“I’ll go.” Rasmus pushed me toward Maverick. “My glamour hides my identity, and it’s still dark.”
My vampire shot away, returning a second later with a package. He tossed it at Zane, who tore open the bag and grinned.
“For you.” He threw Maverick a pack of cleaning sponges and a bottle of bleach spray. “For my pet,” he said next, passing me the most enormous bar of chocolate.
I burst into tears of happiness. Sugar was a witch’s best friend, and I needed it more than ever since my actual best friend had disappeared with the realm’s most toxic fae. “Thank you! That’s the nicest gift I’ve had today!”
“Oh, that’s nothing, my little petal. Just wait and see what else I have for you!” He pulled a smaller package from the bag and shoved it in his pocket. Then he winked.
“Okay, next, we have sushi for fish boy…and…aTwilightDVD for our suckiest host!”
“What is thisTwilightDVD?” Rasmus held up the plastic-wrapped DVD case and frowned. “Why do these people look glittery?”
“It’s a human movie,” I explained. “About vampires…I think it’s Zane’s idea of a joke.” Although I’ll admit I was quite excited about the prospect of watchingTwilight. I could do with a chill evening binging on stupid movies.
“No joke, fangy dude. I figured you could learn some useful tips so you don’t scare any humans. Like adding a bit of sparkle to your glamour if you go out in daylight. Or talking really softly.”
Rasmus shook his head in disgust and threw the DVD onto the table. “Vampires do not sparkle.”
Maverick caught me yawning again and growled. “My little mate needs to sleep,” he said before frowning. “Are the beds clean, and is there fresh bedding?”
“I’ll check.” Rasmus zoomed away while Maverick picked up his bleach spray and disappeared to check out the other rooms.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” Zane announced with a wink before he, Kenji, and the Ks vanished.
I probably should have been concerned, but it was late, and I didn’t have the energy.
Kai watched me as I yawned. “Are you okay?” I asked him.
My merman cocked his head. “I should be asking you that,” he said with a wry smile.
“I’m tired and fed up, but I’ll live,” I admitted.
“Maverick’s right. You should get some sleep. It’s been a long week.” When he took a step closer, I flung myself into his arms, needing a measure of comfort that only my gentle merman could provide.
Unlike the other three, Kai was less physically demonstrative, but he gave great hugs.
“I want to sleep with you tonight,” I told him. His arms stiffened around me in response. “If that’s okay?” I hoped he said yes; I rarely got any alone time with my merman. Zane and Maverick tended to hog my attention, and while Rasmus was happy to join them, Kai didn’t enjoy group cuddles.
After seeing the mer queen’s party orgy in action, I suspected Kai’s group activity experiences had been less than positive. We’d not talked about it, but his discomfort around the others when things got sexual was a dead giveaway.
I knew he enjoyed sex, with me at least, but he definitely didn’t enjoy sharing me.
But that was okay. I would never push him into anything that made him uncomfortable.
“I would love to sleep with you tonight,” he beamed with a happy sigh.
“Let’s go find a working bathroom. I want to clean up before I sleep.”
While Kai and I took turns in the shower, my bear put clean sheets on the bed. Kai was waiting for me when I left the bathroom wrapped in a fluffy towel. The room smelled of violets and mothballs, but I lacked the energy to care that it reminded me of a funeral parlor.
At least it had an actual bed, not a coffin. I loved my vampire mate, but I drew the line at sleeping in a coffin.
“No coffins,mea amica,”Rasmus chuckled in my head.“Most modern vampire residences have UV-blocking windows and blackout blinds, so coffins are not needed.”
“Phew,” I muttered to myself.
Kai looked up but didn’t comment. I guessed he was accustomed to me talking to myself.
