I frown and look between the brothers. “What am I missing?”
“Nothing,” Archan grinds out.
“Excellent, more secrets.”
The raft bobs like something swam underneath it. I swallow and grip the trident in my hand. Whatever beastie is down there better stay hidden unless it wants the wrath of Poseidon’s daughter on its ass.
“It would take an eternity to unravel my secrets,” Archan says.
“Lucky for you I’m no longer interested.”
Archan snorts. “Is that so?”
I narrow my gaze on him as my heart thunders in my chest. I curse the organ and try to remind it of the pain he causes us. It flips me off and reminds me why it feels so good to be in his arms. I lean forward and crawl my way over to him. His pupils dilate. “You like me on my knees, Reinheart?” I whisper as I get closer.
His throat bobs as he pins me with a heated look. “I can’t deny you look good there.”
I crawl between his outstretched legs and wrap my hand around his throat. “I hope the memories keep you warm at night.” I pass my lips a millimeter from his, our breath mingling. “Because the only time you will ever see me on my knees again is when I’m plucking my blade from a body. Potentially yours if you keep pissing me off.”
I let loose some of the power I still hold in my body, knowing it affects my eyes. He darts his tongue out, licking his lips then grips my hips, pulling me against his hard body. “This isn’t a violent prelude to you owning my body,” I demand.
He smirks as he snakes a hand up my spine and grasps my hair, yanking it back. “No? Experience would beg to differ.”
I glare at him. “That was before.”
He tilts his head. “And it will be your after.”
Fireflies erupt around us, their asses illuminating the expanse of forest. I scan the beautiful scene. Archan grabs my ass and stands before depositing me on my feet.
“Here comes the welcome party,” Jed sing songs. I spin and take in their varying expressions. Nobody looks concerned. Exasperated would be my guess.
“The tribe?” I check.
Duncan and Zee flank my sides as Archan stalks to the center. His head tips back as thick twines drop to the four corners of the raft and cloaked bodies descend to the wood. They bow towards Archan, then wrap the twines around the four corners of the raft. A second later the raft lifts into the air, making me stumble as we climb higher and higher, through the fireflies between the drooping branches and into a world beyond the Amazon. I spin, taking in the expanse of bridges and homes nestled amongst the trees. I tip my head back and try to see where this ends.
Archan’s scent wraps me from behind. “I need you to forget your hate for me for tonight.”
I scowl just as people begin to emerge from the huts. “Why would I do that?”
He sighs. “It’s the easiest way to protect you.”
“He’s right,” Lucifer adds. “You too, Marsha, pick a male for the evening. You don’t want to be unattached tonight.”
She glances at Duncan. He extends his hand to her, which she accepts.
Archan’s arm wraps around my stomach. “Tonight, Natia, give me tonight. Tomorrow if you wish to return to this hate I won’t stop you.”
“What about the rest of us?” Zee asks.
Jed grins. “Prepare to get your freak on, dude.” Zee’s eyes widen before a wicked smirk graces his lips.
“Game on,” he says.
Nathan shakes his head and sighs. “Clueless, imbeciles.” We drift through a layer of clouds and halt. The tops of the trees poke through puffs of dark fluff. I tip my head back and gasp at the glorious sky above us. Stars scatter across the dark expanse, the diamonds dancing with black velvet like lovers.
“Welcome, your majesty,” a masculine voice says, his cadence slithering through the night and reaching out to test us. I drop my head to find an enormous figure cloaked from head to foot in red. His hand stretches from beneath the fabric as he bows … to me?
“Gasden, no need for formalities,” Archan states.
