Page 55 of Slaying With Sylphs

“I was as plucky then as I am now, though. I left the wilds and went to the protector academy. I joined and learned more about elementals in general. One day, I had a breakthrough during a session with a kind mentor. My power came in, finally.”

I lift the gem. “Turns out, I’m the most powerful air elemental ever recorded. I can harness the wind to topple buildings and control the weather, although I’ve got to be careful with it. It jest took me some time to figure things out.” I place the gem and holster carefully on the table to my right. “Evenia herself gifted me that gem when I graduated and she headhunted me into Hearth HQ. I’ve nae taken it off since. That’s been, och, something like ninety haven years I’ve worn it.”

“And your parents?” Lou’s voice dips lower, her tone furious.

I shrug. “No idea. It’s uncommon for elemental families to stay together once the children come into their power. It’s likely they didn’t keep up with who I became.”

“And where are they now?” Lou delivers the question with violent intensity, her eyes narrowed as she looks at me.

“Och, Louanna. ‘Twasn’t all bad, my sweet,” I reassure her. “It turned out fine in the end. Although I love how you look ready to do violence on my behalf. Warms my cold, black heart.”

She lifts her chin. “I’m absolutely ready to do violence.” She glances over her shoulder at Connall. “You’d help me homicide some dickheads and hide bodies, right?”

He plants a kiss on top of her head as she grabs my gem and holster and pulls it to her chest. She sinks back against Connall’s chest. “Sounds like elementals are pretty solitary. So how would that work with us?”

“‘Tis true,” I offer. “But I’m the oddest elemental ever. I crave belonging, family, connection. It’s not common for my people, but it’s what I need.”

Connall reaches around Lou and takes my gem, bringing it closer to study. His wolf’s sheen shines through his eyes as they look deep into the gem. After a long, silent minute, he glances up at me.

“You’ve achieved so much,” he says. “But I’m sorry you had to deal with lack of support in your childhood.”

“Och, Connall,” I tease. “I’m a might distressed about it, sharing my sob story with yeh now. You could make it feel better though, with a kiss.”

His immediate blush has me preening. I love how easy he is to ruffle despite his dominant nature.

Between us, Lou’s scent explodes.

“Put our woman between us if yeh like,” I encourage. “But allow me my first kiss.”

When he stares hard, I feel pressed to continue, “If yeh hate it, we don’t have tae try again.”

He’s teased me plenty, but an actual kiss? That’s real. It’s new. I can’t wait, and yet I cannae push him either.

“Alright,” he says after an eternity of silence. “Inside, though, where we have space.” He stands and pulls Lou up into his arms, then stalks to the door and opens it.

Goosebumps cover my skin as I follow, watching him deposit Louanna on the sofa. She scoots to the back and nips at the edgesof her lip. Connall crawls onto the sofa and sits next to her, their thighs touching.

“Come here, Dirk.” He pats his thigh then glances at Louanna. “I want you to watch, Lou.”

Her mouth falls open as I crawl onto the sofa and seat myself in my big mate’s lap, a thigh on either side of his hips. I can’t resist touching my Louanna, though. Reaching for her hand, I pull it to my mouth and suck her fingers between my teeth.

Nipping playfully, I wink at her. “I’m takingourfirst kiss next. One right after t’other. I’ve been ever so patient.”

Amber eyes move between us as I return my focus to Connall. He stares deeply into my eyes. “May I touch you, Dirk? Is there anything you don’t like in terms of kissing?”

“Yes and…no.” I grab one of his hands and plant it in the center of my chest. It’s by turns exhilarating and shocking for him to touch the sensitive skin my gem typically covers. His hands are warm, his fingers curling as he strokes a line down my chest and over my abs.

My entire stomach tenses, muscles rippling as his fingers trace the dips and valleys. I fight for control of my breath when his free hand slips to my throat, fingers curling possessively around it. I don’t mean to rock my hips, but I can’t stop myself as he uses his grip to pull me flush with his chest. We breathe the same air as his lips halt just in front of mine.

I need my woman, too, so I grip her thigh and hold onto it, risking a glance over to find her staring at me, rapt.

I always thought, in this moment, I’d be cheeky and teasing and in control of the experience, but I’m lost to this version of Connall who touches me like he’s more experienced with males than I know him tae be. And having my Louanna right there with me to bear witness? That means everything to me.

When I look back at him, he dips forward, capturing my lips softly, and all rational thought evaporates.

Because his lips are so fucking hot, so soft, so rough. He sucks my lower lip between his then slides his tongue across it. Lou lets out a strangled sound as I fight not to devour him. I don’t know how he feels about this first kiss.

When he deepens the kiss, big hips bucking beneath me, I have my answer in the form of the thick evidence between his thighs.

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