My Three Monster Husbands

I'm lying on the velvet bed in my castle bedroom, and three guys are leaning over me at the same time. Sebastian kneels beside me and undoes his cravat. His pale wrist comes up to my mouth, and he bites his own skin with his fangs. Little drops of blood fall onto my lips. Come on... do that. And I'm yours. Connor is lying at the foot of the bed, his furry head resting on my thighs. He rubs his cheek against my palm, his tail sweeping restlessly over my ankles. Don't drink his mirror; just hold me while we sleep. I'm warm. Ilian sits by my head, his dewtouched fingertips gently stroking my forehead. His golden hair falls down. brushing against my collarbone. Both of you shut it. My nature magic is what our mistress truly loves. Their eyes meet over me, and invisible sparks fly. Sebastian's nails grow longer; Connor's claws come out. Ilyan's vines are already winding around the bedposts. I close my eyes and pretend to be asleep. Doesn't matter who I pick; the other two will tear this castle apart anyway. The thing is, a month ago, I didn't even have a real bed to sleep in. Back then, I lived in a leaky little cabin on the farm. My dad was sick. Before he died, he shoved three old land deeds into my hands. "Sweetheart, we don't have any family fortune. Those three seal stones at the edge of the farm are our ancestors' treasures. If you get into trouble, go dig them up. " I mean, go invite them out. I didn't even have time to ask who I was supposed to invite before someone started pounding on the gate. Butcher Barnaby kicked the door open with a dozen thugs behind him.

The thugs ran screaming in all directions Barnaby was slapping at the flames. howling There are dark monsters here! A few seconds later, it was just the two of us and my confused old cow under the windmill. I patted her back and let out a long breath. Then I turned around and saw Sebastian leaning against the hay bales, arms crossed, staring at the cow's neck. Pretty impressive, right? Now go get me some fresh animal blood so I don't lose control. I pointed at the kitchen"There's cornbread and milk. " Get it yourself, the great vampire prince hadn't eaten in centuries, and his first meal after waking up was time's cornbread. Before we could argue, heavy hoofbeats sounded outside the gate. A man in a leather duster stood at the door, a silver compass spinning wildly in his hand, its needle pointing straight at the dark woods. Such strong dark energy! Heretic! How dare you walk the mortal. realm? Sebastian's face went dark. Leave! The witch hunter laughed and threw three bottles of holy water. A freshly unsealed vampire, acting tough. I'll cleanse you right now and be done with it. My heart sank; I tugged Sebastian's sleeve. Don't fight him. Let's go to the back hill. The back hill? Why? To unseal the other two.

Butcher Barnaby kicked the door open with a dozen thugs behind him. He spat his words in my face. "Mira Thatcher, your old man owes me fifty dollars. Pay up today or I take your cow, or you come work as a barlet in my tavern to cover the debt. " Two thugs were already yanking my old dairy cow out of the barn by her rope. That cow was the only thing our family owned. I gripped those deeds tight, watched my dad's eyes close for the last time, then grabbed the shovel from the corner and ran toward the dark woods at the back of the farm. The dirt over the first seal stone was loose, like someone had left it easy to dig up centuries ago. I swung the shovel maybe ten times before I hit a black wooden coffin wrapped in chains. The lid wasn't nailed shut; I pried it open with the shovel. The second I pushed that lid open, I forgot how to breathe. A man lay inside, skin pale as paper, sharp features like a statue from the Middle Ages. He wore fancy but faded velvet clothes, his hands folded over his chest. I couldn't help myself, I reached down and poked his cold cheek hard and cold no warmth then I lifted. his eyelid wake up someone's stealing my cow and if I can't pay the debt I'm gonna get sold off to be a maid. no reaction so I just climbed right into the coffin pulled back and slapped him across the face. His eyes snapped open, blood red, furious, a hundred years of being trapped in the dark radiating off him like ice. Who?

