Page 92 of Ever Dark

I spot the back of the house a few feet ahead. I tuck her tight to my chest, afraid she might disappear if I’m not touching her.

She stirs in my arms. “Nox…” she repeats.

“We’re almost there, love. Almost home.” I choke back a sob as the words spoken aloud seem too good to be true. But as I round the back steps to the terrace, it couldn’t be more real. More tangible. I’m flooded with emotions as I carry her inside the mansion.

My heart races as I take in the colors and textures of the walls and the floors. Everything is more vivid than I imagined. I want to breathe it all in, but my love is shivering, and her hand needs attending to.

I follow the sound of voices. The ones who wait for her.Them. The other men I will have to share her with. I fight back the urge to revolt and steal her away. That wouldn’t make her happy.

I climb a flight of stairs to another level of the house, and I’m in awe. The tapestries are rich in deep shades of red and black,surrounding the painted portraits that decorate the walls. Portraits of Harker women who all look like my Mia.

A warm draft calls to my senses, urging me forward. I spot a flickering light from a room up ahead. The voices grow louder as I near.

Mia nuzzles her face against my chest. “I have to wake up. It’s time for me to go back.”

I stand in the doorway of the room with the voices. It’s a library. The light comes from a fire in a stone hearth. “You are back, dark one. I am here with you. No more nightmares.”

She gasps as her eyelids fly open. “Nox,” she rasps.

Three figures stare back at us, their eyes wide. A smirk pulls at the corners of my mouth. I snake my tail possessively around Mia. “Hello.”

They are beautiful in their own right, tall and muscular, with smooth skin and soft lips. The blond one is almost as tall as me, while the other two exude strength and power. They can’t take their eyes off us. The ache and desperation in their expressions are palpable. There is a synergy between them.

“Set her down on the couch so I can clean up her hand,” the man with jet black hair orders.

I’m not used to taking them, but I do because Mia is my only concern. I lay her down and tuck her into a soft blanket. Her cheeks are pale and clammy, her forehead sweaty. She shivers as she clings to my hand.

“Y-you’re here. It… worked,” she murmurs.

“Yes, my love. Rest now.”

The black haired man approaches with caution. I step back to show him I have no intention of hurting him. He sits next to her and cleans her hand before applying an ointment.

“Draven… are you okay?” Mia asks him.

She looks at him with so much longing, I feel it as if it were my own.

He nods. “Better now that you’re here.”

“Bones.” She reaches for the shorter, stockier man with tattoos.

“I’m here, Mia. Areyouokay?”

“Yes, I don’t feel any different,” she murmurs.

The tall blond one stares me down. He studies my face, then my chest and finally his gaze lands on my cock.

“You must be Aries, then.” I make a point to lock eyes with each of the three heathens. “I am Nox because that is the name she gave me. That is what you can call me too.”

“I brought you some clothes, but now I’m thinking they aren’t gonna fit.” Aries snorts.

“I’ve never had any need for clothes, but I will wear them if it makes you more comfortable.” I look to Mia. Hers is the only opinion I care for.

Her eyes are wide as she gazes back at me. “Whatever you want, Nox.”

“I prefer you put something on, actually,” Draven snaps.

I nod and smile as Aries hands me a soft black sweater and black pants. I have to rip a hole in the back to allow my tail to fit through. They watch me like hawks, curious and leery of me at the same time.

---