Page 44 of Moonlit Guardians

“I told you I didn’t want to hurt you.” My hand slips between her thighs and I cup her intimately with the palm of my hand. The warmth of the healing spell causes her to whimper. “Next time we’ll be more careful, no matter how much you beg me.”

“But it hurt sooo good,” she whines. “Besides, you’re always so collected. It’s good to see the other side of you sometimes.”

I can’t help but pull her in for a deeper kiss. My scent still lingers on her and it excites me to wonder what the others will think. I open the door for Eilish and allow her into the corridor first. She returns to her duties with a smile on her face and that’s all that matters. For a while she will know peace and for that I’m grateful.

Baron and I cross paths. He pauses mid-stride and shakes his head. “You couldn’t have waited for me, you bastard? I’ve been thinking about her all day.”

I feel a smirk coming on as I respond. “What our queen wants, she gets.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

DRAGAN

Mortal Ruins

“Is the perimeter set?” I ask Myerdoth. Belroth stands just beside him.

The loyal gargoyle grunts his response and follows me into the new war room. Eilish stands beside Theren as they whisper between themselves. My anger surges, but I don’t wish to upset her with any aimless argument. She’s been through enough and the days ahead are going to be even more difficult. Luckily, however, she smiles as she catches sight of me entering the room. I snarl at Theren and snatch Eilish away. She falls against my chest and I stake my claim with a kiss.

Baron and Pyre chuckle. The necromancer grins unabashedly and leans forward in his chair.

“Tell me, Dragan... how do I taste?”

I release Eilish as she cowers behind Theren to hide her blush. Pyre and Baron’s laughter grows obnoxiously loud as they fall over themselves. I kick Pyre’s chair and glare at him. “Keep your filth to yourself, Death Speaker,” I sneer.

Pyre is unfazed by my irritation. “Do you like to join in like Baron or watch like Cambion?”

Eilish groans and covers her face, but I hear her laughter. Flumph makes a face that’s reminiscent of a stomach virus and gags towards the floor. Noni covers her ears, gasping at her master as though seeing this side of him for the first time. Pyre rarely banters with us, usually keeping to himself or running off with Baron or Eilish. It’s a nice change. But something tells me his question of my preferences is more genuine than he lets on. I place my hands on the table and lean forward, meeting his challenge.

“Both.”

Pyre doesn’t balk or smirk. He simply nods and turns back towards Baron.

“The perimeter is set. Myerdoth and I wish to petition you, My Queen.” My words get the reaction I desire as Eilish glances at me over her shoulder. Gone is the meek blush. In its place is the fiery temptress I’ve come to love greatly. “We require a small band of soldiers to accompany us to retrieve the Stone Grimoire. A golem or two would help as well.”

She nods. “Take as many as you need, but don’t leave us defenseless,” she answers a bit breathlessly. I reach over and grasp her hand, bringing it to my lips for a kiss. Eilish graces me with her beautiful smile and I saunter back out of the room. Myerdoth and I barely make it halfway down the corridor before Theren comes after us.

“What do you want?” I grumble.

“To help.”

We stop in our tracks. “Eilish won’t let you come with us.”

“I don’t wish to come with you, only to get you there quicker.”

“How?”

“Mirror gate. No blood magic involved.” Theren crosses his heart mockingly.

“And getting us back again?” I ask.

He nods. “Luckily for you, I’ve already considered that question.” He hands me a new communication ring. Mine had been broken in the fight. “Zir managed to get them working without using towers or energy frequencies. They connect us directly now. Just speak my name and I’ll be able to hear you perfectly, as if you were standing in front of me.”

“Give the artificer my praises.”

Theren chuckles. “Give them to her yourself. She’s practically begging to tell someone about her water filtration ideas and how to turn the power back on in the buildings. Withher help, we’ve already gotten four cars mobile for the runs into the city. The more we salvage the better.”

I send Myerdoth to gather the soldiers and meet with Theren in the courtyard where little fae creatures hand out bowls of food and blankets. Theren casts a spell to widen his mirror and an image appears in its reflection. Rolling green hills and open pastures. Twinkling stars in a peaceful night sky as a herd of sheep roam the lands.

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