Mirra Thatcher, last living heir to this farm. I climbed back out of the coffin. My dad said you were a lord sealed here by our ancestors. The Thatcher family's in trouble. You have to help. He laughed, a nasty sound, and sat up. His pale joints cracked. His lips curled back, showing off sharp fangs. Lock me away for centuries, and now you want my help? I'll drain you dry first, then slaughter this whole village! He didn't even finish the sentence before a dark purple backflash of magic came out of nowhere and exploded right on his forehead. His elegant curls frizzed up like an afro; his face turned black as soot. He froze, those red eyes going wide. A blood pact? That damned woman carved a contract into my very soul. My eyes lit up, so you have to do what I say. Dream on! I raised my hand toward the sky in the name of God. Stop, stop, stop! He clamped his hand over my mouth just as a second lightning bolt of magic sizzled past his cape. Fine, I'll help. Just stop chanting or you'll burn my clothes right off me. I let go of his hand, satisfied. What's your name. Sebastian. he shook out his fried hair, looking totally grumpy. Vampire Prince, Lord of the Night. Remember, I'm not helping you because I want to; that stupid contract is forcing me. You're my personal blood bag now. Got it, Mr. Vampire? Now come on. save my cow before I get sold. I said Vampire Prince, not some ordinary vampire. By the time we got back, Butcher Barnaby was already leading my cow away. Sebastian raised an eyebrow; his pale, elegant fingers flipped once. A dark red flame shot out of nowhere and set Barnaby's pants leg on fire.

I grabbed my shovel. Three against one, right? We'll win! The vampire prince, calling for backup before he could argue, I dragged him at a sprint toward the edge of the dark woods. The second seal stone was buried near a creepy cellar under the trees, covered in moonfaced carvings. One shovelful cracked the stone. The cellar door blew open from the inside with a wild feral force. Then a huge muscular shadow lunged out of the cellar, ripped shirt, corded muscles, a low animal growl in his throat, his green eyes glowed in the lantern light, wild and untamed. Sebastian stepped in front of me, fangs out. "Connor, what are you doing here? " The shadow lunged forward. I finally saw him clearlya rugged, wildlooking guy with bronze skin and messy hair, pure power and feral energy radiating off him. His eyes went right past Sebastian and landed on me. The aggression in his face melted into pure... "Pack leader, you finally came for me. " Sebastian's eyes went dark with jealousy. "She's not your pack leader; she's my blood bag. "Just then, the third seal stone under the big old oak tree shattered all by itself. Out of the blue magical glow, a blonde man rose up from the dirt and roots beneath the tree—tall and lean with pointed ears. The elf, Ilian, didn't even glance at the other two arguing; he walked straight to me, gave a graceful bow, took my hand. and pressed an icy kiss to my knuckles. "Nature mage Ilian at your service. " he said. "I have waited a hundred years for you, my lady. Let me be your reason. "Your shield.

Before I could react, Connor let out a happy and launched himself at me. Sebastian and Ilian moved at the same time, "Don't you dare touch her! " But Connor dodged them both and buried his face in my chest, rubbing his broad shoulder against my neck like a giant, desperate puppy. "Mira, Mira, I missed you so much. You still smell so good. " I looked at the clingy, feral wolfman in my arms, then at the cold, elegant elf, then at the vampire whose pale face was turning even paler with rage. My dad wasn't lying Those three seal stones really were treasures Three treasures who could fight, do chores and call me mistress Okay um I cleared my throat. Can we skip the reunion for a second? There's a witch hunter outside who says he's gonna smash your stones and cleanse you. The back of Connor's hand was covered with wool fur and sharp claws, and his eyes were fierce. Anyone tries to smash my stone, I'll rip him apart. Ilian's slender fingertips condensed a strand of emerald green magic power. Stupid mortal. Sebastian snorted and straightened his cravat. Neither of you lift a finger; I'll handle him myself. The three of them locked eyes, and sparks literally flew. The witch hunter had just reached the barn when he saw three beings radiating terrifying dark and magical energy. His face went white, three, three epic level monsters.

