Page 89 of The Powers of Nyx

My body turned rigid as the door to the office opened; from scent, it was Adrian. There was uncertainty, and even maybe a trickle of fear, in his natural, minty aroma that made my stomach tighten uncomfortably.

The mage stopped short, his eyes flickering between us. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to disrupt…anything. I just woke up, and you were gone.”

He is worried about Ivy. I blew out a breath, but I couldn’t convince my body to relax. The blood lust might be quenched, but my beast was still close to the surface, as was the bond tying Ivy and I together. It tugged painfully in my chest, reaching for her, begging for more. But I pushed it further away as Adrian reached hesitantly for Ivy, his eyes shrouded with worry.

Ivy’s cheeks flushed red as she glanced at me. “Sorry. I couldn’t sleep, and I wanted to check on Maeve.”

The Prince’s brows furrowed, and he dropped his hand. “I won’t question that,” he murmured, meeting my stare. “You took care of her?”

“Of course,” I said, as Ivy leaned into my side. “There will be no more problems on my end.”

Ivy turned her face towards mine, and her lips formed a breathtaking smile. My heart hurt for a moment, as I considered all the pain I’d put her through since bonding.

Stop, she said, squeezing my hand.We’ve worked through it. That’s all that matters.

Adrian crossed his arms, but as I looked to him, he smiled. “I’m glad you two worked it out. I knew family unit date night would be a hit.”

I snorted, but Ivy’s features softened as she gave him a smile. “It really did help.” She looked between us, her eyes alight with more than just happiness; magic seemed to be dancing along her skin, like it had always known the truth, and was now excited that she realised it, too.

Adrian released a soft breath and strode up to her. I had to hold myself still as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

The primal feeling currently rushing through me was new, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Vampires, like shifters, could be overly protective of their mates, chosen or true.

The days after our mating had been difficult, especially because she had other mates to consider. And I hadn’t been in the position to finalise the claim.

But now I was ready. Ready for the next five-hundred years with her.

Ivy’s dark eyes found mine, so I brought her hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to her warm, living flesh. “Go rest,amhuirnín. I promise I’m better now, and you have nothing to worry about with me.”

She opened her mouth, I suspected to argue, but Adrian was there, wrapping an arm around her waist and tenderly kissing her temple. “One day until the academy, Sweetheart. Why don’t we make breakfast for the kids?”

Ivy gave a resigned sigh before slipping from Adrian’s embrace to pull me into her arms. “There is still a lot to talk about,” she murmured, pulling away.

I nodded and cupped her cheek, still flushed from earlier. “I know. But we have a lifetime together, Ivy.”

She pressed her lips together but gave a single nod. “I still need to spend time with you before I leave tomorrow, same with Adrian and the kids. And please tell me next time you need to feed.”

“I promise.” My heart gave another stuttering beat when she joined Adrian. As he guided her out of the office, he spared me one last glance. As if he were thanking me for finally letting her in.

I will see you soon,Ivy said through the bond.No hiding now.

It would take time to give her every part of me. But for the first time in decades, I looked forward to finally allowing someone else into the darkness of my past.

I will never hide from you again,I replied. And I believed it.

33

IVY

WHOneeded an alarm when there were two kids under ten living with you?

I groaned as the first body hit me. Forget sleeping in with your mates the first day of academy hell. No, I was assaulted by the smell of maple syrup, sugar, and cinnamon first thing in the morning, as well as semi-sticky kisses and perfectly warm snuggles.

A body wiggled its way across the bed, and for some reason, decided to attack my feet.

“Okay, okay! I’m up!” I said, though my voice sounded groggy in my own ears. The sticky-sweet kid giggled and one of those syrupy kisses landed on my cheek.

“You gotta come out now,” Maisie whispered. Dammit, someone had made pancakes for her—again.

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