Absorbing poison, p.4
Absorbing Poison, page 4
Kieran folded his arms, not bothering to turn around while I made my way to the water, but neither did the others. Wading in, I closed my eyes and sighed in delight. I was bathing in utopia. Moving into the waterfall, the water cascaded over my face. This might have been worth the day of hell in the jungle.
When I opened my eyes, the four of them stood on the edge of the basin, watching me with mixed expressions. “What are you waiting for?” I called out to them, smoothing my wet hair off my face.
Suddenly, they were scrambling to disrobe and get into the water, like it was a race for the last slice of pizza in the world. I giggled, but the sound was overpowered by the splashes of the descendants jumping into the basin. Like a tidal wave, a surge of water came rushing right for me, and my laughter was washed away as I was pulled under. I came through the surface to find Kieran beside me.
“You look like a mermaid.” His husky voice sent goosebumps over my arms. He came through the waterfall, dipping his head under the spray of water. His thick lashes stuck together, emphasizing the hue of his green eyes.
“I can guarantee you I don’t swim like one.”
A round of chuckles rumbled from the descendants.
Was I seriously bathing with four guys? What had possessed me to agree to such a thing? I was in over my head. “You guys think that’s funny, huh?” I cupped my hands and tossed water into each of their faces.
For a stunned moment, they stared at me, and then I was sailing through the air. Kieran, who was the closest, had picked me up and tossed me to Zade.
Oh dear God. What have I done?
Zade, in turn, flung me to Issik, who launched me to Jase. Before he could pass me back to Kieran, I wound my arms around his neck. “No more,” I warned, pushing his firm chest playfully. “You’re making me dizzy.”
Jase grinned at me, his eyes sparkling like the rascal that he was, but the glimmer swiftly shifted to something else as we both remembered our near nakedness. I should have loosened my fingers and floated away from him, back into neutral territory, but I didn’t. None of us had discussed the other part of the bond. They could feel my emotions, but also we had an attraction between us. I didn’t know how to handle it.
Was it okay that I wanted to kiss Jase, or would the others get jealous?
Was it okay that I wanted to kiss them all?
Did I even have a choice in the matter?
I acted on instinct, hoping it wouldn’t steer me wrong. My arms tightened around Jase’s neck, bringing his face closer to mine. The water lapped in a rhythmic motion against us, and I could feel his breath against my lips. “Don’t you dare think about blowing any tranquility in my direction.”
His smile returned, heartbreaking in its beauty. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Now, are you going to kiss me?”
My head angled to the left, aligning our mouths. “I haven’t made up my mind yet.” I could sense the eyes of the others on us, and my blood raced.
I had no intention of playing favorites, but Jase was right here, tempting me with his dimples. His arms came to the sides of my hips, as the warm water licked over my breasts. The bra I had on offered very little coverage. Those violet eyes enthralled me, and everything else ceased to exist when Jase gazed at me. I didn’t give myself the chance to think.
This was what I wanted.
This was what I’d dreamed about.
On the next wave, I pressed my lips to his and was met with resistance, as if he hadn’t believed I would actually kiss him. But in the next breath, his will crumbled. His fingers dove into my hair, keeping my mouth to his, and my mind became filled with nothing but the taste and scent of Jase. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pressing our bodies together. The back of his knuckles stroked my cheek like velvet, and I deepened the kiss, needing more of him. My fingers played with the wet curls at the nape of his neck. I couldn’t stop touching him. Stop kissing him. I was swimming in lust.
Parting my lips, I purred at the feeling of his tongue grazing against mine. I breathed his breath. How far was I willing to go? In the heat of the moment, I would have killed him if he stopped kissing me. So when his lips went lax against mine, I growled, wondering what I had done wrong. My lashes fluttered open, and I expected to see Jase’s vibrant eyes gleaming at me. But they were still closed, and the arms that had been around me fell flaccidly to his sides. Trepidation reared its ugly head inside me.
“Jase?”
He didn’t move, and his body was slowly sinking. Memories of Jase being attacked and falling into the lake rose up inside me, bringing panic with it.
“This isn’t funny. Cut the crap.”
Nothing. No twitching smirk. No dimples. No smart comebacks. In my arms, his body was lifeless and heavy, even with the help of the water.
What had I done to him? I racked my brain. We had only kissed. How could that render him unconscious? It was a question that would have to wait for an answer.
“Jase!” I yelled, shaking his shoulders.
Chapter Five
As I shrieked, the other descendants surrounded me. They took one look at me then at Jase.
“What happened?” Issik demanded in a tone frosty enough to freeze over the basin.
“I-I don’t know,” I stammered, letting Zade take Jase out of my arms. The warm water suddenly felt frigid. “We were just… and then he went limp. What did I do?”
Snickers erupted from the three of them, and it took me a heartbeat to figure out what they found so entertaining. This was a life or death situation. I made one little comment about Jase being limp, and they got all childish on me.
“Grow up. That’s not what I meant. How can you guys joke at a time like this?” I snapped.
Zade’s brows rose as he pulled Jase’s body to the edge of the basin. “I think you’re forgetting one very important detail.”
