Belle cut them off with a dismissive wave. “Yes, we know you’re Lula’s mates. Jenna, where do you suggest we set this up? Fey is too precious to risk him and his fighters coming, and Earth is too fragile.”
“Why, the Mist, of course. There’s nothing there that can be destroyed. That’s why it’s the In-between. Besides, they’ll never expect us there, so when they step through, hopefully, we’ll have surprise on our side. Alright, that settles it. I’ll go rally the troops. Belle, you need to prepare yourself to see Nikai again. I know you think you’re, but are you truly?” Jenna was the wisest woman they knew for a reason.
“I don’t think I’ll ever actually be prepared, but I will do what I must. Lula, forgive me for...for what I did. I only did what I thought was best for you and I.” Belle turned away, then faced her again, tears pooling in her sparkling eyes.
“Mama, stop crying. My floor already has way too many gems. I don’t know what I’ll do with all of them.” She tried to make light of the situation, failing miserably.
“Those are my tears, my gems, Lula.” Belle pulled her into her arms, hugging her so tightly she could feel her mother’s fear pouring into her very being. Lula shoved the emotion out of her, trying to infuse some of her confidence back into Belle.
Her mother hummed, smiling down at her. “That was—unexpected, darling. I’ll leave you with your mates. I have a feeling the battle will be sooner rather than later.”
Lula kissed her mother’s cheek, hugged Jenna, then watched them disappear, leaving the three of them with a pile of gems and a sense of doom.
“Want some coffee and donuts?” She pointed toward the table where Jenna had left the offerings.
Abyle and Atika both growled. She turned to see frowns on their faces. “Everything is going to be okay,” she promised.
Atika stomped over to where she stood, bent, and tossed her over his shoulder. “Grab the coffee and donuts, brother. We’ll need them after.”
Abyle pulled her head up from where she hung over Atika’s shoulder; using her hair, he twisted her to face him. “You’re damn right everything will be okay, but first we need to make love to our mate.”
Before she could say a word, he silenced her with a kiss filled with promise. Just as quickly as he began, he pulled back. Atika slapped her on the rear, once, twice, and then a third time.
“What was that for?” she snarled.
“That’s so you don’t get any ideas about leaving us behind,” he snarled louder.
She hadn’t realized that was exactly what she’d been thinking.
“Our triad bond will kill us if anything happens to you, Lula Love. You leave us here unable to defend you, and you effectively slaughter us. We can protect you, Mi Amore.” Abyle pushed the door to her room open.
Once they were back inside her bedroom there was no more room to talk, only feel and explore. If tomorrow came, and with it a battle that took their lives, she wanted to fill up her memories with her mates loving her and her loving them.
By the time they got around to drinking the coffee, she had to reheat it with her dragon magic. Luckily, the donuts were kept sealed, so they were still soft and yummy.
They lay back on the bed, their breathing choppy, hearts in sync. “When do you think we’ll know?” Atika asked.
The moons had risen over an hour ago. It was almost alarming how much time they’d spent exploring her body and how easily they’d allowed her to explore theirs. While they were identical in every way, physically, they each had their own unique tastes. She’d noticed that when she’d bit them, but it became even more evident when she’d been able to finally love them with her mouth until competition. Good Goddess, their flavors were so yummy she would easily become addicted if they were given the chance at forever.
“We love you more than life itself, Lula Love. You’re the air that gave me life, my heart, my soul, my mate. Thank you for giving us a chance.” Abyle kissed his mating mark, sending a tingle of desire through her.
Lula’s hussy dragon trilled. “You both have made me whole, made me change the way I approach things and given me hope. You’ve given me the chance to trust in my instincts when before never would have blindly trusted anything. You both help me rise above the desolation and fear that had held me down, helping me soar in more ways than just one. I can’t imagine life without either of you, not that I would want to. It’s scary to think that in such a short time you’ve both come to mean so much to me.” She let out a shaky breath, wondering if she’d said too much.
“Ah, Lula, without you our lives were very lonely existences. I can’t think of a better way to spend my life, our lives, than being with you. The secret behind every good male is a female, but for us, the secret is having our female beside us. What makes my existence perfect, is having you next to me, between my brother and me. I will proudly call you my mate, my partner. Trust in us to always be there for you. Without your love, trust, and loyalty we’re nothing.”
“You both are thieves. You stole my heart and soul. But guess what? I don’t care. I was always yours, just waiting for the two of you to find me.”
Several hours later, Lula woke knowing they weren’t alone. She shook both her mates’, waking them instantly. “It’s time,” she whispered.
They’d talked long into the night, making love several more times. Now, they got up, and she used her magic to cleanse and dress them like before. Only this time, she made sure they wore dressed in clothing that would shift with them.
“Come on. Jenna and my mother are in the other room.” She stopped in front of them, before walking out of her bedroom, a feeling like she was never coming back gripped her. “I love you.” She had to tell them before they left.
Her guys kissed her, and then they walked out.
ATIKA INHALED THE SCENTS around them. They’d flashed to the mystical realm called the In-Between outside of the Mist. It shocked him to find dozens of shifters waiting for them, men he’d only met only briefly, and some he’d never met except he’d seen in Lula’s memories. What was even more shocking was the Wolpires, as Jenna had called them, and the army of beings that came with them. The females seemed every bit as deadly as the males. However, their biggest surprise came in the form of the male named Creed.
“Hello my friends. I know, you are all excited I came. Don’t worry, I won’t shame your males with my greatness—yet. Now, who we killing, and do I get to eat them?”
Atika narrowed his eyes at the red-skinned, dark-haired, demon male, wondering if he was alright in the head, or if he was a little bit crazy? Shit, he was fucking huge.
“Psst, I’m totally crazy, but that comes from my father’s side.” The male winked and smiled, showing off a row of sharp teeth.
“What are you?” Abyle asked.
“Well, that’s rude. I’m Creed, boy.” Again, he flashed those huge sharp-ass teeth.
The smile didn’t give Atika the warm and fuzzy feeling that usually happened when someone tipped their lips up. No, this smile was one that would be given to you right before a serial killer began hacking your body up and burying you in the woods, or ate you for dessert, or put you in a vat of chili to serve to his guests.