Moon Bound

Teach Me Magic

The planes of Killian's angular face looked like they could cut glass, even when he was relaxed and thinking. With his complexion and piercing eyes and all around sharpness it seemed like the man had been chiseled out of marble.

He was the absolute opposite of Aiden who was all things werewolf and large and so, so warm. Aiden was an all consuming heat.

Killian was an overpowering ice cold darkness. He slithered under your skin where he nestled there to tempt you and annoy the hell out of you.

And right now he was annoying me by putting on a show of mulling over my request.

After a long drawn out silence he finally spoke up and the look he gave me sliced through me, "Why?"

"Just curious. Maybe there's something I can learn that will help me fend off Elias." I shrugged, doing my best to act nonchalant.

He wasn't buying what I was selling. Those pale eyes narrowed and I sucked my bottom lip in between my teeth, chewing nervously.

"No one learns out of simple curiosity. You do it because it's something you can greatly benefit from, despite the consequences. There are things darker than you can imagine in the world of magic."

I opened my mouth to protest with another weak excuse but he raised his hand to stop me, "Aiden will be unhappy about it however. His discomfort amuses me. There isn’t a ton to do around here, so why not.”

Killian’s eyebrows lifted again as I fought back a victorious smile. I was hoping his desire to irritate Aiden would come into play. I had a feeling I would always get my way with these two as long as it meant pushing the other man’s buttons.

He looked over at the door then quickly focused back onto my face, "Besides, I am supposed to help keep an eye on you. No better way to do that than keep you by my side. Now come here,” he suddenly grabbed me and started patting me down.

I blushed at the invasion of my personal space and scooted away but he just pulled me in closer.

That’s when the banging on the door started and Aiden’s muffled voice shouted from the other side.

killian waved a hand at it and it swung open. Aiden came barreling in, anger radiating off of him. His eyes were dark and his nostrils flaring as he took in Killian brushing off my shoulders.

“There, there, Lyra, you are alright. Sorry about that.” Killian cooed softly as he patted me some more.

He glanced over at Aiden, who looked like he was seconds away from ripping Killian’s head off, and shrugged. “I underestimated the protection I put over the room. It shocked her. But don’t worry, your mate is all in one piece and will be okay. No real harm done.”

He shoved me in Aiden’s direction, and I tripped. Strong arms curled around me before I could hit the floor. I was quickly tucked into Aiden’s warm chest, finally safe from the unpredictable warlock. A sigh escaped my lips at the same time a growl shook the room.

“How did she get out of her room? What was she doing in here?” He demanded, crushing me into the hard muscle of his large body. I peeked at the tattooed arm that was holding me tight and swallowed thickly.

I wanted to peel his shirt off of him and see the tattoos in all their inky glory.

Nope, no way, not happening.

He was going to keep his shirt on and I was going to keep mine on. I did not want to strip him and run my tongue all over his inked golden skin.

Liar.

Another growl interrupted my thoughts and I looked up at Aiden’s rage filled face. A muscle in his jaw spasmed as he bared his teeth at Killian.

Killian tossed his hands up dismissively and turned away to go back to organizing his books, “Hell if I know. You must have left her door unlocked.”

He stopped to glance over at me, a chilling smile gracing his lips, “This does bring up a wonderful opportunity though. If you want to earn her trust, you should let her out. This house is hers now too for the time being. It’s wrong to keep the princess locked up.”

“Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t do with my mate.” Aiden’s body trembled violently. The shift was on the cusp of tearing through him.

“Fine. I just thought I would throw it out there. You might win brownie points with her if you loosen the chains just a smidge. But do whatever you feel is best.”

I pursed my lips at the betrayal. He was really going to roll over and give up that easily? So much for keeping me by his side.

Wimp.

A wimp that had threatened to kill me, but still. I couldn't believe he wasn't going to give Aiden even the littlest bit of resistance.

Aiden lowered his chin to narrow his darkened eyes at me. I fought the urge to look away. Could he sense what happened here? Could he tell that Killian had gotten way too close for comfort and I had briefly liked it?

I was crossing all my fingers and toes that the supposed bond wasn't that strong yet.

"Get out Lyra."

The command sent my nerves spiraling. Ribbons of anxiety wrapped themselves into a tidy bow around my stomach. His tone was deadly and I recognized bloodlust glazing over his eyes.

He was going to kill Killian.

"No."

Now his anger was directed at me. He straightened, squeezing me so tight that I could practically feel bruises forming around my arms and ribs.

"Get the f**k out of this room. Now."

At least he didn't yell. But maybe that was worse. His voice was low and gravelly, not leaving room for argument.

If he thought I wasn't going to argue he was about to be real disappointed. I pushed against his rock hard chest, momentarily thinking about how good it felt under my hands before remembering what was happening. The desire melted away into rage.

"Do not speak to me like that. What is wrong with you? I am not going to just walk away and let you kill him."

That got a sharp laugh out of him, "You want to save that honor for yourself? You would have torn him to shreds if I hadn't stopped you earlier."

There was a hint of pride in the words. Heat flashed across my face.

Killian coughed from where he was standing by the bookshelf. Our heads snapped over to him at the same time. "Look at that. The lovebirds are fighting over who gets to murder me. How romantic."

Aiden shoved me to the side as he lurched forward. I jumped in front of him and wrapped myself around him in a bear hug. He immediately relaxed.

"Get out of the way." The order was soft this time. One hug and he was putty in my hands. I shook my head and pressed my cheek against his chest.

"Nothing happened Aiden. I was the one who came in here. If you could stop acting like a hot headed Alpha for two seconds you would realize how ridiculous it is to kill him over nothing."

The feeling of Killian's hand around my throat washed over me and I quickly pushed the memory down.

What Aiden doesn't know won't hurt him.

But learning magic to find a way to destroy the ward and escape this cabin will.

I shook off the nagging little voice in my head.

"You wanted to kill him because he laughed at you." He argued weakly, wrapping his arms around me to return the hug.

I peered over at Killian who was watching with… jealousy? When he noticed my stare his face went blank. Maybe I had been mistaken. Maybe it wasn't jealousy at all. He wasn't easy to read.

The room suddenly felt too dark, too claustrophobic. I stepped back and looked between the two men. Aiden shot an angry glare at Killian, but seemed to have calmed down.

"I suppose you are right. It's not fair to keep her shut away." My eyes widened, earning a small smile from Aiden. "Lunch is ready Lyra. Let's eat."

Aiden walked out of the room, obviously expecting me to follow. When the door slammed shut with another wave of Killian's hand he immediately started yelling and banging on it again.

Killian's mouth curled up in a Cheshire smile. He took quick strides towards me, making me walk backwards until I almost bumped into the door. He grabbed me around the waist before I could touch it and electrocute myself again.

"I'll come get you after golden boy is asleep. I hope you're a night owl."

His whispered words brushed against my ear in a warm breath. Chills prickled along the back of my neck. Aiden slammed into the door, rattling it with a feral snarl.

He let go and moved over to a chair next to the round table. He slid into it in one smooth movement and opened the door for me.

Aiden reached in and pulled me out in the blink of an eye.

The image of Killian's dark smile and fingers tapping against one of the mysterious books on the table burned itself into my brain as the door swung shut.