Page 109 of Fated or Knot

Maybe he wasn’t in full princely form, since I caught the hesitation in what he’d been about to say. My aroused flush disappeared, leaving me a little cold as I realized what he’d almost implied. He knew I didn’t have any omega friends. Cymora had made sure I was raised without any close contact with the few other pixies in town.

Falindel was there for the questioning as well. He listened to it all without flinching. That’s love, kid.

If Rennyn hadn’t told me, I would’ve read Fal’s next touches as sexual, as he steadied me with an arm around my waist. He swept my hair back behind my pointed ears, his knuckles brushing my cheek in a slow glide. No, that was tenderness, the same soft feeling that danced in his cat’s eyes as they met my gaze.

I smiled back with shy affection, overwhelmed by the sudden shift in my awareness of him. I loved him too. He cared about me enough to forego his own needs so I could have something new. My throat felt like it was closing up, my lips getting that familiar wobbly feeling in the face of each of my mates’ kindnesses.

“When is nixie night, then?” I forced myself to ask, even though every bit of me wanted to stay with him instead.

“Right now,” he answered.

I startled and flapped my wings, though he had me held securely to him, so I barely budged. “Right now!” I echoed. “Stars, I’m not ready. Let me down. I should rinse off, at least.”

“Now seems like the time I should I tell you we dismissed your house moths for the evening.” He still helped me stand with my crutches. I was happy to have their solid lengths under me, because my legs couldn’t be trusted to bear my full weight right now. “If you need help with anything, I’d be happy to assist.”

I’d only let Jani and Lon help me get in and out of my clothes because of the cast. Having this be the first time Fal saw me naked was a bigno thanks. “I can handle it. Do I need to bring anything?”

“Just a blanket and pillow to make a cute little joint nest for the night,” he answered, pausing as I maneuvered to close the bathroom door. “Reconsider letting me help you,mo stór. Even the thought of you struggling with your clothes is driving my instincts crazy.”

“I’ll be okay,” I tried to assure him.

“Of course. I have no doubts,” he said with a vague yet elegant twirl of his hand. “But I’m your pack lead, and it’s my job to look after you. Marius feels the drive to protect you, Kauz gets his dreams with you, and Tormund sees to your comforts. That’s just how it is.”

On the outside, I probably gave him an odd look, somewhere between longing and fear. For the longest time, I had thoughtEllisar would be the male I’d answer to as my pack lead, once he and his brothers forced themselves on me. He’d threatened to use the bond to force me to heel, and I’d come to equate the intricacies of a pack bond with fear and a lack of control.

But fuck Pack Ellisar. They weren’t here, and Kauz had promised their deaths if they tried to come for me. It just hadn’t sunk in yet that Fal had already taken over the role and turned it around to be the male to know and supply everything I needed. I thought of how he’d put himself between me and various dangers, be they my stepfamily or a raging Marius, and how he always seemed to show up if one of his brothers needed him. And, of course, how he put me ahead of his desires.

He was a solid pack lead. In that moment, I forgot why I would tell him no and push him away. “The boot gives me the most problems,” I said, shuffling aside so he could join me in the bathroom.

Fal knelt and unlaced it while I leaned against the nearby counter and started stripping off my tunic and underclothes. My nipples were pearling from their exposure to the cool air when he glanced up. Though his only reaction was his pupils dilating until they were round rather than catlike ovals, I still felt his awareness skimming my curves and shivered, my nipples tightening into little buds.

“I should dismiss your house moths more often,” he said under his breath.

Then he helped me out of my pants, working the right leg off more carefully. I worried he’d lose his self-control as my soaked panties followed. My chocolate and honey crackers scent was sweeter than ever, warmed by the edge of heat that always seemed to follow me no matter how much I suppressed it.

“You’re gorgeous.” He scented the air and groaned, breathing a soft “Foc.”

“Fal…” I didn’t know if I was going to apologize, ask him to leave, or see if he’d join me in the shower. He shook his head and rolled to his full height in a graceful motion. With his help, I walked inside the small rain room, and he closed the door behind me.

He’d been holding his breath and drew in as I started the shower and humidity began to fog the glass box around me. “May I head into your nest to pick out the things you’ll need?” he asked.

“Yes. Consider yourself invited in,” I said, knowing I wouldn’t regret it.

I caught the impression of my favorite wicked smile of his before he left. I took two palmfuls of soap and delved straight between my legs to clean away the evidence of my recent naughtiness. My folds were swollen and tender to the touch.

Being this aroused by your mates is perfectly normal,I reminded myself.Right?It wasn’t like I had anything to compare it to, but I had the impression that it was only a taste of what I was capable of when it came to lusting after my princes.

When I was done rinsing, Fal was waiting with a change of underclothes and my pajamas. He may’ve been on his best behavior, but I was still hyperaware of how he framed my hips and squeezed once I was fully clothed again. He declared me presentable for nixie night and carried a folded blanket and a pillow that he’d filched from the top of my nest’s bed.

He followed me as I took in the changes to the rest of my rooms with some awe. Just a change of furniture and rugs, plus the addition of a few artworks, had really transformed the space. I could see myself spending time working in the study, with its new overstuffed armchairs and the extra-large writing desk that’d been installed to replace the tiny one that had been there. My mostly forgotten Serian primer and journal had appeared on the desk.

Tormund was still in the receiving room, adjusting a couch by lifting it mostly off the ground and then setting it back gently. I’d nearly forgotten he had redcap strength hidden under his extra padding until I saw it in action. Turning, he adjusted the little spectacles sitting on his nose and beamed when he spotted me. “Li’l bird! What do you think? Does it look more like home now?”

I crutched my way over to him, and Fal hung back to give us a moment. “It’s perfect, Tormund,” I assured him. “I’m amazed you got everything swapped around so fast. It must’ve taken a lot of work.”

He shrugged. “I’d do it over again tomorrow if you didn’t like the result,” he said.

“You don’t need to. And you’re wearing your glasses,” I noted.

---