Floating in the lavender and jasmine infused water, I tried not to let my mind drift too much beyond how lovely the scented water felt.

As that was nearly impossible, I allowed myself to try to think of ways to convince Elex to meet me half way on this whole sex thing and just give me a quickie.

Just a pickle tickle.

Make me scream just a little.

Make me cream even a little.

I sank deeper into the water.

That was becoming a problem. I’d started to lose interest in Elex. Not that I didn’t love him—I still did, but the sexual drive that had started out so high was waning.

We lived together, but the only thing that made us more than roommates was that we slept in the same bed, occasionally naked.

Damn, damn, damn.

What was I going to do? I had to have sex. Soon. It was critical for the survival of S’Kir.

And wasn’t that a mindfuck?

How did I know how to do this stuff? Why was I so sure the mountain couldn’t fall until the magic was ready?

Snarling at the water, at the whole situation, I sank down even deeper, submerging everything but my mouth and nose.

I could solve my sex problem easily. There were two males outside the door who, even though they were interested in males, would probably take care of me in the name of the Lost God.

But Elex was there for this reason. Though I hadn’t realized at the time, it was why they told him to move in with me.

The twins were mated to Master Dorian, and all the angels and demons knew I did not want to cross that man for a cheap romp for power.

I didn’t want a cheap romp at all. I wanted Elex to make love to me. That was it. Simple enough.

At this point, if I had to beg—

I stopped myself and let that settle in my brain.

If I begged him.

Elex was a dominant male. An alpha in bed. Maybe if I acted completely submissive and begged him, I could tap into his need to be in charge and get him turned on enough to take me finally.

I sat up in the tub and let the water sluice back off me.

That was it.

Tonight when he came home, I would submit to him, naked and ready, and there would be no way he would be able to resist his sexy, submissive yam.

As fast as I could, I toweled off and pulled on my robe. I looked at the undergarments I had picked and left them on the dressing bench.

If I was going to be sexy, it had to be naked.

This was an excellent idea, and I couldn’t wait to—

No.

I could, and should totally wait to share it with the Twin Mountains of Walking Sex in the Breakfast Nook. They didn’t need to know what went on in my bedroom any more than I needed to know what went on in theirs.

I completely knew what went on in theirs.

Damn it.

Steeling myself, I headed into the breakfast nook.

Roran and Rilen were moving as a single, smooth unit to unload a cart of food the kitchen had sent up for us. They had four places set, which was sweet and heartbreaking at the same time, and were getting everything plated and ready.

I wondered if Master Dorian really knew what he had in these two mates.

Rilen, definitely the gentleman of the two, pulled out a seat for me and motioned me over.

I nodded my thanks as he pushed the chair to the table.

“You’re not wearing anything under that robe, are you?” His breath was hot as his words carried over my ear.

I groaned. “I thought you were the gentlemen.”

He moved around me and smirked. “If I weren’t a gentleman, I’d tell you to show me what you aren’t wearing.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to ignore the throb between my legs.

Damn him.

“I suspect my brother has pointed out that we can tell you’re naked under there,” Roran said, taking a seat. “Let’s eat, and then we can discuss your plan.”

“My plan?”

He stabbed a vegetable with his fork. “To get your male in the bed with you and seal the deal. Soon.”

Dinner was a reasonable way to not talk about what they wanted to know. I grabbed my utensils and started in on the meal, making sure if they asked me anything, I had a convenient piece of meat or vegetable handy to shove in my mouth.

“You keep doing that.” Rilen finally pointed out my ruse.

“Because I don’t want to talk about whether or not I’m getting sexed up on a regular basis. I don’t want to talk about my sex life at all. Ever. Except with the man I’m bedding. It’s ridiculously intrusive.”

Roran put his fork and knife down. “You are the Breaker of the Spine. You must guide the mountain down.”

I grumbled. “Spiffy.”

Rilen put his knife and fork on the table. “It’s not just rocks, Kimber. There’s a lot more to it.”

“I know, I know. I have to make sure that the Spine falls so no one on either side is hurt, and so we can still use the land. I got that.”

Roran nodded. “Yes. I’m glad to hear that. But like my brother said, it’s not just rock.”

“Okay, there’s crystal if you get technical.”

Taking a sip of his water, Rilen chuckled. “Well, that’s also true. But have you thought about this? Why would we need you to guide the mountain down? Why not just have you stop the temblors until the magic aligns, and then evacuate the cities up and down the Spine? Let it fall where it may.” 

