Page 122 of Forever Touched

“Things are still plenty spicy between us.”

“Yeah, but how many times do you have sex? Once a week?”

“Of course not. We— Kade, I know what you’re doing. It’s not going to work.”

“Ah, c’mon, Lochie. It’sme. Share the love with your drothen. How many times, then? Twice? Three times?”

I smothered a laugh as Everett rolled his eyes and shut the door. Kade and Loch continued to bicker in the hallway, a familiar and welcome sound. I’d only been a part of Everett’s family for a month, but I was already in love with their dynamic. They deeply cared for each other and always had each other’s backs. Even when they disagreed, they always managed to come together at the end of the day.

Knowing that they were waiting for me to get dressed, I scooted off the bed and quickly found my clothing. My coronation gown was in our bedroom at the castle, so we planned to get ready there. Kenna and Isla had offered to help me with my makeup and hair, and although I was used to doing it myself, I’d accepted. They’d so readily included me in their sacred friendship circle, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

When I was dressed, we left the cottage as a group, chatting and laughing as we tried to keep the two daredevil toddlers from running off. Eventually, Loch and Everett picked them up and shot toward the castle at vampire speed, to the delight of the twins.

“You look different this morning,” Kade remarked, slinging an arm over my shoulders as we followed at a more sedate pace. “You seem . . . calmer. At peace.”

I shrugged and gave him a little smile. “I just know that everything is going to work out.”

“Oh? Did you have one of your visions?”

My smile widened. “Maybe.”

He barked a laugh. “Fine. Keep your Oracle secrets. I’ll figure them out soon enough. My wife is a private investigator, after all.”

I returned his laugh but didn’t respond.

After a moment of companionable silence, he said more seriously, “He’s really lucky, you know. You’re exactly what Everett needed. You bring out the best in him.”

I blinked sudden tears from my eyes. “Thanks, Kade. I’m really lucky too. You’ve all been so good to me.”

“We’re happy to have you,” he replied, pulling me in for a quick hug. “But we’d better catch up before Everett thinks I’m questioning you about your sex life.”

I snorted. “I lost count.”

He glanced down at me in confusion.

“I lost count of how many times we had sex this week. If you need some pointers, let me know.”

When I winked at him, his mouth slowly fell open.

“Holy mother of Moses,” he whispered. “You’re going to be the best queen ever.”

Laughing, I took off at vampire speed. “Race you back!”

When we reached the castle a couple minutes later, we found it alive with preparations. Everywhere we looked, maids were bustling about with large bouquets of red roses balanced in their arms. The floral scent mixed with human blood was heady, and I paused to breathe in the delicious concoction.

Quiet laughter rumbled from Everett.

He opened his mouth to comment, but a chipper feminine voice beat him to it. “I know, it smellsdivinein here. I already had breakfast but might need a snack soon.”

Kade perked up at that. “I’m available.”

Isla rolled her eyes at him. “Anon-the-gosnack. We girls havea whole day of pampering ahead of us. How about you boys make yourselves useful and send up some drinks for us?”

“I can send them up myself,” Kade replied, then added with a sly smirk, “Clothed or unclothed.”

“Kade,” Kenna chastised, following her best friend into the foyer. “I already caught you naked in the hallways once. I don’t need to see that again.”

Kade snickered. “Your face wassored, little Kenna. It was like you’d never seen a dick before.”

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