The Magic of Destiny (Emerald Lakes #4)

by Britt Andrews

“I've waited my whole life for this. I'd wait another lifetime for her, and for you.” Fucking hell. He was completely smitten.

I was done with all of the bullshit. If a male so much as looked at her too long from here on out, he'd have his belly slit open and I'd strangle him with his intestines before he got the chance to take another look. Part of me thought that Goldie would probably like that. Nah, she would fucking love it. That's what I enjoyed about her. On the outside, she projected this innocence, this... purity. Which was absolutely a part of who she was... but then there was this other part—the crazy part. The part that was filthy, sexy, depraved, and bloodthirsty when the situation called for it.

“Anyway. He was able to procure items with the snap of his fingers. Maybe I could try that and get some clothes?” It was worth a try, anyway. If it didn't work, the worst that would happen is I would look like a snap-happy nudist atop a mountain peak.

‘Do they know yet, my queen?’ Vaeryn asked and I startled, looking behind me. The guys were still occupied so it was clear to me they weren't privy to this conversation. “Know what?” I replied. ‘You're going to be great at many things... lying though, is not one of them.’

‘Yes, my queen. You will be giving birth to two princesses. One demon, one dragon.’

‘I’m not going to lay an egg or anything, right?’ Great puffs of air came from the dragon as he laughed his scaled butt off at me. I narrowed my eyes. ‘Fine. No egg laying. Got it. But four months is so soon. What if we’re not ready?’ ‘Nobody is ever truly ready to embrace their destiny, but your time is near.’

I've been preparing for battle, mentally. You can't expect to win a war without mental preparations. Many men have fallen, thinking it's all about physical prowess and brute strength. Wrong. With the appropriate planning, I could kill a man seven different ways with an ascot and choke him with a baguette.’ Napoleon cackled maniacally. ‘Okay, that took a violent turn which I should've really been expecting…’

These days, Sloane did seem less ‘I have an oak tree stuck up my butt’ and more ‘I have an oak sapling stuck up my butt,’

He was bossy and domineering, which is what I had asked for. It was hotter than hell and I knew I wouldn't last long once my cock got some attention. But if he thought this was how it was always gonna go down, he was fucking wrong. I'd let him have his moment—for now.

I pulled back slightly, staring wide-eyed at her pussy. “Sorcery,” I whispered in awe. My dick was surely going to fall off if she did that while I was inside of her. Actually, no. I'd just die. That'd be a wrap on Faris' extremely short life.

“You're a treasure. My treasure. I can't describe it, Red. The thought of you being hurt…” He shook his head. “The thought of it makes me want to roar to the sky and scorch the earth, in the hopes that whoever dared to harm you dies a fiery, painful death.” “Wow,” I breathed. The passion behind his words was so intense, I had to take a deep breath to calm myself.

“Whew. Your girl is really not into moving swiftly from one place to another,” I panted as I fanned my face. “You mean running?” Faris asked. “Don't say that word in my house,” I replied with a shudder, and he laughed.

I wish I could go back there and personally decimate those bottom-feeding assholes.” His eyes flared, and I knew he was literally working through the logistics of that in his mind, to see if it was possible. When this demon wanted blood, it was nearly impossible to deter him from his goals of carnage.

“Well, did you?” Faris spoke for the first time, and the snarl that erupted from Sloane was a serious warning. “Did I cheat on my beautiful mate with a scaled lizard that weighs a metric fuck ton? Get fucked, Faris,” Sloane barked, flipping him the bird.

He was a big, gruff— ‘Quit those thoughts right now, sweetheart. You’re gonna give us all boners in front of your grandpa,’ Fischer scolded me through the link. ‘Gah, sorry,’ I apologized, glancing over at Guppy, but I saw that all of the guys were looking at me like I was a steak. My face flamed, and I turned back to Rick and Gran, giving them my full attention.

“Khol has been incredible, by the way. I'm not sure why—I was pretty horrible to him, said awful things. Tried to kick him in the balls.” My eyes bugged out. “You what?” “Yeah girl, it wasn't a good time. I don't recommend trying to do that to a demon, by the way. It wasn't appreciated,” she said seriously, and I snorted.

