The tether in my chest thrummed with power as my magic called to him. His aura glittered brightly, shifting from muted green to a bright turquoise threaded through with gold.
I wrapped my legs around his waist and arched my back. It was the invitation Kai needed to surge inside me. He shuddered again and paused while panting against my neck.
“I won’t leave you again. Whatever happens, you’re mine.”
I hoped he meant it because a demon father-in-law was as bad as a queen bitch mother-in-law, and we all knew how that had ended.
“I love you,” I blurted. Kai’s eyes shone in the light from the fire.
“You love me?” Salty tears slid down his cheeks.
“Of course I love you.”With all my heart.
“I love you too, my perfect mate.” When we kissed, my tears mingled with his. We’d come so close to losing each other forever, and I refused to let that happen again. If the mer queen came after us again, I wouldn’t hold back.
Kai belonged to me, and I protected what was mine.
We moved together, slowly at first, then faster as Kai lost control. He filled me, consumed me, until we came together in a blinding burst of magic and pleasure.
The fire in the grate exploded up the chimney while inky shadows filled the room.
I heard shouting from somewhere below, but since I couldn’t move, thanks to Kai’s freaky penis barbs, I decided whatever was happening was someone else’s problem.
As my heart rate slowed and my skin cooled, the swirling shadows faded away and the fire burned down. Kai rolled to the side, his arms wrapped around me. We remained joined, locked in place, and my thoughts drifted.
“If we had babies, would they have tails?”
Kai made a strange choking sound before he brushed some hair away from my cheek.
“If we had a mer baby, then he or she would have a tail in the water, but the baby could also be a witch. Or something different.”
“So our baby wouldn’t drown? That’s good to know.”
Kai chuckled. “No, a mer baby can’t drown. Unlike you.” He fixed me with a stern look. “I promised I’d teach you to swim, so in the morning, we start lessons.”
Damn it. That meant I needed to get up early, which didn’t fill me with joy.
“Don’t worry, pet,” Zane announced when he burst in wearing nothing but a pair of black silky boxers. “I’ll wake you up nice and early with my cock.” He pretended to think. “Or maybe my mouth.”
“I should go,” Kai said, trying to pull away now that his cock barbs had retracted, but Zane shook his head.
“No leaving our mate, fish boy. You upset her last time.”
Shame flickered through the bond once again, but I was having none of it. Kai had apologized, and I’d accepted his apology. It was time to move on.
“You’re staying,” I told Kai, not willing to accept any pushback from him. “Once the fire burns down this room is freezing, so I needall the body heat I can get.” I grimaced at the slick between my thighs. “But first, I need another shower.”
My bear appeared in the doorway. “I’ve run you a hot bath, little mate. Go jump in while we change the bedding and drag a second bed in here. This one isn’t large enough for all of us.”
“You’reallsleeping with me?” My eyes widened as I stared at Maverick and then at Kai. My merman might not want to be part of a cuddle pile. His brow furrowed before he nodded.
“Yes, I’ll stay. But I might end up on the floor if I get too hot.”
“But the floor isn’t nice.” A grubby blue carpet covered the bare floorboards, but I wouldn’t want to examine it too closely.
“The floor is fine. It’s much cleaner and nicer than my old room.”
“Fucking wolf shifters,” I muttered under my breath.
