infernal

11:30. He’d gotten maybe 4 hours of good sleep and woke up to the smell of coffee. Sythe must already be awake and working on something. That man never fucking stopped, did he?

Quickly getting up, the blond slipped on his jeans and shirt in a few quick gestures, sliding his phone into his back pocket as he opened the door and went straight towards the kitchen. He talked as he moved, grabbing a mug and pouring himself a cup before topping it off with a bit of Bailey’s he’d stored in the fridge.

Only a handful of people knew to find him here, and he liked it that way. Still, the obnoxious base of a ridiculous hip hop song drummed until the car shut off, and a petite brunette came waltzing through his front door like she owned the place.

“What do you want?” Sythe scowled, papers still loosely gripped in his hand.

But she just flashed him a grin that was less than warm. “Good morning to you too, Lucy.” Setting her bag down in an empty chair, she flicked her hair over one shoulder and batted her eyes in Caydin’s direction. “And to YOU. I don’t believe we’ve formally met yet; I’m Karsyn Smithe. And you are-”

“None of your damn business,” Sythe growled before Caydin could answer. “Get the hell out.”

Scrunching her features, Karsyn scowled at the King of Hell. “That’s no way to talk to your sister in law, is it?”

“Oh, is that what you two are this week? You’re together?”

Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. “We took a break.”

“For the fourth time this year.”

“How cute of you to keep track.”

“It’s February.”

11:30. He’d gotten maybe 4 hours of good sleep and woke up to the smell of coffee. Sythe must already be awake and working on something. That man never fucking stopped, did he?

Quickly getting up, the blond slipped on his jeans and shirt in a few quick gestures, sliding his phone into his back pocket as he opened the door and went straight towards the kitchen. He talked as he moved, grabbing a mug and pouring himself a cup before topping it off with a bit of Bailey’s he’d stored in the fridge.

Another hour or two rolled by with the blond sitting on the couch, just staring into the darkness. No telling when his boyfriend would be back, if he’d ever be back, and when he’d finally get to see him. But just as he finished that thought, the door opened. A few seconds later, there was a bang on the entryway table.

No one else had a key besides the residents, and the only resident that could’ve possibly mistaken his own apartment for theirs would be Rue Demmekke.

Caydin turned to the table and turned on a light, not realizing he’d had tears streaming down his face until the movement caused the dryness to shift on his skin.

Just as the exhaustion truly hit. He’d been awake for days, forcing himself to keep going.

Putting up one hand, the silverette straightened. “I’m not doing this with you right now, Caydin. I’m too tired.” And it was the truth- he couldn’t even register what had been said, just the tears on his lover’s face. “We can talk in the morning.”

Thundering at the door stopped Rue in his tracks. There was a split second before he shifted, putting himself between the hallway and the couch, before a shadow came through the doorway.

Jace stepped into the light of the living room, looking just as bad as Rue- his hair was cut shorter than the last time Cayd had seen him, all of his thick brown curls lopped off to a shorter style. His golden skin was coated with tar, and even his brown eyes were duller.

“I checked your apartment first,” he explained, using his Second in Command voice. “I assumed you’d be here-”

A scowl formed on Rue’s lips. “I’m here. What’s wrong?” Fuck- am I ever going to get to sleep?

A quick glance in Caydin’s direction before Jace cleared his throat. “I… have misplaced something very important. And I need your help to find it.”

Caydin sighed, standing up and pointing towards the hallway.

"I took the liberty of showing Dav Iyra exactly what the Dark Angel's hospitality should be,"

The blond's stance dared Jasyn Rogue to make a move towards his closed bedroom door.

Another hour or two rolled by with the blond sitting on the couch, just staring into the darkness. No telling when his boyfriend would be back, if he’d ever be back, and when he’d finally get to see him. But just as he finished that thought, the door opened. A few seconds later, there was a bang on the entryway table.

No one else had a key besides the residents, and the only resident that could’ve possibly mistaken his own apartment for theirs would be Rue Demmekke.

Caydin turned to the table and turned on a light, not realizing he’d had tears streaming down his face until the movement caused the dryness to shift on his skin.

Just as the exhaustion truly hit. He’d been awake for days, forcing himself to keep going.

Putting up one hand, the silverette straightened. “I’m not doing this with you right now, Caydin. I’m too tired.” And it was the truth- he couldn’t even register what had been said, just the tears on his lover’s face. “We can talk in the morning.”

Another hour or two rolled by with the blond sitting on the couch, just staring into the darkness. No telling when his boyfriend would be back, if he’d ever be back, and when he’d finally get to see him. But just as he finished that thought, the door opened. A few seconds later, there was a bang on the entryway table.

No one else had a key besides the residents, and the only resident that could’ve possibly mistaken his own apartment for theirs would be Rue Demmekke.

Caydin turned to the table and turned on a light, not realizing he’d had tears streaming down his face until the movement caused the dryness to shift on his skin.

