Page 68 of Enchanting Her Monsters

He takes my hand and kisses my palm. “Anything for you, my love.”

When he shuts the door behind him, I realize he’s slowing down our courting. Is it for Calder’s sake? For the fresh bond with Flint and Arran? Or is there something else?

I don’t believe he’s worried about hurting me during a rut. That’s not the complete story.

I sense Flint and Arran through our bonds. They’re worried about me. I’m worried about me too, but mostly about them.

The three of them slip out of the cabin, I imagine, so they won’t disturb me with their conversation.

I lean my head back and give myself a damned minute to relax.

It then hits me. I have two mates, maybe a third soon, then another.

I’d pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming up this entire life. I know the test is bullshit. The only proper test is trying to read, and I’ve written while in this new reality.

Which reminds me… I need to finish my book.

But it seems so unimportant now. Between almost dying several times, my new mates, and the revelations about my origins, what does a preorder deadline mean in the grand scheme of things? Not much.

I don’t want to disappoint my readers, but if they knew what was really going on, they’d likely understand. And then they’d want detail accounts of the sex.

“Jade?”Osen whispers.“I know this is probably a bad time, but I don’t have anyone else to really talk to.”

I’m not even mad that he’s bothering my quiet time. It speaks volumes that I really do care about this incubus ghost.

“I’m sorry about Calder,” I say.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Hurting him with his soul fragments. Being his mate.”

“I’ve known you’re his mate for a while now. And the soul fragments returning are probably for the best once he settles.”

“I hope so.” I sigh and skim my hand over the water. “When I returned his soul to him, I had a fleeting thought. I wondered if I healed him, then you and Calder could finally be together.”

“Through you? With your body?”he asks.

“No. Not like that.”

“What do you mean?”He sounds interested.

Does he sense what I’m about to suggest? Has he wondered the same thing? He’s smart. I doubt it would take him long to figure it out.

“Osen,” I hesitate. “I’m scared to even suggest it. Calder might not be okay. And that means you might not end up okay, either.”

“Jade,” he presses with just my name.

“If your soul is with me and I can put souls back in their bodies…”

“You mean… do you really think that’s possible? But what about my magic?”

“I thought about that too. If Galiana and Rob used me to steal it from you, that means I could steal it back. If you didn’t have enough when you were put back together, that is.”

“I don’t believe I would. Supes don’t last long without their magic. That’s what killed me. It being ripped out of me.”

“Then we need to go after them, see if we can steal it back,” I say, worried that I won’t be able to pull all this off.

“No.”Osen sounds like a fierce leader right then.“I won’t risk you like that. Not for me. I made my mistakes. I won’t make another to fix it.”

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