InkBorn (InkHaven Academy Book 2) Read online

  Emerson finally pulled back with a groan, and Gale stood. They seemed to share a private moment where they agreed on something and then they turned their attention to me.

  “Can we touch you now?” Emerson teased. I nodded eagerly, beyond ready to join in on the fun. Gale smiled, laying on his back and tugging me astride his hips.

  “Both of us.” Gale cupped my cheek affectionately as I rubbed my clit with his length. Emerson came up behind me and wrapped his hand around Gale to guide him inside me. I rocked back with a moan, taking Gale to the hilt. He stretched me even tighter than normal, given the period of abstinence I’d had since losing Lottie.

  The sound of a bottle of lube opening behind me wasn’t a surprise, and I paused in my slow rocking to allow Emerson to touch me. Instead of his fingers going to my back entrance, I jolted in surprise when he touched the spot where Gale and I connected, rubbing his lubed fingers around there like I wasn’t already wet.

  “Lay flat, Precious,” he murmured against my ear, and I leaned forward to press my chest against Gale’s. His mouth found mine, coaxing and calming me while Emerson inserted a finger to glide along Gale’s shaft. I gasped as he fucked me with it, adding another and stretching me to what I could have sworn was my limit. Gale ran his arms up and down my arms to soothe me. I whimpered between them, feeling so full I could burst. Gale reached down and spread my legs as Emerson withdrew his fingers, and I flinched at the feeling of the head of his cock pressing against me for entry.

  “Shhh,” Gale cooed, and I stilled. Emerson applied pressure, and there was a brief moment of pain before he slid in. They both groaned, and I knew they were pressed tight against one another inside me. Emerson’s hands ran over my spine once he was fully sheathed inside me, and they let my breathing settle before Emerson started to move.

  I gasped into Gale’s chest, my cheek pressed tight to listen to his heartbeat. “Thief.” He looked up at me, those somber eyes so full of love and support I reached up and ran my hands down his cheeks.

  He smiled and gave my lips a quick kiss.

  “Oh Gods,” I whimpered as the sensation, the welcomed sensation I thought I’d lost, washed over me.

  So full.

  Emerson leaned over me, pressing a kiss to my spine, I felt him smile against my skin. “You feel so good wrapped around us both.”

  “Please,” I begged, and I didn’t know if I was begging for it to stop or for more. All I knew was that I begged for them to chase away all the other shit in my life. Wrap me up and, at least, for a short while let me forget the outside world existed.

  Luckily, Emerson seemed to know exactly what I needed, and he picked up his pace, thrusting into me in smooth glides. He rubbed against Gale with every thrust as he moved, and I felt Gale twitch inside me from the sensation. Emerson was making love to both of us at once, and the intimacy behind the action made my heart squeeze with appreciation.

  When Emerson’s groans came stronger, he wrapped a hand around my waist and rubbed my clit until I came, spasming around them both. Emerson followed me over the edge, spilling himself inside me with a shout.

  Where he would normally have gathered me closer for additional intimacy, he pulled out to let Gale finish. I felt myself contract as he left me, his seed leaking out around Gale. Gale turned me over as I’d gone weak, splaying out over the mattress. He kissed me and made love to me so effectively it was all I could do to wrap my legs around his waist and enjoy it. His face pressed into my neck when he came, flooding me with more warmth.

  “I will always love you,” he whispered softly, and I wrapped my arms around him.

  I let my breathing settle, enjoying being held by one of the men I had less access to, and with the potion working its magic in me, I fell asleep with Gale still inside me.

  Eight

  Kaia

  The next morning came too soon. Somehow, the dose of potion was more intuitive than a simple sleeping pill could have been. It knew what I needed and gave it to me.