“Are you seriously leaving without answering just one of my texts or calls?”

Immediately, the blond stood straight upwards and a slight pout was forming on his lips. He needed to know why or where Rue was going, it could be months before he’d get to see him again and he had a feeling that that was partly why he was leaving like he was. Purposefully, so Caydin couldn’t throw another huge fit or beg to be taken along with him again.

It was easier that way, probably for both of them. But at this point, after the countless amount of times they’d both been through this, he didn’t care.

Rue straightened, still holding the half-folded sweatpants he’d snagged from the dresser drawer. He swallowed to buy himself time, to come up with a lie.

But when he focused in on the defeat in Caydin’s eyes, the concern that bled blue at the sight of his bandages, his heart hammered in his hollow chest.

“They have Jayce. I couldn’t go on the mission, so he went instead. He’s being held as a prisoner of war.” Not a lie, but not the whole truth. The silverette threw the pants into his duffle and began shifting through his shirts. It was easier to talk when he wasn’t looking Caydin in the eye. “I’m leaving when Blyze takes over the compound.”

That sentence was the only thing Caydin managed to blurt out before Rue was walking past him, slamming the door behind him.

“None of my business my ass,”

The blond mumbled to himself as he ducked his head around a sharp corner in the mansion, checking for any signs of life before motioning for the female version of himself to come forward. He’d snuck around this mansion more times than he could count, and had at least a dozen different ways to make it back to his and Rue’s apartment without anyone noticing.

Before long, he had a scuffed up white angel sitting wide-eyed in his living room. She was so incredibly dirty and my god, why did this entire fucking palace have a fascination with white furniture?

“Are you seriously leaving without answering just one of my texts or calls?”

Immediately, the blond stood straight upwards and a slight pout was forming on his lips. He needed to know why or where Rue was going, it could be months before he’d get to see him again and he had a feeling that that was partly why he was leaving like he was. Purposefully, so Caydin couldn’t throw another huge fit or beg to be taken along with him again.

It was easier that way, probably for both of them. But at this point, after the countless amount of times they’d both been through this, he didn’t care.

Timeline: New Court

Location: The Four Seasons, Orlando Florida

Characters: Braxis Draekmol, Amelie Smithe-Nightengale, Balthazar Draekmol Smithe-Nightengale, // Astor Smithe-Nightengale, Béla Király // Jaxon Mile, Nicolette Blythe-Demmekke, Astraea Demmekke, Alexei Demmekke // Talyn Blythe-Demmekke, Alastyr Delle // Ashlae Summers, Casimir Luce, Logan // Mattea Cross, Luna Luce

Song Used: King Kunta by Kendrick Lamar

Summary: Braxis has just enough time to hide Amelie’s ring before meeting his newest challenge yet // Astor tries to draw a few laughs out of her warrior with a little singing and dancing // Jaxon returns to their hotel suite after a training session to find his beautiful wife taking a nap with her little cousins // Talyn and Alas find a middle ground to finally learn about each other // Ashlae sets up her gear and settles in with some bad news from her devices while watching Casimir // Mattea struggles with Evryn’s infidelity as she shops with Luna and Nicolette on the strip.

“Goddamn,” he swore, wolf whistling after he was able to stop hissing.

Without warning, the soldier waited until her hips were up against him again before grabbing both of her wrists over her head and forcing up against the nearest wall. Only a whisper, he murmured into brunette’s ear and nibbled on the lobe, letting his tongue travel the skin in between each word and bite.

“Be a good girl, Astoria, and shake your ass again.”

Evryn Demmekke sat at the hotel bar on the roof, a scotch half empty in his hand. He’d been drinking since they got here, not even bothering to check out the suite him and Talyn shared. Their bags were delivered by hotel staff and he knew without a doubt that his twin at least moved it into the room if not unpacked it himself. Either way, he didn’t care. Whatever way it was when he got back would be exactly how it stayed.

He knew better than to try and check up on Mae – wherever she was, probably with his sisters – but that didn’t erase the temptation. He loved her. She was the only woman he had ever loved, since they were both young, and the demon would likely be the only woman he could stomach a future with for the rest of his life. One choice, one mistake, had screwed up everything… even if it was to protect her should the Fun Police try and fuck with them.

So he ordered a shot of tequila, two more scotches and downed them all in one go.

Luna Terrin-Luce could barely contain her excitement as she made her way up to the very top floor of the hotel, barely containing actual squeals as she walked toward the door and carefully balanced the few bags she refused to let the staff deliver for her – new clothes for Ashlae. Nico and her had went just a teensy bit crazy, buying practically an entire new wardrobe for not just theirselves but for everyone else. Anything they saw that they thought someone might like was charged to their black cards, wrapped and sent to the respective owners rooms.

