We’d been stuck since then, beyond frustration, unable to find the right place or time to finish the mating. Even now, while I straddled him and waggled my ass in carnal need, we couldn’t fuck. Our enemies gawked at us from across the cave, even though Axel and Héctor tried their best to block their view of us with their broad builds.
Zak had to act as our chaperone in case we couldn’t rein ourselves in.
Paxton’s tongue swept over my hard palate, sending tingling sensation and pleasure all over me. Every one of my mates could ignite primal need in me, a mere touch making me feel like I would combust.
Paxton’s large hand slid under my shirt and cupped my breast as he kissed me fiercely. When his hand wandered toward the needy flesh between my thighs, I thrust my hips toward him to encourage him, but Zak caught Paxton’s wrist.
“That’s it,” Zak said mercilessly. “Stop right there.”
The sky demigod broke us apart.
Paxton and I gazed at each other, panting, heat and lust flowing in our blood. We wanted to continue and finish it more than anything. But then, reason flickered in his eyes, clearing the haze in them. His need to keep me safe overpowered his need to fuck and claim me.
Zak’s reminder and our immortal enemies’ presence also cooled my tits.
“Later, Buttercup,” Paxton vowed, his bedroom eyes staying on me. “You’remine.”
I smirked, a bit more wicked and sinful than my usual style.
Out mating was sacred, and we wouldn’t do it in front of Lucifer and Ares. For now, we’d wait.
But when Paxton and I could mate without inhibition, our flame would burn the world.
CHAPTER 5
__________________
The rain ceased. Masses of gray clouds crossed the overcast sky, propelled by stiff winds that cut like icy knives.
Héctor deposited Angel between our immortal enemies and us to stand guard, so we could discuss our next moves. Héctor used to be a death demigod and ruled the Underworld, so my hellhound liked his scent and obeyed his authority.
“We’ll get out of here in the next hour,” Héctor said, scanning our faces. “You all had a couple hours of rest.”
Zak nodded. “It’s a matter of time before the beasts tear down this cave.”
“So, what’s the plan?” Lucifer called from the back corner. “We need to work together. We’ll be stronger.”
Paxton huffed out a snort. “Yeah, like we need the added stress of watching our backs while you try to stick a knife in them.”
“Not in the Void,” Lucifer said. “I’ve talked to Ares to make sure he won’t step out of line, too.”
Ares sagged against the wall. Without his godly power to get a recharge, he even had a pair of dark circles under his dull, bloodshot eyes. The lack of food, water, and sleep had affected the war god badly, though the devil seemed to have more stamina. Lucifer stood tall and watched us with clear, sharp eyes, still looking relatively refreshed. Perhaps his devil form helped.
Bless Héctor, my stomach no longer grumbled in hunger. And thanks to my mates’ care, I felt better after the rest. I seemed to have more energy than any of the males in the cave. Perhaps it had something to do with my being a native.
“Fuck off,” Axel told Lucifer and Ares.
We buried our heads together and whispered a plan while my hellhound watched our six, growling now and then to issue warnings and threats at our enemies.
“I walked through the valley to find a way out when you holed up in the cave,” Héctor said in a hushed voice. “Those beasts dwell on the mountains from all three sides, so we’ll have to push through toward the only opening—the edge of the region.”
“Let’s do it then,” Paxton said. He couldn’t wait to get out of the cave.
“What’s at the edge?” Zak asked cautiously.
“Cliffs. Heavy waterfalls,” Héctor said, looking at me. “We’ll have to jump. It’s the only way to get out of the Valley of the Monsters. I no longer have wings, so I won’t be able to carry my Lamb. Paxton will stay with her and guard her at all times.” He locked gaze with Paxton. “Even though you don’t have sea power here, you understand the water element more than any of us.”
“Buttercup will be safe with me, on land and in water,” Paxton said, squeezing my hand, and I squeezed him back.