Page 37 of Nine Inch Nasty
“So where does this come into play?” Delaney asks, not reaching for the gem but mesmerized by it just the same.
“She made me think we were going to be together forever. That she was my fated mate. She enchanted me and made alterationsto my appearance to better suit her tastes, and I gave her my stone as I would, and well, she proceeded to lock down my entire home and everyone in it.
“The unicorns are a small clan, secretive, so no one realized what had happened to us. She found she could use less magic if she used things that were already formed, so I was enchanted in Glittertopia, same as you. I believe I was the only citizen there that wasn’t fully formed by Shelly’s magic.
“I guess technically I am Saladriel, but that’s not actually my name. My personality there, everything I did, was because she was controlling me. I remember snippets of spending time with you in your dorm, remember feeling like that was my true life, but in reality, it was only because she was controlling my heart stone.
“When you broke down the Glittertopia construct, you freed me. In tearing apart her illusions, my stone returned to me, and she lost her power over me. Thanks to you, all the unicorns that have been in stasis back home were able to live free once more.
“I don’t know if Shelly knew somehow that you were my actual fated mate or what, but that’s why I’m not on any conduit registries; we don’t normally incorporate with society. I was an exception because I’m a conduit. Most unicorns never meet their fated mate, so I was excited when Shelly’s magic made me believe I had found mine.
“I’m sorry. I feel as if maybe there was something I could have done to be stronger, to preserve the sanctity of what we are to each other, because I feel as if it’s cheapened our actual connection here. I would never want to make you feel as if you’re getting remnants of somebody, or that I’m not serious about this.
“I’m just still kind of in shock myself. When I came to…it was very unsettling. I’ve had nothing but nightmares since, from being trapped for years. But, when I accidentally let it slip that I knew who my true fated was, my community rallied and started planning for this…demonstration. This is the first time they’ve ventured from home in at least 50 years.
“I’m sorry if their presentation isn’t what you’re used to, I’m not sure how most species claim their mates or inform their mates that they’re theirs. I feel like I’m two steps behind everybody, and I know you have so many mates already, but I couldn’t live another day without telling you that I still feel you in my soul, still feel the ghost of your lips on mine, and that if you choose not to spend your life with me, that you’ll be the only woman that could ever have been mine.”
“Just to be clear, you’re not actually buttercream sexual, right?” Adam asks like a total dumbass.
Skylar pinches the bridge of his nose. “Gonna need you to do me a favor, my guy. Let’s assume everything that happened in Glittertopia was because Shelly wanted it to, not because I did. I promise you I do not at all enjoy painting small swatches of walls simply to watch them dry, nor would I ever take someone on a date to sort recycling. We’re going to be starting from square one if we do this, because nothing about Saladriel was actually who I am, other than the fact that I’m fascinated by you, Delaney.”
“Is this the part where you do what the sign told you to and fuck?” Adam asks as he casually reclines in his chair, hands propped up behind his head. “As far as we’re concerned, you’re already in the group, bro.”
Delaney turns look at Adam, jaw open wider than a frisky Friday night kneeling before a gargoyle. What? That’s totally a saying. “Weren’t you pissed in the beginning when I started meeting mymates because you didn’t want me touching anyone? And now you’re trying to pimp me out?”
Fuck. I think she’s in trouble.
Adam stands up and stalks towards her, kicking the chair away from the table so he can lean over her, hands braced on either side of her shoulders. “Not pimping you out, Delaney. I just know you want him.” He lowers his hand in front of her face so she’s up close and personal with his claiming marks. “I know you want me. I know you want every fucking person in this room.
“I realized something kind of big while I was stuck as a cloud. It doesn’t fucking matter what I want, as long as you get what you fucking want. And I mean that with my whole chest. You got forced to go on a stupid ass scavenger hunt for us and do all kinds of stupid shit for somebody on a power trip, and all I want now is to make you as happy as I can.
“I should have done that from the beginning, but I had to be a cloud to gain perspective. I was fucking terrified when I was up there; I couldn’t feel my body, couldn’t breathe, didn’t need to even though I wanted to. Couldn’t see, couldn’t feel you, couldn’t do anything.
“We’re all probably going to be a little fucked up from that, because it was really fucking weird, but coming back to you and seeing you whole and healthy, that’s all I want.
“I love you. You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and since I can’t just crawl under your skin and exist there, I’m going to work with all of your mates to make sure you don’t have a damn thing to ever be upset about.
“I’ll say it again. He says you’re his fated, I know you want him. We making this official now or later?” He eyes my arm, and that’s when I see the light sheen of glitter that’s taken over my skin wherever my mate marks don’t take up room. It’s my markfor Skylar, one that erupted when he touched me earlier. There was just too much going on then to notice.
“Holy fuck I’m so turned on right now.” I’m panting because Adam and Delaney’s chemistry is extraordinary.
Delaney rolls her eyes at me, and probably everyone else, and stands up, every single eye in the room goes straight to her. “I’m not doing a damn thing in a room that smells like sweaty balls and broken dreams. Anyone wants to get in my pants, I’ll be in my own bed. Or like, maybe bent over behind a solid tree. Who knows? The night is young.”
Fuck. That’s my girl.
Every single one of us walk out of that room with a massive boner, stringing behind Delaney like ducklings.
Ew, maybe those two images should not be used together.
I’m a ferocious lion. Grr.
Tell me why the second all my dreams that I just dreamed up were about to come true, my phone goes off, and my auxiliary’s name is flashing on my screen when he knows for damn sure I was on family time tonight?
I sigh so deeply my whole soul feels it, then I bring the phone up to my ear, grabbing Delaney’s hand to hold her back. The stadium is mostly empty now, so it seems like the crazy stunts have been emptied out and we’re good to go.
“Hey, Ryan. What’s up? I think I was just about to ask for a really incredible blowjob, so I hope this is important.”
“Damnit, that sounds like so much more fun than what I’ve got going on over here for you. Sorry, man.”
