Page 44 of The Monster's Mate

“We sneak out again. Go home and get to bed early. Relax until tomorrow.”

“It’s going to hurt when you go home.”

“But I’m coming back.” He winds a chunk of my hair around his finger and tugs it. “I’ll always come back to you, Lucy my love.”

And I smile and move into his arms, where we sway in place. I lay my head on his heart—maybe he has more than one because it echoes with a steady boom-boom—and use that as the music for my dance. We’re swaying together and it turns to a few steps because with all his appendages, he almost floats. It’s so graceful, so beautiful and pretty soon we’re dancing faster and when he spins me out, a giggle escapes.

He chuckles and brings me back in and I love this. I love him being here with me.

His arms are around me, his tentacles are winding around my legs and I love him so much.

“Thank you for being here with me.”

“I will be with you as much as I can. Until we figure out how to be together always.”

I lift my head up and his kiss is soft and sweet.

It’s late so we’re able to leave together out the back door, all cloaked up but holding hands. We’re quiet as church mice, but there’s not a soul outside anywhere. Down the pathway we walk until we get to the end of the courtyard.

“This is where they had River chained up,” I tell him. “Where she was whipped.”

We both pause, studying the wooden block with chains attached. It’s built so a woman’s body can drape over it.

“We’ve tattooed her scarred back after her face,” Skiden says, his voice deep and rich with emotion. “She’s a true warrior.”

“I can’t imagine that’s how she and Tiran met. He had to watch her take her punishment. I heard he offered himself instead but it was refused.”

“She doesn’t really remember it. She thought she hallucinated him. But on their way back from the portal, they fell in love. It was ridiculous. Tiran was convinced River wanted Bronan—and he was sure Bronan was interested. But River had simply asked Bronan to tattoo her face with Tiran’s marks as a surprise for Tiran. He felt like an ass when he found out.”

“Oh, no. And then Bronan thought you were interested in Isabel.”

He looks thoughtful. “I think we’re all a little paranoid from our patron’s manipulations. But we’re going to get over it. I think the three of us have grown stronger as brothers.”

“I’m glad Sam found Mejak and Kalrian. I hope she’s able to make the last match and get to safety.”

“I hope we hear from Lilaina and Mikhail that she’ll be allowed to choose a family member without having proof, or reporting your whereabouts while we wait for the outcome.”

“That would be ideal. But probably not going to happen.”

“It doesn’t matter then because we’ll come up with a back-up plan.” He tilts my head up to his. “Even if it means I have to hide in your little house to protect you.”

“It can’t be forever,” I tell him. “But at least you can come back every now and then, right?”

“Yes,” he says, tilting my head up. “Until then, I have an idea how to make you a little less frightened. Did you know someone as small as you can take down someone as large as me?”

I frown. Surely, he jests? Girls who are larger usually go for security jobs. First Lady Lilaina has secret service members who are six feet tall. I envied that. My mother must have been small, just like River’s small from Isabel’s genes.

“I promise. I’ll show you some moves, yes? They’re taught to us in case we’re ever incapacitated in some way. Like if our appendages are trapped or tied and a larger predator approaches.”

I’m not too sure I’m teachable, but it does mean more time with him, so I find myself nodding.

“Come,mieka. Let’s get you home.”

“What does that mean?”

“Just a word for a sweet girl.” He leans in close. “And I know how sweet you taste.”

By the time we get home, he shows me one move. One. When I’m laid out on my back, my legs spread-eagled, his tentacles wrapped around them, he groans when he uses them to taste how turned on I am.

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