  As soon as I was awake, I snuck out of the bed, making sure not to trouble my bedmate. I couldn’t bear to wake Emerson and say goodbye. I donned the modified uniform Gale had given me to use once we decided hiding my whip was no longer beneficial. It left my right arm revealed so that my whip could touch my skin, but still be easily accessible. As there was beginning to be a bite in the air, I bundled into a jacket before securing my hair into a tight ponytail, using one of the leathers Gale had left in my room - I needed every piece of him with me that day, even beyond his presence as my Docent guide. My eyes stung as I looked back at Emerson and left, but the tears didn’t really fall.

  Gale was waiting for me in his classroom; he knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t be able to sit around and just wait.

  The door to his classroom creaked open and the same Ink Mage from the Loyalty Trial entered.

  Gale nodded at him. “Lucas.”

  “Porter.” He nodded back and turned to me. “Miss Shaw.”

  “Ink Docent Lucas, good morning.”

  He walked and sat on the chair by Gale’s desk and only then did I notice that he carried a thick book bound in gold and white, which he placed down on the desk.

  He cracked it open and touched his stylus to it. As he did, Gale took my elbow and led me forward.

  There was a flash of swirling gold lights, unlike how it looked during our Loyalty Trial. After a few more seconds, he held his hand out to me. A scroll rested in his palm.

  My gaze cut towards Gale who nodded at me, sad smile in place. My hands trembled as I reached out to take it.

  A warmth flooded through my hands and gold sparked from the scroll.

  Ink Docent Lucas stood and nodded down at me. “Good. That’s the first part of the contract met. I wish you a good day today, Miss Shaw.”

  I blew out a breath and gave him a slight bow, my hand tightening around the scroll as the Ink Docent moved out.

  “Did you feel anything?” Gale asked me softly.

  I nodded. “Yes, it was warm.”

  He gave me a speculative look. “You’d be suited to the Assassin track, if you wish it.”

  I didn’t reply, but I unrolled the scroll to read my father’s name, thinking that I’d probably sooner choose rebirth than join the track that Gale and Alec Gaius both loved so dearly.

  Jett Henry Shaw

  There was no mistaking it and by the end of the day, I’d have to bring about his Rebirth.

  I fell to the floor and fell silent, desperate for some time to compose myself. I felt Gale drop down next to me, the warmth of his arm pressing against my chilled skin. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder.

  ✽✽✽

  When it came time, he coached me through finding my center, my nerves far too frayed to do it without his guidance. He made sure I was ready before making a transport orb and taking me with him - he understandably didn’t want me to fly when I was distraught and distracted.

  It wasn’t a long flight before we started to pass familiar sights. The nursery where I’d worked, the school I’d attended, Vali’s childhood home.

  Then we found mine. “That’s my house,” I announced, pointing a finger down at the ground. Gale slowed the orb to a standstill, turning those green-rimmed eyes my way.

  “Are you sure that’s where we need to go?” I tilted my head in question, turning my own eyes away and down to the scroll pulsing in my hand. I was silent for a moment, narrowing my focus to the pull of the scroll.

  “The lake,” I whispered. “He’s at the lake.”

  “Where at the lake, Thief?” Gale stared down at the scroll before he looked me straight in the eye.

  “The-” my voice broke as I clenched the scroll in my hand. The magic in it pulsed and spoke to me, guiding me in a manner I could not have explained but instinctively knew.

  “The bridge where he thinks I died. He’s near the bridge.” He nodded, and though his face remained solemn in the face of what he knew I was about to face, there was
also pride shining in his eyes. For once, I didn’t want it, did not desire any of his pride. Not for what I was about to do.

  “Breathe,” Gale instructed as we landed, lurking in the early morning shadows of the woods surrounding the lake. We walked along the edge of the trees, keeping to the shadows until we came close to the bridge. I was struck by the difference - the area was so different from how it had looked like the night I’d been marked to die.

  I looked up at Gale. His eyes were shadowed.

  “You’ve been here before.” It was a statement and not a question.

  Gale reached down to grab my hand, giving it a quick and simple kiss. “So I have. Changed my life.”

