Downs, Jana - Ravyn's Destiny [Ravyn Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Allure ManLove) (6 page)

“Hello, little brother,” Desmond sneered. “Nice of you to make your report. Late.” He sat nonchalantly on his throne, a palace servant rubbing his feet with fine oils. His brother was a handsome man. He shared the family’s traits of bright-red hair and smooth skin. But his eyes were his mother’s, a shade of jade instead of garnet. He picked something out from his fingernails and flicked it aside. “I almost lost my patience with you, and that would be tragic for your friends.”

Theron’s heart constricted as he thought of Kith, Kin, and Kit. The triplet Cranes, his bodyguards and versions of the Ravyns, had been captured by Desmond months ago and been held effectively hostage so that Theron would go along with this farce. He hadn’t meant to betray his cousin or the Ravyns whom he found to be the kindest people in the world, but he had no choice. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that Desmond wouldn’t hesitate to kill his Cranes if he didn’t obey his older brother’s dictates to the letter. He’d already killed the others. Those three were his last, and he desperately wanted to save them.

“I have good news,” he murmured.

Chapter Six

Salvatore woke for the second time several days later. He groaned. His whole body was sore. He never wanted to fuck anyone again. Ever. The past three days was a blur of faceless bodies and insane urges. He’d never felt so alive and out of control and so damn powerful. It had thrummed through him like a tidal wave of energy. The feeling had intensified when Destin’s eyes had devoured his and he’d given forth his seed in unison with Salvatore. He hadn’t touched him, though.

He slowly opened his eyes as his stomach rumbled in hunger. Destin was reclined beside him in bed, fully dressed for the first time. He wore loose-fitting suede pants and an equally loose-fitting, cream, vest-like shirt. The outfit didn’t seem to go with his normal attire and tattoos and piercings. He seemed like two different people merged into one.

“Hi there,” Destin greeted. He was stroking Salvatore’s hair rhythmically as if he was lost in thought.

“Hi,” Salvatore returned. He put his nerveless fingers to his forehead. “What happened?” He felt like he’d missed something important. This definitely wasn’t a bartender’s apartment. The décor alone indicated they weren’t even in Haven anymore. Furthermore, unless Destin had a harem he was keen on sharing with his new would-be boyfriend, all the people he fucked were independently coming here to help him through…whatever the hell that had been. He wasn’t dwelling on his behavior these past couple days. He’d been a complete animal.

Destin tensed. “You were stabbed,” he said simply. Salvatore’s eyes bulged.

“Last time I checked, a hard cock was not a symptom of being stabbed.”

“I healed you.”

The bottom dropped out of Salvatore’s stomach, and he struggled to sit up. He didn’t want to be flat on his back to receive bad news. “Don’t tell me you’re a vampire and you had to change me or whatever. And who the hell stabbed me?” Destin helped him struggle to a sitting position.

“I’m not a vampire.” The relief was quick on his face. “My bodyguards stabbed you. They mistook what you did as something threatening. They’ve been reprimanded. I’m sorry.”

“Why would a bartender need a bodyguard?” Salvatore demanded. He had a bad feeling about where this was going. His anxiety spiked. “And why would he stay in this massive of a space? I really don’t think this is a studio apartment. Is it a studio apartment?”

“I’m not just a bartender, Salvatore. Please calm down.”

It was then Salvatore noticed the gold-and-silver circlet that rested ever so gently on Destin’s head. He knew exactly what the hell that meant. He had one himself.

“You’re a royal? A royal what?” Salvatore asked a tad hysterically.

“I’m a faery,” Destin said softly. That hadn’t been what Salvatore had been expecting. He started laughing. “It’s not funny, Salvatore.”

“Like Tinker Bell? That kind of fairy? Please tell me you stay my size.” Salvatore cracked up again. Even though Destin was starting to look annoyed, he couldn’t help himself. “That’s such a relief. I thought you were something dangerous.” He wiped his eyes to get rid of the tears of mirth.

“Tinker Bell?” Destin asked dryly. “I don’t think you have a true understanding of faery kind.”

“I have limited experience with them outside of Peter Pan memorabilia,” Salvatore agreed.

Destin took a deep breath and took the plunge. “Faery are elemental beings older than any species in any known universe. We’re very hard to kill and very close to the visceral side of all things. We have our worlds tucked beneath others. My mother’s world is in the Earth realm, and there are others, even one in Demontia if memory serves. It was run by one of my cousins last time I checked. Most of the time natives don’t know we’re there, but our impact on the world is significant. We bring ancient magick into the realm. My realm is Underhill, the original wildlands of the fae.” He paused. “We have certain things we get from whatever world we’ve attached our kingdoms to. On Earth, my mother’s people take energy from the humans. Their emotions are a potent form of consumable energy.”

“Is that why you work as a bartender? To feed off human emotions?” Salvatore understood the concept. He knew of some demons who had to do the same thing.

“In part,” Destin hedged. “Because I am the monarch of Underhill, I have the ability to go into other realms and feed as I wish. Most of the fae of Underhill can’t leave here.”

Salvatore frowned. “Why not?”

“Underhill is the only independent Faery Kingdom left in existence. It was one of the reasons fae left this realm to live in others. An independent kingdom must feed on itself to maintain its energy. My courtiers must feed on each other. Every emotion in my kingdom is game for food. They must feed on another fae of this realm or else their magick slowly drains away and they die. Needless to say, they don’t travel much. I’m the exception rather than the rule. Let’s see, what else? Uh, well, lust is probably the most popular emotion because it requires relatively little effort to produce and reproduce on a grand scale. You demonstrated a leaning toward it when you went through the transition, so I don’t see you having a problem doing it again.”

