Bonds of Cupidity (Heart Hassle, #2)

by Raven Kennedy

“Something seems to change every time you return from the Veil,” Sylred points out. “Maybe Plik and Plak did something to me?” Beside us, Ronak’s face darkens. “If they did, I will make them regret the day they were ever born.”

“Calm down, you crazy alpha. It was just a thought. I don’t actually think they did some sneaky evil magic on me. But if they did, I’ll be the first to cheer you on while you do your super scary genfin stuff.” He tosses me a look. “When you say things like ‘super scary genfin stuff,’ it doesn’t actually sound scary.”

“Think you can walk to the city on your own? It’s about five minutes from here, but we don’t want to strain you,” Ronak says. I slide off Sylred’s back. “I should be able to handle that,” I answer seriously, taking in the distance. When I look back at the three smirking faces of the genfins, I scowl. “Oh. You were mocking me. Ha ha.” “You make it way too easy.”

“Keep it up, Ronak, and I won’t be easy at all,” I challenge. The amusement falls from his face, and he scrubs at his brown beard. “Believe me, once the mating ceremony gets started, you will be.”

“Emelle. Breathe. Relax.” When I do, he continues. “We knew what we might face. We decided this with our eyes open. We chose this. All that matters is our covey. Don’t let the opinions of others ruin us before we can even get started. Okay?”

Ronak’s gaze moves away from me. “Get the box before she starts hyperventilating.” “On it,” Sylred chirps helpfully. “What box? I don’t need a box,” I snap, waving my arms. “I need to not ruin your lives or be the downfall of all genfins everywhere.” “Scratch. You’re overreacting a bit.” “Is she always this dramatic?” Belren asks. I glare at him. I’d forgotten he was still here. “Pretty much, yeah,” Evert answers.

Sylred appears in the next instant with a box of chocolates. I glare at him. “Chocolate isn’t going to help this situation,” I snap. He plucks one out of the box and pops it into my mouth before I can stop him. “Sylred, this isn’t… Mmm. That’s really good,” I say as I chew. “Give her more,” Ronak instructs.

Sylred practically shoves another one into my mouth before I’ve even finished the first. This one has sprinkles on it. And is that a strawberry center? Yum. Sylred passes me another. Ooh. Double chocolate. After I’ve had another three, Sylred puts the box down. “Better?” I lick the remaining chocolate off my lips with great satisfaction. “Yeah,” I admit.

“That was…interesting,” Belren says, looking impressed. “Is it just chocolate that works?” “Nah,” Evert says. “Any kind of food, really.” “Huh,” he repli...

“Ready to start the mating ceremony?” Ronak asks. My eyes widen. “Now? What about everything the elder just said? Everything I said? And don’t forget about my malfunctioning.” “Malfunctioning?” Belren chirps. We ignore him. “We’ve been over this. We still choose you,” Sy...

“Are you seriously pouting because we’re keeping you?” Evert asks incredulously. “Shut up. I need another chocolate.” Already waiting, as if he expected this, Sylred p...

“You don’t have to be scared. We wouldn’t let anything happen to you. We aren’t backing out, and you aren’t leaving,” Sylred says, making me melt more than the chocolate in my mouth. I take a deep breath. “Okay.” They all say it back to me. “Aww. It’s like in the carriage,” I say, grinning. “‘Okay’ is totally our thing now.” Evert shakes his head. “It’s not a thing.” “It’s totally a thing.”

Ronak reaches over to start playing with my clit again. It’s almost too much, too sensitive from having so much attention already. I try to pull his hand away, but his animal growls at me and he bites hard at the spot beneath my ear. “This pussy is ours,” he snarls against my ear, making me shiver. “You don’t get to keep it from me.” “It’s too much,” I pant. “You’ll take it,” the alpha orders, and fuck if it doesn’t turn me on even more.