Kicking off in the water, I swam alongside Issik and Kieran. “What?” I urged him, feeling confused and scared for Jase.
“You were kissing,” Kieran answered.
My gaze swung to the poison dragon, waiting for him to elaborate. “I fail to see how that is important.” I knew the others were watching. That had been part of the appeal, but looking back, what had I been thinking? I didn’t know what I was doing with these four guys. That was becoming quite clear.
“Maybe she kissed him to death,” Issik offered, jumping out of the water to help Zade lift Jase out of it.
“Funny.” Then I reconsidered it. “Wait. That’s not possible, is it?”
Issik stood at the edge with his hands extended to pull me up. “Let’s hope not.”
I placed my hands in his, and Issik raised me out of the water like I weighed nothing. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Jase? Definitely. It is going to take a lot more than a kiss to get rid of this stubborn bastard.” Issik handed me a towel before wrapping one around his lower half. I’d completely forgotten about our lack of clothing.
Securing the towel under my arms, I ran my eyes ran over Jase. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling in an even pattern. At least he is breathing. I plucked a towel from a bamboo shelf and draped it over Jase’s lower half.
Zade inspected Jase, beads of water dripping off his golden chest, before being caught by the cloth around his hips. “There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with him physically.” His gaze slid to me.
“Why are you staring at me like I murdered your best friend?” He was being a little melodramatic. Zade’s glare wasn’t quite an accusation, but something made him suspicious of me.
“Damn,” Zade cursed, forking a hand through his dark, wet hair. “We should have seen this coming.”
My fingers clasped together. “Are you going to tell me what is going on?”
Zade grimaced. “We need to teach you how to harness your tranquility ability, or we all might be dozing.”
I stared at Zade, taking in what he had said. Tranquility. It had been days since I found the stone and in return absorbed its power, but I hadn’t thought much about it since. Apparently, I should have been more concerned with my newfound ability to breathe tranquility, because if I understood what Zade was saying, I had put Jase into a deep slumber.
Taking a step away from Jase, I shook my head. “I did this?”
“I’m afraid so, Little Gem,” Zade replied in sympathy.
My bad ankle gave out on me, but Issik kept me on my feet. His hands grabbed either side of my arms, pulling me against his chest. My belly sunk. I was horrified. I couldn’t believe I had done that without even knowing. Until I figured out how to control this power inside me, I wouldn’t be kissing anyone. I was dangerous.
Kieran patted me on the back. “This is a first. You put the tranquility dragon to sleep. Priceless.”
“What can I say? I can do the impossible.”
“Don’t despair,” Issik whispered in my ear, feeling the gush of sadness inside me. “We could all use some sleep. It’s been a long day.”
I nodded. Words were unable to pass through the lump in my throat.
“You’ll learn to control it. We all have,” Kieran assured me, but it didn’t do much to ease my distress.
Issik started to steer me out of the room. “Wait.” I dug in the heel of my good foot, and Issik looked down at me with cool blue eyes. “We’re not going to leave him here, are we?”
Issik glanced over his shoulder to where Jase still lay on the stone ground. Zade hovered over him. “Zade will make sure he is comfortable.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“It’s not every day we get the opportunity to pull one over on Jase. We should be thanking you,” Kieran added over my shoulder.
A practical joke? How could they conceive of such a thing right now? Sometimes they made me want to bang my head against the nearest wall.
Too tired to argue, I let Kieran and Issik lead me out of the shower room, and up the winding staircase. The curves reminded me of the snake curled around the outside of the castle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the layout mirrored the twining stone serpent’s location. Kieran and I might need to have a talk about his choice of décor. Snakes were downright disgusting, but the inside of the keep redeemed itself. It was plush and a gardener’s wet dream. Every corner had plants or flowers in it. Issik ducked under a vine hanging from an archway.
The most disturbing thought entered my mind as I watched him. What kind of critters lived in the vines and the plants? They were all over the castle. “Hot Lips, what is with the snake theme?”
Kieran didn’t blink at his nickname. They’d gotten used to the names I’d given them. “Are you afraid of reptiles?”
Dumb question. “Snakes, spiders, bugs, all the usual creepy-crawly shit.”
Issik smirked… well, a smirk for Issik meant his lips barely moved. “Just put them to sleep.”
Kieran chuckled, and my hand automatically smacked him in the chest. The poisonous dragon frowned at me.
“Nervous tic.” I smiled sweetly.
No one bought that excuse, but we had come to a door, and Kieran pushed it open, sweeping his arms in a welcoming gesture. “Your chambers await. Bug free, of course.”
I walked into the room, looking around. “You swear? I don’t want to wake up staring at an eight-legged freak.” The bed in the center of the room was supported by bamboo stalks and covered in a soft sage duvet. Its cozy exterior beckoned me.
Kieran strutted into the room, drawing the curtains closed at the window. The room was submerged in darkness. “If you have any unexpected visitors, just yell. We won’t be far away.” He grabbed a clean shirt from one of the drawers, and slipped it over my head.
