STORY EXCERPT

“Do you always let him wander around after a nightmare?” Axis asked, leaning his hip against the countertop as Marius drank a swig of milk right out of the carton. The rest of the men had just finished breakfast and had gone out to the small greenhouse that Levi was tending to help the nephilim in his daily watering routine. Axis figured they were probably just worried about their lover and rightfully so.

Axis had woken up to the rancid smell of terror and sweat, a nasty combination even in appropriate circumstances. Seeing Levi sneaking out of bed smelling like that hadn’t set well with the Elite. Not one bit.

“Levi is a private person. He’s half in his mind and half in his past. We’re lucky to get the pieces of him we do. Haven’t you noticed how Levi always seems a bit”—he seemed to search for the right word—“distant? He’s a beautiful scarred doll, Axis. He won’t let people handle his pain. He turns inward if someone tries. He needs space.”

Axis shook his head. “I think that may be part of the problem, Marius. He’s most secure when he is kept close. It makes him feel safe.”

Marius slammed the milk down on the counter. “Do not lecture me about how to make Levi feel safe. Look, we’ve been running so long that the distance he’s maintained is smart. When he’s ready to talk to us, he will. Why are you attacking me?” The formerly fallen angel was far from subtle when it came to confronting something that was bothering him. Axis had known better than to criticize the way Marius had been taking care of Levi. Not only was it unfair considering how they’d been living on the run, it was a good way to break down the fragile trust that Marius had given the Elites when they’d become angel bound.

“I’m worried, and I’m taking it out on you. I apologize,” Axis said, reaching for the blond-haired angel. He always wondered why Marius had chosen not to honor his archangel by reflecting his coloring. It was the trend in the heavens to mimic the appearance of the archangel one owed their allegiance to. Since a change of subject was in order, he went ahead and asked. “Why blond and green?”

Marius came into his arms and wrapped his arms around Axis’s waist. “I changed it when I fell. At first it was just a way to defy my archangel. Then I kind of liked being different. Levi loves it. He thinks it looks like a white rose petal.”

“Hmm.” Axis agreed with that assessment. “Do you think he would be open to going to see a counselor? I had IT look some up, and there are a couple who specialize in trauma due to hunter-nephilim encounters.”

Marius shrugged. “Oh, he’d probably go, but I doubt he’d get much out of it. He’d do it to please us, not because he thinks he needs help.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Axis allowed. “Maybe I’m being impatient.”

“You’re not the only one that wants to heal him, Axis,” Marius said softly.

Whatever Axis would’ve replied was interrupted when a very sweaty Jade walked into the room. Axis was immediately enamored by his bare chest, blond hair, and pretty red eyes. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Our little mate’s episode last night. Is Levi doing all right?” Axis asked, not letting go of Marius for a second. The former fallen still wasn’t used to the constant affection, but he was getting there.

Jade nodded. “He’s trying to nurse that orchid we bought at the Cosco, and I don’t think it’s going to make it. IT is dangerously fascinated with the Venus flytrap for whatever reason. He keeps trying to stick his finger in the buds, and Levi keeps snipping at him about it. Why did we have to make the minihothouse?”

Marius looked thoughtful as he answered. “Levi always loved plants. He wanted to keep one forever, but we were always moving. The one time we got one he had to leave it behind. So I bought him Miss Kitty.” The tiny white kitten ran the house and the men in it. It had taken a shine to Keer and Jade in particular and tended to curl up on them in the bed. However, Miss Kitty’s true favorite was Levi. The cat had good taste.

“You are a good mate,” Jade said. “It is admirable that you would seek to give him everything he was denied outside the sanctuary.”

Axis was proud of the way Marius had handled his lovers as well. He had provided for the two nephilim with everything within his power. Axis had seen the lengths he’d gone to secure their world, the odd jobs he’d held, the things he’d sacrificed. He felt guilty for questioning Marius’s dedication earlier.

Jade continued. “With the exception of last night, he seems to be getting stronger. Erik does as well. Their powers are heading in two separate directions, though. Erik will be able to summon heaven’s fire and create a weapon. His visions aren’t as sharp anymore.”

This was news to him. “And Levi?” Axis asked.

Jade hesitated. “I can’t tell. I know his mental powers are expanding, but he’s not letting it manifest. IT suggested the repression of his power is causing the nightmares, and I’m inclined to agree with him. Levi isn’t letting himself reveal anything. Whether it’s ingrained fear of the hunters or some deep self-hatred, I’m not sure. But I know he’s reluctant to let us see it.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“How about I redden your ass?” Axis watched as Erik’s hard cock twitched at the idea. He considered it. Would he let his lover spank him?

He grinned. “You think you’re man enough to beat my ass? Make me come against your thighs while you do it?” His lover was significantly less strong than he was. He would need help.

