Page 50 of The Monster's Mate

“Come along,” Wraith says to Knight.

A second later, they blink out of existence. Malice grabs Silence, and they do the same.

Athos bends to kiss my forehead before stepping back and nodding at Bane. He siphons across the room, grabbing my dragon and disappearing again.

Eldritch appraises me as Aline rubs the side of her tit, grumbling under her breath.

My wyvern approaches slowly, and I’m too out of it to guess why he’s being cautious.

“I would never have helped my father and brother steal Veryn.” Eldritch studies my face. “Please tell me you believe me when I say that.”

The misery emanating in the bond pushes me into action.

I get my shit together and hug my mate.

“I know.” It takes a little work, but I focus on the bond enough to send my emotions toward him. “I fell in love with you long before you transformed. The way you used to wrap yourwing around me when I would hug your snout. You’ve always made me feel safe and protected, even in your most animalistic form.”

“Gods,” Eldritch whispers, bending low to capture my mouth. It’s a slow and emotion-filled kiss. He pulls back and nuzzles his cheek to mine. “I love you too, until my dying breath.” Something about his tone sets me on edge as pure panic rips through my chest.

I clutch on to him for dear life.

“No. None of that. You’re not going to put yourself at risk for revenge,” I say firmly. “We’re getting my kid back, even if we have to let them live to make sure we do. We came as a team, and we’re sure as fuck leaving as one.”

My eyes catch Aline’s as she gives me a solemn nod. I’m fairly sure that’s her promise that she will ensure I don’t lose any of my mates to their screwed-up senses of honor.

My head leans against Eldritch’s shoulder as we sit side-by-side on the couch.

Aline sits in the club chair across from us, looking every bit the regal queen she was supposed to be. Even in Eldritch’s cozy cabin, I’m pretty sure being in Faere does something for her magic or maybe her natural composition. Her hair is normally light blondish-pink, but it’s more vibrant and possibly thicker.

I wonder if the human realm has negative consequences for those who are supposed to reside in another realm.

The atmosphere changes and Knight appears. He stands in front of me and Eldritch and gives a killer smile.

“Wraith and I are just going to borrow your wyvern for a quick second. Shouldn’t be long. Maybe a couple of minutes,at most.” He grabs Eldritch’s shoulder, and a second later, my wyvern disappears as I slump back against the couch cushions. “It’s no big deal,” Knight calls out, but I can’t see him. “We promise to keep him in one piece. Don’t stress.”

My eyes widen as they meet Aline’s. “I’m, in fact, very stressed. Did he think that was going to help?”

Aline scoffs, shoving herself out of her chair and moving to sit next to me on the couch. “Knight is much like Malice—an eternal optimist—but you shouldn’t fret. They can siphon, which is a gift nearly no one in this realm possesses. Portals are rare enough, but either demon can simply grab Eldritch and disappear. It’s kind of an unfair advantage, if you think about it.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as she wraps her arm around my shoulder.

“Always,” Aline says, pulling me closer. “What are friends for? Oh, damn, just don’t bump my boob. These things are always convinced they’re needed.”

I snort.

I don’t know what I would do without her calming presence.

Malice’s shadows appear in a swirl directly in front of us, and my heart hammers. He gives us a wicked smile that shows off his sharp canines as Silence wobbles around like he’s drunk.

“If you wouldn’t mind staying quiet, I believe I have something you should see before deciding the princess’s fate,” Malice says, holding out his hands to me. “Ali, my love. Stay with Silence. We’ll be back in just a few moments.”

Chapter Twenty

Eldritch

“I’ve never seen anything like the ward on your father’s chamber,” Wraith says as Knight and I materialize in the hallway of the dragon’s keep.

I do a double take when I spot the tiny infant in his arms.

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