Stones of Winter: (Reverse Harem Serial) (Winter Princess Book 2) Read online

  "Snap out of it," Storm growls and pulls me off Arc. Immediately, the spell is broken. I look at Arc in shock. Was I really about to kiss him? Gods, this is so wrong. I kissed Storm earlier tonight, now almost Arc, and when I look at the other two Guardians, I can easily imagine pressing my lips against theirs.

  Crispin's calm voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "When Guardians absorb a God's magic, they form a bond with them. That's why it's forbidden. But you're different, you're a demi-goddess, so we thought it might be different. We didn't have a choice, when your magic flared, it was the only thing that stopped you from killing yourself."

  "So when you stopped the earthquake... you pulled magic from me?"

  "Yes, we absorbed as much as we could. Your mother was wise to send all four of us; one or two Guardians wouldn't have been enough. As long as you don't have full control over your magic, we need to be there in case it overwhelms you."

  "Does this mean that my mother knew about the... side effects?"

  "Nobody knew exactly what would happen, if there would be a bond at all, if the pull would be strong. You're the first demi-goddess in a long time. But yes, Beira knew it was a possibility."

  I'm in shock. My mother was aware that I might fall for - no, that my body might fall for the Guardians she sent, and she did it anyway. What was she thinking? How could she do this to me? She was basically taking away my free will.

  "But what if I never actually wanted to... kiss you? What if the bond forces me to do other things... isn't that like rape?"

  Crispin shakes his head violently, but a slight grin is spreading on his face. "Oh, did I forget to mention? It isn't always a sexual pull the bond forces. That only happens when there is already an attraction that the bond can latch onto."

  I switch on the tap and splash some cold water on my face. It doesn't make my head any clearer though. My mind is buzzing, my body is still in the grip of my manipulated hormones, and - well, let's just say that I'm a mess. On the other side of the bathroom door, four Guardians are impatiently waiting for me. We still haven't discussed what Crispin proposed. Not that I actually know what it is, just that it might help me from getting killed. Which makes it a good thing.

  I sigh and dry my hands, noticing that they are shaking slightly. I could do with one of my mum's herbal tea infusions that she always made me before exams. Mum… I wonder what she’s doing now. Are my parents alright? Are they still in the hotel the guys left them at? I wish I could call them to find out, but I can already imagine Storm’s reply – something about safety, and phones being tracked.

  Crispin told me that they’d wake up after about a day from the deep sleep he put them in. Their human minds needed time to process it all. Had he asked me, I could have told him that their human minds have been processing magic for the past twenty-two years. Right now, I wish they were here, putting me to bed, telling me that everything was going to be alright. Instead, I have four Guardians who may look pretty good, but who I don’t know at all.

  When I walk back in to the room, the guys are no longer on the bed. Crispin is rummaging through their bags, while the other three are pushing the furniture around to make more space in the middle of the room.

  Arc looks up when he hears the bathroom door close behind me. "We'll need to do some preparations for the ritual-"

  "What ritual?" I almost shout. I'm exhausted and I want them to finally tell me what this is all about. All this secretive stuff is driving me crazy.

  "There's a way how we can make sure that ye are okay, no matter if we're with ye or not. It's a bit like a GPS locator, except that in emergencies we can also talk to ye. That way we can get to ye much faster than with any other method."

  "So you're saying you'll be able to talk in my mind?"

  "Only when ye let us. It's a one-way connection that only you can open. So, if something bad was to happen, ye can open yer mind and talk to us, but we won't be able to hear you if ye don't."

  "That doesn't sound so bad... so what's the downside?"

  He looks a bit uncomfortable. "We dinnae ken if the bond will get stronger. Ye might be even more affected."

  "No way. Absolutely. No. Way."

  "It's the only way, lass. I dinnae want ye to die."

  That shuts me up. Arc doing puppy eyes is just evil. Here's this big, tough, kilt-wearing guy, looking at me like I'm... well, special to him?

  "But... I'm reacting the same to all of you. How can I feel like this all the time, around four guys? What if I... kiss one of you, and later another? That's not fair on any of us."

