8
Lorcan
“But I only needed one more touch
Another taste of heavenly rush.”
-Breath of Life by Florence & The Machine
“Princess,” Adriel’s voice had me snapping my eyes open from my nightmare.
My relief wasn’t instant like normal. No, instead I could feel the beating that Toris administered on every nerve ending throughout my frame. I could feel the very real, paralyzing fear that had my adrenaline rushing and my eyes fluttering shut, trying to squeeze away the memories that came with the traumatic dream.
I wasn’t with Toris.
I was safe.
In our new home and with my men.
Sweat broke along the back of my neck as tears leaked down my face. My breathing was rough as I crawled up Adriel’s body, digging my nails into his chest slightly before pressing my frame completely against his own. His hands ran through my hair gently as my trembling started to slow, not enough to feel well again, but better. More grounded.
“I’m fine,” I whispered as he searched my face and then pressed a kiss to the top of my head. Who the hell would have thought I’d find myself here? In Adriel’s arms, seeking the most basic form of comfort from my own trauma.
I couldn’t admit it to him, not yet, but I was nearly damn positive I’d fallen in love with him. Or maybe I always had been. Fuck. I mean, he could be a bastard but I… loved that about him. I loved him.
Pushing off his chest to sit up, I straddled him as I looked down at the man. I could feel how hard he was underneath me, but as his hands squeezed my hips, I could see the concern in his pretty moss-green eyes. The man reminded me of a piece of art, his light hair loose and around his muscular, bare chest.
Damn, this was like porn to a Lord of the Rings fan…
Adriel let out a bark of laughter as my eyes widened in surprise, and I put a hand over his mouth, realizing I’d spoken out loud. “That never came out of my mouth, Adriel. I swear to the Maker—”
Adriel removed my hand, kissing it gently with a grin. “So are you a fan of Lord of the Rings, princess?”
“Fuck you,” I retorted with no heat, running my fingers up his chest while looking around us, realizing this large bed really was coming in handy. I mean hell, it was goddamn beautiful first of all, like quality material, but also it was so nice to not have people sleeping on the damn floor. I always wondered how Dean got shit handled so fast, but it didn’t completely surprise me. I mean, the man definitely had pull around here.
Rhett slept on one side of me and Cash on the other, both oblivious to us being up. I narrowed my eyes, noticing that Draven was out on the balcony with Dean and Desmond, their conversation too low for me to hear.
“Do you want to go out there?” Adriel asked softly.
“I am not positive what I want to do…” I mumbled, slipping from bed and walking towards the closet, seemingly having decided subconsciously. I pulled on a loose pair of shorts under my oversized shirt and tugged my hair up. My eyes caught my gaze in the mirror, and everything from my dream came back to me.
Real fear had coursed through me, memories of my trauma and so much worse… but as I stood looking into the mirror, I could recall small bits of something more. Something bigger. It felt like there was something waiting and watching from the dark recesses of my consciousness. I looked away from the mirror, unable to stare at myself any longer, a chill rolling up my back.
Something about tonight’s nightmare had been different.
Right as I went to go out of the closet, something that I could only describe as a vision soared through my brain in an atomic blast. I wavered, feeling like everything had lost its center of gravity.
I could see myself sitting in a room filled with mirrors. A ceiling was open to the desert night sky, which shimmered with cosmic purpose. Invisible eyes crawled over my skin, and a vicious energy circled around me in warning like a dangerous predator.
Then… it was gone. I blinked, realizing I’d legitimately just blacked out.
“Princess,” Adriel caught my waist gently as I jumped, almost stumbling back, letting out a small sound.
“Lorcan,” he pressed, his voice sounding nearly panicked, “what is going on?”
“I don’t know.” I swallowed and leaned into him. Breathing in his scent, I could see the other three were still on the balcony. I missed their presence, but… I also was hungry? Interesting. My stomach rumbled slightly as Adriel pulled back, offering me a cheeky smile.
“Let me make you something to eat,” he encouraged softly.
I nibbled my lip and smiled. “Can we go to Sonic instead?”
“Anything you want,” Adriel pressed a kiss to my head, making me blush. I was becoming such a goddamn softie. I nodded, feeling a bit shy, and walked out of the closet towards the balcony.
A shiver rolled over my skin as all three of the men looked at me at once. Do you know how fucking overwhelming these men could be? Dean leaned against the balcony railing in just the jeans he’d put on earlier. He had a beer in his hand, and his sapphire eyes ran over me before letting out a small rumble.
Draven stared at me with that lavender gaze while his wings moved back and forth behind him. Freakin’ fallen angel inspiration over here.
Then there was Desmond, who was still in a suit. He almost immediately put out his cigarette, looking up at me with a heated yet loving look. Very confusing.
I was totally overwhelmed by them.
“You are supposed to be telling them we are going to Sonic,” Adriel prompted from over my shoulder in a slight drawl of sarcasm.
I scowled up at him. “I was appreciating the damn view.”
He put up his hands in mock surrender. “My apologies princess, lust on.”
Flipping him off over my shoulder, I looked back at them. “We are going to get Sonic. If you guys want anything, say something now or forever—”
“Food! Please!” Rhett called from bed, sounding only half awake.
“What’s a Sonic?” Draven frowned.
I laughed as Dean shook his head at Draven’s clear lack of fast food knowledge. “Just pick up a bunch of shit, and don’t stay out for too long. I don’t trust this motherfucker—”
“Which motherfucker?” I asked with large eyes as all of them froze.
I turned to Adriel and then back to them. “Who?”
“Someone was encouraging Principal Washington…” Desmond stated softly. “Someone who isn’t human. Possibly.”
“He may be your original stalker,” Adriel added with a kiss to my shoulder. I blinked. Oh yeah, my origami-leaving stalker that also killed people for looking at me and touching me too much… yeah, that person.
“I need food,” I muttered and then scowled at them. “Don’t keep shit from me—”
“Not purposeful,” Draven pointed out. “We came back with the full intention of telling you, but then you were half-naked in a pool.”
Desmond groaned, putting his head down as I smirked. Then I squeaked as Adriel picked me up. “Sorry guys, but I’m taking her before she decides she isn’t hungry.”
Locking my legs around him and offering him a smile, I quipped, “Well now I really do feel like a princess.”