Quinn
Thewintersuntriedto push through the clouds. Cobblestones and damp crooked medieval buildings lined The Royal Mile like the set of a period drama. It was just Cayden, Rowan, me, Everly, and Hero out walking today. Groups came in and out of stores. A trio of unsteady men, dressed in studded leather and tinkling chains, tossed a glass bottle against some red graffiti. It shattered, and the three laughed.
I practically danced behind my friends as I took it all in.
The Mile, like The Green, was neutral, unpoliced, but mostly civil. I hadn’t asked to leave. Xan said I could come and go as I pleased, and the guards hadn’t blinked; another point in the Architect’s favor.
“Asymmetrical hems are in right now,” Everly said, pointing at a woman in a miniskirt and tweed jacket. “She has to be visiting from the dales.”
I nodded as if I knew exactly where that was.
“And trainers, which will be ideal for the ceilidh,” Everly continued. “Apparently, the Adler Michelsons unearthed a shipping container of Nikes, and anyone who is anyone has gotten their hands on a pair.”
Collectible trainers were a thing in my time, too, so maybe that shouldn’t have surprised me. I had no idea what a ‘ceilidh’ was, but as this was a shopping trip for Xan’s Mixer, I would bet it was a type of party.
“Including you?” Cayden asked, walking just a few feet from me with his hands in his pockets.
Everly sighed dramatically. “My dad is dangling the prospect over my head. But there will be a price, and I’m willing to bet the exchange will include my early return home.”
“Feck that.” Brit punched her fist into her palm.
Before I could agree, one of the half-formed tethers in my back twisted, making me stumble. Rowan was at my side instantly, and he pressed his hand exactly on the spot.
I wasn’t used to just one of the half-formed tethers acting up like that, but the sensation stopped immediately, while the heat of Rowan’s hand remained. I raised an eyebrow and looked up at the underside of his square jaw. Damn, even that was handsome.
“Unique spot to catch my balance there,” I said dryly.
“The cobblestones are slick this morning.” Rowan slid his hand around to my waist. “Um, from the rain.”
I popped my lips, not hiding my disbelief in the slightest.
Rowan pulled me closer, making Cayden step back and scowl at him.
“It’ll be okay,” Rowan promised. “Ah. How was your extra session with Xan and Ezra last night?”
Rowan’s pink cheeks clashed with the dark scruff on his chin, making his flush impossible to miss. My evening of very dirty, extended foreplay surged through my memory, and my core throbbed in response.
“Clinical,” I responded, knowing he felt the opposite coming through the tether. “Strictly educational.”
The big elemental felt every heated touch. He wouldn’t know it was Ezra on my thighs or Xan on my neck, just the fire, and maybe a phantom echo on his own skin. The thought alone made my center clench. A drip of arousal dampened my underwear. XanRa was getting bolder, but they always stopped short, like my orgasm would cross a line they weren’t ready for. I took a step, and friction sent a jolt of pleasure straight through me.
Rowan’s foot slid and caught on a cobblestone.
I scowled dramatically. “Sorry, I already took two cold showers; what do you want from me?!”
The big elemental’s eyes flew wide. Panic made his muscles quiver beautifully.
I cackled.
His panic was very short-lived. In one swift step, he darted forward and wrapped a thick arm around my waist. He pinned me with one arm and let the other trail down, his fingers brushing under my thighs, heat rising in their wake.
“They leave you unsatisfied, Quinn.” He sucked my earlobe into his mouth. “Do you want me to finish what they started, like last time?”
Heat curled in my stomach. I squirmed. This was not Rowan’s usual fumbling excuse. This was him admitting he felt everything.
A stream of cold water hitting my head and running down my back made me scream, and not with pleasure. Hero grinned, and his dark red magic gathered another blob of water from a nearby puddle. Hefloated it above our heads. After a nod from his twin, he released his second stream of revenge with a glee only friendly, bitter rivals could genuinely understand.
Cold sliced through me, chasing the heat from my core and rattling my teeth. Rowan gently dropped me as best he could in his shock.
