“I don’t know how to do that,” Jasper says with a frown. “I don’t know that I’veeverdone that.”
I stay quiet, pressed against him in the most unobtrusive yet comforting way I can. When he’s this upset, the prince often needs someone to be close but allow him to muddle his emotions out on his own. He doesn’t even say them out loud sometimes, but he needs the physical support that I guarantee not a single asshole in that castle ever gave him when he was small. His mother was never of much use, and the King spent most of his time either gathering power to prevent someone from performing the same coup he did or doing awful things to mold Jasper into a clone of himself. Mind, we all have shitastic parents, but Tarron Eversore was definitely the worst of the bunch.
“Maybe you didn’t feel safe doing it,” Kit says as he gives Jas a gentle smile. “And I get that. I haven’t felt safe around guys, especially within touching range, since the… thing. You guys have been slowly helping me through that, better than four years of therapy ever did.”
Slash makes an annoyed sound across the room, and I peep out of my tails to look at my brothers. They all look as infuriated as the shark demon, especially Salem and Oriel. It’s true none of us likes the way a great deal of males behave—human or demon—but I don’t think I’ve seen any of them act like they’re going to rip someone in half with their bare hands like this before. At least, not if it wasn’t in defense of our caliphate members. I know Kit’s one of us now, but… there’s a sinister chill in the air that feels more emotional than brotherhood.
It feels like vengeance and possession—enough that it brushes against the strands of envy that weave through me because of my lineage.
Jasper shifts a little, and uncertainty fills the immediate space around us. “But you’re okay with this, yes?”
I blink, looking at my love with what has to be pride in my eyes. Jas isn’t a fucking creeper, but checking to see how what he wants will affect someone else isn’t something he often does. It took a long time for him to feel comfortable enough with me to do so when we’renotin the bedroom, so this is kind ofamazing.
“Thank you for asking, but yes. I came to sit with you, and I’m doing okay. Like I said, the others have been getting me acclimated to touch without going into full-on panic mode.”
“And doing a damn fine job of it,” Salem mutters. “You’rewelcome.”
Kit’s face turns a fun shade of red, and I squeeze my tails happily when it’s not me feeling shy about such things for once. “Yes, well… You’re in a good position, being my roommate, Salem.”
“Lucky bastard,” Oriel grumbles as he leans back on his pillows. “You get KK all to yourself a lot, and the rest of us have to make do.”
“Guys—”
Salem grins cheesily, stacking his hands behind his head. “I do, and it’s fucking awesome. Eat your hearts out, assholes.”
Jasper growls suddenly, and Salem’s smugness fades as the tip of the dragon’s tail tucks around Kit and me. “Watch it, Stryker. Changes could be made if it’s distracting the caliphate.”
“They absolutely cannot,” Kit says as he smacks my lover’s shoulder lightly. “You can’t pass me around like an object you want to add to your hoard. Instead, you could just say you’d like to spend time with me like Oriel did. Well, sort of did and sort of whined, but close enough.”
“I want to!” X exclaims as they wave their hand. “I mean, Annie and I definitely do. We can work on the magic stuff, like Jasper suggested, and mental shielding. That’s going to be important for close-quarters stuff in the Games.”
“We must continue training,” Slash adds, though the corner of his mouth is curved up in an interesting smirk I can’t quite place. “We started with shifting today, but much more work is necessary.”
“More of us than just you shift, Scrum,” Oriel says as he looks at Kit. “And I can also work with him on thief-type things. It’d be good if he learned to pick pockets and locks and such.”
I frown and then look at Jasper. “Tech. I can work with him on thatandon the catch-up stuff about supernaturals and powers. I’m the best at teaching.”
“For fuck’s sake… you’d think we’re fighting over a new puppy,” Jasper says as he looks up at the ceiling and sighs. “We will all do our parts to work with you, shrimp, and thus, will all get to spend time with you. Does that work or not?”
Kit tilts his head, looking up at the dragon demon in amusement. “Does that include you? Because I have noticed the distinct lack of interest in claiming coming from behind me.”
The flash of his dragon lurks in my love’s eyes at KK’s words, and I squint as I observe them. Jasper’s dragon is one of the most mercurial I’ve ever seen, but it didnotlike that suggestion at all. Sighing, our emotionally damaged leader looks down at me, then over at Kit silently for a moment. Finally, he nods. “I believe I would like to work with you in combat one-on-one. My skill set is varied, and I’m the most trained in using both magic, physical, and weaponry-based combinations. That would allow us time to… connect more. If you agree.”
“You want to give me fighting lessons?” Kit almost squeaks as he looks at the prince. “Dude, you’re like… so much bigger than me. Aren’t you going to squash me flat?”
Jasper arches a brow. “You don’t seem concerned Slash is going to eat you. How is this different?”
That makes Kit choke, and I reach over, patting his back just in case. When he gives me a thankful look, I smile and dip my chin. I don’t know what my role is with him and Jasper here—exactly—but I like that he asked for me to be here. Anything I can do to help them overcome this stubborn ass conflict they were embroiled in is fine with me.
“Uh, I don’t… I mean, I don’t know!” Kit looks frustrated then wrinkles his nose. “Because the big guy has always been nice to me and shit, probably.”
Something about that doesn’t ring true, but I’m not an empath, so I can’t dispute it.
“Jasper would not dare harm you, little demon. He would face the consequences from the rest of us should he do so.” Slash flashes his shark-y teeth this time, and I shiver. He isnotjoking in the slightest; if Jasper fucks this up and hurts Kit in any way, his best friend is coming for him.
“Don’t be dramatic,” Jasper mutters as waves his hand. “Of course I’m aware of the size difference and the experience difference and all of that.”
“Did he just say…” Salem leans into O, snickering behind his hand as he and the crow look at one another like bosom buddies with an inside joke. My brows furrow as they laugh, and it spreads to X, then, surprisingly enough, gets a rusty chuckle out of the stoic shark.
