Page 69 of Hell Gate

Alder speaks against the top of my head. “I want to destroy any human who has ever made you feel this way.”

Matthias kisses my shoulder, squeezing my waist. “And the ones who stole you from the underworld and put you through this. They’ll pay for this.”

A shuddering breath leaves me. Their acknowledgement alone that I shouldn’t have been treated the way I was, shouldn’t have been made to endure the abuse of the people that were supposed to shelter me splinters the thorns I grew around my heart.

Alder catches my hand and kisses every burn scar, then does the same to my other hand. He showers each marred expanse of skin that I’ve always hated with tender brushes of his lips.

“Every mark you bear is proof of your survival,” he rasps. “You made it through that. It didn’t break you permanently, and you’ll never be alone again. Our hearts and souls will never be separated now that we’ve found you, Lily.”

“You have us forever,” Matthias adds.

I sniffle, burrowing against Alder and reaching for Matthias’ hand. He scoots closer so there’s no space between the three of us. The only thing that would make it better would be if Valerian were here, but for now this is enough. Understanding that I’m not being forced to choose by the fated magic connecting us is enough.

They cocoon me in their warmth and devotion. Every loving touch is a balm directly to my battered soul. It’s almost overwhelming how the simplest caress of their fingertips following the roundness of my cheek or their fingers carding through my hair lights me up with an incandescent glow, almost drunk on their affections because I’ve never known the kindness of a hug. Between my mates, I’m enveloped in tenderness that makes my heart swell with euphoria.

The tears that spill down my cheeks aren’t born of sadness. Neither of them say anything, maybe understanding how I feel better than I can voice myself. They simply hold me, showing every curve, every scar, and every invisible crack in my heart that they cherish me.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

LILY

After I doze for a while, I wake from my nap with a soft whimper. A sinfully delicious heat engulfs me, and when I open my eyes, I find Alder’s head between my legs, massaging my thick thighs as his tongue plunges inside me.

Matthias smooths my hair back and grins when our gazes lock as I dance on the edge of falling. He traces my lips, then presses more insistently until I grant him access, allowing him to slip two of his fingers into my mouth, arching against Alder’s divine ministrations as Matthias strokes my tongue.

I catch the rich scent of hickory and seek Vale out, my chest constricting when I find him seated in a chair by the bed. Watching. Out of the four of us, he’s the only one fully clothed, the others stripped as bare as I am.

They’re all here with me. All focused on me. A harmonious hum reverberates in my chest. Valerian's scent teases me while Matthias bends to capture my lips, swallowing my moan when Alder pushes me over the edge, crashing into a sea of pleasure.

“So gorgeous when you come.” Matthias’ golden gaze darkens, fixated on my mouth as he pushes his fingers in again, keeping my tongue occupied. My cheeks prickle from how much I like it. He pulls free and grasps my chin.“What do you want, pretty girl? We’re going to take care of you.”

Clashing emotions clog my throat. Gratitude, desire, and my newfound confidence that these men treasure me chase away the nasty voices in my head that have spent my lifetime telling me I’m unworthy of this. Of being loved and taken care of. It’s not true, not anymore. Because I have my mates.

It’s difficult to think, the pleasure about to pull me back under as Alder continues devouring my pussy with unwavering concentration. Not yet—this is important.

“D-don’t go,” I say to Vale.

Whatever he hears in my plea, he nods. I relax against the bed, relieved he won’t ignore me again.

Alder’s rumble vibrates against my sensitive folds and he buries his face harder against my center, drawing a ragged sound from me.

“Like that?” Matthias smiles, kissing my forehead. “Like when Alder feasts on your sweet pussy? Come for him again, petal. Soak his tongue and give him a good taste before he fucks you.”

A deep pulse beats in my core at his sultry croon. Alder looks up the length of my body, the pupils of his hypnotic green eyes blown. He spreads me wider and spears me with his wicked tongue, then makes an obscene slurping sound as he sucks and laps at the slickness coating my pussy.

“Ah!” The coil in my core snaps and I ride the waves of my orgasm, hips rocking against his face.

Alder soothes his palms up my sides, then crawls over me, kissing his way up my body. “I want to be inside you.”

I nod eagerly. His arms slip around me and he rolls us, grinding his hardness against me. I spread my legs to straddle him, planting my hands on his chest to push up. Reaching between us, he lines up and my head falls back as I sink down his enormous length.

He grips my hips and guides our pace. Matthias stretches out beside us, watching with a heated gaze as he strokes his cock. The press of his gaze and Valerian’s makes my blood sing as I ride my mate.

“Fuck.” Vale’s wrecked mutter cuts through my haze of pleasure.

His legs fall open and his hand squeezes the hard bulge tenting his pants. The evidence of his arousal turns me on even more.

A pang of sadness hits me for a moment. I know what I feel for him is the same as what I feel for my mates. I wish he’d join, melt me with his touch. But he’s here, watching. He’s not leaving. As long as he doesn’t leave, it’s okay.

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