Stroke the Flame

26

On the surface we had little in common, but something about his cool, logical mind put me at ease. I also appreciated that he wanted to learn as much about me as he could, and the way he flattered me with his attention. And unlike Jasin, he seemed to want me for more than just s*x.

Auric’s horse led us to the open gates, where the Onyx Army had guards posted to inspect everyone who went in or out. They regarded us suspiciously and I grew nervous they’d stop us. Reven slipped some coins into their palms as if he’d done it a hundred times before, and then they let us go through with barely a second glance.

Rockworth was more than double the size of Stoneham and many other horses and carriages filled the road, along with people walking along the side of it. We passed a bustling market with men and women selling their wares, before stopping at the first inn we saw.

The inn was called the Knight’s Reprieve and was crowded with dozens of travelers in the tavern grabbing some supper. Slade and Auric arranged for us to get the last two rooms, before we headed into the tavern ourselves. The room smelled faintly of warm food and was loud with the sounds of eating, talking, and music from a man playing fiddle in the corner. Reven slipped through the crowd easily and managed to grab us the last free table, but it only had four chairs.

“It’s fine,” Slade said. “I’ll sit at the bar and see if I can get any information from the other travelers.”

“Good idea,” Auric said.

As Slade took a stool at the bar, Jasin pulled out a chair at the table for me, before immediately claiming the one to my right. Auric got a journal out of his bag and began jotting down some notes, while Reven sat against the wall, his arms crossed as he eyed everyone in the tavern with suspicion.

A waitress with a low-cut dress that probably got her a lot of tips came over to our table, and her face lit up when she saw the man at my side. “Jasin! What are you doing here?”

Jasin flashed her the same charming grin he often gave me. “Just stopping in for a night.”

“Is that so?” She leaned close, accentuating her ample cleavage. “I’m so happy you’re back in town.”

“It’s good to see you, Minda. How’ve you been?”

“Good, but even better now that you’re here,” she said, batting her eyelashes. “My sister will be excited to know you’re back too.”

“Tell her I said hello,” he replied, while my fists clenched under the table. That familiar possessiveness rose up in me again, and this time it was harder to push down. Jasin and the others were supposed to be my mates and all, but even ignoring that, I’d spent the last few days traveling with them, sleeping near them, and fighting alongside them. Maybe I had a little bit of a right to be possessive at this point.

“I will.” She trailed a hand lightly along his shoulders and her voice turned sultry. “And if you need a room tonight, ours is free.”

He cleared his throat, glancing at me. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got a room.”

“Too bad. We had a lot of fun last time. Let me know if you change your mind.” She removed her hand, casting me a quick, appraising look. “I’ll get you all some food.”

After she walked away, I turned to Jasin, my blood boiling. “You slept with both sisters?”

“I did, yeah.” His eyebrows darted up. “Long before I met you. Is that a problem?” He gestured at the other men. “And should you really judge me when you’re going to sleep with all four of us?”

“I’m not judging, I’m just—” The words died on my mouth and I looked away, still seething.

“What? Jealous?”

“No!” My cheeks flushed, because that’s exactly how I was feeling.

He gave me that infuriatingly sexy grin. “I told you my bed’s always open to you.”

“Me and every other woman, it seems.” I jumped to my feet, making the guys glance up at me with worried expressions. “I just need a moment. Feel free to start eating without me.”

I headed out the front door of the inn, then walked around the side of it until I was near the stables and away from everyone else. My heart raced, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Gods, why was I so upset? I’d only met Jasin a few days ago and we’d never made any promises to each other. What he did in the past—or even now—wasn’t any of my business. He’d already admitted that he liked women. Lots of women. Which was fine, really. I didn’t have any real claim over him, just some weird magical bond drawing us together. Without that, we would be strangers. So why did it hurt so badly when I saw him flirting with that woman?

“Kira, are you okay?” Auric asked.

I turned toward him, trying to keep my face blank. “I’m fine. Just needed some fresh air.”

He moved closer, making me keenly aware of his height. “This situation is strange and overwhelming for all of us, but especially for you, I’m sure. It makes sense you would need to take a break from it now and then. But I just want you to know I’m here if you ever need to talk about it.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. “I’m not sure it’s possible to take a break from it either. This is my life now, and for better or worse, I’m stuck with the four of you. And you’re all stuck with me.”