Luna had picked out a pastel blue gown with crystal embroidery and a pool of sunflowers at the feet for Amelie, over the neck with no sleeves and a plunging v-neckline. For Astor she’d gotten the usual – a Gucci, studded leather bomber jacket and for Ashlae…

The highlights: a black knit sweater with ‘what are we going to do with all this future?’ on it, stretchy gray cotton jumpsuit, black and white vertical dress, and a beautiful dark blue ball gown – the chest was a heart shape with a lattice effect above it, adorned with a diamond belt and miniature gems all throughout the length of it. Finally reaching her suite, the demoness Queen slid the card into the reader and opened the door, not even looking as she dropped all the bags she was carrying and calling out to her mate.

Amongst the cheers, Jaxon Mile slipped his arms around his wife just to pull her a little closer in his lap. Nicolette smiled softly, her hands covering his on her stomach.

“I need to… go to bed.”

The shifter’s eyes opened to study the wayward prince from his wife’s shoulder. In her ear, he whispered, “I think now would be the time for some more good news, wife.”

Nicolette paused before settling back in her husband’s arms. “Aren’t you going to stay to celebrate?” she called to her brother.

“Going to Disney?”

She felt Jaxon’s arms tighten slightly, offering her a bit of his courage. “Becoming an uncle.”

Evryn froze, knowing how hurtful his words would be the second they left his mouth. But he didn’t apologize, his ego and pride were already to hurt to allow him to do anything more than shrug off the comment, nod his head to everyone in the group and walk inside without another sound.

There was a fire burning in those brown eyes that promised war, promised death and destruction even a demigod of the damned could respect. In a heartbeat, Ashlae moved. In a heartbeat, her warm hand wrapped around the pinkette’s wrist, giving a tug.

In a heartbeat, she crashed their lips together, grabbing a wad of pink waterfall around her tinted fist.

When she pulled back, she growled into the air between them, “If you take him away from me, I’ll kill you. And that’s a promise, Luce.”

Untangling her hand from the hair at Luna’s nape, the newborn demon bared her teeth once before quitting the rooms, leaving the queen to think over the threat.

-

Jaxon shook his head at the prince, pulling a second joint from the case he’d stashed in the back pocket of his joggers and lighting it up. As he took a deep drag, the backdoor opened to admit the Berserker.

Shifting to one side, the lion passed along the joint and choked out his toke. “Come on now, Ev. She didn’t mean it. If I’d drank every time your sister said something mean or hurtful, I wouldn’t remember the first two years of my marriage.”

Bela passed on the joint to Braxis, who ashed it. “From what I’ve heard, that might have been a blessing.” Talyn nodded his agreement.

But the shifter chuckled, resting his head against the door and closing his eyes to enjoy his high. “‘Wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in this world. Even the bad ones. There was one time, when we were on our honeymoon-”

“The honeymoon where she thought you had married her to murder her and take her throne?”

“Yeah, that one.” The dragon nodded, drawing from the joint while giving Talyn a look with raised brows. “Anyways. She’d drawn a line in the living room of the beach house. Said I could stick to my side, she’d stick to hers.”

Talyn took the joint that was passed to him. “I love this story,” he admitted with a sly grin, scooting a bit closer to the edge, nudging his brother softly to get Evryn to listen.

“Sounds like a healthy start to a promising marriage,” Braxis commented as he leaned against a post that held up the overhang, a soft grin present despite his comment. “What’d you do?”

“Started throwing my rugby ball around, tossed it over to her side a few times.” Snickering from the dragon turned into a reluctant laugh, and Jaxon’s grin split his face as he recalled the memory. “Gods, she hated me.”

“I would too, you sound annoying as fuck.”

The shifted nodded, taking the joint that Talyn passed to Braxis to hand over. “But-” He took a long drag, holding his breath as he spoke around the smoke. “She threw it back.”

“And here you are.”

“And here we are.”

The dragon turned to the prince on the bench, offering a half-grin. “No offense man, but if he can get the stick out of your sisters ass-” Jaxon; “Such a nice ass.” “-you can get through this shit with the demon.”

Talyn rubbed his arm, watching the others as his brother sat in silence. “Have you and Amelie…”

The dragon took the joint Bela passed to him, drawing deep. “Had issues?” Dark, damp locks bounced as he nodded. “A few weeks ago, in the middle of it, she called me her ex’s name.”

Even Jaxon let out a soft swear from the steps, but Braxis just nodded. “Walked out that night, didn’t come back for days. Ignored her calls, lost myself in a pretty little fire-whore for a few nights.” He shrugged, passing the joint. “But we got over it. I’ve made mistakes too, can’t really hold it against her.”

-

Nicolette waited for the bickering to die down from where she sat on the counter, nudging Amelie with a bare foot to dislodge the twins from going for each other’s throats.

“So… I’m just going to come out and ask. What do we do now?”

Astor swiped at her nose, glancing between Luna, Amelie, and the raven who spoke. “We can’t exactly use our powers, so no flashing between realms.”

“We’ll have to travel on foot,” Amelie nodded.

