Page 35 of Urn My Love

I sank below the water’s surface just as I turned to ash, and regenerated a moment before August dove in after me. He yanked me to the water’s surface, where I sucked in a breath of fresh mountain air.

“I’m going to turn that horse into glue.” His tone was murderous, but his eyes were soft.

He started to step from the pond, then realized I was naked, and paused, his eyes scanning my body. “Where did your injuries go? And your clothes?”

Okay, so I didn’t think that part of the plan through.

“Maybe they were those fun ones that dissolve in water?” Jazriel suggested with a smirk.

I glared at him. “How do you know so much about this Earth when you were in captivity for so long?”

Jazriel sat down on the grassy bank, not caring that he was nude, and grinned. “It’s amazing the stuff people talk about when they think you’re a dumb animal. Not to mention how many movies I watched over my guards’ shoulders as they streamed movies and shows on their phones.”

“Why did you call it ‘this Earth?’” August asked, and I could practically see him trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. “You make it sound like you’re an alien.”

Hoping to distract him, I feigned a shiver even though I wasn’t cold. “May… Maybe we should talk about this once I dry off?”

“Hm.” August turned to eye Thom, who’d politely turned away from the pond. “You can return to the lodge.”

“Thom’s here to help me with my work. Ryls and Xerxes sent him,” I told both of my mates.

“I don’t care who he is, no man is going to see my ma—” His eyes widened, and he tried to hide it. “You naked.”

“I saw her naked,” Jazriel volunteered, licking his lip as he looked at me. “You have no idea what you missed last night.”

Why did he always pick the worst times to goad the gryphon?

August turned his back to Jazriel and ran his hands over my skin. Magic sparked between us, and I caught my breath at the unexpected intimacy.

“You are completely healed.” August stated the obvious, not ready to let it go. “That shouldn’t be possible. Even the strongest species would need hours to heal the fatal injuries you healed in seconds.”

I tried not to notice the way his soaked tee was clinging to his broad chest. “My magic is stronger after I’ve eaten and slept.”

“And don’t forget riding this pony’s bony. That definitely helped,” Jazriel called helpfully from behind August.

“Does he ever shut up?” August closed his eyes, and his lips moved as he counted to ten. He was somewhat less murdery-looking when he opened his eyes.

Seeing that Thom had taken his advice and disappeared to the lodge, he sat down on the bank, pulling me onto his lap as he continued searching my body for injury. “Is he telling the truth? Does sex give you power?”

“Yes.” There was more to it than that, but I wasn’t ready to give him details.

“What are you, little bluebird?” His fingers brushed over Jazriel’s mark, and I thought I caught a flash of pain in his eyes.

His fingers moved up my belly, where they slid between my breasts.

I caught my breath. “Are you going to stay with me?”

August didn’t respond. He seemed in a trance as his fingers trailed across every inch of my skin except the parts that burned to feel his touch.

Catching my chin between his finger and thumb, he brought his mouth so close to mine that his lips brushed featherlight against mine.

“Dude. Stop driving us all crazy and just freaking kiss our girl!” Jazriel snapped.

I swallowed my pride and pleaded, “Please stay with me.”

August slowly released my chin and leaned away from me. “I can’t.”

My eyes filled with tears, and Jazriel was there in an instant, lifting me into his arms.

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