Jaded [The Moonlight Breed 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Gabrielle Evans (good novels to read TXT) 📗

freely from the wound. “Here we are, baby.” Holding the bleeding appendage over Zuriel’s open mouth, he watched as the crimson pooled on his tongue, and almost sobbed in relief when his lover swallowed reflexively. “That’s it. You’re going to be okay.”

A quiet, almost imperceptible gurgle caught his attention, and Spiro glanced toward Marcel’s still prone body, watching the shallow rise and fall of his chest. Rissian’s alive. Cuddling Zuriel closer, he nuzzled against the top of his head, thankful beyond words.

He didn’t quite sob, but when a stray tear beaded in the corner of his eye and overflowed to trickle down the side of his face, he didn’t bother to wipe it away, either.

Chapter Fourteen

Waking to a warm body pressed against his back, Zuriel smiled, keeping his eyes closed for just a few minutes longer. When he finally decided to roll over and greet his mate properly, however, he froze, sucking his bottom lip between to his teeth to keep from shouting.

“Easy,” Spiro whispered against the shell of his ear. “You’re safe now.”

“It was Marcel. He killed all those people. Spiro—”

“Hush now.” His arms tightened fractionally, and he kissed Zuriel’s nape with a tender brush of his lips. “Your friends were very forthcoming with information. I know everything.”

Well, Zuriel was missing some crucial bits of information—like everything that had happened after he’d fell into unconsciousness. “Where is he? How did you find me?” He squirmed until Spiro loosened his arms, and then rolled to face his lover. “Tell me what happened.”

“You’ve been asleep for about twenty-four hours, and your wounds have healed.”

He didn’t even know he’d been injured, but Spiro was right. He didn’t hurt anywhere. The sleep thing would explain why he felt like his bladder was going to explode, though. “What else?” He wanted details too much to move.

“When Jacobi got back to the room and realized you weren’t there, your friends pieced together what had happened. Rissian tried to reason with Marcel through their mating bond. When that didn’t work, and he realized we wouldn’t reach you in time, he sacrificed himself to stop his mate.”

“No,” Zuriel moaned, burying his face against Spiro’s chest. “I was prepared to die. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of me.”

“You can knock that shit off right now.” Spiro nudged his chin up so that he was forced to meet his mate’s glare. “I would gladly walk through fire for you, but there will be no more talk of dying.” He dipped his head for a short kiss. “Rissian is alive. He stopped Marcel, and I think he intended to die, but Locien was able to save him.”

“Hold up. So, he’s not dead?” Grunting angrily, he beat his fist against Spiro’s chest. “You’re an ass for letting me think that, even for a second.”

His disgruntlement ebbed at the sound of Spiro’s laughter. “Well, you didn’t let me finish.” The chuckle faded, and he rested his forehead against Zuriel’s as he let out an unsteady breath. “You scared the hell out of me. I still haven’t decided if I’ll let you leave this room again.”

“I know.” Putting himself in Spiro’s place, he had a pretty good idea of how frightened the man had been. “I was just trying to help. I honestly didn’t think anything would come of it.” It occurred to him that his mate knew the hows, but he hadn’t mentioned anything of the whys. “Marcel wanted Rissian to be king.”

“I suspected as much.” Spiro shook his head and snorted. “He didn’t stop to think that Rissian might not want to lead, though.”

“It’s just a title. Does it really matter who wears it?” It all seemed so senseless to him. “Hell, divide the crown, and all five of you can wear it.”

“Actually, you’re pretty close. I’m petitioning The Council to remove the position and undo the enchantments that curse our family.”

“Can they do that?”

“Elder Winters is ancient.” Spiro twisted his lips up on one side. “If anyone knows how to accomplish it, he will.”

“So, we’re going back?” There were mixed feelings on that, something he hadn’t expected. The truth of the matter was that even with all the bad stuff, Silmataurea felt more like home than Wyoming ever had. On the other hand, he’d really like to see his brother and tell him all the wild things that had transpired in his absence. His twin probably wouldn’t even recognize him anymore.

“Actually, Aradan spoke with the elder, and he has agreed to come to the island to hear our case and sentence Marcel.”

“Oh.” Again, he was torn, but this time, he was more disappointed about not visiting Zavion.

“Mmm hmmm,” Spiro hummed. “And a certain Irishman has agreed to bring his mate for a visit next week.”

“An Iri—Spiro! Holy crap!” Throwing his arms around his mate’s neck, Zuriel squeezed with all of his strength as he rained kisses over Spiro’s face. “Thank you. Thank you. I love you. This is so awesome. Thank you!”

“Okay, okay, cut it out.” Spiro pinched his butt and rolled him to his back where he pinned him to the mattress. “I love you, too, lirimaer, and you are very welcome.” A scorching kiss that curled his toes was delivered to Zuriel’s mouth, wiping away any argument he might have had. “Shower and food, in that order.”

Since his bladder was protesting the weight on top of him, and he felt like he was covered in a week’s worth of grime and sweat, he conceded the point with a nod and a giggle. “Come with me.”

“That’s the plan.”

* * * *

Zuriel’s inner walls clamped around his cock and squeezed as his mate moaned and writhed against the tiles of the shower wall. Water cascaded down his smooth skin, causing it to glisten in the overhead light, and Spiro couldn’t pry his eyes away from those plump, gorgeous lips.

“Harder,” Zuriel demanded, gripping the neck of the showerhead as he rocked his hips in time with Spiro’s hard thrusts. His head fell back on his