“Rest for now,” Vikuth said, guiding Rina toward her suite.

She’d ensured her parents were secured in a suite with the promise of them talking soon. She had too much on her mind with Rhodack’s capture to focus on anything else.

“I don’t want to go to my room. I’d rather be in Rhodack’s,” she murmured. There was no way she’d be able to sleep in her bed alone.

“Get some rest. We’ll meet after we all get rest. Rhodack will have my ass if you’re not taken care of.” He turned his human eyes to her, having shifted once they’d returned down to the lair.

If it hadn’t been for Vikuth, she would have left to search for Rhodack on her own.

“It should have been me,” she muttered, pushing her hair behind her ear.

The necromancers were sending creatures to this realm for her. If only she hadn’t let the winged serpent take her, then they’d be together, fighting side by side. Anger coursed through her veins at the feeling of helplessness.

What good was harnessing all of this power if one couldn’t use it?

“And he’d still be gone. He wouldn’t have rested until you were returned,” Vikuth said,

They paused outside Rhodack’s suite.

“And I should not rest.” She stomped her feet.

With the sun rising, the gargoyles were unable to continue their pursuit. She could withstand the sun. Her thoughts instantly raced. She could gather her father’s men and—

“Stop.”

Her gaze flew to Vikuth’s eyes, and the knowing glint in them hinted he knew what she was thinking.

“You will not leave the protection of lair. If I have to, I’ll take you deep within the lair and lock you up. No harm will come to you while I’m in charge.”

“But I can go out in the sun—”

“You will not leave the sanctuary of this building without a gargoyle protector with you.” His voice dropped low, and he met her gaze.

She swallowed hard and nodded before looking away.

“Now go, relax and rest. Tonight, we’ll notify the other clans and by then we should have heard word from my men.”

She grasped the door handle and paused. She glanced over her shoulder at Vikuth with a sad smile on her lips. “Thank you.”

“Thank me when he returns.”

She turned the handle and walked into the eerily silent suite. She closed the door and fell against it, trying to will the tears from falling. Her world had been turned upside down since meeting Vikuth and Rhodack. It was because of them she now knew who she truly was.

She was to be a leader for her people in Faery, and future queens didn’t cry.

They fought back.

She pulled back her shoulders and stood straight. She’d take Vikuth’s advice and rest. Tonight, she’d be the fierce Fae princess she needed to be.

She pushed off the door and padded toward the bathroom, her mind on a hot bath to soak in. Muscles in her body she didn’t even know existed ached from the battle.

She looked down at her dress and cringed. It was in tatters, and she was surprised that it held on.

Using her powers, she started the bath water and blinked her clothing away. She strode up to the large mirror in the room and took in her new look.

She could see the different features of her face that she’d never seen before. She brushed the mirror with her fingertips while memorizing her new visage. Her blue eyes were a shade lighter than before. They almost held a translucent appearance to them.

The bruising on her shoulders from where the talons of the serpent had grabbed her were slowly disappearing right before her eyes.

Superb healing, she remembered. Memories of her as a little girl with scraped knees from her rough playing came to mind. Her mother would smile as she washed off Rina’s knees and lay a gentle kiss to them while they watched the skin repair itself. Her knees would be good as new within minutes.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled at the little point that denoted her elf blood.

“You’d think that being a paranormal, I’d have been a little taller once the spell wore off,” she muttered, turning away from the mirror.

The steam from the bubble bath rose, and she slipped into the warm water. She didn’t know how she was going to turn her mind off of Rhodack’s capture and sleep but she hoped that the warm bath would help. It wasn’t fair that she would enjoy the luxury of a bubble bath while he was God knew where.

“I’m coming for you, Rhodack,” she whispered, leaning back against the pillow on the edge of the large tub. Images of her strong gargoyle warrior came to mind, and she relaxed in the tub. She closed her eyes and murmured his name, hoping that somehow he’d hear her. “Hold on. We’re coming for you.”

Her voice seemed to echo in the oversized room. Her muscles loosened. Deep in her heart she knew he’d hear her. If they were truly mates, would they hold a mental connection?

She suspected they would have a mental link between them since they were destined to be together.

She concentrated hard but didn’t hear any response in her head. She snorted. The only voice she heard currently was her own.

