Page 246 of Gift from the Source
Corentin also enjoyed sending decrees smearing the names of all the high-ranking families that betrayed us. He’s keen on getting his point across one way or another without saying it out loud, he does not want an elite family on the council.
The actual number of casualties that day, from both sides, is heartbreaking to think about. I’ve wondered a couple times if the people who wore the mark truly knew they were signing their souls and lives away.
There’s no doubt in any of our minds, out there are young followers who were still in the recruitment phase who hadn’t been marked. Theyhave no leader to guide them, so their only option is to give themselves up or attempt to blend back in with society.
Either way, there isn’t enough of them to disrupt our new peace.
The new ways of life that are flourishing in Elementra.
With my Nexus and me at the front of it.
“Coming in hot, little wanderer,” Draken shouts as he jumps over my head and cannonballs into the pool.
I squeal as the water drenches my summer-kissed skin and it isn’t two seconds later that three more bodies follow him over.
Spring quickly rolled into hotter and longer days. The amount of time we’ve spent traveling around the realm has given me a glow I’ve never had before.
Today is our first day of what Corentin calls our ‘mini’ vacation. I declared I wanted to spend it lying out by the pool and working out this tan line.
There’s nowhere else in the realm I’d rather do it than at the mansion that welcomed me the day I arrived.
My giggling turns into a shriek as water surrounds me and pulls me over the edge. I’m dragged through the surface of the water and just before Cas has me pinned against his body, Draken snags me into his arms.
He turns me and pins me against my dark protector’s chest.
“What did Momma Iris have to say?”
I tell them the condensed version of what all she informed me and the happiness for me in their bonds has my chest expanding.
“She said it’s time I spread my wings and soar.”
His smile lights up his face. “And soar you will, little wanderer. We’ll be right there with you.”
My other two men crowd in close to us and the feeling of all four of their hands on me has me liquefying like the water we’re standing in.
“What would you like to do with your first flight, princess?” Corentin asks as he turns my face to his.
I get lost in those amber eyes.
My breathing hitches. “Whatever you all want to do.”
Gentle fingers run down the back of my neck until they lightly pull on the strings holding my bathing suit together. “This is the first day of our forever, little warrior. How wouldyoulike to spend it?”
I shudder at the deep, sultry tone in Tillman’s voice.
“Wrapped in the arms of my forevers. I just want to spend my time with the four of you.”
Chilled fingers trail down my spine and my body naturally pushes back into the one pressing against me.
“Sweet, sweet little Primary. We’ll hold your mind, body, heart, and soul in our arms forever. We are your home, and you are our beyond.”
Their lips find me all at once.
I savor every second of the bliss they bring me.
It wasn’t too long ago in my life that this feeling was foreign. I was a prisoner in my own home. Alone in a cage meant to clip any wings I thought of spreading. I was brought into this realm a shell of who I was meant to be.
I’ll never experience that again.
