Page 107 of The Shattered Kingdom
“You willnotbe leaving this room,” I hiss under my breath. “Now take a seat”—I point to the couch—“and don’t fucking move.”
My order is met with dead silence. I hold my breath, counting the seconds until Mason brushes past me and sits beside Aaron.
“I’m good at cards,” Mason says. “Teach me this game.”
Chapter Forty-One
ABBY
I WAKE TO a hard body pressing against my back. Kie’s finally returned. It’s about damned time.
He cuddles up against me, his warm body further pressing me against Mason’s chest. I’m practically lying on the shifter, my left leg thrown over his waist and my arm sprawled across his chest. He’s become my pillow.
A hand slips up my shirt, pressing against my ribs. I suspect it’s Kie’s, but I’m not entirely sure. Mason’s just as handsy.
“Get it sorted?” Mason asks, his voice thick with sleep.
“Are you asking if I successfully cleaned up the mess you made?” Kie pauses before answering his snarky, rhetorical question. “Yes, I did.”
Mason makes a quiet noise in the back of his throat, his lips pressing against my forehead. He kisses my warm skin before pulling away, and I do my best not to let the soft action get to me. I’m not used to these gestures, and I’m still learning to accept them.
Kie burrows his face against the back of my neck.
“I loved watching you today,” he whispers. “It made me…” He pauses, struggling to find his words. “You’re adjusting faster than I would if I were in your position, and it fills me with pride to see you succeed. I’m still drowning with guilt over how we treated you, but I’m so happy you’re my mate.”
My throat tightens, and I flip toward Kie. His violet eyes are duller than usual, probably from exhaustion. I have no idea what time it is, but I know it’s late.
“Do you mean it?” I ask.
“Of course.”
Mason rolls over, pressing himself against my back. “Don’t roll away from me again.”
I smile, and Kie ignores him as he continues. “We’re going to have a happy life together. I just know it. I imagine our future is full of excitement, laughter, and maybe even a few children…”
He trails off, his voice growing cautious.
“I want children,” I answer his unspoken question. “But not anytime soon.”
Kie presses his lips together, trying and failing to hide a smile. He’s pleased. I see how his dull eyes light up at the idea of future children. “We would never rush you, Abby. Children will happen onyourtimeline.”
My cheeks flush. I clear my throat. “How large are shifter and faerie babies?”
I’m met with silence. That’s all the answer I need, and I pray this realm has epidurals. If not, we’ll be taking a trip to a human hospital. I want the sweet, sweet relief of drugs.
“I will allow your first child to be faerie,” Mason says. “But it’s my turn after Kie. I want a girl.”
I snort. “You can’t control that.”
Mason shrugs, his chest rising and falling against my back. I like this topic of conversation. I enjoy the three of us discussing and coming to a mutual agreement on something important.
“Do humans have sex while pregnant?” Kie asks.
Mason sucks in a sharp breath, like it never occurred to him that humans might not. I pause before answering, selfishly enjoying making my mates sweat a little. Pregnancy comes with an onslaught of hormones and I might not want sex quite as frequently, but I’m sure I’ll still want it.
“It’s personal preference,” I finally say. “I believe most women do. I will.”
Mason relaxes, and Kie gives a jerky nod. “That’s very good to hear.”
