“Yes, it definitely would. I’ve thought aboutit a lot.”
“Have you?” Amusement dances like a song in his voice. The longer he looks at melike that,my cheeks grow redder.
I gulp, forcing myself to nod. “Not too weird?” I ask, hugging my knees to my chest. This fantasy has been building in my head for almost an entire year. I’ve imagined every reaction possible from Moth. I never thought he’d be this relaxed and accepting, but I should have known better. In our life together—sex included—he always makes me feel respected and safe. Maybe that’s why I thought this would be too out of the box. The things Moth whispers can be playful and possessive, and I love that. He knows how to take control and tease me, but chasing me down in the forest? It’s a bold request for anyone.
“No, my flame, it is not even close.” He plants a kiss on the top of my head, and I snuggle into the warmth ofhis body.
“Hah, yeah, I’m sure in all our years together, much weirder will come, right?” I say the words still burrowed in his chest. When I look up, there’s a spark of interest in his ruby eyes.
“Is that a promise?” he rumbles, raising an eyebrow.
“You’ll have to waitand see.”
We have forever together,after all.
4.
When we finally make our way inside, we look like we’ve just rolled around in a field of flowers. I’m thankful we don’t run into too many sets of prying eyes on the way back to our bedroom.
Moth fills the giant bathtub and sprinkles in white rose petals and bath salts from the tray on the vanity. He pulls me in to soak next to him, and we lie together until the water is cold and the clock strikes five o’clock. Yeah, we’re slipping into vacation mode niceand easy.
I change into one of the beautiful dresses hanging in the wardrobe; it’s a light pink chiffon-like fabric with two giant bell sleeves and bows at the shoulders and a skirt that flows in just the right way to my ankles. Moth is dressed like a prince from a fairytale in pants that fit his butt beautifully and a ruffled shirt that makes me think I should add “Pirate Roleplay” to my list.
The clothes, like everything in the castle, perfectly accommodate giant wings, and being as I’m still getting used to mine, it’s something I appreciate. Moth must be loving that. At least that’s my assumption until I see him walking around the room like a dog wearing socks. “What’sgoing on?”
“They are too tight,” he grumbles, pacing back and forth in front of the large gold-trim mirror.
“What? No, you lookamazing.”
Moth bends his knees, his nose crinkling in an expression I’m pretty sure he picked up from me. It’s cute—he’s cute. “The fabric is stiff.” God, I lovethis man.
“You’re just saying that because you hang out naked like … allthe time.”
“I have heard very few complaints from you on the matter.” His fangs poke out in a lazy smile.
“Oh, I’m not complaining.” I lift my hands in the air. “I can personally attest to both wanting to admire the way your butt looks in those pants and rip them off of you.”
“Then we will do the latter.” He hooks an arm around my waist and begins leading me to the bed.
“Dinner! We are doing dinner with your family!”
He stops, letting out a sigh of defeat as if we didn’t just fuck each other’s brains out in the palace gardens. Is it flattering? Absolutely. But someone needs to keep us on task. Unfortunately, that person is going to haveto be me.
“It is strange to see them,” he admits after we’ve pried our arms off of each other.
“Pants after this long are going to take some time to getused to—”
“My family,” he interrupts.
My face flushes. “Right, yes. I totally knew that.”
I didn’t.
“Maybe tonight will feel better,” I add. After a day of keeping to ourselves, I’m hoping Moth’s social battery is charged enough for whatever isto come.
“Perhaps…”
What a journey he’s been on in the last 24 hours. Moth went from thinking he was utterly alone in the world to having assorted memories of being from another realm. The guy thought they’d banished him for unspeakable crimes. It’s not like he’s had many positive experiences with humans either. Anyone would feel rusty after so much time spent in the shadows.