“Men who do chores are the ultimate needle in the haystack. Gods, when Kai cooks and wears that apron, I just want to maul him,” I added, in complete agreement. “Right? Like, ‘oh yusss, wash those clothes, big man. Grill that steak, baby. Mash them potatoes!’”

“You look beautiful, little witch,” Cam said, reaching for my hand. “Thank you. You look sexy, in a dark, murdery kind of way.”

His presence wasn't just a whole damn mood, it was like a whole damn possession. One so strong it’d take an exorcism to remove.

“I'm gonna lick your cunt just like that later.” My mouth fell open, and Cam casually grabbed his phone from the console and hopped out of the car. Fucking sexy ass, Viking-haired, fancy-peened, devil-dicked bastard.

Everyone had dreams—sometimes you just needed to chase them and make them happen.

What was happening here? Happy, crying, angry... oh. Baby. Babies.

Touching. Kissing. My cheeks heated, and Fischer groaned softly. Sloane’s eyes narrowed on me. “What are you thinking about, kitten?” Everyone’s eyes were on me now and I squirmed in my chair. “Nothing,” I lied. Bram chuckled. “You’re thinking about us naked, aren’t you?” “She totally is,” Kai teased. “Together. She was thinking about us naked. Together,” Guppy supplied and I pretended to be outraged that he’d give up my secrets like that. But it wasn’t really a secret.

Judging by the amount of shifting in their chairs and discreet hands slipping under the table, I’d say they didn’t have a problem with it either. I smiled and unfolded my napkin. Serves them right, trying to wind me up.

“You okay, sweetheart? You've been... a little off tonight,” Guppy asked carefully, like he was dealing with a ticking time bomb. I guess in a way, he kind of was.

“I'm sorry, did you just say Sloane was cutting up my steak?” Fish flashed me a grin. “I did indeed say that. He's like a new man.” “Don't give Sloaney Baloney too much credit. He had to play rock, paper, scissors with both me and Cam to get the honors,” Kai announced,

“Daddy vibes,” Faris announced, throwing his arm over the back of the couch. I threw my head back and laughed because he was so right. “Looks like you have some competition, Thunder Daddy,” Kai teased, with a wink at Cam. “Well, you'll all be daddies soon enough, so don't tease him too much,” I said, taking a bite of potato and then glancing up when all sounds of ribbing and joking ceased. It was suddenly so quiet that I could hear the crickets outside. Literal crickets.

“Excuse me?” she demanded, and I saw the way Fischer and Faris both seemed to recoil from the tone in her voice. “What? You can't be having sex now. You're pregnant! With twins!” Sloane exclaimed, scandalized. “You're out of your damn mind if you think I'm going three months without sex,” she fired back.

“I've never heard of a woman not being able to have sex during pregnancy,” Kai said suspiciously. “Ah yes, but that's because those women weren't pregnant with my baby,” Sloane added, and holy shit—if looks could kill, he'd be a dead man five times over.

“If you’re that worried about it, then I won’t have sex with you. Or him.” Saige pointed at Sloane. Fish’s hands flew up in surrender. “Hey now, sweetheart. You know I want you. I always want you. I just want to be safe.” Saige’s body relaxed at his words, and he winked at her. Smooth bastard.

“You were watching videos on sex during pregnancy?” Fischer busted up laughing. “Did these ‘videos’ happen to be porn?” Faris' face turned redder than I'd ever seen it.

“You're the sweetest man.” “I don't know about that, little witch. There aren't many people who have ever seen me like this, the way I am with you. Hell, I've never seen me like this. You make me a better man,” I told her, and it was the absolute truth. I'd done terrible things in the name of fighting for a better world, but they were still atrocities, no matter the reason.

“Hey, Thunder Daddy?” I halted just before the door and looked over my shoulder. “Soon,” Kai rumbled, flashing a sharp smile, with a languid stroke down his now very erect cock. Our eyes met with smoldering heat. “Soon, little Alpha,” I promised, and I immensely enjoyed the small whine that slipped from his lips as I stepped out of the room.

“Can the stars please explain to me why my prudish granddaughter is the one who gets blessed with a harem? By the moon, it's not even a small harem! Six? Six men and she won't let me speak of my sordid past?!”

“IthinkImayhaveturnedhimintoafox.” Her outburst made me pause in shock. “I'm sorry, did you just say you think you may have turned him into a FOX?! GRAN!” I shouted, and she pulled the collar of her shirt up, hiding her face.

