Hyacinth, Scarlet - Craving Owen [Tides of Love 2] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever ManLove) (16 page)

Hash gaped at the wizard. “Excuse me? Why do you even care?” Anger returned as he recalled Kyllian’s unreasonable request. “You want Owen for yourself.”

Kyllian laughed. “I might, but that doesn’t mean he’s the only one I want.” He winked. “Figure it out, will you? Poor Owen doesn’t know which way is up at this point.”

Hash opened his mouth to retort, but his angry reply was cut off by Kyllian’s lips on his. He didn’t even get the chance to protest, because Kyllian’s tongue assaulted his own. Even knowing that he shouldn’t be kissing someone else, Hash couldn’t help but surrender. There was just something about Kyllian that made him feel light-headed, a silent strength and a knowledge Hash couldn’t hope to achieve.

Hash allowed the other man to take possession of his mouth, at the same time doing some exploration of his own. The wizard tasted like lightning would if it had a flavor, electrifying, airy, and with a hint of danger. Hash wanted him so badly it hurt. His beast roared inside him, demanding to be released, to fulfill the coupling of their bodies.

But unfortunately, they could not afford to prolong the stolen moment too much. Their kiss broke, and it was by miracle that Hash didn’t fall out of the sky. Kyllian gave him an unreadable look, panting slightly. “Remember that, all right? I’m on your side.”

Without further ado, the wizard started to descend. Disgruntled, Hash joined him. He knew better than to try to continue the conversation now. It was not the time or the place to try and decipher Kyllian’s enigmatic behavior, and his mind and body still buzzed after the kiss.

Even so, as they landed next to the other men again, Hash couldn’t help but remember Kyllian’s words. He looked at Owen, the wizard’s voice ringing out in his mind.
Your mate needs you.

Kyllian was right. Owen looked confused, lost, and frightened. Unlike other times, they’d avoided speaking in English alone, mostly because of the awkwardness that appeared after seeing Owen together with Yane. But it seemed clear to Hash that Owen irradiated affection. He was a naturally caring person, and asking him to choose, now of all times, would be selfish.

Of course, Kyllian had a point. Relationship-wise, they were a mess. Alcharr was in love with Yane, and Yane with him. But Yane had slept with Owen and was due to marry Alcharr’s brother. And even if Alcharr might try to deny it, he and Hash had a great deal of chemistry going on. With Sassaki added to the mix, it was no wonder that none of them knew what to do. If Kyllian became involved too…well, suffice to say that Hash would give up on ever trying to understand the affairs of the heart.

Once more, he remembered his brother, and he wondered how Chek handled his own relationship. Probably better than Hash. Chek always knew what to do, unlike Hash. In that respect, Kyllian reminded Hash of Chek, a bit disturbing, given that they’d just shared a mind-melting kiss. But whatever the case, the fact remained that now, Hash needed to be by Owen’s side. Yes, his mate needed him.

Without allowing himself to hesitate further, Hash made his way to Owen’s side and wrapped his arms around the human. His resolve faltered when Owen tensed, but the dragon within told him that this was right, this was true. They were meant to be together.

“Hash?” Owen asked, his voice trembling. “What?”

“Shhh…It’s okay. We’ll protect you.”

“I don’t know,” Owen answered. “I’m just making a bigger mess of things. I should just leave you all alone.”

Silence fell, and Hash felt the eyes of the entire group on them. Perhaps the others had not even realized how much Owen could be hurt by this. Hash himself hadn’t even considered it. He berated himself for his mistake and vowed to never do such a thing again. As a shape-shifter, he should have sensed Owen’s apprehension. He should have realized that Owen truly did not mean any harm.

But in that moment, Hash also realized another thing. It wasn’t only him who needed to accept Owen. The human cared about them all, and Alcharr and Yane’s situation hurt him. Hash willed them to say something, anything, before they left and got separated from them for the gods knew how long.

Alas, Alcharr and Yane didn’t say anything. Instead, Yane nodded in the general direction of Tanarak. “We should go. We don’t have much time to prepare.”

Owen looked away from them, and Hash wanted to kick Yane in the face. Thankfully, Sassaki intervened. “Yeah, we should,” he said tightly. He took the mer’s hand, dragging him to Owen’s side. “How do we get to your place?”

“Hash knows the way to my realm,” Kyllian answered. “My brother will help you from there.”

“All right. Thank you.” With another glare at Alcharr and Yane, Sassaki turned his back on the sea. “Come on. It’s not safe here.”

Hash released Owen from his hold and took the human’s hand, gesturing to follow behind Sassaki. But just as they were about to leave, Alcharr’s voice stopped them.

“Wait,” the eagle said. “This is all wrong.”

Hash could practically feel Owen’s hope emanate from him. They turned, looking back to the men they’d left on the beach. “What do you mean?” Owen asked in a small voice.

Alcharr and Yane walked to their side. Alcharr sighed. “Look, we don’t have time for clarifying things now, but I want you to know I don’t begrudge you for what happened between you and Yane. I admit I’m a bit…confused. I’ve never felt like this.” He took Owen’s hand and kissed it. “I’ve only ever loved Yane,” he whispered. “But I think that, in time, I can grow to love others as well.”

There was no question as to what “others” Alcharr referred to. Relief coursed through Hash. He felt a gaze on them and looked beyond Alcharr’s shoulder to meet Kyllian’s gaze. He nodded, silently acknowledging Kyllian’s assistance. He remembered their kiss and somehow knew Kyllian would be very important for them in the future.

