Page 48 of The Dark Rises
“Now,” Cormal orders Madoc and me, his own body releasing itself into my mouth.
My body contracts, and I clamp down on Madoc’s cock, milking him with my own orgasm. I hear him curse as he comes, too, his body twitching and thrusting a couple more times. Calloused and scarred hands run over my legs and body lightly until the waves slowly subside.
They both ease from my body, and I can’t help but stare at them as we all try to catch our breath. Dark hair plastered to their heads, chests heaving, and cocks semi-hard. Fierce expressions on both of their faces.
“Remind me to thank Evren.” My tone is full of innuendo, but damn if I don’t mean it. “That was incredible.”
Staring at Madoc, I could wonder if this means anything, but I know he rarely lets his guard down for anyone. For now, that’s enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY
MERI
Bright light wakes me the next morning, and the first thing I see is Cormal’s blue eyes. Propped on his elbow, he’s staring down at me with a pensive look on his face. He sweeps my hair back before kissing me good morning. I rise and see Madoc’s gone. As usual, he didn’t even say goodbye. I sigh.
“So, you remember?” Cormal asks. His tone is flat and unsure, as if he still can’t believe it’s true.
“Everything,” I confirm with a sad smile. “I didn’t intend to go up against Leandra with my magic that night. All I wanted to do was leave and be with you. Everything kind of snowballed when she flipped out on me.” It’s important he knows I didn’t intentionally ruin things.
After we left Hiemal, Cormal and I continued to see each other behind Leandra’s back. He was right. It had been sweet and innocent and full of those stolen moments you think will last forever.
After he shared his power to mimic, I worked to accumulate as many powers as I could, but not to fight her. I thought if I showed her I could protect myself, she’d let me go. But when I showed her my magic, she laughed and told me I was never going anywhere. She made me for revenge, not love.
“When she told me I was a thing she created, I lost it,” I admit, even knowing Cormal lived the story with me. “She threatened me. Told me she’d unmake me.” His serious blue eyes flinch as if she’s standing here screaming the words at us. “She can, can’t she? That’s your biggest fear.”
He meets my gaze. “I refuse to let it happen, and we’re not alone this time. We’ve got Madoc and Rivan fighting with us, too. Solandis, and all the rest of your family. Leandra’s time is coming to an end.”
“Goddess, I hope so,” I pray. “What do we do now?”
“We’re going to hit this from two sides,” he informs me. “Arden and Astor are using a tracing spell to find all the objects with the Viridian language or Evren’s symbol on them. By searching for something innocuous, we think it will allow us to bypass the enemies rule.”
“Do we know how long that will take?” I ask, aware of how fast time is slipping through our fingers.
“A few days,” he assures me. “In the meantime, Madoc’s left to speak to The Wild Hunt and inform them that the current king doesn’t have the power. He hopes that by being transparent, they will favor him over Denir if they both end up fighting for the crown.”
“That’s an utterly terrifying statement,” I croak. “Seriously. Who drops by for a chat with The Wild Hunt?”
Madoc’s in a league of his own.
Cormal chuckles. “Actually, I’m quite jealous.” He stands and pulls me up for a hug. “I’d love to lie here all day with you, but I need to go check on one of my men. Don’t leave The Abbey.”
For a second, I cling to his hand. “I love you, Cormal. Then. Now. Forever.”
“Never-ending?” he drawls with a smile.
“Never-ending.” That’s my hope.
After one last kiss, he strides out, leaving me standing there, fiddling with the bracelet on my wrist.
Is Rivan with us? Cormal and Madoc both told me he watched over me while I was out, but since I’ve been awake, he hasn’t come by. Not once.
Needing to get out of this room, I change into workout clothes and head to the gym. I miss my sessions with Madoc. Maybe Rivan will teach me how to wield a sword. He’s pretty damn good at it.
The clashing of swords rings throughout the gym. I round the corner and see Rivan, drenched in sweat, fighting Theron.
“Meri,” Arden loudly whispers, motioning for me to join her against the wall. Blond hair high in a ponytail with a few damp tendrils plastered against her neck, she must also have been training this morning.
I find a seat beside her and lean back against the concrete wall. “How long have they been at it?”
