you do not yield

The Wingleaders of Third and Fourth wing.

Xaden Riorson and Y/N L/N are, by lack of better words, the definition of a power couple.

Both rose through the ranks quickly through raw, unarguable skill. Unstoppable in challenges, the most strategic minds in Battle Brief and the strongest signets known to human and dragon kind in centuries.

The pair started out as unimportant first years — however, when others were learning the basics, it seemed (at least to the other cadets) that they had already mastered and honed every single skill.

Coming from a powerful duchy in Calldyr, most initially called Y/N’s successes nepotism, deeming that the root of all of her wins was due to strings being pulled from high on the social ladder.

Those whispers ended when she bonded Hinvyre, a green dragon known to be the smartest and strategic out of the greens and was notorious for refusing to bond — until Y/N.

Nepotism couldn’t do that.

Neither could it manifest her signet: Elemental magic.

While most could only wield one element of nature — Earth, air, water or fire — She could wield them all, with jaw-dropping precision and control.

She was unstoppable, in her element in any biome and any situation. Everything around her bent to her will.

And the same with him.

Ever since Xaden stepped foot in Basgiath, people avoided him like the plague.

“Traitor,” they whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

Well… Xaden made sure to bring retribution. On the mat.

He left no hesitation in his steps — no falters, no weakness.

Then he bonded Sgaeyl, the only dragon who was ruthless enough to defy the rules of dragonkind — and for the other dragons to allow it.

Now people backed away from him not out of disgust — well, maybe still with disgust but also mixed in with begrudging awe… And fear.

The shadows came easily to him, learning quickly how to use them to his advantage — watching, listening, manipulating subtlety and just enough for people to back off.

On top of it all, the two were top of their class in Battle Brief.

They seemed to share the same amount of boredom, as if they were annoyed that the others hadn’t caught up to their staggering level of strategic mastermind.

The whispers blended their names together until one couldn’t be brought up without the other.

Because the cadets saw the looks they shared in class, the analysing gazes during sparring. The silent layer of understanding and mutual respect they had for each other, like they finally found someone who could keep up.

If they were put together, they were practically invisible. If they were against each other, well you’d be in for quite a show. Neither backed down, they trained themselves better than that. Both of them shared the fire of proving others wrong, breaking out of the confines of the boxes others suffocated them into and crushing it under their boot.

The air between them crackled and sparked — vibrating with the power on both ends.

They were either fated enemies, made to oppose and clash with each other at all costs, or intertwined lovers, made for their defiant souls to swirl and dance and become unstoppable.

And based on the looks they gave each other? Everyone quickly deduced it was the latter.

And Amari save anyone who cross their paths.

On their own, their names alone turned heads and spurred fear or relief, depending on if you were on their good side or not. But together? You better hope that you didn’t do anything to piss them off.

Because both made it perfectly clear that while they were restricted by the Rider’s Codex — they didn’t bow to it, they bent it, manipulating it to their will.

The right way isn’t the only way, after all.

Violet Sorrengail scoffed whenever she heard whisperings of them whenever she visited the archives.

How can one person, let alone two, command such power?

It was a fluke, or it really didn’t take that much to impress once Parapet was crossed, she deemed.

That is, until she saw them first hand.

Nausea still rolling through her stomach after finding Dain on the other side, her head was craned up to the three Wingleaders on the raised platform. One was missing — Third Wing.

“You’re all cadets now,” Xaden Riorson’s voice filled the space, his presence alone demanding attention, just because of the fear of what would happen if you don’t. “Take a look at your squad. Theres are the only people guaranteed by Codex not to kill you. But just because they can’t end your life doesn’t mean others won’t. You want a dragon? Earn one.”

Cheers filled the courtyard, shaking the ground until another sound shook the skies.

Dragons.

In the flesh — each different sizes, colours and tails.

Their massive wings cut through the air like butter, taking up the whole sky as they flew towards their direction at breakneck speed.

Eight in total. Every single one of them more impressive and heartstopping than the last.

They dived, their wings creating huge gusts of wind that sent several cadets staggering back before perching on the huge stone walls.

Huge pieces of brick fell from their flexing talons, landing with a loud crash on the ground.

Screams sounded across the courtyard as reality became terrifyingly concrete.

They have to bond one of these dragons.

A screech echoed in the air and Violet looked up to see the most beautiful sight she’d seen all day.

Two dragons, one navy blue and one emerald green were flying side by side.