  My eyes immediately went to the bridge, finding the shining metal guard rail where I’d crashed and gone over with Alec Gaius’ help. By this time it had been fixed, of course. Brand new, something about it being replaced struck me. It was like I’d never gone over that bridge, and never died as far as everyone I knew was concerned.

  All traces of my death wiped from existence.

  On the bank, just next to the bridge, sat a couple eating out of a wicker picnic basket - my parents. They smiled at one another softly in that way I’d always coveted for myself, and never thought to have.

  But I did. I had it from four men, and that knowledge strengthened my resolve, because I had to survive for them.

  I stepped closer, remaining in the shadows but approaching my parents who sat on the picnic blanket. Sunlight filtered through the tree branches, creating dappled patterns on the grass. My father raised his face to the sun and smiled with a simple acceptance.

  Zeevar, how I missed him.

  I gave Gale’s hand a quick squeeze and drew in a huge shuddering breath as I stepped into the light. My father became aware of a presence first and his eyes snapped to me. The guarded look in them were quickly replaced by shock and confusion. As I took another step towards him, the shock melted away, replaced by a joy that crushed my heart in a vice. My mom’s face morphed to confusion, and she turned to look at me standing there. Her hand clutched at her throat as a rare sob escaped. She stood quickly, but stayed where she was as her eyes darted all over my body.

  “Look at you,” Dad said, pride in those words as he took in my appearance. He gestured back to mom with a wave of his hand, and a disbelieving smile. “I wanted to be close to you on my last day. Coming here was the closest I could get. It looks like you gave me one better.”

  I didn’t speak; I couldn’t find my voice. I saw the moment realization dawned, the second the knowledge of what I was there to do clicked. He nodded, though his eyes filled with tears. His hand sought and found my mom’s who tightened her grip around my father’s hand. My own tears threatened in return, but stilled the moment before they could fall.

  “It’s okay, Kaia. There’s nothing more I would want on my last day than to see you fulfill your duty.” He let my mom go and closed the distance between us, stroking my cheek with his thumb and wiping away the sole tear that fell. I could feel Gale’s eyes on me from the shadows, and my eyes snapped towards the clearing as my mother stepped toward me. Her eyes met mine, filling quickly with tears as she covered her mouth, and I knew the ex-temple matron would hold no ill-feelings over what I would need to do.

  My father drew my eyes back to him. “What do we do now, Little Bird?”

  A stone lodged in my throat at his words. I didn’t deserve my childhood nickname, especially not on that day. I reached up to press his hands closer against my cheek. They were warm and comforting like they’d always been since I’d been a very young child.

  “The lake, daddy,” I whispered on a ragged breath. “A life for a life.”

  His forehead pressed against mine, and he stared down at me. “I love you, Kaia, my Little Bird. My strong baby girl. I am so proud of you.” He plucked a wild rose - my favorite flower - from the forest edge, tucking it behind my ear with a smile before he drew back and walked towards the lake. He walked casually, like it was a day no different from all others. He stopped and gave mom a kiss on the temple.

  She followed after us, Gale at her back, our silent sentries. My father gave one last loving gaze to my mother and mouthed an “I love you” to her. I nearly broke, remembering Lottie and how she’d done the same thing moments before she’d died.

  “Do you remember how you and Vali used to come here every day in the summer, Kaia darling?” I nodded, choking back tears and unable to speak. “He loved you. He loved you in a way you don’t see very often. That’s my only regret. That you didn’t have a man who loved you like that.”

  “I do now, daddy. Not just one but four.” The leaves rustled under the canopy of trees as Gale made himself known, stepping into the light just enough to reveal himself to my parents. “They’ll never let anything happen to me.”

  His face morphed with relief, no judgment at the less than orthodox relationship I’d found myself in.

  “That’s all every father ever wants for his daughter. To be safe and loved. Live your best life, Little Bird, fly high and proud.” He gave me a serene smile as his right foot stepped into the water.

