She nodded, then turned her head to kiss Jasper deeply. The sight of them together, no longer separated by the veil between life and death, made my demon purr with satisfaction. This was how it always should have been.
 
 "The ritual isn't complete yet," Jasper reminded us, his form now almost entirely solid. "You have three more to go, darling."
 
 Misha stepped forward, his massive frame blocking out the candlelight. "Water first."
 
 "Yes, sir!" Palmer said, saluting the giant demon and taking the glass of water, downing it all in one motion before handing it back with a smirk. "Can I have Felix now, or is there some other menial task I have to complete first?"
 
 Misha's eyes narrowed, and he didn't look away as he handed the glass to Talon, who was standing next to him. Energy fizzled between everyone as the two held eye contact. Suddenly, Misha moved, his arm flying out to catch her, and Palmer spun away, just in time to avoid him. It didn't matter. She spun directly into Ashland's chest, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his body.
 
 "Tsk, tsk, little rabbit. You know we don't particularly appreciate bad attitudes."
 
 "Or sass!" Talon chimed in.
 
 She blinked up at Ashland with wide eyes. "It wasn't a bad attit—"
 
 SPANK!Misha's palm connected beautifully with her round ass.
 
 "Ow!" she squealed, followed by a deep moan when Ashland caressed the already reddening spot.
 
 "Ready for Felix?" I asked, already knowing her answer from the way she was wiggling her hips, searching for friction.
 
 Her responding smile was wicked. "Always."
 
 Chapter twenty-seven
 
 Palmer
 
 My heart pounded in my chest, a relentless drumbeat echoing the pulsating energy that coursed through my veins. I was high on the magic, on the intensity of the mate bond that now connected me to Jasper, Rhodes, and Misha. Their essences were intertwined with mine, a heady mix of power and lust that left me craving more.
 
 I turned my gaze to Felix, the quiet artist with a soul as deep as the abyss. His blue eyes met mine, and there was a hunger in them that matched my own. He'd been patient, watching, waiting. But now, it was his turn.
 
 Felix was sprawled out on the soft bed beneath us, a burnt orange pillow propping up his beautiful head. He was completely naked, his wings as casually displayed as the rest of him. I deliberately traced the intricate tattoos that adorned his skin with my eyes. Each one told a story, a testament to his art and the emotions he poured into every piece. My eyes were drawn to the tattoo on his throat, a hand, fingers splayed. I smirked. That one was my favorite.
 
 I strode towards him, my hips swaying with each step. I could feel the weight of the others' gazes on me, their desire a tangible force in the room. But right then, my focus was on Felix. I straddled his hips, staring down at him. His breath hitched, and I could see the pulse in his neck quicken.
 
 "Your turn, Felix," I murmured, as I lowered myself down, my voice husky with need. I reached out, tracing the lines of the tattoo on his throat with my fingertips. His skin was warm, and I could feel his heartbeat beneath my touch. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing against my hand.
 
 "I've been waiting for you, Palmer," he said, his voice soft yet filled with longing. "Ever since I first saw you, I knew you were meant to be mine."
 
 His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a surge of possessiveness. I wanted to claim him, to mark him as mine, and I was going to. I gripped his throat, my fingers aligning with the tattoo. His pulse skyrocketed, and his eyes darkened with desire.
 
 "I missed you," I whispered, leaning in so that my lips were a breath away from his. "I'm going to show you what you've been waiting for."
 
 My fingers tightened around Felix's throat, the tattoo beneath them pulsing in time with his heartbeat. His eyes darkened, pupils blown wide with desire, reflecting the dim lights of the room. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of sex and magic clinging to every surface. I could feel the others watching, their hunger palpable, but my focus was solely on Felix.
 
 "You're mine, Felix," I whispered, my voice hoarse with need. His cock hardened beneath me as he responded to my words, my fucking claim on him. I couldn't help but grind against him, seeking friction.
 
 Felix's hands gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh. "Yes," he breathed, his voice barely audible. "Yours, Palmer. Always."
 
 I leaned down, my lips brushing against his, teasing him with a soft, gentle kiss. Then, I bit his lower lip, hard enough to draw a gasp from him. I soothed the sting with my tongue, exploring his mouth, claiming it as mine. Felix's hands roamed my body, tracing the curves of my waist, the swell of my breasts. His touch was electric, igniting a fire within me that threatened to consume us both.
 
 His body was a canvas, a work of art, and I wanted to explore every inch of it. But I needed him inside of me. Now. I was feral with need, and I couldn't be stopped. I wrapped my hand around his length, feeling the heat of him, the silky smoothness of his skin. Felix groaned, his hips bucking into my touch. I looked up at him, our eyes locking, and I saw the raw, unbridled desire in his gaze. I held his stare as I lowered myself, sliding slowly all the way down. He filled me inch by delicious inch.
 
 "Palmer," he breathed, my name a plea and a prayer on his lips.
 
 I smiled, a slow, sultry grin spreading across my face. "I want to feel you fill me, knot me, mark me as yours."
 
 His eyes darkened, his pupils blown wide with desire. Felix's hands gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh as he guided me, moving me, setting a rhythm that was slow and sensual, then fast and frenzied. Our bodies moved in sync, our breaths mingling, our hearts beating as one.