Page 28 of Sonata
17
Lucien
Something was breaking through the never ending pain. Faint at first but stronger with each passing breath I was able to suck in through numb lips. Before long, it washed over me like a soothing balm removing all suffering and left me dazed and gawking like a fool. Although I physically hurt, I could blink and watch my mate a few feet from where I was curled on the ground.
She stood one step in front of her two friends, all three of them holding hands. Her eyes were closed, and her arms reached back, which made her look as if she was trying to take a flight, but the other two females held her back. Wind I couldn’t feel was lashing her dark hair around her beautiful face, and an angelic voice was spilling from her lips. I was numb all over. Yet, the skin on my arms and legs pebbled from the force and power emanating from all three of them.
Viola’s dress billowed behind her, outlining her body's shape and wrapping around the other two at her side. It could’ve been my bruised mind, but they looked like one lower body with three torsos and three different heads. Same, yet not really the same.
I was dying and losing my mind.
But, what a way to go.
The magic killing me ripped at the sims, dissipating, and left only muted pain in its wake. Viola’s soprano rang through the silence as she opened her eyes and stared at something over my head, her eyes glowing bright like fire emeralds on her face. I laid there with lips parted, dumbfounded, and in awe. All of it was gone. The magic, the pain, the wind… Then her lips moved, and I clearly read the words she mouthed. Fuck you. All three of them dropped in a heap on the ground.
A bark of laughter burst from my chest.
With a groan, I rolled to my knees before climbing to my feet. Étienne was up and moving, as well, and I left him to face the raising assassins so I can check on my mate. He had the same idea, and we meet where the females were sprawled just as Moël was picking up his mate. I tugged mine in my arms, burying my nose in her hair and breathing her in.
“Phillipe,” Viola grunted into my shoulder. “He is still there.”
“Fuck Phillip. Are you harmed?” but I had no will in me to move away from her so I can check for myself.
“Not as much as you. They’re getting up.” Shifting her shoulders, she pulled back, much to my displeasure. My brothers murmured to their mates reassuring words, although it seemed like Moël’s was still unconscious.
“I am not worried about that scum, little Muse. We will dispatch them just like the others sent before them. Let us hope the witch is dead. Without her help, Phillip won't last a week, I assure you.”
“I should’ve known it was him that killed our father.” Étienne spat, moving closer to us with his mate under his arm.
“Can you keep the females here so I can kill the fuckers in case someone gets past me?” it was a genuine question, but my mate was already frowning. “I need to kill something to calm my rage down.”
“Étienne?” Moël sounded panicked. “I will take the female to the house. She is not waking up.”
“Harmony.” Both other females attempted to go to their friend, but we held them back.
“Let me go, Lucien, or I’ll bite you.” I was battered and bruised, but my dick had a mind of its own jumping and raising to the occasion.
“Let him take her home where she will be safe and comfortable, little Muse. You’ll see her very soon, and I’ll remind you about the biting then, too.” My wink made her cheeks pinken high on her cheekbones.
“Arrogant ass.” But her lips were curling at the corners.
Moël was already gone taking the female with him.
“It is my right to revenge our father, Lucien.” My brother was nudging his mate closer to my side. “I shall deal with the assassins and with Phillip. You take the females home where they’ll be safe.”
“I don’t think so.” Melody sniffed, latching onto his forearm. “Harmony will be safer with your brother than anywhere else, and we will only crowd her more if we go with them. Here at least we can help if you need it. Seraphina might not be dead. We are actually badasses now, in case you didn’t notice when we saved your ass. We are staying. Tell them, Vi.”
“Yup.” Although seeming reluctant at first, my mate made a pop with her mouth at the end, and I raised an eyebrow at her. “It looks like you’re about to get stabbed, but please, stay and argue with us more.” Her trembling finger was pointed behind my shoulder.
With a shake of my head, I gave her a kiss on her forehead, turning to the idiots that were annoying as hell at that moment. My tongue poked out to lick the moisture that stuck there, and my mate's blood, intoxicating and sweet, latched onto my very essence. A sensation started in the center of my chest, one I couldn’t examine closely at the time. I wanted to be with my mate, to taste her, feel her wrapped around my cock. Instead, I had to teach them a lesson that you never survive a battle with any of us. Be it Étienne, Moël, or me.
They never learn.
The bashful smile on Viola’s lips was not lost on me when I faced the scum, Étienne a few steps behind. My neck cracked, popping like popcorn when I twisted it left and right as I rolled my shoulders. I had a great motivation to get everything done quickly so I can take my mate to my bed and fuck her until neither of us could move. The thought made the blood boil in my veins as lust filled me to the brim. Hunger for my mate mixed with anger when my gaze found Josephine scowling at me from a couple of yards away. There was no question if the scum heard our conversation from the expression she wore on her face. If I was hated, I had no problem with it. Aiming that same hatred at Viola, on the other hand, was something I took personal offense with.
It won’t do.
After I squeezed my fists a few times to get some blood flow to my hands, I grinned at the fools. “Let us dance, ladies. Shall we?”