“But I’m not the Stopper of Spine Tremors, which sounds like a bad doctor’s specialty. I’m the Breaker of the Spine.”

Tapping his nose, Roran agreed. “Why? Why are you specifically called the Breaker?”

“I’m meant to guide the mountain down.”

“Down where? Down why?”

My brain couldn’t come up with an answer. I bit into another piece of potato and chewed thoughtfully.

It hit me like a brick.

“The Gate.”

The twins nodded in sync. “Exactly.”

Scrubbing my hands over my face, I groaned. “I have never, ever thought that getting someone to just slip me the pickle for a quickie would be this hard or this important.”

Rilen folded his hands. “Would you like one of us to talk to Elex? Explain this is not just about you wanting some physicality again?”

“Oh, gods, no!” I shook my head violently. “No, no.”

Roran put his hand over mine. “Then you will try to talk to him tonight?”

“I try every night, Roran.”

He looked down at his plate and nodded. “Of course. But please remember we are here for you. You are one of the temple masters, and we will help if you ask us to.”

I swallowed. What I wanted from these two was not help getting my boyfriend in bed with me. I wanted them to crawl in with me.

Both of them. At the same time.

Holy crap. Did my body respond to that idea?

I also regretted not putting on at least a small pair of panties because I was pretty sure the evidence of my sudden arousal was all over the seat of my robe.

Damn it.

But once again, the two of them took over what had to be done in the kitchen and were happily cleaning up for the night, politely leaving Elex a plate of food.

I had no idea when he would be back, and it made me feel bad—but I couldn’t explain why.

Rilen found the brandy in the cabinet and pulled out three glasses for us. He stopped as he was about to close the cabinet.

I knew what he had found.

Reaching in, he pulled out a tall, stoppered bottle with what looked like liquid stars inside. Swirling it, I was hypnotized by how it flashed and sparkled in the dim lights of the room.

Roran stood, rather violently, from the table. “Is that…”

A simple shrug from his brother said everything. Rilen removed the stopper, and the unmistakable scent of night jasmine, white nightshade and winter slumber blooms filled the room.

“It’s a sleeping draught.” He passed it under his nose and staggered back a moment. “It’s a concentrate. That’s why it looks like that. This is enough to put several elephants to sleep.”

Roran’s voice was full of rebuke. “Why in S’Kir do you have this?”

I sighed. “Sometimes, Elex has night terrors. The only thing that gets him into a sleep deep enough to not remember them is the Vampire’s Draught. If he wakes in the middle of the night, he puts just a few drops in a finger of whiskey and comes back to bed.”

Recorking the bottle, Rilen shook his head. “This is a serious sleeping potion.”

I swallowed. More things I didn’t want to share. “He punched me in my sleep, twice, from the terrors. He didn’t want to do it a third time. The other draughts didn’t work as well. They couldn’t get him as deep, or they froze him in the terrors.”

“There are about four healers in all of S’Kir who can make this.” Rilen swirled the bottle again. “This was not easy to find… or inexpensive.”

“The professor helped him find the healer,” I said. “I think he said they had to take a train there to get the draught.”

Roran made a noncommittal noise while Rilen put the bottle back.

“Has he seen a healer about these night terrors?” Roran asked.

“Since he was a child. He always had good days and bad days growing up.”

Rilen closed the cabinet with a click. “Well, let’s just enjoy this brandy, and we’ll be on our way. We’ll trust that you have a plan to seduce your man.”

“I do,” I grinned, grateful for the change of subject.

“Then, brandy.” Roran lifted the glass. “And I need a bath. You gave me quite the workout.”

Not the kind I wanted.

I was at least able to hold in my disappointed sigh.

 

*  *  *

 

“Kimber?”

It felt like small earthquakes shaking me, and I tried to ignore them.

“Come on, Kimber.”

More little quakes.

My brain woke up, and I shot up from the couch.

The tremors stopped.

After a deep breath, I looked around and found Elex sitting on the couch looking confused and exhausted.

“Did you… That wasn’t a tremor?”

He gave me a smile. “No, it wasn’t a tremor. You fell asleep on the couch.”

“Oh…” I mumbled. I glanced down and saw my robe open.

The plan for the night came rushing back to me. “Oh, Elex. I was waiting for you!” I pulled the robe closed and turned around. “I was waiting for you, and I was…”

He was snoring.