  "Nah, don't think like that. Storm and Frost have shared all their life. Not sure aboot Crisp, but I enjoyed watching ye with Storm. And having ye on my lap. And on the ferry. We should do that again."

  I blush. No, we definitely should not. Or maybe we should. I don't know what to think anymore. How much of it is the bond and how much is me? Can I still trust my thoughts? What if it's even worse after the ritual? Will I become a lovesick demi-goddess lusting after her Guardians?

  Even now, standing so close to Arc, I can feel the pull towards him. My body is wanting to touch him.

  "It's getting worse. How is it getting worse if you haven't pulled any energy from me since the earthquake?"

  Arc is silent for a moment, then murmurs, "We think it's because we're around each other all the time. Your magic is reacting to the magic residue in our bodies."

  Eww, that sounds gross for some reason. But at least there's a simple solution.

  "So if I stay away from you it gets better? Then I'll just take a bus to Calanais, walk through the stones and be done with it. No need for you all to be around me."

  He looks at me with a pained expression. "I hadn't realised ye disliked us so much."

  "I don't dislike you, on the contrary! But I feel like I'm being manipulated from all sides, and I hate feeling so powerless. I need to be able to make my own decisions, not let some strange bond make them for me." A sob escapes my throat. Don't cry. Please don't cry in front of the guys. I'm looking weak enough as it is, having to be rescued all the time.

  Arc opens his arms and invites me in. I hug him back. Ok, let’s be weak for a second. Arc’s hugs are the best.

  For once, the bond lets us enjoy this simple, non-sexual hug. Thank you, magic.

  "We're ready," Frost announces. They've removed the rugs that were covering the floor, exposing the worn wooden boards underneath. Storm is putting the finishing touches to an intricate design drawn on the floor with a liquid that looks like black ink. Except that it's a bit like gel, less fluid than ink.

  Storm wipes his black-stained hands on his jeans. Pray for whoever is going to do his laundry.

  I take a closer look at the drawing. It's like a large Celtic knot, never-ending and endlessly wound, but there's another knot on top, and another, until they form a rough circle. Just like you can draw a star by putting two triangles on top of each other, he's made a circle from Celtic knots (my mum would disagree, of course, being an artist and all).

  "Don't touch it," Storm warns as I step closer.

  "What is it? Is it like a pentagram?"

  "Pentagrams aren't magical, only charlatans use it." Frost comes over to inspect his brother's handiwork. I can feel his breath on my neck as he stands behind me. "This one here is the real deal. Well done, brother dear."

  "Yes, it's pretty, but what does it actually do?" I ask impatiently. Hey, it's my mind they're going to mess with.

  In response, Storm lifts me up and unceremoniously puts me down in the middle of the knot-circle-thingy.

  "So now I'm allowed to touch it?" I ask incredulously. That barbarian, picking me up like his play toy. I've got free will. Most of the time. Unless my hormones start doing their thing.

  "Don't move. If you distort the pattern all sorts could happen."

  "But what is going to happen?" Gods, do I sound whiney. But I've got a point.

  Crispin gives me a reassuring smile. "Nothing bad. We're going to focus our e
nergies into the knot, and they will flow through it, mixing and binding together with your own. It won't hurt, don't worry. It might feel a little strange though, but as I said, it's nothing bad."

  "Okay. What do I need to do?"

  "You stand there and look pretty," Frost snickers, but shuts up when his brother shoots him an evil glance. Phew, I'm glad he's not looking at me like that - for now, at least.

  "Close your eyes-"

  "And think of me," I interrupt and the other guys burst out laughing. "Sorry, please continue."

  Storm huffs. "Close your eyes and concentrate on your magic. Imagine where it sits in your body and focus your mind on that place. Got that?"

  I relax, turning my thoughts inward until I can feel the spot to the right of my heart where my magic lives. Right now, it's lying in there, curled up like a cat, but slightly tense, looking wistfully at the guys' magic. The bond is affecting it.

  "Now open your magic and invite ours in," Storm's soft voice comes from far away.

  "How do I do that?" I whisper.

  "Imagine earlier... our kiss... how you invited me in... how you opened your mouth for me... how I entered you with my tongue... how I suckled on your lips... how you were ready for me..."