“And rely on the men to guard us.” A grimace from the hot-headed brunette.

Evryn yelled out, a deep rumble emanating from far down in his chest as he grumbled and grabbed Jake by his shoulder, punching as hard as high high and drunk body would allow him. He was in a foul mood, the alcohol and weed only worsening it but the second the shifter would loosen his grip he was prepared to punch him right where it'd hurt the worst, absolutely no apologies to his sister who'd be forced to stay celibate for a night or two like it was a bad thing.

damn, I like me better when i'm with you; I like me better when I'm with you

To the side, Luna leaned against Talyn and interlocked her fingers with his free ones, using her free one to take the joint out of Braxis’ outstretched hand and take a few deep hits before handing it back to Béla, who was ignoring everyone else in the group for just a moment, currently growling and nipping at Astor's ear as she giggled. After the demon started to feel the effects of highness increase, she leaned forward and spoke.

I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time; 'cause I like me better when I'm with you

“Talyn's right – we're all together and free of responsibilities for the first time in years. Why not make it a vacation? There's plenty of things I've wanted to see and do in the human realm.”

Evryn turned, a stupid, incredibly shit faced grin spread across his face.

“Fuck it, let's go to Disney World for Christmas!”

stay awhile, stay awhile, stay here with me; stay here with me, lay here with me

Béla nodded as he pulled his face away from his Queen, silently wrapping her around his fit body so they looked like one single person; which the prince supposed they were, being mates and all. A pang of heartache and anger ripped through him as the grin was instantly wiped away, turning back to shotgun the rest of the liquor down the hatch.

“I need to… go to bed.”

There was a fire burning in those brown eyes that promised war, promised death and destruction even a demigod of the damned could respect. In a heartbeat, Ashlae moved. In a heartbeat, her warm hand wrapped around the pinkette’s wrist, giving a tug.

In a heartbeat, she crashed their lips together, grabbing a wad of pink waterfall around her tinted fist.

When she pulled back, she growled into the air between them, “If you take him away from me, I’ll kill you. And that’s a promise, Luce.”

Untangling her hand from the hair at Luna’s nape, the newborn demon bared her teeth once before quitting the rooms, leaving the queen to think over the threat.

-

Jaxon shook his head at the prince, pulling a second joint from the case he’d stashed in the back pocket of his joggers and lighting it up. As he took a deep drag, the backdoor opened to admit the Berserker.

Shifting to one side, the lion passed along the joint and choked out his toke. “Come on now, Ev. She didn’t mean it. If I’d drank every time your sister said something mean or hurtful, I wouldn’t remember the first two years of my marriage.”

Bela passed on the joint to Braxis, who ashed it. “From what I’ve heard, that might have been a blessing.” Talyn nodded his agreement.

But the shifter chuckled, resting his head against the door and closing his eyes to enjoy his high. “‘Wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in this world. Even the bad ones. There was one time, when we were on our honeymoon-”

“The honeymoon where she thought you had married her to murder her and take her throne?”

“Yeah, that one.” The dragon nodded, drawing from the joint while giving Talyn a look with raised brows. “Anyways. She’d drawn a line in the living room of the beach house. Said I could stick to my side, she’d stick to hers.”

Talyn took the joint that was passed to him. “I love this story,” he admitted with a sly grin, scooting a bit closer to the edge, nudging his brother softly to get Evryn to listen.

“Sounds like a healthy start to a promising marriage,” Braxis commented as he leaned against a post that held up the overhang, a soft grin present despite his comment. “What’d you do?”

“Started throwing my rugby ball around, tossed it over to her side a few times.” Snickering from the dragon turned into a reluctant laugh, and Jaxon’s grin split his face as he recalled the memory. “Gods, she hated me.”

“I would too, you sound annoying as fuck.”

The shifted nodded, taking the joint that Talyn passed to Braxis to hand over. “But-” He took a long drag, holding his breath as he spoke around the smoke. “She threw it back.”

“And here you are.”

“And here we are.”

The dragon turned to the prince on the bench, offering a half-grin. “No offense man, but if he can get the stick out of your sisters ass-” Jaxon; “Such a nice ass.” “-you can get through this shit with the demon.”

Talyn rubbed his arm, watching the others as his brother sat in silence. “Have you and Amelie…”

The dragon took the joint Bela passed to him, drawing deep. “Had issues?” Dark, damp locks bounced as he nodded. “A few weeks ago, in the middle of it, she called me her ex’s name.”

Even Jaxon let out a soft swear from the steps, but Braxis just nodded. “Walked out that night, didn’t come back for days. Ignored her calls, lost myself in a pretty little fire-whore for a few nights.” He shrugged, passing the joint. “But we got over it. I’ve made mistakes too, can’t really hold it against her.”

-

Nicolette waited for the bickering to die down from where she sat on the counter, nudging Amelie with a bare foot to dislodge the twins from going for each other’s throats.