  Then the left.

  I whimpered, feeling my teeth chatter. My hand went behind my back, grasping the hilt of my sword and drawing it over my head. I held it in my left hand, allowing slight red wisps to curl around the tip.

  “It’s alright.” His voice was strong, even happy, as he sank deeper into the water until it hit his chin.

  “I’m so sorry.” My bottom lip trembled.

  “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Having you with me is the best gift you could ever give me.” His eyes flicked to my mother one last time, a small smile gracing his face as the peace of rebirth settled over him. My eyes went to the tree closest to him, a giant maple that was almost a carbon copy of the tree I’d climbed and fallen from as a child. The biggest branch, a thick, curling monstrosity, curved over the lake where my father was.

  He nodded at me, and I flicked my right wrist. With that single motion, I unrolled my whip, passing it out from under my jacket sleeve and it cracked through the air, wrapping around a massive dead tree branch and snapping it in two. My father watched with amazed eyes, not even flinching when the impact of the limb on the water sent a torrent of water his way. He gave me a final smile and ducked beneath the surface before the wave could crash over his head. My sword pulsed in front of me, the dark red light swirling with the Air pressing against the surface of the water to hold him below it.

  Nothing pressed against the power of my Air.

  He didn’t try to come up for air.

  He never even tried to fight.

  Still, I kept the Air pressed, waiting for any sign of life. I half hoped I’d fail, half hoped I’d succeed for my men.

  Gale’s hand touched my arm, lowering my sword and making me drop it with a clatter to my feet.

  “It’s done, Kaia.” I nodded, not taking my eyes off the lake until Gale turned me away. Numbness settled over me once more, a foggy haze tickling my senses. I picked my sword up in a daze, returning it to the holster strapped across my back. Another flick of my wrist and the manipulation of a little Air, and my whip curled back up against my skin.

  “You did well.” His expression was all sympathy and understanding, so much compassion that I started to tremble.

  “What have I done?” I asked, barely heard over the whistling wind.

  “You made us proud, baby,” my mother said. She approached but didn’t touch, instead wrapping her arms around herself. It hurt to think of her all alone, her family gone before her.

  “You always were the best parts of both of us.” She gave me a lingering smile, and a sniffle before turning away from me to walk off to peer down at the clear water of the lake. Gale drew me away when she started searching the lake floor, and I let him.

  I couldn’t see my father’s body but I could when I closed my eyes. I allowed Gale to lead me away, hating myself with every step I took away from her. Thi
s was the woman who had loved me and raised me. And I left her to grieve alone after killing her husband.

  “Shh,” Gale soothed, calming me at a distance. “Deep breaths and find your center, your calm.” I did as he asked, feeling that surge pulsing within me.

  “Would you rather fly, Little Thief? I know you can.”

  I nodded, it was a skill I could do thanks to passing a fifth year Trial, and we flew back to InkHaven - my sword held straight in front of me. The air flew past, and I felt a numbing freedom coat my skin along with it.

  I never wanted to land.

  ✽✽✽

  The gardens became my home, the tether for my sanity.

  The wild roses, my favorite flowers, swaying in the breeze I called to me was the only thing that brought me peace.

  Emerson knew where to find me, often bringing my meals to the bench where I sat during any free time I found myself with.

  Was he enabling me? Probably, but I needed it and the simple and calm way he did so gave me more comfort than smothering me in worried sympathy could have given me.

  Students walking through the gardens were rare. Airs and Inks weren’t very interested in the gardens and all I saw were the Earths who maintained them. Mostly, a majority of the students were too busy to venture into the gardens, busy like I should have been. Busy like Gale seemed determined to make me. But something about the familiarity of those gardens made it easier to breathe with all that loss staring me in the face. Every day, ravens perched on top of the fencing around the gardens, watching me with tilted heads. They reminded me of Lottie, becoming more and more obvious as the days went by, finding my eyes drawn to theirs in return. Her vitality and her death.