She still had so much to learn about being an elf that she couldn’t wait to spend time with her parents. She’d force her father to allow her to go home to Faery. It was her birthright, and if she were to be the queen, then she would need to have a crash course in being an elf and being a princess.

Rina entered Rhodack’s sleeping quarters and gasped. She gripped the towel close to her body and stared at Calista and the two women with her.

“My lady,” Calista nodded to Rina.

Her cheeks warmed as she thought of the passioned-filled night she’d spent with the female gargoyle and Rhodack.

“Calista. What are you doing?”

“We’re here to take care of you, my lady,” Calista replied with a small smile to her lips. “In our lord’s absence, we’re still obligated to take care of his mate.”

“I don’t need anything at the moment.” Rina shook her head and studied the other three. The one woman with flaming red hair she remembered from when she’d first arrived.

“Rhodack will be very upset if we didn’t see to your needs, my lady,” Ajuki remarked, collapsing her hands together in front of her.

“I’m Manga, my lady.” The smaller of the trio waved to Rina. This female had dark hair with light eyes, and she was almost the same height as Rina. She had a warm smile on her lips while she ran her gaze over Rina.

“Come, Rina. Lie on the bed, and we’ll help you relax. We’ll give you a nice massage, and that should help you sleep.” Calista moved forward with her arms motioning Rina to the bed.

Rina looked over at the other two. Manga held a small bag.

“Massage sounds good, but I’m serious. I’ll be fine,” Rina protested.

Calista guided Rina toward the bed. Calista urged her onto it, laying her on her stomach. She positioned the towel over Rina’s bottom to give her modesty.

Rina’s muscles tensed while the women moved around the room. The lights dimmed, and even, soft, soothing sounds floated. The smell of incense burning circulated through the air, and Rina relaxed. The trio was turning the suite into a little oasis for her. She sighed, unsure what she’d been thinking trying to turn them away.

This was just a massage to help her relax.

“You’re so tense, my lady,” Ajuki murmured, running her hands along Rina’s calf muscles.

Rina held back a moan as the woman spread oil onto her skin and began a light massage of her left leg. “We will not harm you.”

“We’re here to take care of you,” Manga spoke up from the other side of the bed.

The bed dipped as she knelt on the opposite side of Rina. Small, soft hands rubbed oil into Rina’s right shoulder.

“Calista, really, why are you ladies here?” Rina asked, turning her face toward the gargoyle.

Calista smiled and patted Rina’s shoulder. “When we heard how you fought at our clan leader’s side, we knew you would be a good mate for him. Rhodack will need someone strong at his side. The family name will depend on him mating with a strong female. We, as his harem, will never bear children for him. Fate will only allow his mate to carry his seed.” Calista brushed Rina’s hair away from her face.

“We will not only serve Rhodack, but you as well, my lady,” Ajuki murmured.

Rina bit her lip to keep from moaning her gratitude. The women’s hands were working miracles on her flesh.

“Because of you, his family name will live on. Clan Gahnoth is one of the strongest clans in this realm, and in order for it to remain that way, he must continue his legacy,” Manga explained from her position. She pulled Rina’s arm out to straighten it on the bed then worked Rina’s biceps.

“But Rhodack and I haven’t mated,” Rina groaned, her body awakening with the women’s hands on her. Ajuki’s disappeared beneath the towel and gripped her ass, massaging the plump meat.

“But his gargoyle and he recognizes you as his mate. Once you agree to mate with him and accept him as your gargoyle, then the fates will take over,” Calista whispered, laying a gentle kiss on Rina’s bare shoulder.

Moisture seeped from between Rina’s folds as Ajuki’s hands continued to caress and work the roundness of her ass.

“Calista,” Rina gasped, her arousal growing.

The women continued to sensually run their hands along her skin. Everywhere they touched, her skin tingled. Her nipples grew sensitive from the blanket rubbing them. They ached to be free and touched.

“Just relax and enjoy the sensations that we bring you,” Calista murmured, running a finger down her spine.

A tremor snaked its way through Rina’s body, and Calista pushed the towel away.

“But—”

Calista pressed a small kiss to the corner of her lips and smiled at Rina. “Relax. This is what we’re here for.”

