Warden (Elemental Paladins Book 1) (20 page)

“Myker ... mind of.” Her mouth was filled with gooey goodness so she couldn’t articulate very well but the new paladin seemed to understand all the same for her mouth dropped open in shock.

“You tried to bind him as your paladin? To imprint your souls?” Diana asked in shock.

Max swallowed and sniffed piously, “So
he
thinks.
I
think I was attempting to wrench off his arm so I could beat his stupid, insensitive, thoughtless butt to a bloody, pulpy mess.” She shrugged, “But what would I know?”

Cali rubbed her back comfortingly, “You didn’t succeed, and that’s all that matters.”

“Yeah but it’s going to make for awkward dinner conversation; ‘hey, remember that time I tried to meld our souls together and make you my indentured servant when we were orgasming?’” She snorted. “Real classy!”

“Orgasm? Why were there orgasms?” Diana was looking frantically between the two of them in an attempt to follow the conversation. Cali helpfully made a crude gesture with her hands that Max thought was scarily accurate. “Wait, wait, wait. You had
sex
with Ryker?” The dark-haired paladin’s eyes were practically bugging out of her head and Max found herself once again considering the notion that she and Ryker were lovers.

“Yeah. That’s when I supposedly tried to bind him –”

“Never mind that.” Diana interrupted with an impatient slash of her hand, “You had sex with Ryker! Tell me everything!”

Max stilled and roved her eyes between the other two women. They were on their knees leaning forward intently and wore identical expressions of curious lust. Maybe Diana hadn’t slept with Ryker after all, she was too eager for details. Max felt herself smile for the first time since the
intercourse
. Looks like it was girl talk time! “Let’s just say I now know how they do it on the discovery channel.” Max waggled her eyebrows suggestively and they all laughed.

“And his dick?” Cali asked boldly, “What’s that like?”

Max licked her lips remembering the feeling of being stretched by Ryker’s hard shaft. “His rig is massive! Long and thick and slightly curved so hits all the right places.”

Diana shuddered delicately, “I knew it!”

“Too bad that mouth of his always ruins everything!” Max grumbled, spooning more of the hazelnut spread into her own mouth.

Diana’s shoulders drooped almost comically, “You mean he’s no good at the fun stuff? Nipples? Clit? I’m so disappointed in him!” She wailed.

Max sputtered and choked on her mouthful of Nutella. Diana was just as outrageous as Cali! And Cali was absolutely right – Max
did
really like the other female paladin. “That’s not what I meant. He is most definitely a clit-man … I was referring to his thoughtless, careless vocabulary.”

“Really? Ryker’s usually very articulate. Thoughtless and careless are not words I would use to describe him ... ever.”

Cali snorted and stole the jar and spoon from Max, “You haven’t had the privilege of seeing him when he’s around our warden here. I think all of his blood settles in his giant rig Max just described and his brain finds it impossible to function at an adult level.”

“Really? That’s … interesting.” The paladin of death stated.

“Not the word I would have used. Anyway, I’ve royally fucked up the whole situation entirely beyond repair. The others here don’t want to be my paladins and now I’ve essentially forced Ryker without his permission. It’s unforgivable.”

“Max …” Cali started.

“No Cali, please don’t. I’ll be a grown up about the whole thing. It takes two to tango after all. But I think I’ve officially overstayed my welcome. I’m outta here tomorrow.”

The two women glanced at each other intensely and some form of silent communication seemed to go on between them before the saucy gypsy grabbed the jar from the Scandinavian princess.

“Let’s go back to Ryker’s cock. Tell me, does he manscape?”

Max smiled, snuggled into her doona and let herself wallow in the freedom of feminine friendship. Just for one last night.

TWENTY-TWO

Ryker was absolutely furious … with himself. His night had been filled with self-recriminations whilst hiding in his room with his tail between his legs. The look of devastation in Max’s turquoise eyes when she had fled the room yesterday had seared him to the soul. For all her tough talk and hard-arse exterior he knew underneath it all there was a vulnerable, fragile spirit seeking acceptance and a home. Those few minutes of connection between them had given Ryker a glimpse into the soul of a brave, strong, selfless woman whose only desire was to find peace in a world that was a constant mayhem to her. He hadn’t fully appreciated how difficult it was for her to learn to shield herself, to learn to recharge and to learn to accept help. She was so empathic, her mind was truly like a filter filled with thousands of tiny holes. She had no choice but to feel and no real choice but to secrete energy given she had no one to share the burden with. He had no doubt an Order of paladins would help stabilise her and plug those holes but he now feared he had done irreparable damage to that delicate spirit he had sensed. He had to find a way to make things right this morning.