I sat down next to him and leaned into his shoulder. “I was waiting for you. All I want to do is make love. Just once. I don’t want our world to die. I don’t want the mountain to crush us.”

“I’m sorry, love,” he mumbled, fighting sleep. “I don’t have to go to the university tomorrow.”

“Stay. Stay in bed with me. I’m navigating this new life alone. I’m lost and confused most of the time.”

He pressed a kissed to my head. “I’ll stay.”

I nudged him. “Let’s at least sleep in the bed.”

“Mmm, agreed.”

It took all we had to get off the couch and make our way to the bedroom. I don’t know who fell asleep faster.

 

*  *  *

 

The sun shone against my eyelids, and I tried to ignore it.

But a moment later, the smell of breakfast and fresh, hot tea tickled my nose, and I had to find out where it was coming from.

I sat up and realized I was completely naked. Looking around, I was happy to realize, and then remember, I was in my own bedroom.

Elex and I had at least shared the bed.

A start.

My robe was hanging on the bedpost. I grabbed it and swung it around me, tucking it in and tying it.

Following the delicious smell of cooking, and a moment later, the snap of a frying pan, I wandered into the kitchen.

Elex was standing at the stove, bent over pulling something out of the cast iron oven. I watched, half asleep until I saw him go in without a potholder.

“Elex—”

“Ouch!” He yanked his hand back out and waved it maniacally in the air.

“Get your hand in the basin, get some water on it,” I instructed, snatching the potholder off the hook next to the stove.

I pulled out the muffin tin and set it on the butcher block near the water basin. Elex was grimacing as the cold well water cascaded over his palm.

“I wanted to surprise you.” He glanced over at me and had a sweet, apologetic look on his face.

“Trust me, I’m surprised.” I nodded at his hand. “Okay?”

The palm of his hand was angry red, but I didn’t see any permanent damage. “Do you want to call for the healer? Just to be safe?”

“I’m fine. Just a little dumb.”

“We’ve all done it. Would you like me to take over?”

He grunted. “Please. Before I screw it up anymore. I swear I know how to cook.”

“Of course, I know. But we all mess up once in a while.” The fork was resting on the hot stove, and I shook my head. “If it weren’t the oven, it would have been this.” I pointed to the utensil.

“Gods and goddesses, I’m too tired!” Elex wrapped a wet towel around his hand and sat at the table.

I found a new, cold fork and started turning the food, smiling and shaking my head.

In the back of mind, though, I was calm. Hopeful. This felt right and good, and I was relaxed. Maybe, just maybe, I could talk him into bed.

His hand trailed down my arm.

Maybe I didn’t have to talk him into bed.

“I’m sorry, Kimber. I am. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast to make up for all the early mornings and late nights. You understand this is a pivotal time. I don’t want to screw this up.”

“I do get it, Elex. But you have to understand I’m also working in a whole new world. I just… need you here once in a while.”

He rested his chin on my shoulder. “We picked exactly the wrong time to get involved at this level.”

“We’re good for that.” I laughed. “Our timing always sucks.”

His hand traveled around my waist, and I felt his lips on the curve of my neck. It felt good, nice, familiar.

“Take the bacon off the stove,” he whispered. “We’ll finish cooking later.”

Not a word of dissent from me. I grabbed the potholder and yanked the pan to the butcher block, dropping it there as he found the front seam of my robe.

Oh, gods, his hand felt so good on my breast. So good.

“Bedroom, please,” I hissed.

He spun and scooped me up, heading out of the kitchen and directly to the bedroom.

He bent his head and grabbed the belt of my robe with his teeth and pulled it open. The cloth fell away just as we reached the bed, and he placed me gently on the sheets.

His gaze was fire on my skin. There was no subtlety in his touch, landing each palm on my breasts.

“Be careful of your burn, Elex…”

He nodded and then demonstrated how much I had to worry, which was not at all.

The shock of his touch pearled the tips harder, almost painfully.

“Clothes, Elex. Please get naked. Now. Please.”

Taking his time, he massaged the mounds before he backed up and dropped his clothes in a flash. He climbed on the bed, and he was already erect. I wasn’t sure I wanted to wait.

I wanted him between my legs, but he lay down next to me, instead. Slowly, he began drawing circles with his fingers on my skin, which grew larger and turned into patterns of whirls and lines and zigzags.

Light, barely making contact, it raised bumps on my skin and sent bolts of lightning straight to my sex. I couldn’t stop my legs from working against the sheets, wanting more of what he was doing while wanting him to stop and just get inside me.