Even from her position on the ground, she could tell that they were large, bigger than all of the dragons in front of her.

Cadets started bolting, running back towards the arch where the first line of the Dragon Rider’s Codex was engraved on it.

A dragon with a rider is a tragedy, a rider without a dragon is dead.

Dragonfire was instant to scorch them where they stood.

The two dragons landed on the wall right behind the platform, looking regal and imposing like sister empresses as their equally calculating gazes swept over the crowd, as if they were assessing the fresh meat this year.

A person dressed in rider’s black slid off of the back of the green dragon, dismounting with a grace that a dancer would envy.

“Anyone else feel like changing their mind?” The rider, a woman announced. Her voice was hypnotic, wrapping around the empty air like delicate fingers. “Want to run back to Mommy?”

She was met with silence.

“Good. Because no one cares who Mommy or Daddy is here. The only thing that matters is how fast you shitted your pants when you saw them.”

From Violet’s vantage point, she could see a cold calculated glint in the rider’s eyes that matched her dragon.

“Basgiath trains the strong, the brave. If you’re not… Well, it’s too late now. First year isn’t designed to train the soldiers, it’s meant to kill the liabilities. The only people forbidden to kill you are your fellow squadmates. Everyone else is not.”

Xaden Riorson stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with the woman. “You think you have what it takes? Prove it. Want to cry? Don’t.”

The two dragons behind the pair raised their heads high, blocking the sun from our view.

“Dragons don’t owe you anything for crossing the Parapet. They don’t see you as worthy, or special,” Xaden’s voice cut through the air like glass as the courtyard was plunged into shadow. “You’re not elite or untouchable. To them, you’re just prey.”

None of the cadets said anything, as if reality was hitting them just now. There really were only two options: You make it out as a rider or you don’t make it out at all.

“Dismissed,” the woman said, her tone making it impossible to disagree. “Third Wing, you’re with me.” She walked past Xaden to the stairs on the platform. “I’m your new wingleader.”

After a long day, Violet knew exactly where to go: The Archives.

It was late, almost closing time so she knew that she’d have a decent amount of privacy amongst the ancient tomes.

Now she understood why all said not to cross paths with Xaden Riorson and Y/N L/N. They were as formidable as rumors painted them.

Even only after less than twenty four hours, all of the first years heard at least a snippet of their story and was warned to not ensue their wrath.

They weren’t just wingleaders, they were legends.

Violet sighed, tracing her hand over the spines of the books as she walked by the shelves.

She heard the faint crackle of a fire and giggles and she frowned. Who would be in the Archives this late?

Her footsteps made barely any noise as she treaded softly towards the noise.

What she saw made her stop in her tracks.

There was a little alcove for studying and reading for the scribe and rider cadets with a table, a few armchairs and a couch facing a large fireplace.

Sitting on the couch was Y/N L/N perched on Xaden Riorson’s lap, her side pressing into his chest as his hands wrapped around her waist.

He shook her gently in his lap, making her giggle again.

“You’re ridiculous,” she laughed, poking him lightly in the chest.

“Wonder where I got it from, firefly,” he countered, the amber flames reflecting in his eyes and extenuating the warmth filled in those onyx iris’ — warmth Violet never expected to see. Ever.

“Shut up,” Y/N grinned, her hair falling in her face as she averted her gaze.

“Make me,” Xaden countered, his hand going up to tuck her hair behind her ear.

That made her look up again. “Is that a challenge, wingleader?”

“I believe it is, wingleader,” he shifted her on his lap into a more comfortable position. “Do you accept?”

“Mmm,” her hand traced the outline of his jaw. She looked into his eyes with a soft intensity that made Xaden’s cheeks heat up.

Was Xaden Riorson… blushing?

“I do accept,” Y/N murmured before brushing her lips lightly against his.

Violet never expected their relationship to be this… domestic.

However, illuminated by the flickering flames of the fire, the pair looked like they were old souls meeting together in this lifetime like they used a million of them to find each other.

The scene was so storybook picturesque, it made Violet back up a few steps.

Poppy breathed heavily, keeping her feet under her while she contemplated her next move. She danced out of the way of a series of attacks but soon the wall was at her back, leaving her with limited options. A sword came swinging at her, and Poppy ducked, the blade sweeping over her head and rustling the few hairs that had escaped her braid. Kicking out her leg while grabbing her opponent’s arm, she managed to spin them around while simultaneously disarming him. In a heartbeat, her knife was at his throat, her legs pressing his against the cobblestone wall keeping him imobile. 

