Page 41 of Hell Gate

The other two growl, their stances rigid. Valerian scowls and Alder glares at Matthias. Both of them shift their focus to me and I gasp at the desire filling their penetrating gazes. It’s almost like they’re jealous. My stomach tightens at the thought, the pull confusing me again when it wants me to do the same with them even though I love kissing Matthias.

We haven’t hidden anything from the others, though this is the first time he’s kissed me in front of them. For the most part, we’ve spent the last two days holding hands and sticking close together once we moved on from the amusement park before dawn.

“I’m not hiding or stealing moments with you,” Matthias says. “You’re mine. They’ll learn to deal with it.”

Biting my lip, I nod, the tiny glow inside my chest expanding every time he claims me like that.

“Matthias,” Alder pushes out through clenched teeth.

“I’m going. Check the wards, got it.” He smacks my ass affectionately and takes my chin between his thumb and finger. “I promise to keep you safe so you can figure your shit out.”

I huff, rolling my lips between my teeth to keep from snickering. Giving the others a challenging stare, he saunters off through the trees.

“Get back in position,” Valerian says roughly.

Sighing, I follow his orders. After Matthias shed some insight on his past, it’s not hard to miss that he’s used to being in command of those around him.

“At the ready,” he says. “Though in a true fight, you won’t have the heads up. It’s best to remain prepared.”

“Oh shit!” I throw my hands up too late when Alder’s next attack—a spiraling stream of steam and flames—barrels at me with more force than he’s used all morning. The fire singes a hole in my sweater, plunging the neckline deeper where the yarn melts away to reveal more of my cleavage. I flick at it, then glare at him. “What’s your deal?”

“Training,” Alder grumbles. “If you didn’t want to ruin your clothes, you should’ve worn something else.”

“Maybe I’ll borrow one of your shirts and see if you still want to fuck up my clothes.”

Alder quiets, his green eyes gleaming with the silent promise that he definitely would as his focus dips to my chest. I falter, picturing it. His oversized t-shirt hanging off my curves, the way his fire would burn through it, leaving me bare for him to devour me.

“I’ve removed the dalliance driving you to distraction, so what’s the problem now?” Valerian stalks toward me, ignoring the daggers Alder glares at his back when he doesn’t stop until he’s in my face, drowning me in his spiced smoky scent. I stand my ground, fighting the heady stir of lust at my forbidden fantasy. “Or do you think this is a game we’re enjoying?”

“Fuck you.”

Valerian smirks when I push against his chest. The pull inside me becomes taut, almost unbearable. Both of us breathe hard, our scents mixing together. Hickory and cinnamon. It’s the first time I smell what they sense. His eyes are almost black, blown pupils swallowing up the blue as he grips my elbows to keep me in place.

“Vale,” I choke out.

A deep rumble vibrates in his throat at his name falling from my lips. “Do I have to keep pushing you until you break, little flower? I will. If that’s what it takes, I’ll keep pushing until you beg me.”

His head dips closer. I strain, caught between closing the little distance left between us and remembering that I belong to another.

Alder grabs me by the arm and breaks us apart. Valerian sighs, releasing me as Alder draws me away. I find no relief from the invisible force inside me, struggling with the same insistent push toward him.

“Step away.” I flinch at the hardness riding his tone. His fingers dig into my arm almost to the point of bruising, contradicting his words. “Do it, Lily. Please. Before I do something you don’t want. I can’t—when you smell like this, it’s difficult to resist.”

Thinking of Matthias’ affectionate smiles and how much I need them, I wrench free with a pained cry. Alder’s fist closes around nothing as I stumble away, scrubbing at my face. This bond shit isn’t fair. Why is it tormenting me like this after finding my mate?

Once I no longer feel like ripping my clothes off and demanding one—or both—of them take me, I lean against a tree. Valerian has stalked far away, his attention locked on me. Alder sits on a rotted out log, bracing his forearms on his legs, veins prominent when he clenches his fists.

We need a break. I call on a small fire, pushing the limits of what I’ve learned to control without my power failing me or exploding free. It dances in my palm, not scorching me.

“Why doesn’t it burn my skin?” I ask without looking away from the orange glow.

“Our own powers don’t hurt us,” Alder says. “It’s innate, a part of us. It comes from within you.”

“Then why…” I force out a tight breath. Talking about this terrifies me, but I have to know. He would understand. It gives me the courage to let them in. “There was a fire when I was little. It burned down my foster home after something bad happened. I think—it came from me.”

“Is that why your hands are scarred?” Valerian’s dangerous voice is closer.

I nod. “I was in the hospital for two weeks once I was back in the state’s custody.” I pass the flame back and forth between my marred hands. “I don’t know exactly what happened. I blocked a lot of it out. After that, I learned to suppress my emotions. If I didn’t feel too much, I would be safe.”

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