“You like fucking Sylred while Ronak touches you?” Hands against Sylred’s chest for leverage, I continue to buck on top of him. “I fucking love watching you,” Evert rasps, his teeth scraping over my shoulder while he continues to torment my nipples. “You’re sexy as hell. I love all the little noises you make while your mates fuck you. Is this what you always wanted? Is this what you fantasized about? All of us owning your pussy and making you come over and over again?”

“Then be a good girl and come for us again,” he growls into my ear. “Milk Sylred’s cock until he explodes inside you. I want to see all our cum dripping out of you like the naughty mate you are.”

“I need to find my first mate!” I call out as I round the corner and enter the sitting room. “Don’t call him your first mate,” I hear Evert call back from outside the open window. The front door opens, and he and Sylred make their way down the steps and into the room. “Why not? He became my mate first. That makes him my first mate.” “First mate makes him sound like he’s your favorite. Or a sailor. He’s neither,” Evert says, coming up to me.

Evert glances over at Sylred. “Remind me—my animal side is kind of hazy with memories—but what was it that she screamed out last night?” Sylred tries to stifle his smile, but the corners of his eyes crinkle anyway. “I think it was something like, ‘Holy mothballs, you guys are the best at orgasms. I dub you the Orgasm Kings. You’re my very favorite fae in all the realms everywhere, forever and ever. And ever,’” he adds helpfully, rolling back on the balls of his feet. Yeah, okay. I said it.

“What…what the actual fuck?” Evert says disbelievingly. That’s my sentiment exactly, because Ronak is suddenly sporting a pair of wings. Wings. And they aren’t genfin wings, either. No, these wings are bright red and feathered. He’s sprouted cupid wings. I grimace. “Whoops.”

“It’s almost like she’s imprinting on us,” Sylred says. “Gifting parts of herself to mark us with. To show that we’re her mates.” Hearing that makes me puff up a little in pride, and my feathers ruffle. Evert shoots me a smirk. “Possessive little thing, aren’t you?” “Well, you are my mates.”

“You bet your tight ass we are.” Said ass perks right up because it is tight, and it likes being noticed.

I do my best Ronak impression. Which means I just lower my voice and scrunch my face up into an exaggerated scowl. I also lift my shoulders up to my ears and pretend my biceps are huge and muscled for added dramatic effect. “Oh, I’m Ronak. You landed on my island, and you have red wings. You must be a demon! I better shoot you with an arrow and tie you up and be an asshole,” I say mockingly. I beam up at him and return to my natural voice. “Now who’s the demon?” I waggle my brows. He gives me another dirty look, makes an “I’m gonna choke you” gesture, and then turns to walk away.

Evert chuckles. “You’re probably gonna pay for that later.” I consider what Ronak would count as a punishment. “Are we talking, like, spanking? Because we did that already, and I’m good with it.” He blinks at me and then looks at Sylred. “I never know what’s going to come out of her mouth.” “It’s part of her charm.”

“Can we get a pet?” Confusion washes over his face at my sudden change in topic. “What?” “A pet. Can we get one? Like a little puppy? I’ve always wanted a pet.” He arches a brow. “Always? You’ve always wanted a pet, or you just now thought of it and decided you want one?” He knows me too well. “That part’s not important. Can I get one?”

“I’m proud of you for what you did,” he says, his gaze steady. “Knowing that my mate did not hesitate brings comfort to my animal. You were fierce, little demon. I could not be more pleased.”

“You’re just full of surprises. You also have a few new feathers,” he adds, tilting his head. I snap a look over my shoulder and then groan. “White? Now I have white feathers sprouting up, too? What the hell?” I shriek. “My wings look like the freaking flag of Yemen! Like a bleeding skunk! Like a—” “Chocolate.” I screw my face up. “No, not like chocolate. Like—” Before I can finish, Sylred is there, popping a truffle into my mouth.

My tail wraps around her leg possessively. I see Evert and Sylred’s brows go up in surprise. The move surprises even me. It’s a clear declaration from my animal: She’s mine. My alpha animal claimed her for our covey, and he’s not ever giving her back. None of us are.