Page 76 of The Powers of Nyx

A different wave of jealousy hit me, and I shoved it down immediately, though I guessed I wasn’t the only one who had also figured it out.

“I’m going to be honest, and don’t judge me,” she said, returning to twisting her hands.

“Never,” I vowed. “But if it’s really bad, don’t hold me accountable.”

Ivy sighed before tightening her hold on my hand. “I kind of don’t want to add more mates to...this. We’re still figuring out these dynamics, and with the kids, I don’t think I’m ready for all of that additional pressure.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Maeve said, stepping up and resting a hand on Ivy’s shoulder. “Our bonds aren’t just sex and gratification. We’re partners—yourpartners. We shoulder the weight you do. That’s why the Queen’s Council is so important. Why her mates take on so much responsibility. It’s so it isn’t just on you.”

Ivy nodded, though she didn’t look entirely convinced.

“You aren’t Queen yet,” I reminded her. “And like you said—we’re still working out these dynamics. So, why don’t we do just that. You leave for the academy soon. But tonight, you’re ours. The girls can stay with the Queen, Thea will be fine. But let us be just the five of us. We’ll work on being a family unit—together.”

Hope flashed in my girl’s eyes as she turned to me, and a smile curved at her lips. “I do like the sound of that.”

Even Elias looked impressed. “So, we’re taking our girl out.”

“So it seems,” Maeve mused, her shoulders loosening. “In two hours, the sun sets. Be ready by then.”

And with that, the conversation ended. There was a new, excited energy, especially from Ivy. I hadn’t realised just how badly it stressed her out that we weren’t functioning more cohesively.But not anymore, I thought. Tonight, we were her mates.

28

IVY

ITwas great having Maeve as one of my mates, because if it weren’t for her input, I wouldn’t have any idea what to wear to thefamily unit date.

I couldn’t help but smile as I swiped mascara over my lashes, blinking at myself in the mirror reflection. My heart thumped erratically from the waves of excitement rushing through me. The last time I’d felt even a smidge of nerves had been before the date with Rowan—turned Adrian. It was the last time I’d been on a date—a real date—too. Just the idea of finally getting to go out with my mates had my chest pounding harder and my tired magic bubbling to the surface.

With my makeup done, I took a step back and turned towards the closet. Maeve was already in there, lips pursed as she perused the selection of clothes.

“Perhaps we should go into the city in a few weeks and get you things that you actually like,” she murmured as I joined her in front of a selection of elegant, tight-fitting dresses. “These don’t seem very...you.” She looked up, and our eyes met.

I swallowed thickly at the rush of emotion her gaze betrayed. Uncertainty warred with hope, circling in the cerulean of her irises. She was afraid, too. It showed clearly in the soft lines of her face, in the press of her lips, and through our bond.

Clearing my throat, I nodded and returned to looking at the clothes. “Yeah. These aren’t...me,” I replied, grimacing.

But they were perfect for a Queen-to-be, I guessed.

Maeve pulled something from the rack and held it up to me. The dark green material was bunched at the sides, and it fell to my mid-thigh. The straps were thin, and the neckline was low-cut, as was the back. Most definitely not something Queen Greer or her royal dress shopper would have chosen.

My brows rose. “It looks a little—” Small. Too sexy. Something I would have been chastised for wearing if I’d been living with Kerry.

Maybe it was the thought of my mother, but it sobered me for a moment, giving me a small amount of self-confidence. And a little hope that after everything I’ve been through, I could pull off something this dainty and sexy.

“It’s not too much?” I asked carefully, taking the garment from my mate.

Maeve shook her head, eyes soft as they roamed over me. “Of course not,a mhuirnín. You’ll look beautiful in this or whatever you choose to wear.”

I released a shaky breath but slipped out of my robe. As it pooled at my feet, I caught Maeve’s stare. I wasn’t in anything, though with how the dress felt, I wondered if I could even shimmy into underwear without it looking obvious.

Slowly, I tugged it on, keeping my eyes on Maeve as I did. Red ringed the outer edges of her irises, and her expression darkened with that tell-tale sign of hunger. I shivered. She hadn’t fed since we bonded, and the thought of her fangs in my throat had wetness pooling between my thighs.

Maeve’s nostrils flared, and her shoulders stiffened. Biting my lip, I shimmied the rest of the way into the dress. “Zip me up?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

My vampire mate’s eyes flashed but she gave me a rigid nod. I turned and pulled my hair over my shoulder as her cool fingers brushed the length of my spine. They stopped at my mid-back, and I shivered as she circled what I assumed was her mate mark.“I never thought I’d see my mark on anyone,” she whispered, pressing her lips against my shoulder. “But I’m glad it lives on your skin,a mhuirnín.”

I shuddered, feeling the truth of her words down the bond. Her emotions were starting to become less guarded, less hidden from me. The weight of her trust was like a blanket, one I wrapped myself in.

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