Yane and Alcharr took their turns hugging Owen. Hash didn’t know what else to expect and was surprised when the two offered embraces to him and Sassaki as well. It was odd, unexpected, and somewhat unsatisfying, but it would have to do for now.

When at last they said their goodbyes, Hash felt a bit better about the whole thing. He held Owen’s hand as he directed his companions to the harbor. There, they’d grab a boat and leave to Almareya. To his knowledge, Kyllian hadn’t contacted Fayre yet, but he undoubtedly would by the time Hash reached their destination.

By noon, Hash, Sassaki, Kani, and Owen left the plague lands behind. They didn’t see the other men again, but Hash forced himself to be optimistic. For the moment, there was nothing he could do but hope and guard his charges.

Chapter Seven

The dryad capital of Anethone was nothing like Tanarak and its surrounding waters. Yane had almost forgotten how beautiful it looked, with the many years he’d spent focusing on their outer defenses. But finally, he’d been called home—or where his home was supposed to be.

Green surrounded him from every direction, trees growing proudly toward the clear sky, supporting buildings created to be in perfect harmony with nature. The main road was clear of people, but to their right, the intricate bazaar stood, offering all the goods possible. Even if the dryads kept to themselves, there were certain merchants who brought outside goods, and their commercial life was prosperous.

Yane never thought he’d one day return to the palace with Alcharr by his side, let alone in these circumstances. The wizard left once they’d reached the outskirts of Anethone, with a promise to contact them as soon as possible. Inexplicably, he’d also demanded a lock of hair from both of them. Yane and Alcharr complied, even if they knew that in the hands of a magic user, such a thing could be very dangerous.

But now, Yane had something else to worry about. He needed to face the dryad royal family. Suffice to say Yane wasn’t looking forward to it.

“Are you all right?” Alcharr asked, reaching for Yane’s hand. The carriage they rode in gave them a measure of privacy, even if it was uncomfortable and quite small.

Yane squeezed his lover’s palm, grateful for the support. “I just haven’t seen them in a while. I don’t know what to expect.” It certainly didn’t help that one or more of them could be plotting his demise.

Alcharr nodded. “I understand. Just remember I’m here for you.”

And Yane knew that Alcharr did, indeed, understand. He felt relieved the eagle no longer seemed upset about Owen. Perhaps the moment of their separation from the human really brought about a realization, the fact that they were no longer the only ones who mattered for each other. It was difficult to acknowledge for Yane, especially since it meant grasping the connection he sensed between him and his former enemy, Sassaki. He imagined it to be just as hard for Alcharr.

He wished he could forget about all this business with the crystal and run, retreat to the wizard realm with the others. But that would be cowardly and dangerous. Their enemy needed to be dealt with, for the sake of his people, and for his loves as well.

Yane found strength in that knowledge and in Alcharr’s presence. By the time the carriage rolled in the courtyard of their palace, he’d already gathered enough courage to face his family. At last, the vehicle stopped, and taking a deep breath, Yane opened the door. He exited the carriage and almost instantly found himself facing his parents.

How much time had passed since he’d seen them last? A few years, since he’d come here to arrange the engagement. He’d met Alcharr then and, after a period of arguments, had begun their secret relationship. Yane wondered what his family would say if, or rather when they found out about that.

“Greetings, Mother, Father.” He bowed his head in front of his parents. “It’s nice to see you are well.”

“Greetings, Yanentah,” his father, Enyas, said.

“I see you’ve finally arrived,” his mother, Tarah, added.

Why did his mother always need to point out the obvious? It wasn’t like he’d been away on a vacation. Okay, so he had enjoyed himself the night before with Owen, but that was hardly relevant for the conversation. Besides, he’d sent them a message as soon as Alcharr arrived in Tanarak announcing their imminent arrival and the issue with the wedding.

Thankfully, Alcharr intervened, greeting Enyas and Tarah in the formal way of their people. Yane’s parents turned on their courteous, polite faces. “I have to admit I was surprised when I received the note from Yanentah,” Tarah said.

Alcharr smiled tightly. “The fault lies with me. I just considered it easier and faster to speak to Yanentah directly. This way, he will be here by the time my family arrives, and he’ll get to talk to Valderr, get to know him a bit.”

The king gestured them inside while servants fussed around their carriage to take their bags. Yane almost laughed. He had very few belongings, personal items having little value in Tanarak, since the humidity always ruined most things.

“I can understand that,” the king said. “I’m sure your brother is very anxious about the wedding.”

Yane struggled to control his temper. As if they cared. Valderr and he were just tools used in a larger game, a game that now seemed to be more ruthless and evil than ever before. He scanned his father’s face, trying to detect any sign that the man knew about the issue with the crystal. He couldn’t. Enyas was the same as always, but that didn’t reassure Yane at all. Even if Alcharr claimed his father was most likely responsible for the arrangements, Yane didn’t feel convinced.

Trying to push his mind away from his glum thoughts, he asked, “Where’s Ciera?”

He hadn’t seen his sister in a while, either. Even if they didn’t get along, she was still his blood, and he missed her. “Oh, that’s right, we didn’t tell you. She’s with Dorien, her fiancé. You remember him, don’t you?”

“Fiancé?” Yane repeated. “When did this happen?”

Unfortunately, Yane did indeed remember Dorien far too well. In fact, he recalled more details about him and his naked body than he would have liked. He and Dorien had once been great friends. In fact, they’d grown up together and shared their first sexual explorations with each other. Yane had lost his virginity to Dorien, and the other way around. But once his nymph power emerged, he’d no longer been considered adequate company for the young noble, and he’d been relegated to a fighter against the wyrms.