Page 15 of The Powers of Nyx

Thea’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Did it stop when you met them?”

I considered the question for a moment. The day I’d met them, everything changed. Around me, and inside of me. The restlessness quietened down after that, and I hadn’t even noticed it. Like now, with my magic finally anchored and under control, I never realised just how out of balance I’d been priorto their arrival. That my normal before them had been internal chaos, and now with them beside me, it was quiet and calm.

“Maybe it was fate telling me I was meeting my mates soon,” I replied. “Like the psychic told me I would.”

Thea snorted loudly and rolled her eyes. We both laughed at the mention ofMadame Sterlingand her so-called fortune telling. “Maybe the old bat was the real deal,” Thea said, shaking her head.

“Maybe that was a fortune for the both of us.”

Thea looked away quickly and pressed her lips into a thin line. “I’m not really interested in all that mate-crap, Ives. I’m happy doing what I do.”

The thing was, I knew she believed that, but I also knew my best friend. Maybe better than she knew herself. And I disagreed with her. She had so much love to give, and I wanted to believe there was someone out there that could handle all her hard edges and cupcake obsession.

“You should ask one of the guys to get you some baking gear,” I replied instead. “Sounds like you need some stress relief.”

Thea puffed out her cheeks. “You know what’ll be good stress relief? Sex. All the abs I see while we’re here and having no privacy to enjoy it.”

I shake my head. “And you say you don’t want mates. It’s like 24/7 sex.”

She lifted a brow in mock disbelief. “I don’t see you getting any right now. That’s right, you’re getting mind fucked instead.”

If she were next to me, I’d throw a pillow at her. “I have Adrian. We completed the mate bond before the attack.”

She gasped dramatically, slapping a hand to her mouth. “So, you two finally did it. Ugh, how disgustingly sweet.”

My cheeks reddened and I poked out my tongue. “Shush. It was spur of the moment, and I’m really glad we finally did it. Ithink he still wanted to wait, mostly because I’m trying to work out how to block—” I refrained from saying his name, like it would give him permission to appear in my dreams again.

I couldn’t wait to find him again, so I could make him take the glamour off me.

Thea offered me a sympathetic smile. “Mind sex does sound pretty kinky, I won’t lie.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of coursethat’swhat you gather from this conversation.”

She tapped her chin lightly and sighed. “You know, if I had to have a mate, I guess I could be happy if it meant all the sex. I just don’t know if I’m a monogamous creature. I like having my choices.”

“I thought I was,” I replied, shrugging. “And yet, here I am, with multiple men.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” She made a point of looking at me, before staring at something in the distance. “Maybe I can have multiple men, too. That wouldn’t be too bad. Preferably one for each day of the week.”

I scoffed, giggling when her eyes snapped back to me. “Do you really think you could handle that many mates?”

The evil grin I received told me I shouldn’t have asked. “I do have—” she silently counted something before cocking her head, “—three holes, two hands, and if they’re agile enough, a third could fit in my—”

“Okay!” I cut her off, eyes wide. “I shouldn’t have asked, got it.”

Thea wagged her eyebrows. “You should consider it. I mean, you’re bonded three times now. The group activities will be great! I read a book once where—”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “I love you. But I’m not talking about this.”

Thea huffed and rolled her eyes. “But who else would you talk about this with? Babes, you and me, we’re a forever kind of deal.”

“It might be something she talks about with her mates, for starters,” Elias said, startling both of us. “Sorry, Angel. We’re going to have to cut this short.”

I groaned. “Meeting with Sir Ya’Dahir?”

Thea mumbled something before handing over her screen. But before he could respond, she said, “I love you, and don’t listen to him!”

My mate rolled his eyes, spared her an unimpressed look, and left her room.

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