Page 27 of Tethered Thrones

“You forget your station, wretch,” Bracken growled, and Nguyen huffed.

“Oh, great deposed prince of the Noc Kingdom. I only serve one master. A mistress, in fact. My avatar must return, lest Atlan, and I fail to liberate Black Lantern, and your human chosen one wouldn’t like that, would he, beast? Now be a good pet and let go.”

He was either crazy, stupid, or both, but I couldn’t help but admire him too. Nguyen was strong in the face of power, while I always cowered behind my master’s wings and claws and then Sun’s sword and fist.

Bracken’s upper lip curled, and the faint rumbling he emitted was now a vicious snarl. His patience had snapped.

“No!” I shouted just as he lunged, but to my relief, Nguyen melted into mist. Our heads snapped up as a branch shook above us, and he was hanging from it, grinning too wide, lips pulled over sharp teeth.

“Bye bye, beast. And be well, emissary. Don’t you dare disappoint her. Tsuki watches over loathsome creatures like you, too. Bear her blessing well, Bracken, and you too, Clem. Her will is just and absolute.”

“Shut the fuck up before I pummel you into tears. And stay away from Clem!” Bracken shouted as the nightwing disappeared with the wind.

Bracken was furious, but he didn’t even attempt to give chase. He could sense the danger I could, something psychic and mystic still lingering in the air.

“Bastard! I should’ve ripped some feathers from him as a warning. Fanatical nonsense. If only he knew his moon princess was mad, a mere shadow of her former glory. I’m sorry I wasn’t fast enough to protect you.”

I wanted to say I didn’t need him to protect me, that if Nguyen had wanted to kill me, he would’ve. But it was silly to say I didn’t need his protection, so I swallowed my protest and let it die before it reached my lips.

I cradled the book of shadows and secrets. The magician had ignited a silent longing in my soul that was loud and furious now. I wanted to change. I wanted to…

“Protect,” I whispered.

“What?” Bracken squawked as he tried to drag me back to camp.

“N-nothing. Um, is everyone…” I trailed off, and he grimaced.

“No. Sun got queasy when we turned him upside down to take turns with him. So, there is no mating tonight. Just a babbling bundle of joy reminiscing about old stories we weren’t a part of. Damn, that insufferable, gorgeous bastard. My cock is throbbing.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t find release,” I offered, waiting for his order to help him right here in the woods before we returned.

But Bracken just eyed me quizzically, like he couldn’t figure me out. Then he knelt so we were as close to eye level as possible.

I could count how many times my master had kneeled before me on my fingers. And it had only ever been for the rare occasions he got it in mind to pleasure my cock. It had never before been to talk to me.

“I’m sure you’ll take care of me in the morning, Clem, when you are feeling better? And tomorrow, I will find some berries for you, even if they’re the smallest stragglers left behind in this brutal cold. Whatever is troubling you, worrying about it more won’t help,” Bracken said with a level tone laced with concern.

“If I can’t, you have my word that I’ll… I’ll even put you into my mouth and suck you until you can’t walk. Whatever you need to return to normal. I do not like this nasty shift in your mood. Smile for me, hm? The road is long and hard, and I cannot focus on protecting Sun and worrying for you at the same time. You’ve always been too strong to need that.”

I was stunned. So stunned that I couldn’t speak, not even squeak, as his tongue flicked out to lick my lips before capturing them in a long, searing kiss. Just as quickly as it began, it ended, and Bracken stood, brushing off his knees, and I stood there trembling, in a stupor.

It wasn’t phrased as a question, but I heard an unmistakable lift in his voice, master wondering if I’d pleasure him in the morning. Asking me, not ordering, as if I could say no. Then it slammed into me abruptly and brutally, he said I could say no if it would make me feel better. And I wouldn’t be reprimanded.

Master—no—Brackenwas asking me what I needed and wanted for once.

“Why?” I breathed, refusing to move, knowing he allowed me to stay as he tugged on my antenna to leave.

Bracken shrugged.

“I suppose… since we all… I mean you, Sun, Hadi, and Kiar, and I, are more like… don’t spout any unusual ideas again about unhinging jaws. Loathsome,” Bracken spat.

“We’re bonded?” I offered.

“Yes,” he said immediately, with absolute certainty. “I didn’t understand it fully until recently, but I know we are all bonded now. We have eternity together after we win this war—no need to rush the smaller details of our union. After the tether is broken, we have time to figure everything out. Until then, we must stay united, alright?” Bracken said as unbothered as usual.

“I love you, too,” I said.

Bracken was startled.

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