“Have I mentioned how hot it is when you do that?” Casteel whispered in her ear. 

Poppy rolled her eyes and pushed back, leaning down and grabbing his sword as she retreated back to the middle of the sparring ring. 

“Have I mentioned that you’re insane?” She called over her shoulder, loud enough for the other wolven and Atlantians training to hear her. Emil laughed outright from where he sat with Vonetta, their own sparring having turned into a betting contest on how many times Poppy could best Casteel. He glared at them. 

“I don’t know if I appreciate my subjects betting on my downfall. And I don’t see you getting out here and winning any rounds, Emil,” he taunted. 

“Are you kidding? I would never dare raise a hand against our beloved, most distinguished, most honorable and beautiful Queen–OW! I was joking!” Vonetta and Cas both laughed then as Emil rubbed his arm where the rock Poppy had thrown had hit its mark. 

Joking with her friends. Sparring. All things she wasn’t sure she would get to do again after she went into stasis. She didn’t remember much, of course. One moment she was feeling tired, so tired, and the next…it was a dream, but not. She had seen herself, seen her life. Seen Casteel, and Kieran. But it was all fuzzy, as if being looked at through a fogged window. Trying to sort through her memories still took her some time, even weeks after waking up. 

Waking up a primal. The silver eyes had unnerved her the most, at first. Cas and Kieran had been there when she’d awoken, confused and lost. There had been a moment when she didn’t know their names, or why they were there, but there had been a deep part of her that cried mine. These males were hers, and as they sat there, Casteel watching her like she might crumble apart and Kieran as seemingly stoic and focused as ever, pieces had come back. First slowly, then all at once. 

And now here she was, preparing for a fight with a Primal older than she could fathom, yet in this moment, as she tested out her newfound strength and powers, joking with her friends…she felt a little bit at peace. 

“Too scared to go again, my King?” She taunted from her stance a few feet away. She could hear everything. Smell everything. Every breath Casteel took, every snort of Vonetta’s laughter, the sweat pouring down all of their faces in the summer heat. She was even aware of every other soldier around her, all honing their skills for what was to come. She didn’t have to look to know that Kieran was across the courtyard, training some of the wolven who had just arrived as reinforcements. They were fierce, but they had never fought against a God. Her ears perked as she honed in on his voice, calling up the next opponent. He trained them each individually, a mark of his dedication and skill. 

“As if I could ever say no to you,” Cas flirted back, earning another eye roll from Poppy before they began again. The familiarity of the sparring was nice, the expense of energy was even better. Ever since she regained her strength it was like there was a beast constantly under the surface of her skin, prowling, looking for something to do. She couldn’t sit still, and when Cas had suggested they spar she had practically sprinted to the field. 

They danced around each other, his golden eyes never leaving her face. As she changed her position she finally got a glimpse of Kieran. 

His shirt was off, but he didn’t look tired. He was actually grinning, standing still as a statue as the younger wolven circled around him. She didn’t recognize him, but then, she didn’t recognize most of them yet. He lunged out and Kieran easily deflected the blow without so much as moving a foot. Her heart did a weird little dance in her chest, and she wondered if Cas and Kieran felt it too. They were joined, and that meant that every breath, every heartbeat, was linked. It had brought them all closer together, and she sometimes laid in bed in disbelief that she could be so lucky. The three of them often shared a bed, although with the new troops coming in and the chaos of the end of the blood crown, it wasn’t often they got to…enjoy that time together. Mostly they collapsed at whatever hour they managed to crawl into bed and leave it at that. Regardless, she was glad Kieran hadn’t felt uncomfortable when she had asked if he would stay. The newly awakened beast inside her had growled when he’d tried to leave after she’d woken up, and since then they had been together at every moment possible. 

“A little distracted, leissa?” Cas’s voice was suddenly behind her and she gasped, broken out of her thoughts. She shook her head before spinning and deflecting the blow he tried to land, sending his sword arm back as they clashed and again parted. 

“Like you’re one to talk. Who was it again that didn’t listen to a single thing at the meeting yesterday? And who was it that had to catch him up on what he missed?” 

“You know you can’t just wear something so beautiful and expect me not to be distracted, darling.”

“You are incorrigible.”

“But you love me,” He smirked, letting a bit of fang show. Her stomach did a single flip, but he must have known through the notam because he just grinned wider, coming at her again with a spin of his sword. 

