The link between my mind and my mates lay quiet as we reeled from the witch’s news. As soon as Yseult left, Daegan and Samuel headed to their posts—to debrief the pack and establish watch again on the heights. I retired to our chamber and waited until Muriel and Fergus brought my sons in to nurse. Euan busied himself at my breast immediately, while my sister and her red-haired mate distracted Jacob. Muriel’s eyes were reddened a little, but she turned away before I could ask her if she was all right.

Truth be told, I also felt like crying. The tale Yseult told us was fantastic and tragic. She and her witch sisters still sought a final answer, a spell that could bind the mage for at least another thousand years.

We could defeat the Corpse King. But at what cost?

Euan cooed, reminding me of sweet, simple things. Good food, warm rooms, healthy children. Jacob took his brother’s place, and ate ravenously, kicking his feet and squeezing my flesh until I scolded him. Muriel handed me a blanket and I wrapped him tight, and watched his little face grow lax as the warmth and full belly put him to sleep. I passed Jacob back to Fergus and took Euan again, cuddling him until his eyelids fell.

Where is Wulfgar? I signed to Muriel, but she just stared at me.

Fergus answered for her. “He’s gone to patrol. He’ll talk to a few of the unmated warriors, and choose a few for the rescue.”

I nodded. Daegan entered, cheeks red from the wind. Fergus greeted him, but Muriel barely stirred.

“There are already several volunteers,” Daegan reported. “Maddox will be able to leave with a war band soon, once he and Ragnvald finish saying their goodbyes.”

Muriel glanced up at that, and she looked so sorrowful, I wanted to go to her. Fergus also had his eyes on his mate.

I was about to tell them to leave the boys with me, when Daegan lifted my son from my arms and gave him to Muriel. Bereft of my warmth, Euan jerked away with a cry.

“He’ll sleep if you walk him,” Daegan told my sister. She nodded and scuttled away. Fergus followed with Jacob, a frown on his face that mirrored mine.

Something was wrong with my sister.

Perhaps I should—

“No.” Daegan pulled me to my feet and kissed me soundly. His arms locked around my body, holding me until I melted into him. When his lips left mine, I was breathless. “We have another to care for,” he told me, drawing me to a small chamber adjoining our larger one.

Samuel sat there at a desk, studying a scroll before him. A map of the island. We entered, but he didn’t look up until Daegan lifted the scroll and set it aside.

“I need your help,” he said. “Our mate has been naughty.”

Samuel raised a brow.

Daegan tipped me forward so I leaned over Samuel. I grasped the armrests on either side to keep my balance as Daegan flipped up my skirts, baring my bottom.

“She has forgotten who she is and what she means to us. So have you. But you’ll remember, when you punish her.”

My breath quickened as Daegan loosened my gown. Samuel’s gaze skated over me. My milk-heavy breasts hang in front of his face, fruit ready for plucking.

“Keep still, Brenna,” Daegan ordered, and plunged his fingers into my sopping cunny.

I pushed forward, going onto tiptoe. Daegan rewarded my disobedience with a strong smack, then went back to fingering me. It would be rough if I were not so aroused, leaning over my handsome mate while the other played with my nethers.

Daegan’s skilled fingers knew just where to press and stroke. My eyes widened, my breath coming faster. Gold leapt into Samuel’s eyes. His smile hovered at the corner of his mouth as he freed my breasts from the clutches of my gown.

“Be still,” he reminded me, and fondled my breasts. Bent over, sandwiched between them, I was helpless. Each twitch earned me a harder smack from Daegan. My lips parted as my bottom grew hot, and Samuel’s smile grew.

As Daegan probed my cunny, Samuel leaned forward and claimed my lips. I yield to his brutal kiss, reaching for him with my mind, a tender, inviting touch. To my delight, he didn’t pull away.

Then, wetness trickled down my buttocks. Daegan’s fingers delve into the cleft, finding my tender hole and rimming it before dipping inside.

I moaned into Samuel’s mouth, coming up onto tip toe.

“It’s been too long,” Daegan’s voice was rough. “We need to claim ye properly.”

His fingers stretched me. “Part your legs. Wider.”

I rocked into position, still hovering over Samuel with my breasts swinging. Samuel kissed down my sensitive neck and took one nipple in his hot mouth. His beard scraped my sensitive skin.

Daegan’s hand smacked the underside of my bottom.

“Up,” he ordered. I arched my back, pushing my breasts into Samuel’s hungry mouth, propping up my backside for Daegan’s penetration. More oil poured onto my back, down the valley of my buttocks. Then he set the plug at my tight hole and pressed in.

“Breath, love,” he stroked my back as he seats the plug in my asshole. My chest heaved, my legs trembled, arousal slickened my cunny and slide down my legs at my discipline and invasion.

