The divine realm battle was over, but the aftershocks still lived in their bones. Bleeding, bruised, and dehydrated, the entire pentacle had collapsed in a tangled heap in the gardens of the dragon estate, and now, groggy and aching, they staggered through the halls to the massive room Elisha had built just for them, a room with a bed so large it could fit a damn war party.
Rhiannan moaned in pure bliss as she sank into the center of it, her body still buzzing with divine magic and exhaustion. One by one, her mates joined her, wrapping around her like living shields. She kissed each of them gently, Kaleb's lips firm and possessive, Arwen's lingering and soft, Liam's sharp with mischief, Elisha's searing with heat, and Sable's trembling but desperate, and then they all fell into a deep, healing sleep.
The next morning, Rhiannan woke up to a familiar scent teasing her nostrils...meat. Sweet gods, bacon. Her eyes fluttered open and she groaned in delight, stretching naked across the bed.
She followed her nose all the way to the grand kitchen of the estate and stopped dead in her tracks, laughter bursting from her throat.
All five of her mates stood in sexy aprons.
Kaleb's said: "Alpha Meat. Always Well Done." Arwen's: "Panther in the Sheets." Liam's: "Bite Me. Literally." Elisha's: "I Cook. I Burn. Both Are Sexy." Sable's: "Hotter Than Hellfire."
She collapsed against the doorway, tears of joy brimming in her eyes. "What in the horny hell is this?"
"Breakfast," Liam purred. "And possibly a five course orgasm if you behave."
They spoiled her. Pancakes with strawberry drizzle. Bacon so crispy she moaned. Eggs, hashbrowns, and endless mugs of her favorite tea. Then came the hot bath with floating herbs, enchanted oils, and Kaleb's strong hands massaging her thighs while Arwen washed her hair.
She thought, I could really get used to this five mates thing.
Wrapped in a silky robe, lounging on the sofa with her head in Elisha's lap, she pulled up FaeNet and began scrolling.
Then she froze.
A live broadcast.
The royal palace.
The King and Queen.
Punishing their daughter.
Gailia.
The princess was chained, bloodied, her blonde hair matted and her cheek swollen. The queen's voice echoed, honeyed and cruel, as she proclaimed her daughter a traitor to the crown. Rhiannan flinched as the whip cracked across Gailia's back.
No.
Her rage hit like a tidal wave. I am a fucking goddess. If I can't save my friend, then what the fuck am I good for?
Without a word, she stood.
The air around her shimmered. Power surged. Her fingers sliced the air and a portal of searing silver light bloomed open.
And she walked through.
The royal court froze as she appeared mid broadcast, surrounded by swirling light, her eyes glowing like molten stars.
The Queen gasped.
The King dropped his goblet.
"I'll be taking this" Rhiannan said, yanking the chains from Gailia's wrists like they were made of paper. She wrapped an arm around the sobbing girl.
"Say hi to FaeNet."
Then she snapped her fingers and vanished.
Back in the castle, her mates were not amused.
"You WHAT?!"
Rhiannan stood sheepishly, holding Gailia protectively. "She needed me."
"You could've died!" Kaleb snapped.
"You're grounded," Elisha growled.
"You're lucky I find recklessness hot," Liam muttered.
"I was going to kill someone," Sable hissed.
Arwen just crossed the room in two strides and hugged his sister tight, tears slipping from his eyes. "You're safe. That's all that matters."
Gailia clung to him and whispered, "Missed you, idiot."
Rhiannan grinned as the room calmed. Her mates didn't stay mad long. Especially after she promised to let them "punish" her later.
Training resumed. Bonds deepened. Laughter returned.
And then, Gailia stumbled, literally, right into them.
Two identical men with golden eyes and shimmering silver hair, dragon twins with matching tattoos and six pack abs that belonged on FaeNet's hottest list.
They froze.
Gailia froze.
Rhiannan smirked. "Oh shit."
The twins dropped to their knees. "Mate."
Gailia blinked. "...Well, fuck."
Rhiannan cracked up.
The chaos had only just begun.