They went on like that for a while, clashing then dancing apart, trying different techniques that she had never heard of, while also teaching him some of her own moves. She had the suspicion that he let her win most of the time, not to make her feel good about herself but rather because he liked when she won. This was the idiot she was in love with. 

She was once again turned around, facing where Kieran was now sparring with the next wolven, a younger-looking man with shaggy brown hair. He seemed to be putting up more of a fight than the others, as Kieran was actually fighting. Not that she was complaining. His body moved in perfect arcs and controlled thrusts, and in a few seconds he had the man falling on his ass with a single swipe of his foot. He turned his back, facing the rest of the recruits, saying something about keeping your balance and distance between you and your enemy, but her haze locked onto the man on the ground. He was glaring up at Kieran, and not in a playful way. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but suddenly alarm bells were going off in her mind.

He was far away, but she focused on him and could taste his anger. His embarrassment, yes, but quickly overriding it all was burning hot rage. Kieran’s back was still turned, and the unknown wolven began to stand and stalk towards him. 

“Poppy?” Cas’s voice was faint. She couldn’t hear him. She only heard the beating of her heart, Kieran’s calm words, and saw the threat approaching what was hers. She didn’t realize she had begun to move until Cas’s hand on her arm stopped her. 

“What’s wrong, Poppy?” He sounded more concerned, searching her face. She didn’t take her eyes off of Kieran. Her heart was pounding now, her vision fixed on the wolven. His anger was clouding her own emotions, she couldn’t shield, she couldn’t think. All she saw was the threat. Cas glanced in the direction she was staring, and cursed. 

“It’s fine, he’s probably just–oh, fuck.” The wolven struck. Kieran’s back was turned, and he hadn’t been expecting it. All Poppy saw was the attacker’s arm flash out, a knife gleaming in the sunlight, and she was gone. 

She might have heard more cursing behind her, another hand trying to hold her back, but she didn’t see them. 

She only saw red. 

She hadn’t realized she had made it to the wolven, or maybe she had just appeared in front of him? It was so fast, and logic wasn’t working. 

Kill the threat, kill him, kill him

A surge of essence rose in her unbidden and the knife melted in the wolven’s hand. There were people shouting, but she didn’t care. His eyes widened in fear, but it was too late. She pounced. 

Mine mine mine MINE MINE

She was growling, not even able to form words, an inhuman snarl escaping her bared and fanged teeth. Her hands were around the wolven’s throat, her knife–wait, when had her knife been embedded in his hand? She didn’t remember, and didn’t care. He had hurt Kerian. He was howling in pain, one hand burned from molten metal and the other with a knife sticking out of it. 

“Stop her!”

Strong arms gripped her waist, but a surge of essence blasted them off. He had hurt him. He had hurt him. It’s all she could think. It’s all she knew. 

The threat’s eyes began to bulge, his face turning purple, when she heard it. 

“Meyah leissa, stop.” 

Not a voice, exactly. But a voice in her head. She loosened her grip a fraction, but kept her hands around the attackers throat. 

“He is no longer a threat, meyah leissa. I am okay.” 

Kieran. Kieran was speaking to her. She wanted Kieran. That’s when she noticed the weight on her shoulder, the soft fur tickling her bare arms. Her breathing slowed as she took a glance to the side. A fawn-colored wolven rested his head on her shoulder, forehead pressed against the length of her arm. Kieran took a step back so he could look her in the eyes. 

“You see I am unhurt, Poppy. I’m okay. He didn’t get me, I promise. You can let go now.” 

She finally looked back down at her hands. The wolven had gone still, but he was still breathing. He was trying to make himself less of a threat. Suddenly overcome with shame, she lept off of him in one bound, causing the crowd–oh gods, a crowd had formed–to startle back. All except two. Kieran remained glued to her side, now leaning against her so she could feel his heartbeat. Casteel was there too, she realized, his hand on her back and worry lining his features. 

“Oh gods,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.” She backed up further from the wolven who had attacked–who she had attacked. 

“I’m so sorry.” She choked out again, before running. 

*******

She didn’t stop running until she was deep into the woods. She didn’t know where she was, just that she had to run. She had almost killed someone–not just someone. One of her subjects. She had almost killed one of her subjects today. Her knees buckled. Her eyes stung with tears. What had she done?