“Hmm, I could get behind that mission, Commander,” Keer rumbled. At some point in their debate he’d gotten deliciously naked. As the biggest out of the bunch, Keer was probably strong enough to hold him down. It would just tickle his vanity to do it, too. Axis’s body thrummed with anticipation.

“Come on, then. Take me, if you can,” Axis challenged a little breathlessly. Who would’ve thought he would get this turned on by the idea of getting his lover’s handprints on his ass?

Erik launched himself at Axis, tackling him to the floor of the hothouse in one leap. He growled and rolled, pinning the nephilim beneath him. Erik bucked his hips and usurped his position. Axis didn’t make it easy for him. He fought against Erik’s nephilim strength. He didn’t use his full angelic powers, but he pitted his body’s strength against Erik’s.

The smaller man was getting tired as the seconds stretched on to a minute. Their hard dicks probably had something to do with how effectively they were fighting, or weren’t in this case. Keer wrapped his arms around Axis’s waist and hauled him backward. Unfortunately, he was a bit overenthusiastic and sent them careening into one of the tables that was stacked with plants.

“Careful, guys!” Levi gasped as Brax bit into his shoulder. The smaller nephilim was watching them with hungry eyes, and Axis was turned on by the audience.

“Bring him to me,” Erik commanded, growling the words out. There was nothing better than sex and aggression between men. Keer forced him down over Erik’s thighs. The nephilim was resting his back against the wall of the hothouse and, in that position, Axis’s cock was trapped against Erik’s legs. He groaned as Keer ripped his jeans off, the sound of rending fabric only adding to the lusty atmosphere. He was now covered in a fine sheen of sweat and dirt from the combination of heat and wrestling on the floor.

“Do it,” Axis rumbled. He wanted to prove to Erik that bottoming could be strong and sexy either way. Everything they did together was wonderful, and there was no reason that Erik couldn’t appreciate everything their relationship had to offer.

He wasn’t quite expecting the sting of the smack that landed squarely on his right ass cheek. The hard pop was finished with a gentle caress to the suddenly hot flesh. Axis didn’t stop the groan that escaped his mouth at the action. The thick smell of flowers only added to the air of exoticness in the air.

“I learned a lot when Levi finally confessed to wanting this, Axis. Big angel that you are”—the nephilim sounded like he was smirking—“you don’t understand that I can make your bad ass beg for it.” Oh, Erik sounded hot when he talked like that. Axis found himself squirming for more. Erik’s hand came down against the firm swell of his ass.

“More,” Axis panted.

“Keer, please gag the commander,” Erik said sweetly to the other angel that knelt by his side, jerking his cock in time with Axis’s bucking hips.

Keer looked confused for a split second. “With what?”

“Your dick, Keer,” Erik instructed, grinning. Axis looked up at the warrior under his command. Would he dare? The idea that Keer might sent a shiver of pleasure through him. The hunger in Keer’s violet eyes said he was seriously considering it. Axis licked his lips. Come on, Keer. I’m your mate, not just your commander. Take me. Whatever Keer saw in his expression must’ve clued him into the fact that Axis was into it because in the next second Keer fisted his hair and guided his prick into Axis’s waiting mouth. Erik smacked his ass again, and Axis moaned around the hot length in his mouth. He sucked obediently, enjoying giving up control just this once.

No wonder Levi likes this, he thought, lapping at Keer’s plum head to gather some of the pre-cum he was leaking on his tongue. Keer groaned, his fists tightening in Axis’s hair. Erik’s hands continued to rain down on his ass, and their cocks were smashed against Erik’s thigh as they humped against one another with each strike.

“World above, Axis, your mouth,” Keer said in a strangled voice. Axis hollowed out his cheeks. Use my mouth, Keer. Take your pleasure. His eyes popped open as the door to shed slammed open to admit two of their very concerned-looking lovers. Marius and Jade looked on for a split second before they, too, started stripping off their clothes. They were both still flushed and damp from their shower.

“We got worried,” Jade rumbled, unbuckling his clean jeans before pushing them off his hips. “We didn’t see you guys when we looked out the side window.”

“Didn’t know you were having fun on the ground,” Marius said, his eyes burning into Brax’s backside across the hothouse. “So much for the shower.”

“Is there slick in here?” Jade asked.

Brax nodded to his jeans. “Small tube in the front pocket.”

Axis lost train of their conversation as Jade crowded behind Keer and spread his cheeks. The angelic commander looked up in time to see Jade whisper something in Keer’s ear that was much too low for him to hear before biting onto his earlobe.

“God!” Keer moaned, shuddering. His cock jerked in Axis’s mouth. He was close. Erik’s hand cracked as it came down on Axis’s red backside. It was Axis’s turn to groan then as his eyes rolled from the impact. He was playing on the edge between pain and pleasure, and damn if he wasn’t enjoying it.

“If I don’t fuck you, I’m pretty sure I’m going to die. Can I, Axis?” Erik asked.