My eyes flick between them. Something is passing silently but I’m not sure what it is.
“Come speak with me, bonded,” Arch rumbles lowly, eyes locked on Ben.
“Flower, stay, finish your breakfast,” Ben commands. I look down at my plate as they head to Ben’s room.
The second I hear the door click close, I jump up and sprint around the island to the hologram caller on the front of the refrigerator. I tap it and it lights up so I quickly try the code for Raquel’s office. It shimmers, waiting for her to answer on her end. I look nervously over my shoulder and thank the Gods for it, because I catch Arch’s door opening slowly.
Theo.Fuck.
I swipe the caller off and throw open the fridge door, my heart hammering.
“Sweetling,” he purrs, crossing the space, “Where are my bonded? Neglecting you, hm?” His arms go around my waist, his skin cool to my flesh, and his hard cock digging into my lower back.
My body tenses, disliking the intimate position. “Talking. I was just hoping you might have some black tea.”
He rubs his head on top of mine like he’s marking me.Fucker. Ben kissed my forehead yesterday too.
They are getting... emotional. I don’t like it.But I suppose it could be helpful.
But he smells wonderful. Of... frosting? Something sweet enough to make your teeth hurt. Nothing we get regularly as citizens of New United.
“Do you keep your tea in the refrigerator?” He leans down and butts his horns against me gently. I pull away from him.
“I know some folks do in the summer. I only have an icebox.”
He flips the stove on and puts a kettle going before opening a cabinet. “In here,” he gestures, then points to a different cabinet, “Will you grab us mugs?”
I grab two mugs and set them next to the stove.
“Sugar.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Do you take sugar? Cream? How does my little bride take her morning tea?”
Over the bodies of my enemies.
“Usually black, as most humans cannot afford much sugar or cream.”
His shoulders hitch up at my tone.Good. Prick.
I hear grunting and I turn. A rhythmic slapping sound emerges from the bedroom and Theo chuckles. “That’s how they usually end their ‘talks’.”
“With sex?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“With Arch ‘punishing’ Ben through sex, actually,” he clarifies, taking our mugs to the dining room table.
“He punishes the two of you for insubordination?”
Now I’m surprised. I trail after him, feeling a bit lost. I sit in front of where he put my tea.
Theo smiles gently. “Arch keeps us in line; he’s the backbone of our chime. We never disagree in public, but in private we talk things through. Ben is... ordered. He likes things neat and sorted. He’s never had sex with anyone besides me and Arch. And now you, sweetling.”
I gulp a mouthful of tea gracelessly.
“It’s less that Arch punishes us, and more that his nature brings out the best in ours, and that includes him domming the stones out of us occasionally.” Theo leans back and drinks his tea.
“And do you bring out the best in him?” I ask pertly.