“So… I’m just going to come out and ask. What do we do now?”

Astor swiped at her nose, glancing between Luna, Amelie, and the raven who spoke. “We can’t exactly use our powers, so no flashing between realms.”

“We’ll have to travel on foot,” Amelie nodded.

“And rely on the men to guard us.” A grimace from the hot-headed brunette.

Luna was still smiling even as she made her way down the stairs. She’d barely been back in her room before she was summoned, this time through a text since none of them even dreamed of using their powers -- there was too much at stake. 

“Maybe we should buy a jet?”

“You don’t understand -- none of you understand! Before I came back, I was a whore for hire. And she’s the first person who loved me, that didn’t make me feel like that was just one of my many flaws that they couldn’t possibly overlook... and I fucked it up. I fucked up the only thing that ever mattered to me.”

Bela simply put a hand on the back of Evryn’s shoulder.

“She’ll forgive you eventually -- you’re mates. She has to.”

“Maybe Astor will forgive you what you did that night but Mae isn’t like anyone I know. She’ll never get over this. I’ll be in my room.”

“Twice. I didn’t want to come on this holiday, but here I am.” A deep breath filled her chest, before she turned back to her monitors. “Just go, please.”

-

Hours later, Astor walked into the hallway, shutting the bedroom door behind her before making her way downstairs. The earpiece pounding out the beat to Headboard by Hurricane Chris, the brunette nodded her head along to the song.

“We be in the bed, girl, gettin’ all wild, 
Fuckin’ like it’s goin’ out of style. 
You be like yeah, yeah, gettin’ all loud. 
Fuckin’ like we tryna have a child.“

The young god moved through the dark compound, mumbling the lyrics, until she reached the kitchen. At the breakfast table, Ashlae glanced up as Astor came through the doorway.

“Got you up again the headboard, 
Got your body screamin’  like oh, oh, ooh. “

 The brunette grinned at the hacker, tapping the earpiece until the music lowered. “You get lucky tonight?” she asked as she passed, reaching for the fridge.

The caramelette snorted as she tapped on the laptop. “Was that you I heard? Didn’t peg you as a screamer.”

Leaning her back against the counter, Astor took a long drink straight from the carton of orange juice. Wiping her mouth with the back of one hand, she frowned at the hacker. “What are you talking about?”

Turning in her chair to face Astor, Ashlae’s face twisted into a queasy frown. “Please don’t tell me that was the Berserker-”

“Hey,” Nicolette called to the two in a breathless greeting on her way to the counter beside Astor, pulling a water bottle from the case that had been left out. “Can’t sleep?”

Ashlae stared in stunned silence as Astor gave the raven a once over- the messy tangle of black hair, flushed cheeks, men’s white t-shirt thrown over a pair of fresh boxers.

The brunette erupted in a fit of laughter, earning a half-hearted glare from the queen of angels.

“Christ you’re loud,” Amelie scolded, entering the room with Luna.

The girls pretended not to notice as Ashlae rose without a word, gathering her laptop before heading for the stairs.

Astor took another long drink from the carton of juice, nearly wearing it when Amelie snatched the container from her sister’s lips. “Civilized people use glasses.”

“Good thing I’m a skank, huh?”

“You heard that?”

“You kind of yelled it down the hall. Twice.”

“That was Braxis.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Nicolette and Astor replied. The brunette added, “Braxis is afraid I’ll sick Luna on him again; he won’t even sneeze in my direction.”

The raven ignored the sisterly bickering to turn to Luna, gesturing with her water bottle in the direction of the stairs. “How’s that going?”

—

Talyn opened the back door, steeling himself for what he might see. He’d given Evryn the past few hours to drink himself stupid, waiting until the house had settled before seeking his brother out.

Unfortunately, the warrior had been servicing his queen since Evryn had stormed out, and Talyn wasn’t brave enough to interrupt Bela when the angel could hear Astor moaning from the hallway.

On a wooden picnic table, he found the prince with a bottle in hand, eyes tilted to the dark sky above. Silently, Talyn took a seat on the table beside him, gesturing for the bottle.

Evryn handed it over without protest, and Talyn knocked back a sip that sent fire rocketing down his throat. He choked, handing the bottle back as he caught his breath.

There was a long silence between them where Talyn just sat there, feeling his brother’s pain. He didn’t try and talk him out of it, didn’t bother cheering the raven up.

Instead, he laid back to watch the stars, offering his company to the brooding angel. “My mate’s a child,” he said blatantly. “An uneducated child at that-”

“Is this the pity party?” Talyn twisted on his back to watch Jaxon Mile approach the table, coming from around the corner of the compound. The boxer cupped his hands around his mouth, lighting a cigarette-

Not a cigarette. Talyn’s mouth dropped open as he watched his sister’s husband take a long drag from the joint hanging from his lips. The lion even winked at the angel before making his way to the backdoor. Taking a seat on the concrete steps, he let out a plume of smoke.

