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I meet her gaze and study the shape of her face, the brightness of her eyes. She’s beautiful, achingly so. I’d once been near queens and princesses who sparkled like the sun, but none of them compared to the woman before me. She glows from within as if some magic dances beneath her skin. She’s perfect,even though I can see thin white scars marring her flesh. I’ve never wanted someone as strongly as I do her.
“My given name is Dade,” I reply. “But I am open to whatever you would like to call me, Kai.” The way her name rolls off my lips makes me shift in my seat. Kai. Kai.Kai.
Her eyes crinkle a little. “Do you enjoy the name Dade?” When I nod, she touches my hand. “Then that is what we shall call you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dade.”
“As it is the greatest pleasure to meet you in return,” I say, and then I take a bite of the stew. It takes a moment for me to remember how to use the utensils beside the bowl, but I manage a clumsy bite regardless. When the flavors hit my tongue, I hum. It’s delicious, far better than the meat and plants I’ve lived off of in my beast form.
“Are there others like you?” Kai asks, and I freeze. The madness dances at the edges of my mind, but when she reaches out to touch her fingers to my wrist, it disappears as if by magic. “I apologize if the question was too personal. I was only curious.”
She moves to pull her hand away with those words, as if afraid she’s being too forward, but I close my fingers around hers. Her fingers are swamped by mine, her smallness almost comical against my largeness. The lycan and the water beast tense at my hold. Kai flinches at the quick movement and shame fills me that I’ve acted as a beast.
“My apologies,” I whisper, slowly releasing her hand. “You steady me, and I acted rashly to keep that magic close.”
“It’s okay,” Kai replies, but shadows dance in her eyes, reminding me that I’m not the only one here with darkness. “I understand.”
And she does, I realize. She understands exactly what I mean. Her eyes dart over to the others, and I see the healing in this family that has been happening before my arrival. If I want to stay here, I must be part of the healing.
“I should like to stay here,” I say. “If you are comfortable.” When there’s silence, I decide it’s best to list out my qualifications. “I am a great protector, strong and willful. No beast shall harm you while I am here.” I glance at the others. “I am not a great hunter, but I am decent at foraging. If you would like to see my skills—”
“Dade,” Kai interrupts, and this time when she places her hand on my wrist to stop my rambling, I do not grab her. I let her control the touch. “You do not need to prove your usefulness.” She glances at Kaito, and I realize this cabin must belong to him. That glance is asking for permission. When he nods, my shoulders relax. “You’re welcome to stay for as long as you need.”
Forever, I think.I would like to stay forever.
But I do not say that out loud. Instead, I smile gratefully, take another bite, and say, “This stew is delicious.”
Chapter
Eighteen
KAI
After eating, we fall into a familiar routine of cleaning up the cabin, only for me to turn to see Dade there, standing with the blanket wrapped around him, watching us. “Please let me help,” he murmurs. It’s almost a plea. I can understand feeling useless, and at almost seven feet tall, that must not be a familiar feeling for such a creature.
His hair is as black as his beast, almost slick with oil. His muscles are even bigger than Weyland’s, and he towers above us all, bending so as not to hit his head on the cabin ceiling. If we are collecting more monsters, we are going to need a bigger home.
I’m unsure what to tell him though. Luckily, Weyland steps forward. “I need to fetch more wood for the fires. You can help if you wish.”
“Gladly.” Dade stands straighter.
Weyland chuckles. “You might need pants.”
“Wait a moment. I might have some that fit. I foraged when I arrived and there was extra clothing here that is too big for me,” Kaito offers kindly, and after rummaging through a dusty trunk, he produces a pair of long, large leather breaches.
Dade accepts them gratefully. “I owe you,” he murmurs before looking toward me. With a bow to me as if I’m some sort of royal, he turns, offering me his muscular back. That back is laden with scars that have my eyes widening in horror, but just as surprisingly, he drops the blanket, distracting me from the scars.
I let out a squeak and turn, but not before I see a very round, muscular bottom that has warmth spreading through me.
“I apologize, little one. I should have warned you. I am rusty at being around others, especially humans.” When I peek at him, he is dressed and wincing as he watches me. “Can you forgive me?”
“Of course,” I rush out, my voice nearly a squeak. My eyes drop down again before I yank them up. “Wood. You should get wood.” My cheeks heat at that as Weyland chuckles. Dade, however, seems not to notice and with a bow, he heads out with Weyland.
I slump in relief, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Kaito’s arms wrap around me. “You are adorable,” he murmurs as I blow out a breath.
“Clumsy,” I mutter and take a seat with the needle I found, then I try to fix a hole in one of my shirts I stole from Kaito to sleep in. It’s far too large for me, but it’s warm and smells like him. Not to mention the way his eyes light up when I wear it.
“Beautiful,” Kaito offers instead.
