I tilted my head back, and he leaned down, pressing those plush lips to mine in a kiss that made my head spin.
“Hey, I’m feeling left out, firefly.” Deshawn’s voice broke into our moment.
I jerked out of Oliver’s embrace and stood, throwing myself into his arms. “Did you find him? Does he have any information about Reverie? Can he get us to Aurathia?”
Deshawn’s big, booming laugh filled the room. “Slow down. Let’s go somewhere a little more private, and I’ll fill you in.”
We left quickly and headed to my dorm. They’d both practically moved in, Oliver right after Reverie was taken, and Deshawn the night we all christened my bed with throuple sex. I shivered at the thought of that extraordinary experience. It wasn’t the last time it had happened, but it marked the beginning of our relationship, so it was special to me.
We hadn’t performed the ritual yet; I’d hoped to get it done this weekend. I wanted these men tied to me in every way possible.
As soon as we entered, Deshawn sat on the couch with me in his lap, while Oliver sat across from us on the coffee table. I hoped the table held up; he wasn’t a petite guy by any stretch of the imagination.
“To answer your first question, I did manage to contact him, but our connection wasn’t great.” He frowned and said, “The important thing is he let me know that Reverie was in the training yard this morning after a few days of absence.”
“OMG!! He actually saw her!” The joy I was experiencing was off the chain. “I have to tell the guys… this ishuge!” I stood andbegan pacing, rubbing my hands together in excitement. “Maybe he can get a message to her?” I glanced hopefully at Deshawn.
“I’m sorry, firefly. We can’t take the risk. If he’s caught, our chance of getting information is gone, not to mention his life being forfeit.” Deshawn stood and pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly.
I inhaled his scent. He always smelled like cedarwood and clean soap—steady, warm, the kind of smell that made my shoulders relax without me even noticing. But there was a subtle undercurrent of spice too, distracting but gentle, like heat hiding beneath a calm surface. It wasn’t just comforting; it drew me in effortlessly.
“I know you're right. I just want her to know that we haven’t given up and we’re coming for her.” I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. “I can’t imagine what she’s going through, and it’s killing me.”
Oliver stood, and I felt his warmth right before he pulled both of us into his massive body. We all just stood there, soaking in the comfort of being together.
The moment was broken abruptly when Pantar popped into the room.“There is no time to explain. Grab a small bag and come with me immediately. We have a small window to leave, and it’s closing rapidly.”
“Where are we going?” Deshawn went from the man I knew to the soldier he’d always been.
“There isn’t time to explain, as I’ve told you. Grab the essentials, and we’ll locate the rest when we get to Aurathia.”The giant Fellat growled, seeming almost frantic.
I gasped, “You’ve found a way in?”
“Yes, that’s why Mira wanted you to stay behind.”Pantar snapped impatiently.
Oliver hadn’t asked questions and hurried back into the room with a large backpack. “I’ve packed a couple of changes of clothes and a few weapons. We’re ready when you are.”
Deshawn hurried back to the bedroom and returned shortly with a small case that I knew held a Glock 29. We had been practicing with it since we hadn’t bonded yet and had no abilities, and Deshawn insisted that even after we did, it would still be a useful skill to have.
“Good choice.” Oliver smirked. “I packed my Smith & Wesson 360.”
Deshawn nodded in approval, “Reliable little rattlesnake. If anyone fucks with us, the bite will be deadly.”
“That it will.” Oliver agreed with a grin.
“Enough, it’s now or never.”Pantar was out of patience.“I will not miss the chance to get to my bonded Nexus.”
“What about her men? They’re going to be livid.” I grabbed the boots Deshawn had brought me from our room and pulled them on. I had no idea where we would be when we emerged from the portal.
“They are needed here. There will be a way for them to come when the time is right.”Pantar turned and began forming a portal that led to the barn on Reverie’s farm.
I knew my brothers would be pissed, and I didn’t blame them, but I had a strong need to get to Reverie, and I wouldn’t miss this opportunity. I had to trust that Pantar had access to information we didn’t possess. Reverie always trusted the giant Fellat, so I would too.
We stepped through, and Mira was waiting on the other side.“Come, we need to hurry.”
We followed both the Fellats into a small area on the edge of the Hawthornes’ property. The morning lay heavy over the clearing, the kind of silence that seemed to hold its breath. Pantar prowled to the center, each step deliberate, panthermuscles rolling beneath ink-black fur. Mira joined him without a sound, her golden eyes catching the fractured sunlight as her tentacles unfurled in a slow, deliberate arc.
Mira