She was hunched over, sobbing quietly, when she felt them approach. Kieran was first, still in his wolven form. She didn’t see him from her curled-up position, but she felt his imprint draw near. Soft fur brushed against her, calming her sobs. She leaned up just enough so that he could lay down across her lap, before she collapsed again, this time burying her face into his fur. He just sat there, patient and constant, as she cried, clutching him tightly. The fear of earlier had not entirely gone away–the panic when she realized Kieran was in danger, that he could be hurt. Now, of course, she remembered he would’ve been fine. They were joined, and almost nothing could kill him or Casteel. 

Apparently her new Primal instincts had not gotten the message. 

Casteel approached then, sliding down beside her. 

“Hey Princess,” he called softly. 

She kept her fingers clutched in Kieran’s fur, but lifted her tear-stained face. They both looked at her, waiting for her to speak first. She took a breath. 

“I almost killed one of our subjects.” She stated baldly. 

“Yes, you did.” Cas didn’t deny it. 

“He was going to hurt Kieran.” This came out quieter, remnants of anger still dripping from the words. 

It was then that Kieran shifted back. He was naked, but she didn’t care anymore. If she had been less emotionally exhausted, she might have even said she preferred it. 

“I promise he didn’t touch me, Poppy,” he soothed, tugging on a stray piece of her hair. She looked over at him, assessing for herself. She still felt half in her instincts, her mind screaming at her to make sure he was okay but knowing that of course he was okay. 

“He had a knife.” It seemed she could only speak in statements. 

“He did. But I knew he was angry at being put on his ass, and you stopped him before he could even touch me. You saved me, Poppy.” She knew he was stretching the truth a bit. He would’ve easily bested the wolven again without her intervention, but the words were soothing to her more…Primal self. She had saved him from harm. He was safe. 

She suddenly grabbed his face, searching for something. 

“He was going to hurt you,” She choked out again. He just smiled at her, resting his hand over hers. 

“And you kicked his ass in what was maybe the most impressive take-down I’ve seen in all my years,” He whispered conspiratorially. Finally, she managed to crack half a smile. 

“Might I add,” Cas drawled from behind her, “that you looked absolutely incredible in your wrath.” She shuddered at the reminder of how angry she had been, but her blood still heated at his tone. 

“Is he…alright?” She asked sheepishly, dropping her hands from Kieran’s face and turning to her husband. He was smiling warmly at her. 

“Oh, I think he’s perfectly fine. And if it makes you feel better, I would’ve broken his arm for that stunt. You just beat me to it this time.” He winked, and she startled herself by laughing. Yes, Casteel had also done terrible things to protect those he loved. And she didn’t think any less of him for it. 

Her heart finally settled, and she took a look around. 

“Where are we anyways?” The two men laughed, Kieran reclining onto the leaf-strewn ground beside her. 

“South of the compound. You made it quite a ways before we caught up with you, I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes us a good hour to get back.” Cas explained, tucking pieces of her braid back behind her ear. The touch was soothing, and welcome. 

“I don’t want to go back yet,” she blurted. The thought of facing everyone right now when her nerves felt so fried seemed impossible. When Cas and Kieran said nothing, she added, “I’m a little worried I might bite someone else’s head off if…” she trailed off.

“If they look at us?” Cas finished for her. She snapped around to glare at him but he was already grinning, and she shoved his shoulder before mumbling, “...maybe.” 

Kieran chuckled and stretched his arms above his head, drawing Poppy’s eyes to the way his strong muscles flexed. Cas’s warm body was still sat on her other side, and she realized his hand had at some point come to rest on her thigh, tracing small, soothing circles there. Cas noticed where her attention had been drawn. He leaned in close to her ear. 

“Like what you see, Princess?” he whispered. Kieran pretended not to hear them, but his smirk gave him away. Indeed, her blood had again begun to heat, and combined with the still-fresh adrenaline from earlier she was having trouble focusing on speaking. It wasn’t until Kieran began to stand up that she moved. 

Well, pounced was maybe a more accurate word. She shot out and grabbed his wrist, another inhuman snarl escaping her throat. Kieran stumbled back down to the ground, falling back next to her and they both looked at each other in surprise, not quite used to her new strength. 

“Sorry,” she started, a bit confused by her own actions, “I don’t know why I did that.” Kieran was smiling now, his piercing blue eyes narrowed in mirth. He glanced pointedly down at his hand where she still clutched his wrist close to her chest, but she found she was unable to let go. She looked at him pleadingly, trying to convey what she couldn’t say out loud. Understanding flickered through his eyes and he settled back down next to her, his free hand reaching over to her knee, mirroring Cas’s gentle strokes. 