Walking into the kitchen, he registered a blur of movement before he was slammed into the wall and pinned with a forearm across his neck. Axel leaned in close and spoke in a deadly voice;

“What the fuck have you done?”

Although he respected the hell out of the guy and even approved of his protectiveness, the challenge to his authority could not be tolerated. He was too much the Alpha to allow the blatant threat to continue. He had allowed the man one free shot at him previously – that was all he was going to get.

“Stand down, soldier.” His voice was even, but brooked no room for argument; Axel would either back off or Ryker would make him. The room seemed to hold its breath as brown eyes stared into blue for several heartbeats before the pressure was removed from his throat and the other paladin took a slow step in retreat. He didn’t lower his eyes however and Ryker couldn’t help but be a little proud of the bold bastard.

“Where’s Max?” He asked.

“She locked herself in her room yesterday and threatened us all with castration if we tried to get in.” Beyden replied. He stared at him accusingly, “She didn’t sound well Ryker.”

“What the hell happened?” Lark demanded.

“Isn’t it obvious? We all heard the cyclone going on in his room.” Axel scoffed. “He fucked her.”

Ryker growled and went toe to toe with the blond paladin, “Watch your mouth.”

“Or what?

“Or I’ll rip out your tongue.”

Darius stood next to Axel. “Don’t stand there and pretend to defend her honour now, Ryker. It’s a little late for you to act like a gentleman. You don’t go around sleeping with wardens unless they wish it for a vitality exchange. And please don’t pretend that’s what it was!”

“I didn’t say it was!” Ryker defended. “We’re both adults and we wanted each other. End of story. I am not discussing this with you.”

“That’s not good enough. You know Max doesn’t know the rules. You took advantage of her.” Beyden accused.

“It’s forbidden for a reason, Ryker!” Lark added his two cents.

“You think I don’t fucking know that?” He roared back.

Lark shook his head and his green eyes shone with pity. “Look we all know you two have chemistry. The air practically lights up whenever you’re in the same room. But she’s not for you, man.”

“It won’t happen again.” He was firm on that.

“That’s what you said last time!” Axel growled.

“Last time?” Darius asked.

Ryker ignored him. “This time is different.”

“Because you’ve managed to hurt Max this time you mean?” Axel’s blue eyes were flashing with banked fire and Ryker could feel the waves of anger wafting his way.

“No! Because she tried to bond us together, that’s why!” Ryker yelled.

The collective shock in the room was palpable. “She’s your liege now? You’re in her Order?” Beyden’s eyes were huge.

Ryker ran his hands roughly over his whiskers – he hadn’t shaved in days, “No. She stopped the process before it was complete. There’s no coat of arms but there was a shadow for a few minutes.” He rubbed his arm remembering the feeling of Max being a part of him for those brief minutes.

“This is dangerous, Ry, very dangerous.” Darius looked genuinely scared for him.

“I know. Believe me, I know. I’m going to make it right with her and then I’m finally going to stop thinking about myself and start thinking about Max. I
will
fix this.” He vowed to his fellow knights and felt the tension dissipate. They all stepped back, even Axel.

“How’s the ‘brand’ this morning?” Cali asked flippantly as she breezed into the room. She looked far too amused by the situation and it was obvious Max hadn’t threatened her with castration if she knew what the hell they were discussing.
Typical females! Always sticking together!

Ryker grunted as he rubbed at the now non-existent offending mark through his shirt. “It’s faded, completely gone.”

“Thank fuck!” The woman in question exclaimed loudly, walking into the room. “That would have been a catastrophe!”

Ryker frowned. She waltzed in looking fresh as a daisy and acting causal as if the past day had never happened. As if Ryker didn’t now know what it was like to feel her move under him in the throes of ecstasy, to feel her clamp around him like a fist, to hear her cry out in passion. He inexplicitly took extreme offense at her nonchalance and the evident relief in her voice, which Max must have noticed for she asked;

“What’s wrong now?”

