Page 46 of Gifted Destiny

Kodi’s lips twitch mischievously as his gaze devours the mark and the curve of my breasts. I don’t identify the emotion thatjoins his hunger until the bond assists me; it’s possessiveness. “I can’t quite see all of it. Pull the blankets down more.”

The lie is so obvious that I don’t require the library’s assistance. I drop the sheet to free my hands. With his focus entirely on my breasts, he doesn’t notice the pillow hurtling toward him until it smacks him in the chest. I whoop with satisfaction.

Kodi clucks in disapproval. “Starting our mate-ship with abuse, princess? I can’t believe you.”

“Mate-ship?” His playfulness inspires the same from me, and my heart feels lighter than it has in years.

His eyes twinkle. “Of course. Do you have a better idea? Celebrities are shipped together, and you’re definitely a celebrity in the supernatural world. We just need a name. Kosia? Hmmm, that doesn’t work because you have more than one mate. Eventually, it will be ZoKoAveBreGar.” His face crinkles as he focuses on spitting out the horrid mashup without stuttering. “Of course, my name should always be first after yours.”

My sigh is only slightly exaggerated. “Get dressed. We have a busy day.”

Kodi reaches for his clothes, but his gaze remains on me while I pull the short robe around my body and crutch toward the bathroom. He feigns dismay when I close the door behind me.

The reflection in the large mirror surprises me when I turn toward it. It’s me, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen myself like this. I lean against the counter, attempting to study the view with an objective eye. I’m not wearing any makeup, although I don’t remember removing mine last night, and my hair is a tangled mess after a night of sex and sleep. My skin is glowing and blemish-free, however, and the lingering smile makes my eyes bright blue. The gold striations in my irises, usually dull and barely noticeable, are bright and prominent.

“I might be beautiful,” I whisper aloud and watch a flush creep across my cheeks. It feels wrong to admit it, as if my newfound vanity will turn me ugly, but the hesitant comment is not going to reassure me immediately. “What I mean is,” I add, “I guess I can just kind of see how the men might find me a little pretty.” The sentence feels correct, even if it gives a grammar teacher a heart attack.

As I prepare for my shower, I realize that I hadn’t given my legs a thought when I’d left the bed. Even though Kodi has seen them bare several times, I’m usually shyer about revealing them. The night left me feeling carefree, however, and I hadn’t wanted to ruin it by being overly self-conscious.

I can’t remember ever feeling this way – although the exact words to describe my emotional state are eluding me pre-coffee. I was excited when I found the library and my place within it, but the discovery was overshadowed with worries and uncertainty. Loving Kodi brings me nothing but pleasure, even when considering his variable state of matter. I think he feels similarly because he didn’t respond with his customary sarcasm and bitchiness while in my bed. I don’t believe it was just because he was finallygetting laid– although he might disagree. He needed that sense of connection; both of us needed it.

Now that I’ve bonded with my first love, I feel more prepared to give attention to my other mates. Choosing either of the brothers before him had seemed wrong, like I was giving up on him. This is no longer a concern.

Reality creeps in while I wash my hair and prepare for the day. I still need to secure my bonds with the jealous shifter and the traumatized mage before their father steals them. The BSP detectives will return when we reopen, and one of them seems keen on aiding Addington’s plans. I won’t let him.

It’s unnerving when I exit my room. I don’t feel a speck of shame, but the endless teachings on monogamy and sinfrom our caretaker batter the back of my brain. I have slept with two different men the last two nights. I remind myself that our employment contracts practically make these men my husbands; they’re stronger than a church-sanctioned marriage. I’m also not magicless, I scold that stupid voice in my head. Different rules apply to my different life.

Avery stands when he feels me close. He draws me into a long embrace and places a chaste kiss on my lips. The bond suggests that he missed me. I melt into him, trying to convey my appreciation for his patience and tenderness. Adapting to his emotions has been easier than I thought it would be, but he exercises amazing control.

My vampire mate offers his gratitude for my reassurance with a beautiful smile that lights up his face. He seems more relaxed when he releases me and helps me to my seat at the table.

Once I’m seated, Garrett pushes a large glass of water and a packet of multivitamins in my direction, but he says nothing as he gulps his green shake. My lips twitch with amusement. The shifter’s actions transmitmother-henvibes as opposed toalpha-shifter, but I’m not an expert on either.

I obligingly drink some water before lifting my coffee cup to my lips to appease the hulking man and turn my attention to his younger brother. Bren looks remarkably well after the explosion yesterday and the transfer last night. He offers me a wide smile as he spoons colorful cereal into his mouth with one hand and holds a book open in the other.

Immediately after my first sip of coffee, the mage pounces on me with an arsenal of questions. “Did you get another mark? Where is it? What is it? Did Kodi get one too? Are they both Egyptian symbols?”

His enthusiasm is so palpable that I can’t wait for Kodi. I don’t know where the ghost is; I only catch a sense of frustrationfrom the direction of his assigned bedroom. Avery and Bren wait expectantly while Garrett attempts to appear uninterested.

My face heats as I tug at my collar, revealing both the mark and the curve of my breasts. It’s impossible to show one without the other. “It isn’t Egyptian,” I say aloud for Avery’s sake. “According to my research, it’s a Celtic knot. Kodi’s is … so much bigger.” I pause and decide to let the tattoo speak for itself. “Kodi? Come show the others your mark.” I don’t raise my voice, but I focus on placing emotion into my command. I’m surprised when it works.

“I have clothes!” The ghost announces loudly as he enters the room from the hall that leads to the other bedrooms. “I have a dresser and a closet! Maybe they’ve always been there?” His face blanks for a second, but he shrugs and continues. “I don’t remember seeing them before. Anyway, I’ve been wearing the same shirt and jeans for seven years. But I have new clothes – different ones!” His childish delight regarding something we take for granted elicits grins from everyone except Garrett.

The shifter maintains his stony expression. “It looks like you’re wearing the same thing.”

When Kodi’s face falls with disappointment, I shove Garrett’s immovable forearm. He glances innocently toward me, and I see his eyes twinkle. “He’s just teasing you, boo. I can clearly see the difference.”

His wardrobe is similar, but the shirt is a darker gray, and the pants aren’t as tight. The differences are slight, but I’ve been looking at him for years as opposed to weeks.

Kodi scowls at Garrett, but his irritation fades quickly. “And he’s a dude. Dudes don’t notice clothes. Plus, he wears the same thing every day too.” Garrett doesn’t argue, but I see Avery’s lips turn down. I imagine he would care more about clothes if he could see; the vampire is very fashionable.

“Show the men your mark, boo. I already showed mine.”

Kodi’s lascivious reply is cut off by Avery’s tentative question. “May I see as well?”

“Of course! I’m sorry I don’t consider that more often. I get lost in my own head.”

Avery shakes his head. “Please, don’t fret,mon trésor. You have much on your mind.” He starts to rise, but Bren halts him with a hand on his forearm.

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