Seth nods, unplugging the tub and stepping out of the bath, “I can make you some, love.”
I grin, looking at him through my lashes as water sprays over my back and runs in rivulets off my peaked nipples. “Oh, I’m counting on it. After all, I did say it was your nut and balls I’d prefer to have in my mouth.”
Seth freezes, orbs flickering as he grunts, “Fuck.”
My eyes drop down to his growing erection, and I smile victoriously. He runs a hand down his face, then tilts his head back while he groans softly, “You’re gonna fucking kill me, baby.”
I shrug, giddiness making me lighter than I can ever remember being, “I’ll bring you back.”
A guttural growl is all the response I get before my good boy shoots me a smoldering look and comes to me.
Epilogue- Rituals & Raspberries
Ryn
A few months later
“Wait, so your friend, the human—”
“Gabby,” Trissa nods absentmindedly as she fusses with my hair. She and her partner, Cian, interrupted their European travels and took a portal stone to be here for our official bonding ceremony. Seth was so excited he was practically glowing, which means I liked them on principle. Now that I’ve spent the morning with Trissa, though, I find that I actually enjoy her company, despite the fact that she can be obnoxiously bubbly. That’s kind of the vibe you want for this sort of day anyway, and her gossip is helping stave off the worst of my nerves about doing this in front of a bunch of people.
“Right, so Gabby the human,” Trissa rolls her eyes and smiles as I continue, “is dating a chupacabra?”
“Yup.” Her tone dulls, and it wouldn’t take a genius to realize that she’s less than enthusiastic about the relationship. Although I can understand why, remembering how nervous the beautiful brunette seemed when I met her briefly—and I’m one of the more human-adjacent types of paranormal beings.
“How does that work?” I trail off, hoping she understands what I’m asking without having to say it.
She groans, “Trust me, you don’t want to know.” Her cheeks are flushed, and she shakes her head, her bright blue hair shining prettily in the fairy lights. Wincing, I decide that she’s probably right. Hopefully, the human knows what she’s signing up for. Chupas have a hell of a possessive side, with tendencies that veer toward stalker-level obsession.
“I had kind of hoped Gabbi and Ollie would get together, because she seems to be less nervous around him and they’re both so funny.” My eyes widen slightly, and she shakes her head, “But Seth has assured me that without his glamour, Gabbi would flip her lid, and Ollie is way too sweet for that, you know?”
I nod slowly, because he is sweet, but he’s also a spicy little shit when he wants to be. I’ve grown pretty fond of him, actually. With him being one of Seth’s closest friends now, and the only one actually around, we’ve been hanging out a lot around the time he spends with—oh!
“Well, and the whole Eleanor thing.”
Trissa’s head snaps up, and she sputters, “Eleanor? Like hyena-laugh, Eleanor? Like the witch from my mom’s coven? What about her?” I blink at Trissa’s run-on question. Then, meet her eyes in the mirror.
“Well, he’s–he’s been dating her, for like, weeks now.” Trissa’s eyes pop open so wide I’m afraid they’ll roll out of her head. Then Iremember the newest bit of ‘the whole Eleanor thing’ and wince, adding, “Up until a few days ago, anyway.”
It’s Trissa’s turn to blink, and she does, twice. “Wait—so they broke up?” Shetskssadly, “Oh, no. I hope he’s okay.” Her face turns a shade lighter, which is impressive for someone so pale. “Oh gods, I hope he’s not crying near Seth’s suit.”
I chuckle at that, quickly waving her off, “He’s fine. Seems more angry than anything else, actually. He hasn’t given us many details yet, told us he doesn’t wanna talk about it the week of our ceremony.” A tender smile pulls up one corner of my lips, and I blink away happy tears, “He’s a good friend to Seth. To me.”
Trissa smiles sweetly, and I can’t help but notice the glossiness in her eyes as she clasps my shoulder, “Good, you deserve thebestfriends. Both of you.”
“How sweet.” A male voice cuts through our camaraderie, and my smile vanishes. We both stare at the intruder through the mirror until Trissa slowly leans forward and whispers in my ear.
“Were you expecting a snarky, hot elf-looking dude? Because I don’t think he’s here for me.”
Kier’s expression darkens, and I chuckle, “No, theelfhas a nasty little habit of only popping in when he’s not invited.”
He’s positively glowering now, and I grin, patting Trissa’s hand and nodding to let her know it’s okay. “However, I doubt he’ll leave until I let him bust out at least one needlessly wordy monologue so that he can prove how clever he is.” Turning my eyes from his twitching ones in the mirror, I look up at Trissa and smile, “Can you let them know that I’m almost ready? Maybe check in on Seth?”
My phantom friend takes one long look at me, ascertaining that I’ll really be okay, and then turns incorporeal and floats right through Kier on her way out of the room—her bathroom, actually.
Seth has been keeping an eye on Trissa and Cian’s place while they travel—it’s an absolutely gorgeous Victorian, with a charming little garden and plenty of space for a party. When Seth mentioned wanting to do a ceremony to celebrate our bond, Trissa immediately offered the house and grounds as a venue. It’s been strange adjusting to having so many good, sincere people who care about us—friends who love me for who I am, rather than what I can do for them. Strange, but wonderful.
So, it makes sense that occasionally my past pokes its ugly head in to even the score. Turning around on my stool, I level Darro with an impatient look and wait. If he wants to crash my party, he can at least hurry up and get on with why he’s here.