Tugging on his hands didn’t stop him at all. Instead, he found my lips with his, giving me open-mouthed kisses, his tongue only dancing in and out quickly. Stealing tastes. Teasing and promising.

I’d missed this. He was a patient and inventive lover, and I very much enjoyed being his experiment.

“Elex…”

I tried to speak, tried to beg him, but his hand dropped between my legs and found my very hot and swollen clit. He barely touched me, and I jerked.

My sex reacted as well, sending out a wave of my own cream, slicking all of me, preparing me for his cock.

Elex pulled back a bit when I laughed into his kiss.

“I miss this. I miss you in the bed. I miss you in my pussy. Please, don’t stay away so long.”

His answer was a wicked grin and a flick of my clit. I gasped and squirmed again.

“Not if I can help it.” His kisses moved from my mouth, down the column of my neck, and very quickly, he reached my breast and popped a nipple in to suck on.

Shit, that felt good.

A sweet assault on my breasts while his finger played with my clit—and one slipped inside me.

I gasped.

He laughed and looked up at me. “Oops. Did I do that? Finger has a mind of its own.”

“I like the way it thinks.”

My hand found his erection.

He was taking his time with me. Where I had been merely hoping for a quickie, it looked like now I was going to get the full Elex package.

And what a lovely package that was. 

My thumb smoothed over the crown of his cock, and grabbed the drop of precum, spreading the silky liquid all around him, loving the way it felt as the skin of his rock-hard erection softened just a bit.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Oh, come on!” I snapped.

“Ignore it.” His hot breath flowed over my skin.

I did and continued to play with his shaft.

Bang! Bang!

Still ignoring it, I took the opportunity to tease the erection in my hand, pumping him a few times.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

“Fuck!” I screamed, pulling away from him.

“Just ignore it,” he snapped.

“They’ll bust the door down if I don’t open it.” I grabbed the robe and threw it on. “They’ll walk right in here while your hands are in places they don’t need to know about.”

Leaving the bedroom was not so much walking as storming out. I could hear Elex scrambling after me. My gaze on the door was probably enough to shatter it into a thousand pieces.

I yanked it open and—

—had no idea who was standing there.

Dressed in full livery, I realized he was a messenger from the university.

I screamed. “No!”

The messenger took a step back, looking shocked and confused as Elex stepped up behind me.

“Professor, the alarm has gone off. I was dispatched to retrieve you.”

“No!” I whirled to Elex. “No! You promised!”

Contrition was written on his face. “I have to go.”

“Elex!”

He put his hands on my shoulders. “Kimber, please. Please. What we’re working on could save all of S’Kir from the tremors. This is vitally important, and I simply have to go.”

Using his own magic, he whisked a shirt to him and pulled it on as he shoved his feet in shoes.

“Elex, you can’t go. If that machine you’re working on can predict tremors, you have to stay. You have to.”

“I don’t know that it’s the right alarm,” he answered. “I don’t know what’s going on with it.” He started to walk out of the apartment.

“Elex, no! No, come back!” I grabbed his arm. “The alarm can wait! The professor is there, the other students will be there.”

“But this is my project, Kimber.” His hand covered mine.

I jerked away from him. “No, Elex. Learn to delegate.”

“I have to go. S’Kir needs this warning system.”

He walked away.

I crumbled into a heap in the doorway.

He walked away.

The two men started running halfway down the hall and disappeared into the stairs a moment later.

He.

Walked.

Away.

Because S’Kir needed his infernal machine.

S’Kir didn’t need his machine.

It needed me with power so I could stop the tremors until the proper time.

It needed me, to guide the mountain down, so people didn’t die.

It needed me, to keep the gate clear and accessible.

I wept. 

Crumbled into a heap in the door of my apartment, covered by nothing but a thin robe, I cried and couldn’t move from the spot.

I had no idea how long I sat there, crying. I didn’t understand why Elex couldn’t give up control of his project for half an hour.

Not that we could have gone right back to where we were in the bedroom—because talk about a mood killer—but with just a little while to calm down, we would have.

Still, he left. I didn’t think I had to explain to him that magic needed power and power needed sex. He had been through the defensive classes. He’d had this explained to him, even if I was a naïve idiot.

A tremor began deep in the ground.

I raised my head and watched the walls start to tremble.

There was no way I could stop this one.

I was the Breaker of the Spine.

I failed.

Now, I was the destruction of S’Kir.