Pushing my arms through the sleeves, the towel fell to the floor. I padded across the floor and climbed onto the bed. “Where will you be…” My words got cut off as Issik dropped his towel to throw on a pair of nylon shorts, giving me a view of his butt. I swallowed. “…staying?”
“I’ll be in the room next to yours, and Zade will be in the other,” Issik answered me, completely oblivious of my jaw still on the ground.
“Maybe one of us should stay with her. If Tianna…” I locked eyes with Kieran.
He didn’t need to finish the thought. We all knew what would happen if the witch showed up. T-R-O-U-B-L-E. That’s what. Like the kind that would get me killed, thus getting the descendants killed. None of us wanted to die.
“We could take shifts. Rotate each night,” Kieran proposed.
Did I get a say in this? How did I feel about having one of them sleep in the same room with me?
Hot.
Bothered.
And worried—what if I accidentally breathed on one of them in my sleep? The descendants would be no help to me if I constantly put them in a deep slumber. “I’m not sure that is a good idea.”
Kieran arched his pierced brow, pushing his damp hair away from his face. He looked different without the spikes, but still handsome. “Two against one. You’re overruled.”
My head hit the pillow. “You guys are lucky I’m too tired to argue.”
Issik came up to the edge of the bed, tucking the covers in around me. “We can discuss it in the morning.” He turned to Kieran. “I’ll stay tonight.”
Snuggling deeper into the bed, I waited for Kieran to protest. It would be like them to start fighting over who got to spend the night, but he surprised me.
Leaning over the bed, Kieran pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Sleep tight, Blondie. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” His lips curled against my skin.
My fingers gripped onto the blanket tighter. “I should breathe on you,” I uttered without heat behind the words. I listened to Kieran’s feet clatter over the floor as he left, probably smiling to himself the entire way, the damn devil.
I searched the darkness for Issik and spotted him in the corner, settling into a chair. Shadows danced across his face, giving him an aura of danger. “Are you planning on sleeping in the chair?”
“I’ve slept in far worse places. There’s no need to worry about me.”
But I did worry about him, and after the day we’d had, he deserved something better than being scrunched into a rickety chair in the corner. I fidgeted on the bed for another minute before I gave in and glared at him.
“This is ridiculous. I can’t sleep knowing you’re over there. The bed is big enough for us both.” And I wanted him close, but not close enough I could unintentionally knock him out for good. I patted the bed beside me. “What are you waiting for?”
His long legs stretched out in front of him so that his toes almost touched the bedframe. “I’m deciding if it’s a good idea for me to be close to you.”
“Because of my tranquility?”
He shook his head. “Something like that wouldn’t keep me from you.”
The way he said those words—so possessive—had my pulse racing.
“I’m not sure I trust myself to sleep next to you.”
“You did it before,” I reminded him.
“And I didn’t get much sleep,” he stated dryly.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “Be a stubborn, uncomfortable mule.” I closed my eyes, telling myself to forget about Issik. I lasted less than five minutes. My eyes popped open to find Issik’s gaze on me. In the dark, his light blue irises popped. “If I’m going to get any sleep tonight, you can’t sit there staring at me.”
“And if you keep talking, neither of us is going to sleep,” he countered. Silence greeted us both as we engaged in an epic stare-down. Issik finally gave in, and inside, I squealed like a little girl at the candy shop.
He rose from the chair to walk around to the other side of the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight, making it so I rolled toward the center of the bed. Our arms were side by side when he lay down, and we both stared up at the ceiling. I angled my head to the side, checking to see if his eyes were closed.
He peeked at me from under half-lidded lashes. “Happy now?”
I grinned, snuggling deep into the blanket and closing my eyes. “Very.”
He let out a long exhale.
As I was about to drop off into deep sleep, Issik’s husky voice pulled me back from the edge of a dream. It had been a really good dream too. “So I guess you like Jase.”
My shoulders moved in an unseen shrug. “I guess, but I like you too.” My eyes lifted to his, gauging his reaction.
Like most things with Issik, it was hard to see what he was thinking. “We’ve never shared a girl before.”
I understood how he felt. Unsure. Curious. And maybe even a little scared. “Me neither,” I replied.
His lips twitched.
“That’s not what I meant.” I bumped my shoulder into his. “I’ve never had feelings for more than one person at a time before. Let alone four, but I can’t choose between you. I won’t.” It was important I made that clear now.
“Haven’t you already?”
Did I detect a hint of disappointment? Where was this coming from? I took a stab in the dark. “Why? Because you haven’t kissed me? Not that it matters now. You couldn’t kiss me even if you wanted to.”
“Tranquility wouldn’t keep me from kissing you,” he answered calmly, ensnaring me with his cool gaze.
There went my heart, bumping in my chest. “You guys are going to drive me crazy.”
A smile cracked his serious demeanor. “Now you know how we feel.” Issik leaned over and kissed the tip of my nose. His wintery breath washed over my face, tickling my lips. “Goodnight, Little Warrior.”
Now I understood what he meant about not getting any sleep. The scent of him teased my senses until late into the night, following me into my dreams.