  My magic is purring at his words. Yes girl, I like hearing it too. Doesn't mean that I have to go all pouncy about it all. She's opening herself, getting up with a yawn and a stretch, then expands, leaving the cave close to my heart and entering my body. My veins rejoice as the magic flows through them. My head feels light and heavy at the same time. I see colours explode in front of my closed eyes, and an orchestra plays a serenade all around me. Okay, maybe that's a little exaggeration. But seriously, this feeling is ... magical.

  "Yes, that's it, beautiful. Just a little more, you're almost there. Think of how much you want us. Relax into the feeling, Princess."

  I moan mentally (luckily my mouth doesn't betray me this time) and let go of the last strings that are holding my magic back. She pounces and jumps out of me, into the waiting arms of... well, what are they? Four balls of rainbow light are glowing all around me. If a unicorn had broken wind, that's what it might look like. I still have my eyes closed, but somehow I can still see them, their magic, flowing out of them into the knot I'm standing on. From the ground, delicate rainbow tendrils are reaching up, gently moving towards me. My magic goes out to greet them and invites them in like long-lost friends. When their magic flows into me, fireworks explode in my mind. A cacophony of feelings threatens to overwhelm me: love, passion, laughter, hate, tears, empathy, sadness, mourning, admiration. For most of the feelings, I have no words. They are simply... there. Introducing themselves to me. With them come images, sounds, smells. Memories. I don't have time to take a proper look, but I file them away for later.

  My magic is glowing with happiness as she slowly returns to my heart cave. She plumps onto the ground, licking her paws with delight. One satisfied little magic. Around her, colours are sparkling in the darkness. She's surrounded by something new.

  I smile as I realise how this completes me. I never knew it was missing, but now that I can see the colours, I know that there was too much darkness in that cave before. Now it's all light and sunshine and unicorn farts.

  With a final yawn, my magic lays her head on her paws and closes her eyes, a satisfied look on her pristine face. And with her happy, I am happy too.

  Tiredness overwhelms me as I can see her fall asleep. And just like her, I lie down and curl up, wrapping my non-existing tail around me as I slip into a restful sleep.

  Chapter 4

  “Princess, it's time to wake up."

  No, it certainly isn't. It's the middle of the night, and if it isn't on your clock, then it certainly is in my mind. My inner clock shows three in the morning. Let me sleep.

  "Wyn, we need to go."

  Don't bother me. I'm busy. Sleeping is important.

  My duvet is pulled away. I pull it back over my head. Suddenly something presses on my back and bum. Something big and heavy.

  "She can't get up if you're sitting on her, Arc!"

  "But maybe this will make her want to get up."

  I groan. Boys. What have I done to deserve this? Oh yes, I burned down a house and organised a little earthquake. I forgot. Intentionally.

  Arc shifts on top of me, making my hip bones grind against the hard mattress.

  "Get off me," I complain, my voice hoarse with sleep. "You're hurting me."

  The weight is gone immediately. I look up and see Frost and Storm holding a bewildered looking Arc, while Crispin is next to my bed. "Are you in pain?"

  "What? No... I just said that to get him off me."

  "Oh." He looks a bit unsure. "No side effects then?"

  "Should there be any?"

  He grimaces. "Well, one book said that there might be a headache after the ritual, but-"

  I sit up with a start and hold a hand up in front of his face. "And you didn't feel like I should know?" I snarl, giving them all my most evil look.

  Crispin coughs uncomfortably. "It was only one book, and you're fine, so no need to worry."

  "See, I told ya you shouldn't tell her," Arc grimaces in sympathy.

  "From now on you're going to tell me everything. Side effects, problems, suspected troubles, everything. Capisce?"

  Four guys are looking at me, then nod one by one. I'm a bit bewildered at how easily they gave in. That's unusual. Then I notice the fireballs around my hands. Oh. So they're scared of me. How cute. I wave my hands through the air, fascinated by how the fire stays in place without burning me. Hell, I wouldn't even have noticed it was there.

  "Could you switch that off, please?" Frost asks with a worried frown. He probably remembers what happened last time I used fire magic. My feeling of awe dissipates. He's right. I shouldn't revel in this. I'm dangerous.