What’s wrong now?
Like he was some child trying her patience. Or worse, some simpering moron experiencing unrequited love. Which was insane, of course. He didn’t want to be bonded to Max any more than she very obviously didn’t want to be bonded to him. Then why was he feeling so hurt by her disregard? “What’s wrong? You tried to force my soul into an eternity of slavery.”

Max rolled her eyes, “You are so dramatic.” She gave Lark a kiss on his cheek when he handed her a plate filled with bacon and eggs. The casual affection in the gesture had him frowning. Even after all the chaos her presence had caused, she was still burrowing her way into the hearts of his men. Not that he could blame them, she was a darn good burrower.

“I said I was sorry.” She pointed out on her way to the table.

“Yeah, ‘cause sorry fixes everything.”

“It’s a start. Sometimes words are just as important as actions.” Diana sashayed into the room, clearly having arrived the previous evening. She looked typically rested and well-dressed despite what had likely been two previous days of constant travel.

He narrowed his eyes at the paladin of death. “Why do you look so good?” He accused, absolutely fed up with the fairer sex and their wily ways.

Diana smiled, “Aww, shucks boss. Thanks. I didn’t know you noticed.”

Ryker pinched the bridge of his nose. When he had met Diana, he had felt a certain kinship to the female paladin. They had both lost their Orders and were both astray in a world where they no longer had a function to serve. She had been the first of the misplaced paladins he had offered refuge to. He had always thought her beautiful and he had entertained the notion of a hot affair with her on and off over the years. It had never happened though as she insisted on calling him ‘boss’. It made him feel like he would be taking advantage of a subordinate if he were to proposition her. In the end though, it was the right decision all round given the friendship they had managed to forge. Besides … she was mouthy. So was Cali. And now that Max was here … well, one female he could handle with ease. Two? Slightly more challenging. But three stubborn, sarcastic, strong, sexy women under his roof? He was in big trouble and so were the rest of the boys.

“Watch it Diana. He can be smooth when he wants to be. If you’re not careful you could find yourself thrown on his bed and ravaged.” Max told Diana calmly as if they were talking about the weather. She tilted her head curiously, “Or have you already experienced said ravishing? It didn’t sound that way last night.”

“Wait. Last night?”

“Yep. We had a slumber party on the beach.” Cali smiled only to receive a woof whistle from Axel.

“And you didn’t invite me?” He feigned a pout.

“Sorry.” Diana shook those outrageous curls and despite Ryker’s own situation he couldn’t help but notice the way Darius’s eyes tracked the motion. The man had it bad – filthy hypocrite. She continued, “It was for members of the Vagina Club only. We completed our sacred female bonding ritual.”

“And what is that?” Beyden sounded intrigued.

Cali shrugged and buttered her raisin toast, “We discussed Ryker’s sexual prowess.”

Ryker choked on air as the rest of the men erupted into laughter. “You did not!”

Max leered and the three women shared a secret, evil smile that had his balls trying to crawl inside his body. “We did so too. We discussed you in minute, excruciating detail. I left nothing out.” She assured him proudly.

She was telling the truth, Ryker knew she was. Dear God! How was he supposed to live with Cali and Diana now?

“Back to my earlier question; Cali? Diana? Ever romped with any of the boys?”

Diana laughed, “Nope. Can’t say I have.”

Max turned to Cali, “What about you?”

Did they not realise that Ryker was standing right there? And did Max have to sound so blasé about it? Couldn’t she have sounded even a little bit jealous about the thought of him having sex with other beautiful women? She was a real blow to his ego.

Cali shook her head as she answered Max, “Not I. I don’t go around fucking my friends.”

Max nodded sagely, “It’s a wise policy. I follow the same one.” She turned pitying eyes on Axel, Bey, Darius and Lark. “Sorry boys, that means you’ll never get to experience the sex machine that is Max.”

“Well, damn!”

“What a shame.”

“Now I have nothing to live for!”

“Say it isn’t so!” Lark, Darius, Axel and Beyden responded.

“You slept with me.” Ryker pointed out, refusing to be ignored. Was it too much to ask for a little awkwardness? Maybe a little tension?