Page 61 of The Jorogumo

Throwing the t-shirt into a corner, he climbed into bed beside me, and I quickly snuggled into him as he covered us with my blanket.

"I like this blanket. It smells of you," he said with a happy hum, and I smiled into his skin before a yawn slipped out.

"How about a nap before dinner?" Haruto suggested, and I agreed sleepily.

"Love you," I mumbled as I tightened my arm around him.

"I love you too, my sweet mate. Sleep well."

I fell asleep with a smile on my face, my body covered in proof of Haruto's claim on me.

Twenty-Two

Haruto

As we walked tothe Dining Room for dinner, my eyes kept sliding back to Liam. Or rather, the very prominent hickeys I'd left around his neck like a damned collar.

I didn't usually talk about sex with my friends, mostly because before Liam, I hadn't really had many positive experiences. Talking about it had just made me uncomfortable, so I'd chosen not to. My friends had also figured it out, and so they never brought it up either, at least not where it concerned me. (I'd heard one too many stories about Silas and Touya's escapades at this point because Silas could not keep his mouth shut.)

But this was different.Liamwas different. He was my mate, and I wanted everyone to know he belonged to me. It was possessive, and maybe even a bit unhealthy, but the way Liamhad grinned at his reflection as he got dressed told me he didn't mind, and his was the only opinion that mattered to me.

We walked into the Dining Room, and I felt like all eyes were on us, even though they weren't.

Liam and I walked up to the counter, taking empty plates and ignoring the eyes at our backs.

It seemed to be the Lakes area's turn tonight, and I smiled as Ea and Nu, two nixie siblings who were the known troublemakers of the Sanctuary, dished up our food. They were twins, with the same blue-tinged dark skin and white blond hair, though Ea's hung down to their collarbone, while Nu's was in a short, swept-back style. Their eyes were deep blue, and glowed when they were in the water.

"Hello, new human!" Ea greeted, their voice deeper than their brother's.

"Hi! My name is Liam. I don't think we've met yet," Liam said, holding his hand out. Ea eyed it curiously before reaching out to give it a pat, making me bite back a smile.

"I'm Ea and this is my brother. Nu. We're nixies," they said, and Liam gave him a blank look. "Water spirits. We take a water-based form when we're in water."

Understanding lit up Liam's eyes, and he nodded quickly. "It's nice to meet you. If I'm not being rude, I'd love to see your other form sometime."

Ea blinked, then smiled widely. That was all I needed to know Liam had been accepted by those two. And why wouldn't he be? My mate was the sweetest man ever, and it was clear to anyone who talked to him.

"Of course. Come by Lakes anytime. We're usually upstream in the river."

Liam nodded, and we made our way to our usual table as his excitement practically clouded around him.

"Hey, everyone!" he greeted as he settled into a chair, and I took the empty space beside him.

"Hey, Liam. Welcome to the family! You're one of us now," Keoni said with a wide grin, making me smile. I loved how he made every new resident feel welcome, and I was glad he was my friend.

"Thank you. I'm really glad to be here." His eyes flicked to me, and I smiled, which made him blush. Damn, why was he so adorable?

Khush, who'd been intensely focused on his meal until now, looked up, and promptly dropped his fork, making it clatter into his plate. His eyes were on Liam, and wide as saucers.

"Holy fuck," he mumbled. "What did you do to him, Haruto?"

As if that was what they'd been waiting for, the others turned their gazes on us too, ranging from curiosity to amusement.

"Mind your own business," I said with a roll of my eyes, making Khush snort.

"Well, if you wanted that, you shouldn't have marked him up where we can see. It's like you don't know us at all."

Liam's cheeks were bright red by this point, and I was just about to tell the others to shut up so they'd stop making him uncomfortable when I sensed it. He was turned on.

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