“Sometimes the wolven can get a bit…territorial as well,” Kieran explained. Cas chuckled, his mouth closer to her ear than she remembered. His hand had also crept around and was now venturing towards her inner thigh, making her breath catch. 

“I think territorial is a bit of an understatement,” he drawled, nosing under her ear. She tilted her head a bit towards Kieran to give him access. “I seem to remember a certain wolven actually trying to bite my brother–” 

“We were fifteen! You can’t pretend like you weren’t goading me on, either.” Poppy was trying hard to pay attention to their bickering, but both of their hands had begun to venture closer and closer to where she felt heat blossoming. Kieran’s hand on her knee had shifted to her inner thigh as well, and Cas had begun nipping at her ear in earnest, causing her to fall back into Kieran’s shoulder. 

“I won’t deny having a bit of fun now and again.” 

“‘Now and again’ is generous, even for you.” 

They were seemingly ignoring her, but the way her heart had begun racing she couldn’t tell if they were purposefully trying to distract her or if they, too, felt the shift in the air. She still clutched Kieran’s hand close to her chest, but it just gave him access to rest his palm against her chest, fingers just barely twitching around where her nipple was quickly hardening. They kept going back and forth, and she stopped hearing their words, as hands roamed around her body, teasing. She couldn’t form a sentence, could only watch and continue to lean against Kieran for support as–

She gasped when Kieran’s fingers finally tweaked her nipple at the same time Cas playfully bit down on her neck–not drawing blood, not yet, but making a claim. She barely registered their dark chuckles, but heard loud and clear when Kieran leaned down to whisper quietly, 

“I can think of a few things that might help our little territorial princess.” She felt Cas smile against her neck, but her eyes were closed at this point. Yes, she thought. More. 

Somehow, whether through their bond or just because they knew her, or maybe both, they obliged. 

“Would our Queen like a distraction? Would she like us to show her just how much her protection means to us?” Cas’s voice drifted through her fuzzy thoughts. Yes, the beast inside her purred. She must’ve said it out loud, because they both chuckled again. Cas’s hand was making circles dangerously close to where she wanted–no, needed him most. Kieran was alternating between her breasts, her own grip on his wrist having slackened at some point. His bare leg had been slung over her own, and he used the leverage to spread her legs ever-so-slightly further apart, granting Casteel access. 

“You are so fucking beautiful, leissa,” came Kieran’s rough voice. Her eyes opened a sliver, and she turned her face to him. He was beautiful. His sharp cheekbones, his crystal-blue eyes. Whatever animal inside her that had seemed to take over was roaring at her to get closer, to show him how much he meant to her. 

“What do you want, Poppy?” Cas’s voice was a whisper behind her. She whimpered, eyes flickering down to Kieran’s lips, set in half an infuriating smirk. 

“Yes, leissa, what is it that you want?” He murmured, glancing down at her own lips. She felt Cas’s mouth brushing her ear. 

“Take it. Take what you want,” he purred. And Poppy did. 

She crashed into Kieran with all the pent-up fear and anger and ferocity she had been trying to push down since fleeing the sparring ring. She wasn’t careful of her fangs, and he wasn’t gentle with her either, perhaps sensing her desperation to be close, to be one. His tongue dipped into her mouth, catching on her fang and letting the slight, wonderful taste of his blood explode in her mouth. She only became more ravenous, chasing the sensations as her body screamed for more. 

Cas groaned behind them, his hand taking over for Kieran’s and playing with her nipples, causing her breath to hitch. Kieran’s hand was tangled in her hair, tightening, pulling her closer, and she fared no better. Her hands roamed over his bare skin, mapping every plane of muscle, every dip and bulge, high and then low, one hand coming to rest on the back of his neck, trying to pull him even closer. 

It was madness. The beast within her absolutely purring with satisfaction, her own mind lost to the lust and pleasure they were wringing from her. She had needed this. Needed to feel him, to feel them. Safe, and hers. Hers alone, to protect, to love, to be loved. Her other hand began venturing down, down lower, until she felt the hair under his naval and she paused, unsure of how far she could go. It had been weeks since they had done anything like this, sticking to teasing, to passing touches, and the occasional kiss good morning. She felt at odds with herself, wanting everything and yet wanting to make sure it was what Kieran, and Cas, wanted. 

Her unspoken question was soon answered. 

