Chapter 6

MADELINE

~Feeling peckish, little one?~

The question echoes in my mind, a playful tease that follows the low rumble of my stomach.

In a few hours, it’ll be lunchtime. I’ve been perched on the balcony, swaddled in a sheet, waiting for Nessy to come back. I’ve kept close to the pile of ashes, my wilted bouquet of flowers.

Nessy’s departure leaves me feeling a bit rattled—not so much by my sharp words, but by the icy tone they carry. Pregnancy has me feeling vulnerable. At eighteen, my mates are still strangers to me.

I ~know~ them, but I don’t really know them. I am their prize, their possession, their mate, and yet also their servant with the inconveniently powerful voice of a Slayer. Funny how that works.

And now, after experiencing the harsh dominance my mates can exert, this newfound patience and care are unfamiliar.

Even now, Nessy returns, landing so softly on the tower’s peak that I don’t hear him. I only know he’s there when his tail wraps around me, lifting me onto his back as he glides down towards the bustling town below.

The sheet billowing around me is swept away by the wind, leaving me in oversized clothes and worn-out boots. I haven’t even responded to his question, but his gentle actions—picking me up, taking me out—seem to suggest he’s planning a day out.

Perhaps to get some food. At least he doesn’t leave me stranded in the tower. We don’t fly far.

We circle a lush, small mountain with a quaint village nestled into its side, complete with a large mountain inn. Nessy lands on a flat ridge, transforming into a man as I stand beside him.

Behind us, an inn is carved into the side of the mountain. He has helpers waiting. A man steps forward, offering Nessy a pair of neatly folded leather pants.

Nessy accepts them and gets dressed. I’m handed a soft, pastel dress, thick and warm. My stomach growls again, the scent of hot, fresh food wafting up to me.

Nessy wraps an arm around my waist, while I clutch the dress. “You’ll change in the room I’ve secured for us. Hold onto the dress for now.”

“What’s this place called?” I ask.

“Little Rock,” Nessy replies, avoiding my gaze and looking towards the inn’s entrance instead, still miffed at me. Oh well…

I follow him inside. I wish I could have a private moment with him, but I’m feeling delicate. I want to show Nessy my softer side.

The side that trusts him. It doesn’t always have to be so intense, so fraught with tension.

“This way.” An elegantly dressed older woman, the hostess of the Little Rock Inn, guides us into the beautifully decorated interior.

A cozy booth carved into the rock, right next to a roaring fireplace, is reserved for us. I can’t help but wonder if Nessy read my thoughts about wanting to be closer to civilization.

He probably did…and now he’s showing me even more kindness. Nessy guides me to our booth, standing protectively in front of me as I take a seat.

He gently places a hand on my shoulder. “What would you like to eat for you and the babies?” Nessy asks.

“Meat,” I reply. “Vegetables. Maybe a stew? And some water. I’m really thirsty.”

He turns to relay our order to the hostess before we can continue our conversation. The inn’s patrons start to murmur louder, their silence broken by Nessy’s entrance.

He’s clearly well-known. The Black Hearted Dragon. And here he is, taking me out on a sweet little date.

The stares stop when Nessy stands a bit longer, scanning each table for potential threats. No one dares to look my way. I don’t feel a single pair of eyes on me.

Finally, he returns to our booth and sits across from me, leaning on the table with his hands clasped in front of him. I gaze at the ring he wears with such pride, and I reach out to place my hand over his, my thumb brushing over the onyx ring and green emerald.

“Why so quiet?” Nessy drawls, watching me as I study his ring. “You haven’t begged for Hael to come save you yet, little one.”

“I know he’d come running, then you two would fight—and ~I’d~ be the one left sore,” I retort, looking up to meet his intense gaze. I can’t help but smile a little. “I’m the safest girl in the realm with you by my side, aren’t I, Nessy?”

