races wipe each other out and when the King is killed and the leaders of the Fae are gone, he plans to take over and rule over what's left." My hands found the front of his shirt and clutched it for dear life. "We can't let that happen," I beseeched him. "So many people will die."
Sorrell's hand curved over mine and gently—much more gently than I expected from him—pulled them away. "We will stop him," he said. "Make no mistake—Tyr will pay for his crimes against Faekind."
"And the humans," I reminded him.
"For now," Roan said, stepping forward as he tugged me away from Sorrell and wrapped me up in his arms, "we need to recuperate." His fingers sank into my hair as he dragged me close. His nose touched my scalp and he inhaled. "Gods, how we have missed you, Little Bird. The very thought of your life being snuffed out before it was time—even if it was your time … I couldn't allow it. I can hardly believe that you're here now, in my arms."
The tremble of his voice reached deep within me and I found my arms lifting to encircle him, to drag him even closer. "I'm here," I whispered back. "I'm alive."
"You almost weren't," he choked out. "Cress, Little Bird, you cannot do that again. Ever."
"I tried to fight him," I said. "I didn't go willingly."
Hot breath touched my neck and then my head was ripped back and Roan's mouth descended over mine, devouring me and scorching me all the way to my core. My pussy pulsed with a fiery need I hadn't felt in days. I moaned into his lips.
Fingers against my scalp. Heat beneath my skin. I pushed up against Roan's chest, practically climbing him and, when his hands went from my head to my ass as he lifted me ever closer, I completely forgot that someone else was in the room until a cool hand touched my arm and Sorrell's voice intruded. "Roan, that's enough," Sorrell snapped. "If anyone could use the replenishing, it's Orion."
My head pulled back and I blinked as the lust Roan had created in me died down once more. "Replenishing?" I repeated, dazed.
Roan's hands gripped me firmly and a growl rumbled up from his chest. Then his grasp softened and slowly but surely my feet made their way back to the floor. My thighs were shaking with need, though. Just because he'd stopped didn't make the feelings go away. I felt as though I were on the edge of a crash—as if I'd stayed awake for far too long and exhaustion was about to pull me under, and yet I needed something. Something far greater than anything I'd ever experienced before. Needed it—whatever it was—like I needed to breathe.
Roan cursed. "Sorrell's right. Orion needs you far more than I do right now," he said through gritted teeth.
"He needs me?" I asked. "Then why are we just standing here? Take me to him!" I wanted to see him, to assure myself he was all right. The image of those black veins working their way beneath his skin rose to the forefront of my mind. It made me sick with worry. I could feel sweat beads pop up along my skin. "Please, Roan. I have to see him."
"He's in bad shape, but he's going to be fine," he assured me. "We'll take you to see him, but Cress … you need to understand what he needs."
"What does he need?" I demanded the answer from him. Whatever it was, I would fight tooth and nail to get it for him. I would go to the ends of the Kingdom. I needed him to be okay.
"You, Cress," he said. "He needs you."
Roan and Sorrell led me to the same chambers that I'd spent my first night in when I'd initially stumbled upon their magical castle. What I knew had only been a few short months ago felt like a lifetime. My hand hovered over the door's latch and I glanced back as they both stepped back.
"We'll let you have some alone time," Roan said. "We have to shore up the castle's defenses."
I gulped. "What about you two?" I asked. "Don't you need to replenish your magic as well?"
Sorrell's jaw hardened, but it was once again Roan who answered. "We will be fine for the time being." He nudged me with a small smile. "Take care of him and then you can take care of us."
My eyes flitted to Sorrell, waiting for a denial from