She made a deal with him. He kissed her.
An image of them together crosses my mind—his grey, ominous form hanging over her light.
If he hurts her, I will find a way to gut him.
nine
Dove
Likesomanytimesbefore, he comes to me in my sleep. Except this time, something is different. This time, I feel him inside me. Like when Rivern told me our joining felt like coming home. When I see Fury standing, waiting for me in his tower of gloom, it feels like coming home. Not because the tower or ominous island are familiar to me now, but because he is. The tethers that connect us pull our bodies together even in this dream state.
Rivern sleeps with his arms banded around me in the Silver Sands, and my mind still seeks comfort in the God now before me.
His upper body leans seductively against the stained glass windows of the greystone tower—the same windows that hold the effigy of his creatures taking their revenge on the ones who placed him here for eternity in this cage. I can relate to that feeling of being caged, having spent most of my life in the hands of people who sought to use me, including my father. Wincing at the thought of the man who will never hold power over me again, I place a hand at my neck.
Wren, I wish you were here.
Night eyes watch me, arms crossed over a perfectly shaped, muscular torso. In a way, it feels like he’s assessing his next kill, his body unnaturally still in the moonlight behind him. His silver hair almost creates a halo around his chiselled features. In Fury’s ferocity, his beauty shines. However, I’ll never admit that to him.
His silver brow quirks. I squint my eyes.He can probably sense everything I’m thinking now that we are begrudgingly bonded.
“Why am I here?” I ask, placing my arms across my chest.
Fury sighs heavily, moving his body away from the window frame, taking one step towards me in his leather pants. His onyx wings ruffle behind him. I keep my stance stoic and unforgiving.
“You are here because I wish to check on you.” The velvet tendrils of his words grace my exposed upper chest. I quickly look down to make sure I’m clothed, gulping in a deep breath as I find myself in the same dress I left him in. In reality, that gown is a puddle on the floor back in the Silver Sands.
“As you can see, I’m unharmed. But you already know that since you are watching me from your tower.” Spreading my arms wide, I show him my body.
Squinting at me, the daemon before me suddenly takes punishing strides my way, his muscles bunching and releasing with every movement. I gulp at the sight, my body alighting at his nearness. My thighs clench, remembering our kiss.
Now before me, Fury takes his palms and cups the sides of my cheeks. My body instinctively sways into his, wanting his touch even though it is a cold burn. “I need more than to see you, Pet. I need to feel you beneath my skin. You are my obsession.” His thumb runs over my lips, leaving a sting that works its way down to my core—a basic need to ignite with my bonded partner. Black eyes linger on my lips like he’s calculating the exact moment to steal a kiss.
Inhaling deeply, I find myself sucking down the crisp night air and the ash of a burning fire—both an oddly comforting balm to my soul. My eyes close, trying to avoid the tug towards this male.
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but you aren’t my obsession.”
A soft chuckle tickles the tendrils of hair framing my face. Fury moves in closer. “That’s right, you have a fae prince now. Maybe even a shifter?” His breath glides across my cheek, lips reaching for my ear.
“Are you jealous?” I try to taunt him. My eyes find his.
“On the contrary, Pet. If they are what you want, I’ll gladly make room for them. I’m not as much of a heathen as you humans. I am a God. We do not place constraints around love as your kind does. However, you may want to check in with your beast. He might not feel the same.” His words crack something open in my heart. Both he and Rivern have said the same thing. They are happy to have me, knowing there’s more than themselves in the picture.Not saying I want Fury, but Gideon—
“What aboutGideon?”
Fury, standing at his full height, is like an unmovable spire. He grasps both sides of my face in his Godly hands. The feeling is heady—knowing he’s not just a male, but a creator of this world.
“Gideon believes he has one mate, and they in turn have one.” My heart sinks in my chest. My eyes move to look at the grey torso before me, fine lines of black moving beneath it.What right do I have wanting Gideon anyway?I am happy with Rivern, and it seems I am forever attached to a dark shadow, even if I won’t give in to him.
My resolve set, I look up at the force before me. “Makes sense considering I have only one mate and his name is Rivern.” I push at the exposed stomach before me, my fingers shocked at the sudden contact that sends electricity shooting down my arms, my heart beating wildly.
A growl works its way through Fury’s chest, the movement slicing its way through to my core, a gasp leaving my lips.
I clamp my mouth shut as Fury places a broad hand over my throat. Fingers gingerly hold my scarred neck. The dragon within me wakes, bucking for a fight. My eyes turn into slits. I gaze up at the daemon God keeping me his prisoner. “Be careful, Pet. I’ve learnt to be tolerant, but I’m decidedly becoming very impatient as I stand before the object of my desire.”
Keeping a sharp quip on my tongue, I begin to speak, but nothing comes out. My vision goes blurry. Grappling for the corded chest in front of me, I find thin air and a sour smell invading my senses. Alarm bells start ringing in my mind.
On a sharp intake of breath, everything goes dark.