“I’m only Nessy with you…and you know I hate that name.” Nessy doesn’t react or show any emotion as he waits for me to ruin the moment. I’m not going to apologize. Saying sorry is meaningless.

But I can do this… I remove my hand from his and stand up from the booth. I walk over to him and place a hand on ~his~ shoulder.

Well, look at me, making a move. “I want to sit ~here~.” I whisper my request and Nessy moves back as I turn and sit on his lap, resting my cheek against his side.

I press my hand to his bare chest while my other hand reaches up to feel the side of his neck. I pet him. My Dragon Lord.

~You’re petting me?~ Nessy growls quietly in my mind, his body rigid with annoyance. ~You serve me, mouse. I’m not your pet.~

“It’s affection, Nessy, not disrespect,” I try to explain, leaning back and maintaining my composure. “And you are ~my~ mate…”

My words trail off as our food and water arrive. The stew is placed in front of me, along with the water. I turn to my meal, no longer able to see his face.

That’s when I feel his hand sneak under my shirt to caress my growing belly, his fingers spread wide—feeling the twins within. I dip the wooden spoon into the stew, savoring his tender touch.

But just as I’m basking in the warmth of his hand on my belly, Nessy slips away, moving me back to my seat as he leaves the booth, disappearing to the left.

Gone. I glance over my shoulder, wondering where he’s gone. But just as quickly as he was here with me, he’s found a side door and exited.

My belly still tingles from his touch. I yearn to feel his skin against mine, bare and raw.

All I crave is a meal and some alone time with him to quench the growing desire within me, but I’m irked that he just up and left.

Does he too grapple with the sweetness that is so evident between us?

We are quite the duo. Incapable of being gentle lovers.

I am typically a defiant little thing, and Nessy, a lethal threat—

~Madeline, where are you?~ Hael’s voice invades my thoughts. ~Speak up now and I’ll spare you from punishment for the rest of your mortal existence. You know I’m your master and you can’t just leave the Horde without my permission. Your silence is as good as an escape attempt from Requiem…you naughty little slave…tell me your location and I might show some leniency.~

I’ve never heard Hael this livid, this rattled by my absence. It scares me into silence. Hael’s presence brushes against my mind for a fleeting moment before being shut out—and not by me.

I drop the spoon into the stew, recognizing that disconnect. Hael is nearby—Nessy has pushed him away. So, Lochness has left me to intercept Hael, sensing his approach.

~Go to your room,~ Lochness instructs me. ~Take a warm bath and relax, sweetheart.~

~Okay,~ I whisper back, unsure if they both hear me or not. I can feel my brand heating up rapidly. Lochness is cool and composed, but Hael is seething.

I finish the stew and approach the hostess, who promptly leads me up a stone staircase to their finest guest room. The door opens to reveal a spacious cavern with a neatly made bed adorned with fresh sheets. A hot bath is already filled.

Small bowls of creams and soapy oils catch my eye. I quickly gravitate towards the array of oils and find peppermint. I rub some onto my wrists, giving myself a mental respite from my mates.

It won’t last long, but I am anxious. For the first time, I don’t want to flee, I want to hide. If Hael finds me first, I’ll accept whatever comes.

If Lochness returns alone, I’ll do the same. If they both come to me together…just to quarrel over me—I’m not sure if I can suppress my laughter. The thought of it is slightly amusing to me.

The room features a balcony with an open door, letting in fresh air. I peek out the door before closing it. Looking up at the sky, I see bursts of flame as two dragons are locked in combat, tumbling through the clouds above. Hael and Lochness are in the midst of a fierce battle.

My eyes widen as I watch them claw and bite at each other before a swath of clouds obscures them. They break apart and ascend again, seeking each other out. I observe them both dive from atop a stormy cloud to clash once more, but this time when they separate, they fly in opposite directions.

It’s not a fair fight. Lochness’s tail is bleeding profusely, one wing torn—Hael’s fangs are stained with blood, his body unscathed. I step back inside and shut the door, turning around and placing both hands on my belly.

