Page 125 of My Summer Girl

They like cleanliness, made beds, and washed sheets. Even when they’re on vacation away from home, they tidy up all their own stuff.

“Vex?” I call out, knowing they’ll hear me if they’re anywhere near.

“In the bath, my little dove,” they call out, and my ears twitch as I realize the water is running.

Hurrying to undress, I tie my curls back in a silk sash several times to keep them from getting wet. Rushing into the bathroom, I nearly fall over at how beautiful Vex is.

I feel like they’re statuesque, like the gods built them based off the memory of perfection.

Their horns and perfect jawline... I’m obsessed with looking at them.

“Are you going to join me, dove, or are you going to stand and gawk?”

With a giggle at their exasperated posh accent, I walk over and hop into the tub, leaning my back against their chest. It’s unfair how they get to hold me, and I don’t get to return the favor.

“What’s on your mind, love?”

I crane my head back to look at them. Their gaze automatically jumps to my throat and then my eyes.

“Do you think Arson or Pyro have connections to any magicks that can bring dragons here?”

They hum this low sound before grabbing a cloth to soap up my skin. As they drag the lathered remnants over the material and slather it down my arms, I try to patiently wait for their response.

One thing I’ve learned about Vex is their need for patience. I’m sure it has to do with living as long as they have. Ruminating over thoughts and thinking before answering must be second nature to them now.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think so. While Draegyns are part dragon—the closest thing to the creatures who have been mostly lost to history—I don’t believe they have magicks for summoning.”

I pout, feeling my smallest ambitions dwindling away.

“What brings this up?” they urge, and I just know they’re worried about my shifting mood. Other than the bond, they always could read me well.

“I’m worried about Vera. She’s really withdrawn and upset about the pollination.”

“Ah,” they muse, and I wonder why their tone seems unbothered. As if reading my thoughts, they continue. “I think pollination hasn’t happened because she’s scared.”

“What do you mean?” I question, wondering if that’s what Solera tried to tell me when she was lost to lust. Which reminds me. “The other day, when Vera and I...”

“Fucked?”

My cheeks flame, thinking of the way our bodies came together before literally coming together.

“Yes. That.” My voice is nearly squeaky. I’m still getting used to this entire sharing thing. Regardless of if my “fuck it” list has nearly been thrown out the window as I’ve lost myself to my mates, I’m still unused to being able to want more than one person.

“What about it?” Their voice is soft, a reassurance that everything is okay.

“She went super possessive on me. It’s like she was under a spell, and I felt like I was taking advantage of her.”

Vex cups my throat and kisses me swiftly. “That was the discomfort I felt in the bond that day. I knew it was on your end. Uneasy and hesitant.”

I nod. “It felt wrong to take, until Solera came into my mind and told me to go forward and help her. That she was denying what she needed and mentioned the pollination.”

“Hmm.”

They don’t say anything else, but continue their pursuit of lathering me up and kissing my shoulders as they go.

“I think Solera may be right,” they admit after they rinse off my chest and stomach, the cloth proceeding to my thighs. “Vera has had this notion in her mind for over two decades that the pollination hasn’t existed simply because she does. Imagine what that does to a person, let alone a queen whose entire life has revolved around her kingdom’s success and not her happiness?”

My heart hammers, making my vision a little blurry as I think of Ver all alone and sad, simply out of fear.

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