Chapter 27 Trapped Between Two Men
I whimper, my dream hurting me in so many ways, and pull closer to the warmth in front of me. My hands grasp for a blanket but find only cold leather. Grumbling, I roll slightly and try to get comfortable. It isn’t until the leather surface I’m pressing against groans that I wake fully.
My eyes fly open and my jaw drops. Inches from my nose is the five o’clock shadow of Zaries himself. His eyes are closed, his dark lashes fanned against his cheeks. I swallow hard, disbelieving, but as I lower my eyes I see I'm lying half on him, my legs entangled with his. I try to shift away, to move, but his thick arm curls around my waist and pulls me closer as he rolls over. I’m tucked against Zaries’ chest, his arms holding me tightly as his steady breathing stirs my hair.
Zaries didn’t stay scrawny, just like I knew he wouldn’t. He’s big and strong, his dark eyes like pools of rich chocolate that transfix me every time I see him. He became a powerful warrior, one that I’m sure Elsie regretted not pursuing in the end, but it was my words he fell in love with, and his that stole my heart.
Unable to stop myself, I snuggle against his chest and press my cheek to his armor. I listen to his heartbeat and get lost in the rhythm of his breathing. I couldn’t be happier at this moment, even if it’s stolen. I have to remember that he hates me, hates me more than anyone else alive. Finding ourselves like this means nothing, he’s just keeping me away from Oberon. His only feelings for me are those of hatred.
One more time I try to scoot away but my body hits something behind me. Something soft, too soft. I lean away from Zaries to peer over my shoulder and cover my mouth to stifle the shriek that almost escapes my lips.
Oberon, naked from the waist up, is sprawled next to me on his back. His golden skin seems to flicker in the firelight that plays with the shadows of his muscled chest.
My mouth is dry, my heart beating out of my chest. How did I get myself into this situation? I shiver, unable to stop myself. We’re far from the fire that’s burned down to embers, and the chill of the cave is settling into my bones. Not to mention I’m trapped between two men and unable to move.
Oberon must feel me shaking, because he rolls over and presses his chest to my back, his arm looping around my waist and pulling me closer to him.
I freeze. I can’t move, can’t breathe, and suddenly I’m so hot I can’t bear it. The cold is instantly forgotten with the flaming heat of embarrassment flushing over my entire body.
Zaries’ chest is directly in front of me, Oberon’s head is nestled behind mine, breathing in my scent as he cuddles even closer.
I pinch my eyes closed, trying to wake up, because this must be a dream. I must be asleep and this is a dream fueled by hormones and a near-death experience.
Oberon’s hand on my stomach slides to my hip and grips as he presses his body closer to mine. His lips part and a pleasured groan escapes.
My eyes fly open and I try to struggle away, but the two men have me sandwiched between them and there’s nothing I can do but lie here until they wake. I’m trapped.
Between heaven and hell.
And I have no idea which is which.
“Explain yourself, Thorne!” Silas hisses. His voice seems far away, as if it’s outside the little cabin in the cave.
“What do I have to explain? I found a cave, I utilized it.”
“How long ago did you find this place?” Silas’s voice is dripping with hatred and ice from every syllable.
I can hear the smile in Thorne’s voice when he replies. “A very long time ago. Although, I’ve never had a reason to use it until now.”
“This goes against everything the slayers stand for,” Silas spits. “They’re supposed to be facing their mortality on this mountain, not finding a safe haven! They’re supposed to live on the threshold of their last breath, balancing between life and death, and you have cheated them of that!”
“Who are you to say what the slayers stand for, Silas? Have you ever killed a dragon? No, in fact…” Thorne's voice trails off and I hear him climb the stairs to the cabin, grab the door handle, and stop. “I bet that black dragon was the first time you were even close enough to feel the heat of their fire.”
Silas stammers, seemingly unable to grasp a retort. “You will regret saving that girl’s life, I swear it. I will make her life a living hell because you favor her, do you understand me?”
Clever change of subject, Silas…
Fuck. My. Life.
“Silas, she’s the only slayer trainee who won’t have a mentor because her dragon scale does not belong to a barrick. Her life is already going to be a living hell. As for favoring her, I’ll remind you that the prince had his blade to my throat when I agreed to go get her.”
He what?
I turn slightly to look at Zaries again, scanning the planes of his handsome face as he sleeps so peacefully with me in his arms. He threatened a dragon slayer who’s mastered the sword and magic to force him to save my life? And Thorne obeyed him?
“He only saved her so he could kill her himself. The hatred he has for that girl is the stuff of legend. I personally cannot wait to see if it will be Malachi or Zaries who deals her final blow.” Silas cackles as Thorne opens the door and walks in.
Yet it’s Thorne’s chuckle that makes my skin burn in shame.
“Yes, Silas, he truly does hate her. Hates her so much he’s cradling her in his arms like a lover.”
“The whore has bewitched him!” Silas hisses, his voice low so he won’t wake anyone.
“Did she bewitch them both? Or maybe it is the men who have sought her out? I remember her falling asleep alone.”
“You jest! The prince of Stormcoast would never debase himself with such a lowborn—”
I can hear no more of what Silas is saying because my mind roars to life with a vicious growl.
Low born? That walking disease of a human being doesn’t know the meaning of low born! If I could, I’d slice his throat right now. I’d watch him bleed out and anoint you in the blood of your enemy!
Well, that was passionate…
You heard me? You’re supposed to be sleeping!
How can I sleep when my insanity is planning the death of the queen's brother?
Go to sleep!
Magic floods my veins as if seeping through the very wood beneath me. I try to argue with myself, fight the magical pulse that pulls me back into my slumber. I want to know what they’re talking about. I want to know why Thorne hid this cave and why he saw the need for it. I have so many questions that will never be answered if I surrender to the will of my insanity.
I try to fight the pulsating magic inside me, but it only gets stronger.
Sleep!
Make. Me.
That is what I’m doing, you infuriating spawn!
Maybe you just aren’t strong enough?
Probably not a good idea to tease my own mind, because he instantaneously responds with a wave of magic that sweeps me away.
I only have time to register feeling dizzy and nauseous before everything goes black.