“Don’t tell your sister, or she’ll skin my hide for new winter boots.” To Evryn, he offered the joint.

Footsteps caused the shifter and prince to turn as Braxis approached from the other side of the house, hands shoved in loose black joggers and wet hair. His black hoodie had been left open for the damp, tanned skin to brace the chilly November air.

Once he was within range, the dragon pointed to his face. “Smelled it.” He took the joint, puffed a few hits, and held his breath before handing it off to the prince it had been offered to.

“Finally escaped the queen of flower patterns?” the shifter grinned, leaning back against the back door.

The dragon nodded, jerking his chin. “Thanks for the excuse- she went looking for your wife.”

“Where’s Bela?” Talyn interjected.

It was the shifter who’s head tilted slightly- it still unnerved the prince that his sister’s mate had such acute hearing. “That should be him on the stairs. Told him to come out back when he was done with his shower.”

Braxis frowned down at the Lord of Lions. “You talked to him when he was in the shower?”

“I saw Astor leave the room, shower was on.”

The dragon shrugged. “Kinda gay. What if he was washing his balls?”

Luna turned and walked out without another word or look to the caramelette before slamming the doors to both bedrooms and falling into her bed. She was so, so tired. Tired of being in love, tired of worrying what happened to Ashlae Summers when she obviously wanted nothing to do with her whatsoever.

“Evryn,” his sister hissed in warning.

He told me that I’m not enough, yeah. And he left me with a broken heart, yeah. He fooled me twice and it’s all my fault, yeah. He cut too deep, now he’s left me scarred, yeah.

Like her whips, her vision flickered in and out of focus as she stared at the mural. He was talking, low and hurried, but it came to her in a buzz of noise.

Now there’s too many thoughts goin’ through my brain, And now I’m takin’ these shots like it’s Novocain.

Emotion rushed her, unfamiliar and overwhelming. Cool logic had fled the blonde, leaving her in foreign territory. His voice was just noise, except for one word that floated through her mind on repeat.

Mate, mate, mate.

Never caught a feelin’ this hard, Harder than the liquor I pour. Tell me you don’t want me no more, But I can’t let go.

That one word, like a call. And she felt it in the core of her soul, knew the rightness in her veins. Her mate, she was his mate.

Mate, mate, mate.

I can’t let go. Everybody told me so, Feelin’ like I sold my soul. Devil in the form of a-

“-Whore.”

The word came out in a low whisper as her eyes cut to find his. Startled grey hues met a burning forest of evergreen, and Mattea lifted a hand to splash the milk from her glass in his face.

The room was silent from shock, only Talyn standing in the stillness. He glanced one at his sister, whose hand had risen to cover her mouth, and back to his twin.

Evryn’s mate left the room, and her empty glass, to take the stairs two at a time.

-

Astor stared up into his hazel eyes, and he watched as she slowly lowered her guards, one by one. She watched him with a stormy ocean gaze, brown locks spread out on the pillow beneath her head.

I’m bad at love, But you can’t blame me for tryin’. You know I’d be lyin’ sayin’ You were the one that could finally fix me.

Her hand came up to lay against his cheek, drawing his face down for a deep kiss. She felt him begin to pull away, but held him still. “Be slow with me,” she whispered into the air between them, where they shared breath. “I’m… trying.” But I’m damaged. “Just- go slow with me.”

Lookin’ at my history, I’m bad at love. Oh, you know, You know, you know, you know, I’m bad at love.

She shifted beneath him, one hand staying behind to cradle his cheek while the other slipped between their flushed bodies. “Bela…”

I know that you’re afraid, I’m gonna walk away.

-

Ashlae heard the door open, heard it shut, heard the soft footsteps approach her bedside. The young god approached, whispered to her lover, and waited.

And waited.

Until, slowly, Ashlae’s hands came away from her face.

Tell me pretty lies, Look me in the face. Tell me that you love me, Even if it’s fake. ‘Cause I don’t fucking care, at all.

“And what happens if I don’t want you to kiss me?” she whispered, eyes glazed as she watched her knees. “Are you going to make me kiss you?”

I don’t fucking care, at all. ‘Cause I have hella feelings for you. I act like I don’t fucking care, Like they ain’t even there. ‘Cause I’m so fucking scared;

“That’s how this goes, isn’t it?”

I’m only a fool for you.

The caramelette sighed before turning on the bed, tilting her face up in defeat. Even the resentment in her eyes had glazed over, her brown gaze landing on Luna’s face but going straight through her.

'cause if I could I would feel nothing

that's the truth and I don't care

mix the Henny with these pills

the world is cold and life's not fair

When he was finally back in his body, he gave his a sister a curt nod before grabbing the full bottle of whiskey on the bar near him. A look towards his twin that said he’d be okay and then he was out on the porch. Before closing the door, he called out to no one in particular. 

“Tell Bela whenever he comes down that I’ll be out here drinking heavily and I’d like to speak with him.”