“Fuck, I’ve missed you both,” Cas groaned, before taking her hand that had been exploring Kieran’s body and moving it down further, further, until they both had their hands wrapped around his hard length. Kieran moaned something that sounded a lot like “yes”, and changed his angle so that she had to bend her neck backwards to be utterly consumed by him. She and Cas continued to stroke Kieran, but Poppy began shifting her legs together trying to get friction where she most needed it. 

Cas chuckled darkly. “Oh my, is our Poppy not getting enough attention?” he teased. She groaned in frustration and kicked him lightly with her foot, finally breaking from Kieran’s mouth and breathing heavily. His face was contorted with pleasure, and she revelled in the fact that she could make the usually stoic man come so undone. 

Cas tightened his grip around her hand that continued to stroke Kieran, showing her exactly how tight and how fast to go, before withdrawing and grabbing her chin. 

“You just tell us what you need, princess, and it’s yours.” He huffed out, palming his own erection. She whined again, and the words came to her easily now, almost tumbling out before she thought them. 

“I need you both. I need you right here, right now. I need you to touch me–fuck” Cas obliged without another word, his palm diving under her leggings and finding her clit in seconds. Cas then drew her face close and kissed her, slowly, languidly, so at odds with the charged frantic atmosphere it left her head spinning. Kieran was groaning behind her, but she was sure her rhythm had been thrown off. Instead, he had taken the position Cas had earlier, nosing at her neck and kissing up and down her shoulder, pulling her sweat-stained shirt down and ripping a few buttons in the process. She didn’t even have the thought to chide him for it because in fact it made her heart skip a beat. He laughed, because he felt the same skip in their joined heartbeats and she would’ve rolled her eyes if Cas hadn’t chosen that moment to run his finger along her seam, gathering the slickness there and bringing it back up to her clit, rubbing in tight circles the way she liked it. 

“Gods, you’re so fucking wet Poppy,” he moaned into her mouth, hips bucking unbidden into her thigh. They were slowly starting to roll on top of one another, Cas’s hand plunging beneath her pants, Kieran’s pinching and tweaking her breasts as she tightened her fist around his cock. Kieran groaned. 

“Fuck, leissa, if you keep doing that I’m not going to make it,” he grunted out. Cas ceased his assault on her lips to bring his mouth to her breast, sucking her nipple into her mouth. 

“I don’t–ah–I don’t see the problem with that,” she panted out, still trying to focus on pumping when the sensations were beginning to be too much. Cas answered for him. 

“The problem, I believe, is that then he won’t be able to fuck you how he wants to. Fuck you nice and hard, just like how you want it, isn’t that right princess?” Fuck, those words went right to her gut. She couldn’t think, couldn’t see. She could only feel. 

“Yes, yes, please. Please–” She was begging, and she didn’t care. Cas had begun plunging a finger in and out of her heat, causing something to tighten low in her stomach. She was close, but she needed more. The beast was close to the surface now, demanding that she let Kieran fuck her, let him claim her, as she claimed them both. She might’ve stopped rubbing his cock, but she suspected it had more to do with the fact that Kieran was now prowling closer still to her, pulling her leggings down her legs to expose where Cas’s hand continued to work. 

“Is that it, princess? You want Kieran to fuck you senseless? You want me to watch while he undoes you completely? We could take turns, make you feel so good–” 

“Yes, yes yes,” she was babbling, but she needed it like she needed air. Cas withdrew his hand and she whined, but he just shushed her gently before helping her lay down completely. 

“Patience, my queen. We’ve got you now.” The words might’ve come from either of them, she didn’t know anymore. Her legs were suddenly bare, Cas having pulled her leggings off all the way, and Kieran filled her vision as he rolled on top of her, lowering his face to her neck where he sucked and nipped at the sensitive skin under her ear, making her writhe. But she was patient, and soon enough Cas was also naked, pulling her knees up, up, towards her chest as Kieran lifted his head and lined up his cock with her entrance. 

She was panting in earnest, babbling pleas and whining as Cas carefully placed each of her legs over Kieran’s shoulders, the stretch making her feel exposed. Then, to her surprise, Cas leaned in front of her and claimed Kieran’s mouth in what seemed to be a bruising kiss. She was so distracted, so enthralled by the passion and how well they seemed to know each other’s mouths that it caught her off guard when Kieran suddenly, without warning, pushed in to the hilt. 