Salvatore liked that idea. Especially when Destin was so close to him. Surprisingly, his body stirred under the sheet. He purred, literally purred, and leaned in to Destin’s prone body.

“Whoa. No. Slow down. Not me. You don’t get me,” Destin said immediately, disappearing and reappearing out of his reach.

Salvatore frowned. “Why not? I thought we agreed to date.”

“Salvatore, it’s not so simple anymore. I wouldn’t just be a Faery King dating a human he met at a nightclub on Earth. Now you’re part of my Court and are about to experience an entirely new way of life.”

“I’m not a part of your Court,” Salvatore corrected. That sick feeling was back in his stomach.

“Unfortunately, you are now. Your injury was mortal, Salvatore. You wouldn’t have survived it. I felt obligated to save you since it was my fault that you were injured to begin with. I went to extreme lengths, lengths I wouldn’t have normally gone to.”

“The transition,” Salvatore whispered. His stomach was churning now.

Destin nodded. “I changed a fundamental part of who you were into fae. You’re now so much a part of my Summer Court here at Underhill that you can’t survive on the other side without someone of our Court to feed from, and until you learn to control all your new impulses, you have to stay here.”

“I am not your prisoner!” Salvatore snapped. He was pissed that he was too sore to stand. He wanted to confront Destin head-on. “I’d rather have died than been made a prisoner for the rest of my life. The prison I was in at least had an expiration date. I mean, it wasn’t a very firm one, but it was there nonetheless.”

Destin stood with a sigh and turned his back on the enraged Demon Prince. “I’m sorry. It’s very hard on humans to be converted to fae. Most of my Court was surprised that you survived. If you hadn’t been part dragon, you probably would not have.” He paused again, partially turning back toward Salvatore. “Speaking of which, what were you? Now that you’re here, I see no reason not to ask.”

“What’s your name?” Salvatore countered. Destin shook his head.

“I am really and truly your Destiny, Salvatore. I don’t need another name.”

“Then it’s none of your business what I
am
.” Salvatore sniffed with every ounce of his royal disdain. A resentment over this new cage filled him. With it, a surge of energy flooded his being, taking with it the soreness he’d been feeling. He rolled to his feet and stalked after Destin.

“This is that hunger I told you that you’d have to learn to control.” Destin backed away slowly. “This room is yours. When you’re strong enough, ask Mar to take you around to see the rest of the palace and the gardens.”

“You gave this to me. Take responsibility.” Salvatore growled. He felt like he was entitled to something other than an “I’m sorry” from the Fae King. He hated cages but hated being told he had no choice even more. Even with the Ravyns he had some sort of choice.

“I can’t take you as a Consort,” Destin said. His eyes were wide. So he’d never expected Salvatore to demand
he
be the one to sate his hunger? What utter stupidity. Didn’t the faery get that Salvatore still wanted him beyond anything else? His obsession certainly hadn’t gone away. Destin played with his lip piercing nervously. It was good to see the fae so off guard.

“Why not? Here or there makes little difference.” Salvatore mirrored his actions, and if Destin turned his back Salvatore would be on him.

“I’m gone for weeks at a time. I wouldn’t be here to take care of your needs.”

“Then take me with you. Take me back home.”

“No. Salvatore, it’s dangerous over there for you right now.”

“Take me home, Destin. Take me to bed. Just fucking take me.” The burning ache of arousal was back in full force, and Salvatore became aware of another consciousness that was almost merged with his. It didn’t feel like another mind trying to influence or invade his own. In fact, it almost felt like it was another him. A more primitive him.

Ours
, the being said. The growl was a reptilian rumble.
Take.
Ours
. Salvatore felt his top and bottom canines elongate like a shifter’s. He was hard as a rock now, and he knew his eyes were glowing even if he couldn’t see them. They’d done that ever since he was young. If he were angry or aroused, they glowed like a pair of torches.

Destin inhaled sharply, and he seemed to be experiencing an inner dilemma of his own because his hands were clenching and unclenching at his sides as if he were resisting the urge to reach out to Salvatore. “I can’t–I can’t make you my Consort.” He stumbled through the sentence and managed to trip over a small table that was seated beside a brown leather couch Salvatore hadn’t seen before.

“You better take responsibility for this, Destiny,” Salvatore snarled. He reached out and grabbed the shorter man’s arms and pulled him flush against his body. “Mine!” He growled primitively. The other being inside him decided to voice its opinion. “
You said watch. You watched. Now, you’re Mine.
”

Destiny blinked. “How do you speak the ancient tongue?” he asked incredulously. “Only the royal family knows that language.” Salvatore inhaled his scent, drawing it into his lungs like he was inhaling one of Tony’s flavored cigarettes until his head spun with a nicotine-like high.

Salvatore shrugged. It didn’t really matter. Destin was just trying to distract him. “I have no idea how I know it.” He lowered his head and captured Destiny’s lips in a kiss. It was a brutal clash of tongues and teeth and Destin loved it. Secretively. Sort of. He moaned but cut the noise off as quickly as he could. Salvatore smirked against his lips as Destin pressed his body against Salvatore’s as the bigger male’s cock dug into his stomach.

* * * *

Salvatore growled triumphantly. This is how he wanted Destin, hot, alive, close. The way he was supposed to be. Salvatore had been in love with the bartender for weeks now, but only now did he understand the true depth of that emotion. It went beyond a simple crush. He wanted to claim Destin before the world. Make him his in any way he could. Show him with every inch of his body just how much he did love him. His hand dug into Destin’s hips, and the demon howled at the hard press of flesh against his thigh. Yes, he thought.