“Aranren tried to summon your soul from the afterworld so that he might speak with you. I could have told him you weren't there, but instead, I said that a soul must be willing to return.”
“Is that true?”
“What part?”
“That a soul must be willing to return.”
“Yes, of course. I can't force a soul from it's afterlife. It must want to come back. Your parents were willing to speak with you. I assumed they'd also be willing to return for you. So I felt confident in offering you that.”
“You make offers without disclosing all the particulars. I can't trust you. Not that I ever thought I could.” I stalked to the stairwell that led to my floor of the keep.
“Ember, you cannot run from me.”
“I don't have to. You will never convince me to—”
“I can get you through the ward. I'll take you through it without alerting the Corrupter and then get you out with the children. Safely. There are no additional particulars. You won't even have to learn a spell. I will help you control the Death Magic.”
“And what would you want in return?”
“Nothing.”
I snorted.
“I am being truthful. I want only to show you what is possible with my magic. Once you see what it can do for you, I'm certain you will want more. Then, I will make you a Master of Death.”
I swallowed past the dryness in my throat. My mind raced. Could I use the magic and then stop? Just free the kids and nothing more? “I'll think about it.”
“Very well. I will leave you in peace to do your contemplating.”
I went back to my suite and climbed in bed between my lovers. Death did not disturb me again that night, not even in my dreams.
Chapter Thirteen
I woke refreshed and with an aching erection. Xae discovered it first.
Growling against my throat, Xae's hand slid down my belly to grip my cock. I groaned and turned toward him, dislodging Rath. As I went into Xae's arms, Rath woke and soon, his front pressed against my back. I turned to kiss Rath over my shoulder as Xae nibbled on my neck and pumped our cocks together.
Rath's kiss was gentle. A morning shift from sleep into affection. But Xae's nibbling became a bite, and his cock left a wet kiss on mine. Gentleness would not be all I got. Nor did I want it to be. Rath's hand slid up my chest, massaging my muscles, then pinching my nipples. The stimulation made my head spin, pleasure overriding all other sensations. Then Xae eased back, his movements jostling Rath and me.
I drew away from our kiss to turn forward and see Xae's magnificent, massive torso torqued backward, one thick arm stretching for the bottle on the bedside table. He snatched it and curled back to me, his abdomen doing the mouthwatering roll that only happened when a belly was mainly muscle. Grinning at my obvious admiration for his warrior body, Xae poured a bit of oil into his palm and then passed the bottle to Rath. The slick sound of oiled cocks was music to my ears.
Before Xae could mount me, I pushed on his shoulder, urging him onto his back. His grin widened as he complied and grew even bigger when I straddled his waist. In seconds, we were groaning through his entrance. My body eased up and down Xae's shaft, slowly relaxing to accept him, until I was able to slam down fully. Usually, I started with Rath, whose thinner cock helped ease the way for Xae's monster. But I didn't like making Xae wait every time. So, I just went a little slower until I adjusted to his girth.
“Oh, fuck, yeah,” Xae growled. “Ride my cock, Ember. Pump those thighs. Let me see your dick bounce.” His hands gripped my hips, fingers digging in and urging me into a faster pace.
Meanwhile, Rath slid closer, stroking himself as he watched us. His dark hair was pulled back in a braid for bed, but Xae's was wild about his shoulders, as usual. I loved how different they were, each with their own appeal. And they were mine. That, I loved most of all.
Then Xae reached over, brushed Rath's hand aside, and took his cock. Rath groaned and rolled his head toward Xae, who met him halfway. My body went into delightful spasms as I watched them kiss, Xae's big hand pumping Rath's dick. Then they turned to look at me.
I paused in riding Xae to say, “I'm not taking you both at once.”
They blinked. Xae stopped stroking Rath.
“What do you mean?” Rath asked.
“I can't fit two dicks in my ass.”
Rath and Xae looked at each other, then burst into laughter.