She cried out, the stretch new and the pain pinching, but as Cas pulled away from Kieran, they both looked down at her with smirks saying they knew exactly what they were doing to her. Kieran began to move, slowly at first, and then faster, finding a rhythm that quickly transformed the pain into intense, all-consuming pleasure. Each thrust hit deeper inside than she could’ve ever imagined, Kieran’s cock slightly thicker than Cas. She was moaning, whining, babbling maybe, and Cas grabbed her hands and brought them to his own cock where she instinctively began jerking him off how she knew he liked. 

Kieran looked down at where they joined, where each thrust moved caused her breasts to bounce up just slightly, and groaned, long and slow. 

“You are–fuck–so perfect. So perfect for me, Poppy. You’re such a perfect queen, a perfect protector. I don’t–gods–I don’t deserve you. Either of you. Fuck, fuck,” The primal essence inside her stirred at his words. A perfect protector, the beast purred. It liked the thought of that. The second thing he said, however, it didn’t like that. He deserved everything. He was everything. Everything to her, and everything to Cas. 

Before she could say anything, Cas beat her to it. 

“Shut the fuck up, Kieran. Poppy, tell him to shut the fuck up.” His own breath was labored and he seemed close to finishing. She obliged him his request. 

“You’re fucking perfect, Kieran. Perfect for me, perfect for us.” She kissed him, and it was sloppy and messy, but she didn’t care. Then she told him what she had felt, what she would always feel. “You’re fucking everything.” His thrusts turned frantic, hitting a place so deep inside her she shouted out in ecstasy. He hit it, over and over, as Cas leaned over and bit down on her breast, taking long pulls of her blood into his mouth. 

It was too much, too much and not enough and everything she wanted. She reached down but Kieran beat her to it, rubbing and pinching her clit fast and hard, and her orgasm was suddenly rolling over her in waves. There was a pulse of power she couldn’t contain, essence swirling and bursting from her in a release that only added to her pleasure. Kieran didn’t stop, he kept thrusting, riding it out until she thought she would never think again, never escape the constant sensations. Next to her she felt Cas buck into her hand where she had squeezed tight, and he lifted his blood-stained mouth to hers as they came together, tasting herself on his lips. 

Just when it was beginning to be too much, too sensitive, Kieran thrust once more deep, deep into her before groaning, and all but collapsing on top of her. The weight of them both was comforting and grounding. Her skin felt like it was on fire, but slowly, she blinked the stars out of her eyes and began to feel her surroundings once more. The breeze cooled her sweat-covered body, the sound of the trees above them bringing her back down to earth. 

They were all breathing heavily, but Kieran was the first to raise his head, slowly unfolding her legs and straightening them out with a care that had her heart clenching. He rubbed circles into her hips–not to arouse, but to soothe the muscles there that had been stretched and bunched for what felt like hours. The lines of his face had relaxed, and his eyes were still slightly glazed over from his own release. 

“How do you feel, meyah leissa?” he asked softly. He rubbed down her legs, and the touch was so grounding and felt so nice she could’ve cried. 

“I feel…perfect.” She exhaled. Cas laughed softly from where he lay half on, half off of her, his hand laced with hers at some point. 

“Feeling a bit less bitey?” he teased. She rolled her eyes, but then actually checked in with herself. The beast that had been so riled up was now curled up, peaceful and content. The feeling in her chest had loosened, and as she looked at Cas, then at Kieran, she only felt content. None of the fear, none of the anger from before left. She realized she didn’t necessarily regret what she had done to that wolven, and that was what scared her. She had protected what was hers, and was proud of it. Was happy to do it. She would of course apologize to the wolven, but…

“I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about anyone messing with Kieran for a while,” Cas finished her thought for her. Kieran laughed, kissing her on the corner of her mouth, before standing up fully. She drank him in one last time before sitting up herself, causing Cas to whine about his pillow moving. 

“We should probably start heading back I guess,” she started before looking around for her clothes. Her shirt, of course, was ruined, but she pulled on her pants, enjoying the slight ache between her legs and in her hips as she straightened up. She forced Cas to give her his belt to tie around her shirt to keep it closed. 

“I sure hope one of you knows how to get back. Preferably without being seen.” She added sternly. Kieran, still naked, of course, grinned widely. 

“Where’s the fun in that?” He quipped before shifting, rubbing against her legs and then taking off. 

Cas sighed, his hair tousled and shirt buttons undone. She knew he wouldn’t bother to look presentable before they got back.  

“We better follow him. I have no idea where the fuck we are.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before sprinting after Kieran, leaving her laughing and feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Then she took off after the two most important people in her life, already planning on how to get back at them.