Page 51 of Untraceable
A deep chuckle sounded. “She’s my financial adviser.”
Nex grinned. “If you had been awake at all, I would have bumped into you when he was setting up your accounts.”
“I was tired.”
“Yes, love. I know.” Nex cupped her jaw.
Rage chortled. “Do me. Hugs!”
Nex hugged Rage, and they giggled. Nex said, “Still not going to do you, sweets.”
“Aw.”
Amori asked, “Rage is into women?”
“Rage is into Nex. Nex is not interested in naked people.” Heyval chuckled.
“I might be one day, but today is not that day. Sorry, sweets.” Nex patted Rage’s back. “Okay, baby doll. Off you go.”
Heyval snorted and grabbed her sister by the shoulder and waist. “You back up, and I will pull.”
Nex nodded and slowly got out of Rage’s grip.
When Heyval got Rage loose, Nex took a step back. “Whew, Rage. You have quite a grip.”
Rage grinned. “I have been working out.”
Heyval suddenly paused. “Wait. You have been in the city this whole time, and you never came to visit?”
“Nope. You had to find your way, but I did send a lot of business to your purple friend. Oh, and I have a few buyers for that bakery if she wants to head out to sea. I know her daughter isn’t fond of it, and this way, it will continue to serve the community. I mean, if you are willing to train the next purchaser.”
“Yeah. Sure. But Bailey loves that place.”
“She’s preparing to become an aquatic empress. It cuts into bakery time.”
Heyval smiled. “Where is she?”
Nex turned her and pointed. “Over there. Grafted to her breeding partner.”
Heyval saw Bailey and covered her mouth as she saw the tentacle wrapped around her friend’s waist, keeping her with the undersea emperor. Bailey was definitely purple, and the expression on her face said she wasn’t happy about it. Her lover looked slightly embarrassed but very happy.
Mira was wearing a dress that matched all of the formal gowns. Bailey’s was a shimmering pearl that worked well with her new skin tone.
Heyval took a few steps toward her when Amori caught her hand. “Wait, Heyval. We are going to take our seats, and then they will come to us.”
Heyval paused, looked at him, and smiled. “Fine. But she had better be there soon. She’s fucking purple!”
“That is how it happens.” He chuckled. He settled her at his side with her hand wrapped around his forearm.
Heyval paused and snorted. She looked around and saw Azila with her family, Bailey with hers, and Rage and Nex standing close together. There were a lot of powerful people here today, and she had only met about five percent. If they sat, she might just sit there and take it all in.
Alora and her partners were laughing as one of their sons looked to be courting a local. Thankfully, it wasn’t Mira, but Mira was getting a lot of attention that was making her father a little irritated. It was cute how protective he had gotten in less than a week.
Heyval settled in the chair next to Amori’s throne. He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Best birthday ever.”
She laughed and smiled. “Says you. Last year, I went and made my own special cake at the bakery. It was enormous.”
He grinned. “I think that is something you can do here.”