I envision one of them succumbing to a fatal wound—and my heart pounds fiercely. Turns out, my mates fighting isn’t as humorous as I first thought. I feel faint.

I think I’m about to pass out—my legs are shaky and my sense of balance is rapidly fading. How can I possibly intervene? I’m powerless.

With a wave of dizziness, I stumble but fail to regain my footing as I start to fall forward. However, before my knees hit the hard ground, a mist materializes in front of me. I’m caught and lifted up, but it takes me a moment to realize it’s both of them.

Lochness supports my right arm and Hael grips my left armpit, lifting me as well.

“~Look what you’ve done,~” Hael hisses at Lochness. “~Why did you take her away from me?~”

“Madeline doesn’t need you,” Nessy groans in pain as he holds me close while Hael grabs my neck, positioning himself behind me, afraid Lochness will snatch me away again. “I. ~Need~. Her.”

Hael presses against my back, sandwiching me between them as he holds me as tightly as Nessy grips my arm.

“Don’t play games, brother. You want her all to ~yourself~. If you want Madeline that way, ~you’ll have to kill me~. She’s mine.”

“I’m seriously considering it,” Nessy retorts with a cruel smile.

Hael chuckles at the threat, but his smile quickly fades as he retorts, “You’re the biggest coward there ever was or will be—afraid of love. What a joke. You know the mouse loves you but you can’t handle it when it’s expressed in its purest form, which I’m teaching her to express with her growing love in submission.”

Lochness’s lips twitch, but he’s at a loss for words, caught off guard.

“I grew up, Lochness,” Hael continues. “You ran away to hide from your pain… Face it, you’re going to be a father—she will ~never~ be the same when she has our little ones. Neither will you.”

Lochness starts to sneer, then he vanishes into mist, leaving me with Hael whose hand is still wrapped around my neck, holding me against him. His other hand now rests on my belly as he surveys the room.

“Did you have any part in this?” Hael questions me. “Hmm?”

“I think you should leave, Hael,” I whisper. “Lochness is slowly breaking… This pregnancy is hard for him. I can handle this.”

“You think I’d let you tame him alone?” Hael murmurs into my ear. “Choose your words carefully, mouse.”

“I think you’re embarrassing him,” I confess, “because you’re so orderly. He’s a mess. Trust him to take care of me a little longer. Maybe this is his way of testing his own…his own leadership skills.”

“You’re sure you can handle him?” Hael growls low. “I don’t like this.”

“I am sure, Hael.”

“Hmm,” Hael grumbles as he contemplates the situation. “One. Night,” Hael hesitates before conceding. “You want to tame the Black Hearted Dragon, mouse? Good luck. But if you’re not back at Requiem tomorrow night—~I will gut him and you can wear his scales.~”

Hael turns me around and his emerald eyes blaze with possession. “You are precious to me.” Hael lifts a finger to my chin, but he doesn’t kiss me.

His gaze lingers on me, ensuring I understand, before he fades away. He leaves me behind. We’ve made a pact. Lochness is mine to handle.

But if I can’t soothe him, can’t persuade him to come back with me in twenty-four hours?

His life is forfeit.

A sudden realization hits me like a punch to the gut. If Lochness and Hael were to battle it out to the bitter end, Hael would emerge victorious.

I would have thought the outcome would be different.

But Hael isn’t broken and erratic. He is self-assured, a force to be reckoned with.

It is Nessy who is plagued by the rogue madness.

I have to quell that inherent darkness.

If he hears any part of that conversation, convincing him will be even more challenging, simply because he’ll want to prove Hael wrong.

The responsibility now rests solely on my shoulders.

I have to find a way to capture Nessy’s heart. Every single piece of it.

Brief flashes of his gentleness won’t suffice. I have to triumph entirely in this endeavor.

So that when I ask him to return tomorrow, he’ll heed my request and take me home.