Lips replaced one of the hands on Rina’s ass cheeks. Unable to hold back her moan, she released a deep one as Ajuki trailed her tongue along Rina’s ass cheek then parted them. She dipped her tongue in and swirled it around Rina’s forbidden entrance.

Her legs unconsciously opened to allow the woman to slip her finger into Rina’s slick folds, where she teased Rina’s dark hole. Rina writhed on the bed, and Ajuki’s talented fingers dipped fully into her core.

Manga’s lips burned a trail along Rina’s arms and toward her back.

“Oh, my—” Rina’s words were cut off from a deep groan that resonated deep within in her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut tight as the women rolled her over onto her back.

“That’s it, my lady. Give yourself over to us,” Manga said before promptly closing her lips around Rina’s nipple.

“Yes,” Calista hissed in agreement as she, too, took Rina’s other teat deep in her hot mouth.

Rina threw her head back in ecstasy, no longer able to fight the sensations that were coming over her. She wished Rhodack was here to bear witness to his harem pleasuring her. Just the thought of him watching left her even more aroused.

Calista and Manga each took their time in bathing her breasts with their tongues. Her breaths came faster at the slight pinch of their teeth on her sensitive buds.

Hands gripped her legs and lifted them up, spreading her core wide open. Rina’s eyes flew open to see Ajuki kneel between her legs with a sensual smile on her lips.

“The aroma of you is absolutely divine,” she whispered, her green eyes meeting Rina’s. She slid a finger deep within Rina, twirling it around before withdrawing it.

Rina gasped and watched the woman suck the moisture from her fingers.

“It even tastes wonderful.”

Rina’s gaze stayed linked with the green-eyed gargoyle, who swiped Rina’s entire opening with her tongue before sucking her sensitive clit into her mouth.

Rina cried out from the assault. Her senses were in overload, but the women continued their mission. Calista released the breast she’d been suckling on and forced Rina’s face to hers. She crushed her mouth to Rina’s, thrusting her tongue deep within.

Lost in ecstasy, Rina returned the kiss with a fierce passion while threading her fingers in Manga’s hair to hold her to her breasts. She thrust her pelvis to Ajuki, ensuring the woman could reach every facet of her with her tongue.

Calista broke the kiss and pushed Rina’s face toward Manga, who met her with another deep, passionate kiss. Rina wasn’t sure whose fingers trailed down her abdomen to part her folds for Ajuki, exposing her clit to the air.

“Yes,” Ajuki hissed, sliding her two fingers deep within Rina and sucking on the exposed bundle of nerves.

Rina’s hips moved to the rhythm that Ajuki set, demanding the woman fuck her with her fingers. Her orgasm loomed on the horizon, and she wanted them to bring her to completion.

Needing to touch something, Rina slid her hand down Manga’s body, past her voluptuous breast and down to her core, finding the female’s opening slick with need. She thrust her fingers deep within her folds and found her swollen nub.

“My lady,” Manga groaned against her lips and thrust her hips at Rina’s hand.

It was only fair. If they brought her this immense pleasure, she would return the favor somehow.

She shifted her face to Calista, who brushed her hair off her forehead, her darkened eyes full of lust. Rina reached up and gripped the woman’s face to hers, thrusting her tongue inside her mouth while she continued to be tongue-and-finger-fucked by Ajuki. With her other hand, she gripped Calista close to her, crushing her breasts to Rina’s side while still strumming Manga’s clit.

Feeling the waves of her release approaching, Rina tore her lips from Calista and threw her head back, crying out as the waves of her release slammed into her. Her body shook with an electric current rushing through her body. Her muscles tightened, but Ajuki refused to let up on Rina’s clit, pushing her legs wide open again.

Manga cried out, the sound coming as if from off in the distance. Rina relaxed back onto the bed. Manga’s body fell limp at her side, and they both laid still, their breaths coming fast.

Rina’s eyes remained closed. She tried to will her heart from racing. Manga nestled herself into the crook of Rina’s arm while Ajuki, she assumed, slowly finished licking her pussy clean.

Hands tilted her head to the side, and she opened her eyes to meet the pleased eyes of Calista.

“Now rest, my lady.”