AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Devyn
Consider staying.
Those two words have replayed in my mind more times than I can count over the last few days, and it doesn’t seem like they’re going to stop anytime soon. The rest of our conversation is a bit of a blur—my racing heart and the blood pounding in my ears made it hard to focus on anything else Azarius said. But basically, once a monster claims their mate, it’s a lifelong commitment.
Forever.
“Like marriage in the human world,” he said, making my stomach turn nervously and my throat close up.
And it gets worse.
While females are allowed to move on and accept more mates, male monsters typically only have one in their entire lives.
He had one shot, and he wasted it on me.
Wastedwasn’t the word he used, but that’s how I see it. Even if I wanted to, there’s no way I could live here in the monster realm. Unless I stay confined to the mansion, I’ll always have a target on my back. I won’t be able to go anywhere or do anything. And even with a lover like Azarius, that doesn’t seem like a very fulfilling existence.
Now I understand why those princesses in storybooks never wanted to be locked up.
It sucks.
Rather than sleeping in Azarius’s room, I took over one of the guest rooms right down the hall, and while he didn’t seem upset by my decision, he’s reminded me several times that his door is always open should I want to come over. I was tempted once or twice to sneak down in the middle of the night, but I refrained. I’m trying to behave and take things slow, even though we’ve already destroyed every typical new relationship boundary. Still, I’m practicing my self-restraint.
We’ll see how long it lasts.
I raided Xia’s closet again and found a few things that were smaller and fit me a little better, but they’re still not nearly as good as my own clothes. I just want a pair of worn-in jeans and a snug-fitting tank top. None of these clothes come close.
I’ve subtly reminded Azarius that my rent is due, and he says he’s working on it. I can only hope and pray that time goes slower in the human world than it does here. Otherwise, Cara is screwed.
As nervous as I am, I trust Azarius. He hasn’t let me down yet.
I’m sitting in an oversized purple lounge chair flipping through a leatherbound book I found in a drawer, when a knock at the door catches my attention.
“Come in,” I call as I toss the book aside.
I look up expecting Azarius to step into the room, but instead, Elio’s copper-colored form slips through the doorway, wearing a pair of dark slacks with a pale blue button-up, his hair untied and hanging in waves around his face. He’s hardly spoken to me since the night we met with Rafe, which I can totally understand, so I’m even more surprised to see him now.
“Good morning,” he says. He looks completely uncomfortable as he hovers near the door, his eyes sweeping around the room before landing on me.
“Hey. Is everything okay?”
He nods. “Yes, it’s fine.”
“Where’s Azarius?” I say, my eyes flitting to the doorway. I stare, expecting him to waltz in at any second, but he never does.
“He’s running a quick errand for Rafe before we head to Earth.” His tone is flat, but my ears perk up at the end.
“Earth?” I ask, nearly jumping off the lounge chair. “You’re going today?”
He nods. “We are. We have a meeting this afternoon. Then, as I understand it, we’re going to your apartment to pay a debt for you and collect some of your belongings.”
An eager smile teases my lips. “Yes. Lots of blue jeans. My toothpaste would be nice.”
I stole an unused toothbrush from one of the many bathrooms on this floor, but the toothpaste the monsters use is disgusting. Like sparkling grapefeet juice.
“Sure. Is there anything else you need us to check on while we’re there?” he asks, shifting his weight uncomfortably.
I purse my lips. “If you want to see if my car has been towed, that would be great. But I think I lost my keys when I was attacked.”