  I concentrate until I see the thick magic tendrils wrapped around my wrists, sparkling with fire magic. I pull them back, and reluctantly, they follow my command. At least they're doing what they're supposed to do. No more burning down houses, I tell them.

  When the fire sizzles out, the guys give a collective sigh. I'd join them if I wasn't worried about losing face. They don't need to know that this fire thing wasn't intentional.

  "So, when are we leaving?" I ask cheerily, turning away from them so they don't see the tears pooling in my eyes.

  It's hard when you realise that you're deadly.

  After a quick breakfast, we're back in the car, leaving Stornoway behind. I'm sandwiched between Crispin and Arc again; the brothers have conquered the front seats. Storm is driving, as always. He's such a control freak. He'd probably die if someone else took the driver's seat.

  It's nine in the morning and I feel just as tired as when I woke up. Not sure if that's got anything to do with the ritual. I tried talking to the guys about it during breakfast, but they were busy stuffing their mouths with humongous amounts of beans on toast. Arc tried to make me eat some black pudding, but I stood my ground and refused, sticking to eggs and beans instead. I'm not a vampire, I don't eat blood, no matter if it's cooked or not. Yucky.

  "Guys, just to be prepared, should I be feeling any other side effects from the ritual?"

  "Not likely," Crispin says, smiling reassuringly. Gods, I love that smile. It makes me all giddy and happy. Okay, maybe I am experiencing side effects. I shouldn't be fancying yet another guy.

  "It might take a few days until you're able to form a mental connection with us, but with you... well, we never know."

  "Yeah, I'm so special," I sigh. The boys burst out in laughter. "What? Do you know any other demi-goddesses running around?"

  "Nah, and you'd be special even as a human," Arc chuckles. Aw, did he just compliment me? "A special piece of work." Oh well, it would have been too nice. I retaliate by sticking out my tongue at him. Real classy.

  "So what happens if I need to contact you right now? You didn't tell me this would take days to develop."

&nb
sp; "As I said before, two of us will be with you at all times," Storm announces. "And even once the bond is fully formed, it's just a last resort, at least one of us will need to be around…"

  "No way! You told me this was a way to stop you babysitting me!"

  "I never said that," he booms from the driver's seat. "And I'm responsible for your safety, so you will do what I say."

  "You arrogant... dick!" Okay, not my finest swear-word-creation ever. But I'm still tired.

  "It's only until we get you to your mother's palace," Frost offered quietly.

  Crispin grins and pats my thigh. "Let's look at it from the positive side - when else would you get the chance to be surrounded by four hot Guardians?"

  When indeed. And unfortunately, what he says is true (even though it's really arrogant). They are... delicious male specimens. I wonder if every Guardian looks like them? Probably only those created by a Goddess, I doubt Gods would like to have men around them that look better than themselves. Unless they're gay, obviously.

  I yawn. "How do we get to the Realms from the Calanais Stones?"

  "We activate the gate," Frost says simply. Yeah, thanks, I knew that bit.

  "I mean, once we're through, are we in my mother's Realm? Or do we have to travel?"

  "Gates are a little tricky. They don't always lead to the same place," Crispin explains. "It depends on the people stepping through it. If I was to go through on my own, I'd end up in my creator's Realm. Same with the other guys. But if we step through together, we can determine the destination by combining our magic and focussing on a particular place. We're hoping that it will work the same way with you."

  "And if it doesn't?"

  "Then we'll find another way. Don't worry, Princess, we'll get you home."

  Home. I'm not sure my mother's palace will be my home. The other I had burned down, let's not forget that fact. So now I'm caught between two homes, two mothers, two fates. I'm leaving the human world behind and am entering the Realms of the Gods. It's kind of pretentious of me to think that I might be able to find a home there. I mean, I don't know anything about the Realms. I couldn't even tell you what gods they have there. Every culture has so many gods; do they all exist? Ra, Heracla, Garnesh, Quetzalcoatl, Osiris, Yahwe. Maybe my mother has tea with Loki. Who knows. Definitely not the world I'm used to.