The hunter turned and ran. Connor dropped to all fours and charged like a giant wolf. Ilian raised a finger, and roots burst out of the ground, wrapping around the hunter's ankles. Sebastian became a blur, reappeared, and planted a foot on his chest. Three seconds—that's all it took. The cocky witch hunter was tied up in vines. God in heaven! Mercy! I squatted down in front of him. You go back and tell your witch hunters guild that this farm is Thasher private property. Anyone who comes back here causing trouble gets their guild hall torn down by these three. Yes, yes, I'll tell them. The hunter scrambled up and ran into the woods. Crisis over, I let out a breath and turned to the three of them. Alright. let's go inside. Okay, Mira. I'll carry your tools for you. Ilian stepped close and flicked his fingers. A little breeze brushed the dust off my shoulders. You must be tired, my lady. Let me carry you home with magic. Sebastian yanked me into his dark cape and glared at the other two. Both of you back off. She's my contractor, my blood bag. What gives you the right? I'm the strongest. I'm the muscle of this farm. I have the most wisdom. Ilian said calmly. I can give her the most rational advice. I have the most class, Sebastian sputtered. Her blood belongs only to me. Help! I didn't unseal three helpers. I woke up three jealous, attentionhungry monsters.

Back at the farmhouse, it was already noon. I baked a big tray of cornbread and fried six big slabs of bacon. The second I put the plate on the table, three hands reached for it. All three collided. I was woken up first. I get three. Says who? I'm the strongest. I do the most work. I get three. I have the longest lifespan. Show some respect for your elders; nobody respects a leafeating old elf. Who are you calling old? They were about to come to blows when I slammed my tin cup on the table. Stop, all three froze, they sat down properly like kids caught by a teacher. two pieces each. No fighting. now eat up, I divided everything evenly. Then you're all workingSebastian split firewood, Ilian drew water from the well, and Connor fixed the barn roof. I was so naive; they were great workers. Sebastian, with vampire strength, split ten logs with one swing. He'd piled up a whole yard of wood in no time. Ilian drew water gracefully, not a drop spilled, and filled the barrel fast. Connor fixed the barn roof easily, lifting entire beams by himself without a ladder. But they were also trouble magnets.

I said furiously. "Nobody gets dinner tonight. Whoever made this mess cleans it up. Whoever broke the barn fixes it. You keep fixing it until it's done, even if you work till dawn. " Then I turned around and went inside, leaving three tall, longlegged supernatural creatures standing in the wreckage, staring at each other. By evening, the yard was cleaned up, and the halfcollapsed barn was barely standing again. I made a pot of thick meat stew and carried it outside. The three of them were squatting under the windmill, looking up at me with pathetic eyes. Sebastian's curls were a mess; his velvet suit, stained with dirt, looked ridiculous and pitiful. Ilian's shirt had a tear in it, showing his pale shoulder with a shallow scratch across his face. Connor had it worstbruises all over, a split lip, and he was licking his own paw sadly. My heart softened; I sighed, "Come eat. " Their eyes lit up.

While splitting wood, Sebastian kicked sawdust all over Ilian's white silk shirt, leaving black smudges. When Ilian came back from the well, he used his magic to flick water droplets onto Sebastian's polished Italian leather shoes. After Connor fixed the barn, he saw the other two fighting and gleefully joined in, slamming into Sebastian with his wolf strength. The fight escalated; Sebastian turned into a swarm of bats to confuse them. Ilian summoned thorns to tangle their ankles, Connor grew claws and started wrecking everything around him. By the time I ran out to see what the noise was, the farmyard was a disaster zone. Woodpile knocked over, water buckets tipped, the barn I just had fixed was half collapsed again, even my bed sheets hanging on the line were shredded. I took a deep breath and screamed at the top of my lungs"Everyone stop! "All three froze instantly, they shifted back to human form and stood there heads down not looking at me who started it? Him!