Luna backed up slowly, shaking her head in order to hopefully keep her tears from falling until she was back in the safety of her own room again.

“No Ashlae,” she couldn’t help the sob that broke out of her. “I made that mistake once -- never again.”

Bela wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. Him and Evryn were the only ones that knew what they’d done to their mates, in order to protect them. It didn’t make it any less despicable because his guilt was worse than what it would be if he’d done it on purpose.

“Okay,” he whispered. 

so let's just fuck, no strings attached

let's just fuck and after that

I'ma take you home

and you won't call me on the phone

“I can do that.”

See, everywhere I go, I got a million different people tryna’ kick it, But I’m still alone in my mind.

In a matter of seconds, the brunette was down to nothing but her black lace bra, matching panties, stockings and boots. On her way to the bed, she shed the shit kickers to climb on her hands and knees over to the Berserker.

I know you’re dying to meet me, But I can just tell you this. Baby, as soon as you meet me You’ll wish that you never did.

“Why complicate things?” she purred. “There’s nothing wrong with a little pleasure… ”

-

Braxis walked into the bedroom as he brushed his teeth, leaning against the door frame. He tilted his head at the brunette on the bed, pausing enough to speak around the white foam in his mouth. “What?”

Dressed in a soft green cami and matching pajama bottoms, Amelie brushed out her long brown hair as she scowled at the door. “My sister’s being a skank,” she grumbled.

The dark prince chuckled, going to the sink to spit and rinse. “How do you know?”

He caught the look she shot him as he walked back into the room, wiping his mouth with the shirt he’d stripped from his back. “Have you met Astor? She’s doing something slutty to that man, I’m sure of it.”

He tossed the shirt, followed quickly by his jeans and shoes. Crawling into the bed, he looped an arm around his little painter to wrestle until she lay on her back beneath him.  “What are you doing,” she giggled as he tickled her sides.

“Taking a note out of your sister’s book.”

-

Dressed in grey sweats and a t-shirt that read ‘I’ve got Admin Rights- Bow to me,’ Ashlae leaned back on her mountain of pillows in the glow of her computer screens.

When I wake up all alone, And I’m thinking of your skin, I remember, I remember what you told me.

The caramelette sighed, taking the glasses from her face to close her eyes and massage the bridge of her nose. The two laptops, connected by an HDMI cable, lit the room as they ran diagnostics. Nothing pressing, no research. Just something to do- comfort coding.

Said that we’re not lovers, we’re just strangers. With the same damn hunger- To be touched, to be loved, to feel anything at all.

When her eyes opened, they found the wall that separated her room from the one she knew housed the Queen of Hell. Anger rose up to flush her dark skin.

The pinkette had changed her DNA against her will, and now Ashlae had to come along because her affiliation with the group put her in danger.

How convenient.

We’re not lovers, we’re just strangers, With the same damn hunger, To be touched, to be loved, to feel anything at all.

-

Mattea emerged from the room she’d been given wearing her usual black leathers and one of Astor’s t-shirts, white, with a clothing line’s logo across the chest. Her blond hair fell in damp waves from the shower she’d just gotten out of.

She made her way down the stairs, green eyes avoiding any gazes she might catch on her way to the kitchen.

Yeah, if I could go back to the day we met I probably would just stay in bed.

The blond ignored the couple in the corner, whispering with their faces close together. A pang of pain hit her chest, but she pushed it away. 

Mattea didn’t realize that silence had fallen until she’d finished pouring a glass of milk, looking up to see what had caught everyone’s attention.

All eyes were on her, straying to the raven on the window seat and back again.

Next time I’mma stay asleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep, oh.

As soon as she saw him, met that grey gaze, Mattea turned away.

“Mae?”

Do, re, mi, fa, so fuckin’ done with you, boy. So fuckin’ done.

The demon tried hide the tremble to her hands as she shoved the carton back into the fridge. She ignored the raven queen’s call, choosing to take her glass and walk out of the kitchen.

So fuckin’ done with all the games you play, I ain’t no tic-tac-toe.

As she walked away, she heard a thump as Talyn threw a pillow to his brother and asked, “Dude, what did you do?”

“You know it’s very hard to say no to you, you’re the most persuasive woman I know --”

A frown quickly replaced the grin on his face as he sighed, tightening his body around hers so she couldn’t escape. Because he knew His Queen would try with his next words. 

“What are we even doing, Ast? Because I want you, every single part of you, not just the scraps you throw me under the table.”

Luna tossed and turned beneath the foreign covers, nodding off here and there but never getting the much needed rest she so craved. Finally, after what seemed like hours, she sat up in the bed and buried her face in her hands. All the anger, sorrow and guilt she felt for the past few months surfaced all at once as tears fell down her face and she beat the pillows around her in a mess of feathers and fabric.