“Oh! I remember using some of his hair and the words ‘I curse you to be a fox’.” She bit her lip and glanced at me. “Gran! Why are you even bothering looking? You did curse him!” “I'm hopeful that I'm remembering it wrong. Now, let's continue looking.

“I just can't believe your mother.” I couldn't either, but I couldn't even think about that bitch without feeling homicidal, so I ignored it.

Kai is talking about grilling, and I know how much you enjoy his cooking,” I teased. “I enjoy watching the show more…” “What?” “Huh?” She feigned innocence,

I can send a few of the guys over to move these boxes back if you want?” She smiled like the cat who got the canary. “I'll take the Viking, the Highlander, and the grumpy dragon.” “You got it, Gran.”

Yeah, there’s my heart melting through my body and exiting my vag. It’s no longer wetness from arousal down there. It’s my actual heart turning into a puddle of love juice. “Love juice?” Guppy barked a laugh, and I playfully shoved his shoulder, giving him the evil eye. “Out of my head, sweetie pie,” I teased. He tossed an arm over my shoulder and began walking us back toward the house. “Why would I want to stay out of your head when it is full of quite possibly the most interesting things I’ve ever heard in my life? If I hadn’t been listening, I’d never have known that a woman gets wet during sex because her heart turns into—”

Roger laughed down the line, and I found the corner of my mouth twitching, though I abruptly put a stop to that. “What can I do for you?” I asked, unsure why he'd be calling me. “And how the hell did you get my number?” I heard what sounded like water running. “Oh, well, I got it from your phone while you were asleep, of course.” “Roger!” “Settle down, I didn't look at any of those nudes that were saved in your private folder, I swear!” “ROGER!” I shouted, my mouth falling open. My cheeks heated as I thought of the very erotic images I’d saved that Fischer had sent me over the years, as well as the ones of myself I’d sent in return. There were even some videos of us together, doing about every filthy thing a man could do to another man.

I heard congratulations are in order. Papa Cuke-Zuke, huh? Oh my moons, those babies are going to be so beautiful and sassy. As their godfather, I just wanted you to know that I will be—” “As... As their what?” I stammered and he ignored me. “I will be happy to train them in the art of weapon combat, with a focus on using whatever is at their disposal. One must be able to fight with anything in order to win.” “Dear gods,” I muttered.

“Well, Scorch... we're going to get drunk as hell, talk shit about whoever and whatever, and then maybe if our cocks still work after all the whiskey, we can track down our woman and see if she'll give our drunk asses a pity fuck?” I stared at him for a beat before a loud laugh erupted from my mouth. Where the hell did that come from?

“I'm happy to see you laughing, but seeing how it's a rare occurrence that only comes round as often as a plague of locusts, I'm not sure if we should be here drinking or preparing for the end of days,” Bram teased, pouring us each a double of the amber alcohol. “Oh, fuck off.”

“I hope she ends up looking like her,” I muttered, and quickly finished my drink. It had been a while since I'd had a few drinks and relaxed like this, and my head was already feeling buzzed. Bram leaned over and refilled my glass. “Well, I certainly hope so. Looking at your face is torture enough,” he said without skipping a beat, and I flipped him off just as smoothly. “Oh, fuck you. I'm a hundred times better looking than you are.”

“So what do I do to fix it?” “You want to fix it?” Bram sounded shocked, and I resented that for a moment before remembering who I was... or who I’d been, anyway. “I'm trying to be better. For her. For all of us... for myself.” “Have you tried apologizing?” “Of cou—” I froze. Oh fuck... I don't think I have.

Faris' voice filtered through the stone entrance. He was singing. “When it's dark as night and the stars shine bright, two sneaky boys look for a fright.” A tiny spark of fear shot through me, even though I knew it was just Faris being his creepy self.

“I've looked here, I've looked there, silly boys, I can smell your fear,” Faris sang in a hauntingly sinister tone,

“This is like a scene from a horror movie,” Saige whispered, her hand tightening its hold on mine. “Yeah, but in this particular horror movie, you’re already mated with the things that go bump in the night,”

Sloane Sullivan had been spanked. On the ass. Like a bad, bad boy.