love and trust. “Can you grab a couple of towels and leave them by the clothes, then turn around,” I instruct, ensuring I keep Meyer under the water so Jes can't see her. “She’s sound asleep, so we’re going to leave. You can stay.” Jesthren nods, moving to the stack of towels we keep down here for spontaneous swims.

“Of course,” he whispers, keeping his voice even lower the moment I mention Meyer’s asleep. After he sets them down and retreats a few steps, turning his back on me, I move, walking Meyer and me out of the water.

I move her in my embrace, holding her with one arm as I wrap the first towel around my waist before snagging the last one to cover her.

“You’re good,” I tell my brother, nodding to our pile of clothes when he turns to look at me. “I’ll have Valen or Raz cometo collect our clothes in a bit.” Jesthren waves me off with a small smile.

“Don't bother. I’ll bring them back up with me when I’m done. Go tuck her in. She looks exhausted.” My brother frowns, his sad eyes moving from me to Meyer where they linger a little too long, and I can't stop the possessive growl that breaks from me. Damn, and here I was teasing Nox over his self-control. Looks like I need to work on mine as well. Jes laughs and shakes his head, putting his hands up. “It's not like that. I’m jealous as fuck… but only because you guys look so happy… content. That girl, despite not being the perfect Demon lady, is the perfect match for all four of you. I wish I had that,” he admits, then scowls and looks away from me like he’s mad he let that information slip.

“Do you want me to have the guards send for Lilly?” I ask, knowing that she’s the Demon girl my brother favors most. Jes immediately shakes his head and looks back at me.

“No. I think I’m done with Lilly… well, all the girls, if I’m being honest,” he grumbles, and I stare at my brother in shock. Jesthren has every girl in the Kingdom panting after him. One word from him, and they will happily jump into his bed. After the death of his long-time girlfriend, the love of his life and betrothed over three decades ago, Jes turned into a playboy. Fucking every girl he found even remotely attractive. He never had a relationship again. The closest he got was with Lilly, who was only invited to his rooms occasionally for a fuck and was immediately escorted out of the castle before breakfast the next day.

“You ready to settle down?” I ask hopefully.

Jes looks from me, then to Meyer and nods. “Maybe,” he admits, then jerks his head toward the tunnel. “Go on now. She’s getting goosebumps and Nox will strangle you if she comes down with a cold.” I laugh and nod in agreement.

“You’re not wrong, though he is doing better with all this than I thought.” Jes wrinkles his nose in disagreement.

“Really? Because he threatened to strangle me with my intestines just this morning when I suggested Mom take her out shopping for a wardrobe.” I snort and roll my lips together, so I don't laugh out loud and wake Meyer.

“Yeah. Okay. He's being good with his Legion, but there is a reason we’ve dismissed the guards from our side of the castle. Give him a few more days. Even Dad said Nox is doing incredibly well. He’ll mellow out as the mate bond settles.”

“I hope so,” Jes grumbles, grabbing his shirt and yanking it over his head. “I miss you guys, but you're always with her. Which is understandable,” he adds, so I know he’s not mad about that. “But I can't be around her without Nox trying to kill me, and I…” he sighs as he kicks off his shoes. “I just want to hang out with you and the guys like we used to.” Guilt hits me in the chest as I watch my brother's shoulders sag, and I sigh.

“Shit. Jes, I’m sorry. Nox will no doubt lock Meyer back up in his room like an angry bear tonight. I doubt I can get Raz to leave Nox unprotected in the castle, but I’ll grab Valen, and maybe we could play some cards or get a drink at the pub,” I offer. Jesthren’s eyes light up as he nods.

“Yeah, I'd like that.”

“Cool, man.” I clap his shoulder with a hand before turning and heading back up to my rooms, Meyer snoring softly in my arms.

TWENTY-SIX

Meyer

Irub at the mark on my wrist, wishing I could somehow take it off. Orcus said the magic in me wasn’t from the mark Inanis gave me, that I was somehow a blood descendant of him, but it still freaks me out to see the red mark engraved on my skin. Even worse is the flicker of fear and worry I see in the guys' eyes whenever they look at it.

“Maybe makeup will cover it,” I muse to myself, letting my hands drop to my sides as I walk over and grab my bra and underwear, tugging them on and looking around for the dress Valen said he left out for me. I spot the purple, silky dress, snatch it off the hanger, pull it over my head, before eyeing the silver detailed armor that wraps around my bust. It reminds me of the gown I wear in my dreams and can’t help but wonder if thats why Valen selected it for me.

After cursing at the armor detail, which is surprisingly comfortable, strapped into place, I walk to the mirror to study my reflection. The dress clings to my curves from the bust down to my hips before flaring out slightly at my thighs into a full skirt. The heart-shaped neckline molds over my breasts, showing off more cleavage than usual, but I don't hate it.

Spinning in a circle, I grin at my reflection, loving how the dress makes me feel. I loved the blue gown Valen gave me. It made me feel beautiful in a way I had never felt before, but this one is slightly different. It is equally as stunning as the blue dress, but this one is cut in a way that makes me feel almost powerful. I pull my hair off my shoulders, hold it on top of my head, and shake my head; it looks better down.

Releasing it, I let it fall over my shoulders and down my back in a glossy sheet of pale blond as I move over to the bed and grab the holster of small black throwing knives. Placing a foot on the bed, I move the fabric of the dress off my leg, the slip in the gown giving me easy access to strap my weapons into place, but freeze as something moves in my periphery.

My heart skips a beat, a tingling sensation racing over my skin as I hold my breath. The guys aren't in the room. Valen and Creed stayed with their parents, and Nox brought me back to his room to change for dinner, stating he would return shortly to bring me to the dining room as soon as he cleared the central part of the castle of guards.

My fingers move slightly, letting go of the silver buckles on the harness and moving to the long, slender handle of the blade as I control my spark of fear. I shiver as I palm the cold metal, feeling a hint of magic spark from the weapon in my hand before I close my eyes and take a deep breath. In the next second, I spin and release the blade, aiming for the corner of Nox’s room, throwing the blade as hard as I can, standing there.

My eyes nearly pop out of my head as the man steps to the side a second before my blade impales his shoulder. His dark brows furrow as he slowly pushes the hood away revealing an odd, almost pleased look on his striking face.

“Holy shit, Razar!” I rasp, my hands moving to my chest as he turns to look at my blade lodged into the picture hanging on the wall right next to him. “What the hell are you doing? I couldhave killed you!” He snorts, looking back at me with a skeptical expression.

“Not likely.” I glare at him, placing my hands on my hips as I look to the dark corner of the room he appeared at to the towel I dropped to the ground while getting dressed only moments ago.

“How long have you been here? Were you watching me get dressed?” I ask, furious that he stayed hidden and perved on me.

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