Page 124 of Her Males

As much as I love watching her discover the benefits of my bond, I want to know how she’s feeling.

Charlie wiggles, her nose scrunching, before she gives a timid nod. She will be exhausted once the bond solidifies, and I urge her to lie on my chest so she’s in a comfortable position when it does.

I plan to take her home while she’s napping, and I want her to wake up in the wing we had made for her. I think she’ll like it, and I hope it’ll lift her spirits to be back in Wrath.

She’ll probably miss being here, but maybe I can install a portal in our home for her to use. I’ll have to get it programmed to only travel to set locations, which I’m sure Charlie will be pissed about, but it’s worth it if it prevents her from accidentally going to some foreign, dangerous realm.

I’ll have to put a portal here, too, which will definitely be an issue with the shifters. They seem to have a soft spot for Charlie, though, so I think they’ll let me do it.

Her toy will not be welcome to use it.

Only the shifter female she loves to fight and the brother who’s always staring.

“Was it good for you?” Charlie whispers, her voice cracking.

I can feel her pain through the bond, the feeling slight, and I know she’s thinking about Gray and Silas. She seems to always think about them whenever something good happens, the action a subtle way of punishing herself.

“Best sex I’ve ever had,” I quip.

Charlie hums, too tired to pick up on my joke. I don’t mind, and I continue running my fingers through her hair as her breathing slows.

“Can I have access to your mind, baby?” I ask.

I want in her thoughts and, even more than that, her memories. She’s young, and it won’t take me long to replay her entire life for myself.

“No.”

The answer’s immediate, and I frown but don’t fight it. She’ll let me in eventually. Silas did, Gray did, and it’s only a matter of time before Charlie does, too.

27

_____

CHARLOTTE

EVERYTHING SMELLS LIKE Aziel, and I smile as I bury my face in the sheets and inhale. I always thought he had a pleasant scent, and this confirms it.

I’m sore, and I tense my muscles before shoving a hand between my body and the mattress to prod at my sex. I’ve been cleaned, Aziel’s cum no longer sticking to me. The skin is sensitive and tender, but it’s not unbearable.

Despite the slight ache, I feel really fucking good. My body buzzes with energy, and I feel like I could run a marathon without breaking a sweat. My eyesight and hearing have improved, too. When I focus, I can hear the gears in the fan above my head clicking as they push the blades in motion. It isn’t very pleasant, and I’m willing to bet it will take a while to get used to.

I prod between my thighs a bit more before finally moving away.

Aziel was careful not to hurt me, his movements surprisingly soft and gentle despite his generally brutish behavior. I didn’t know it was even possible for him to be anything other than rough.

I loved it, and I feel my cheeks warm at the memory. I want to do it again.

“Aziel?” I call out.

I’m met with silence, and I groan and push up off the mattress.

I stiffen when black sheets meet my eye. These are Aziel’s sheets. I blink at them before slowly turning and looking around. Aziel’s bedroom looks the same as the last time I was here, with dark décor and moody lighting.

He brought me home.

Aziel’s nowhere to be seen, and I hold back a frown as I push the sheets off and climb out of bed. I’m annoyed he didn’t ask for permission before bringing me here. I would’ve saidyes, but it would’ve been nice to have the option.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye to Echo.

---