“Good lass,” Daegan crooned as Samuel freed his cock from his breeches and guided my head down. I went to my knees, mouth closing on the flared head, flicking my tongue against him in a way he liked. As he groaned and clutched the arm rests, I took him down further. When I popped up, Samuel had thrown his head back. Arms braced on his giant thighs, I pushed forward to take him down again.

“Enough.” Voice strangled, Samuel tugged my hair. Daegan helped me to my feet and guided me to straddle Samuel’s lap. I touched the great Alpha’s mind, seeking pleasure.

“Slowly,” Samuel held my hips so my cunny only enveloped the tip of his cock. I dug my fingers into his broad shoulders, fighting my instincts to sink down on his giant rod.

“So eager,” he commented.

“She misses you,” Daegan said quietly.

Bit by bit, Samuel allowed me to take him completely. The stretch felt so good, tears leaked from my eyes.

“Shhh,” he swiped them away.

I kissed him, gripping his long hair as if he would pull away from me. Frantic little noises escaped me, more animal than human but I didn’t care. Samuel hushed me and rose. With a needy cry, I wrapped my legs around his waist, my arms in a stranglehold around his neck as he carried me to the dais. When he knelt down, still inside me, I clung to him, whimpering.

“It’s alright. I’m going nowhere. I promise. We will be together.”

You left us once, Daegan pointed out.

Samuel gave his warrior brother a sharp look as he went to his side, taking me with him. Still joined, I nestled against him, pressing my body to his. Hooking my leg over his hip, he seated himself deeper and stroked the hair from my face.

“Brenna, look at me.”

I refused, bowing my head to his chest.

He sighed, running his hands up and down my back.

Then I felt it. A nudge at the doorway of my mind. Samuel.

Brenna, let me in.

No. I clung to his body even as I denied him my mind. You will come and take what you will, and then leave.

“What do you want?” His breath stirred my hair. “Tell me and I will do all I can to give it to you.”

Open yourself to me.

He withdrew, and my nails bit into his shoulder. But then he opened himself wide and sucked me in. A flood of thoughts, and I’m drowning. Then Daegan is with me, supporting me against the rushing tide. I hold onto him but we move deeper together into the vault of Samuel’s open mind.

I saw his fear. The endless nights on the summit, battling the Corpse King. The visions of our home taken, berserkers slain, spaewives dragged away by the mage’s army. Our boys—Daegan shielded me from those visions, but not before I saw the cradle broken, the braziers overturned, the ashes scattered. The red blanket, ripped and stained darker.

Breathe, Brenna.

Air rushed into my lungs at the command. I blinked, coming back to myself. Samuel was stroking my face, still inside me.

“I am sorry,” he rumbled. “I only wanted to protect you.”

I touched his face, and it was wet.

“We can help, Alpha,” Daegan said. “We’re strong enough to bear it.”

Samuel held my eyes. “But I cannot bear to cause you pain.”

I snuggled against him, pushing my hips to take him deeper. Keep me safe, but keep me close. I can bear anything with you.

He tugged my head back by my hair, lips seeking my mouth. His hips rocked, stroking deep inside me as his mouth plundered mine.

Samuel. Be with me. He thrust harder, surging inside me as he growled with hunger.

At my back, Daegan removed the plug and parted my rear cheeks with his cock. A few careful thrusts, and he was inside, joining Samuel in a primal rhythm that rocked me to and fro. Their cocks rubbed every bit of my inner walls, dragging pleasure from my body.

“Whatever happens,” Daegan panted. “We will be together.” He reached across me to grip Samuel’s arm. Together, always.

Samuel responded by opening his mind further. A rush of desire, of longing filled the bond between us until I bowed under the onslaught. I surrendered to the storm, opening myself and becoming nothing, a hollow vessel for my mates to fill. They howled in triumph, their bodies savage and surging, ecstasy white hot and blinding. Overcome, I hovered above them, a watching spirit, consumed and born anew.

A final gasp and the men writhed on the dais. I went back into my body, heavy, sated, yet filled with lightness.

It did not matter what happened. The joy. The sorrow. We would be together.

“Until the end,” Daegan nuzzled the back of my neck.

Whenever it comes. I remained plastered against Samuel, our bodies joined intimately until he grew soft and slipped from me.

Samuel’s head drooped, the great Alpha falling into slumber as Daegan rose and cleaned me. I was content to lay there, running my fingers over Samuel’s face and chest as if he were a sleeping babe. It wasn’t until Daegan brought me mead and Samuel’s eyes opened at the sudden silence that I realized I was humming.

The boys will be back soon. You should spend some time with them.

“I will,” he promised. “But then I must return to my post.”

“Until Odin and I relieve you,” Daegan reminded him, and Samuel inclined his head.

Already the lines of strain had slipped away from the blond Alpha’s face. In his mind, I felt a quiet peace.

We will defeat our enemies, I told him. We will find a way.

“You heard the witch. One woman might save us,” Daegan commented.

Samuel’s eyes crinkled as he placed my palm against his cheek.

“One woman already has.”