I miss the mornings with you laying in my bed

I miss the memories replaying in my head

I miss the thought of a forever, you and me

But all you're missing is my body

Suddenly she stopped and looked towards the wall that separated her and Ash, going completely still and quiet as certain scenarios ran through her mind. To which she said ‘fuck it’, got up and redressed before creeping out the door and into Ashlae’s. She snuck all the way up to edge of her bed, covered by her computer screens and the faint blue light, before she spoke.

“Don’t yell, don’t scream. Even though I deserve it, and I’m sorry. I just need -- I want to kiss you one last time and then I’ll leave you alone. Please.”

Ashlae walked right past Luna without a word, her grip on the duffle bag’s straps tightening. She pretended not to notice the huff of frustration from the pinkette, heading straight for the stairs instead of engaging. This morning she’d been informed that they’d all be moving into Jaxon Mile’s compound until they could find a more permanent solution- and Luna had caught sight of the ring Ashlae had started wearing again.

She’d walked out when Luna asked about it, locking herself in the bathroom until the Hell Goddess left her rooms.

And now they were all locked inside the modest three story mansion, barely modernized, and half of the couples were either actively fighting or not speaking to each other.

Three hours. She’d give it three hours until it all went to pure chaos- especially given that half of their party couldn’t use their powers or else the Fun Police (as Astor called them) would come crashing down in a thunderstorm of reprimands.

In her ear, Logan spoke. “Your blood pressure spiked just now, are you alright?”

Ashlae lowered her head as she ascended the staircase, the scent of Luna’s perfume still accelerating her heart. “Logan? Take a nap.”

“Yes ma’am.”

-

“Thank you, again,” Nicolette mumbled as she leaned back against the counter, arms crossing under her chest. Her eyes trailed her brothers- all three of them- from over the breakfast bar and into the living room. Talyn sat on the couch beside Alas, no doubt droning on and on about the book that laid open in his lap. From where she stood, Nicolette watched as the young redhead nodded with enthusiasm, no doubt struggling to keep up with the information pouring out of her mate’s mouth.

Wyn walked over looking out of place in a long sleeve flannel rolled up to the elbow, carrying a cold beer in his hand. He took the seat beside Alas, turning his attention to whatever topic Talyn was lecturing on.

Evryn had taken to reclining on the window seat, earbuds pounding out a beat Nicolette could hear even across the room as he stared out at the setting sun. Mattea was nowhere to be seen, causing the raven’s brows to furrow. It was so unusual to see one without the other that she was starting to worry.

Jaxon drew her attention by offering a mug of warm tea, flashing a grin he’d had planted on his face since the night before, when she’d told him the news. This morning she’d confirmed it with two little plus signs lighting up the piss sticks.

They were all in civilian clothes- all of their robes and crowns left behind. Nicolette was still getting used to the tight fitting denim shorts and white long sleeve top, had even left her dark hair to fall unplaited down to her hips.

She watched as her husband pinned her to the counter once she’d taken the mug, a hand laying flat on the marble surface on each side of her waist. He looked so handsome that it tightened something in her chest- his light brown hair left messy, stubble growing more and more each day into a beard she only half-teased him about shaving off. Green eyes lowered to her lips a second before he leaned in for a long kiss.

“‘Love you,” he breathed after pulling away, pecking her cheek before nuzzling his face in her neck. She liked him like this, she realized behind a reluctant grin. Her happy husband and his attentions. “How do you feel?” 

Her lips relaxed into a lazy grin of her own as he pulled away only to rest their foreheads together. “I’m fine. A little tired.” 

“Mmm.“ She felt his hand come up to flatten against her stomach. 

Nicolette turned away with a nervous chuckle, shooting him a look over the top of her tea. “No one knows yet,” she reminded him, struggling to chastise the shifter when he looked at her like that. 

Pride was rolling off the lion in waves, warming her insides until she couldn’t help but return his smile.

-

Astor dumped her bag at the foot of the bed, challenging her Berserker with a saucy grin. “Not enough rooms- Amelie said we’re gonna have to double up.”

“If you’re going to lie, please don’t include me,” said twin challenged as she walked by the bedroom door.

“Does that mean we’re not doubling up?” Braxis asked as he trailed behind her, two duffle bags thrown over his shoulder and a third in the grip of his other hand.

“Of course we’re doubling up.”

“Nice.”

Grabbing onto Karsyn’s crystal that dangled from a black choker around her neck, she flipped her hair and waved at everyone in the living room as she walked by. 

“You’d think I’d be used to big houses and walking 40 miles a day,” 

Luna called out with a smirk, then disappeared into her room that just happened to be right next door. As she sank down into the bed, a single tear fell down her face.

Bela laughed at the situation, calling out a goodnight to Brax and Am as they passed by before taking off his shirt and flinging it towards his brunette, mirroring her waggling brows with a stupid grin before continuing to strip down to his boxers and jumping into the bed. The Berserker drew the covers over him, pulling them tightly to his chest before speaking.