fury. Eric’s dick was hard as steel as he watched his mate fight.
Now is not the time for such thoughts.
But when this was over, he was fucking his Goblin, because Dimitri needed to be held down, to be worshipped, to be stripped of all his layers of responsibility, and to be loved. Eric was the man to do that.
* * * *
Dimitri flew overhead searching for his mate, thankful when he spotted his bright red hair as he stood, men surrounding him, heeding his orders.
Mine. Eric was his other half, the love of his life, and he would challenge the sun every day for the blessing of calling him his own. He’d been a fool when they first met, but no longer. Eric had mastered him in body and soul, and Dimitri was his most honored disciple.
Focusing on the fight, he called his guards to him, and they attacked.
He enjoyed the rush of battle, the flow of power as he killed and maimed. It was his right to protect his people, and his goblin enjoyed every moment. He roared as he tore heads from bodies and ripped arms off torsos. He was covered in the blood of the enemy, as were his men. It was why they lived, to protect the sanctuary. It was the role he lusted for, but not as much as he yearned for the feel of Eric’s cock between his thighs, his reward when this was done.
As the battle continued, Dimitri turned to see Calyx and Trey fighting together. He called to Calyx, happy to see his brother had joined the fray. His attention on Calyx, he missed seeing the bullet that tore through his wings, causing him to fall to the earth like Icarus before the sun.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in his and Eric’s home, his mate’s face dirty and smeared but smiling endearingly.
“What has happened, my love?” Dimitri questioned.
“What needed to happen, my goblin. We won.”
“We did?”
“Yes, even though the mightiest goblin of all fell from the sky, we did. You’d be proud of the way Calyx took your place and fought, his mate running as a wolf beneath him.” Eric kissed him.
Dimitri savored his mate’s flavor for a moment. “I am. I’ve never doubted my brother in his ability to fight. I trained him, after all.”
Eric laughed, and his smile was the light to Dimitri’s darkness.
“I’m also proud of you, my husband. I feel honored every day knowing you are mine in every way possible,” Dimitri said. Years ago, he’d gone in search for a mate and came back with a man who challenged him, who made him better. He would be forever thankful for that during this Autumn Feast, and many more to come.
Dimitri turned at the sound of a weighty sigh to see a worn Trey held tightly in Calyx’s arms.
“Something to say, Trey?” he asked.
“Not to you, but yes,” Trey said. “Calyx?”
“Yes, my love.”
“Let’s go home.”
Dimitri watched as the two left and turned back to his mate.
“What happened to the dead?”
“The earth opened and swallowed the bodies.”
Dimitri nodded. Good.
No need to worry about that, especially since he’d rather focus on the man he loved.
“Eric?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s your cane?”
Eric’s laugh was wicked, and Dimitri loved that, too.
Chapter Six: Shut Up, You Fool
Trey sat with Calyx’s arms around him, the sun waning in the sky, all evidence of the earlier skirmish swallowed by the earth.
Soon they would celebrate the Autumn Feast. There would be food, music, and dancing. Prayers would be said, and each person present would share their hopes and dreams, the reasons why they offered thanks. He knew many would be thankful for the goblins, for the elders, but Trey would be grateful for finding love, a home. He’d never had one before.
He’d seen Kindling once since the battle, walking with Haru, their gazes for each other alone. It would seem his cousin had a reason to be thankful, too.
“Calyx...” Trey began, turning in his lover’s arms and kissing him gently on the neck.
“You don’t have to say anything. I heard what Dimitri said, and it doesn’t have to apply to us. I already know how blessed I am.”
“Calyx—” Trey tried again.
“We don’t even need to speak of marriage anymore. We’re mates, and that’s all that matters. It’s enough. It will be enough. As long as I have you, that’s enough.”
“Calyx, my beautiful mate. Shut up.”
Calyx sighed.
“I want you to listen. Just listen, okay?” Trey drew his mate’s right hand to his mouth and kissed it tenderly. “My