Page 69 of Faeheart
“Yeah,” I chuckled, unable to help myself. “We didn’t expect that either. Atlas… well, he was sort of an accident.”
Thorne’s translucent form shifted, becoming momentarily more solid as he laughed, a sound like wind chimes and rustling leaves.
“There are no accidents in magic, young Elias. Only patterns we haven’t yet recognized.”
I felt the others stirring more insistently through our bonds now, their consciousness reaching for mine with sleepycuriosity. Wild’s emerald energy was the most alert, already tinged with mischief and questions about where I’d gone.
“They’re waking up,” I said, glancing toward the ceiling.
“Yes,” Thorne nodded, his silvery eyes crinkling at the corners. “I can feel them too, through the mansion’s awareness. Your tetrad bond has strengthened the entire sanctuary. The walls themselves resonate with your connection.”
“Will you tell them who you are?” I asked, already imagining Wild’s reaction to discovering we had a dryad ghost watching over us, especially after last night’s activities.
Thorne’s form wavered slightly. “In time. For now, I believe you have more pressing matters to attend to. The trap you’ve set is already drawing attention. I’ve felt disturbances along the outer boundaries of the Veil.”
My stomach tightened. “They’re coming, aren’t they? The Purity Front.”
“Yes,” Thorne confirmed, his expression growing solemn. “And they’re bringing something powerful with them. Something that shouldn’t exist in this realm.”
Before I could ask what he meant, Wild’s voice called down the hallway.
“Elias? Where are you hiding, beautiful?”
I turned toward the doorway just as Wild appeared, wearing nothing but a pair of borrowed sleep pants that hung low on his hips. His copper hair was deliciously disheveled, and faint marks from last night still decorated his neck and collarbone. Through our soul bond, I felt his pleasure at finding me, mixed with lingering satisfaction from our night together.
“There you are,” he said, his green eyes brightening when he spotted me. “The bed got cold without you.”
He paused, noticing the servant behind me. When I turned to face Thorne, his presence had diminished. Now he lookedno different than the other servants. Without a word, he simply bowed and left the room.
“I… was getting coffee,” I said, thinking of the cup I’d shattered all over the floor that I never got to drink. “And breakfast. I’m starving after last night.”
“Me too,” Wild smirked, walking over and wrapping his arms around my waist. He pulled me close, planting several kisses down my neck and collarbone. “Last night was…wild,” he grinned.
“That was the worst pun I’ve ever heard,” I groaned, though I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. Through our bond, I felt Wild’s satisfaction at my reaction, the playful energy that was so quintessentially him flowing between us.
“You love it,” he replied, nipping at my earlobe. “And you love me.”
“I do,” I admitted, turning to face him fully. I cupped his face in my hands, struck once again by how beautiful he was in the morning light. “More than I ever thought possible.”
Wild’s expression softened, his usual mischief giving way to something more vulnerable. Through our soul bond, I felt the depth of his feelings, still new and overwhelming for someone who’d spent his life avoiding real connections.
“So,” he said, glancing around the kitchen, “who were you talking to just now? That servant seemed... different.”
I hesitated, uncertain whether to share what I’d just learned. Before I could decide, the sound of footsteps announced Atlas and Caden’s arrival. They entered the kitchen together, both looking remarkably refreshed despite our activities the previous night.
“Morning,” Atlas rumbled, his golden eyes scanning the room with his usual protective vigilance. Through our tetrad bond, I felt his contentment mingled with a new openness that hadn’t been there before.
Caden moved immediately to the coffee pot, which obligingly poured him a cup without being touched. “Did you sleep at all?” he asked me, his magic reaching out through our connection to check my well-being.
“Not much,” I admitted, “but I feel... stronger somehow. Like our connection last night did more than just satisfy our physical needs.”
Atlas nodded, leaning against the counter. “The tetrad bond feels different this morning. More stable. More complete.”
“That’s because it is,” I said, making a split-second decision to share what I’d learned. “I just had a conversation with one of the ethereal servants. They let me know that the mansion is far stronger now that our bond is completed. Apparently our…fuckfestlast night affected the house as well. The wards are stronger now.” I paused, everyone nodding because they felt the strength of our connection too. “And they gave me a warning.”
“A warning?” Atlas growled, his fierce protectiveness filling the bond. “What’s wrong?”
“The Purity Front is coming,” I said, watching as all three of their expressions hardened. “The servant said they’ve detected disturbances at the outer boundaries of the Veil. And apparently, they’re bringing something with them… something that shouldn’t exist in this realm.”
