Page 1 of Enchanting Her Mate

CHAPTER 1

JOBAKI “JO”

Untamed, reckless sorceress. That is what I have become. The shame of my reputation weighs on me like a thick cloak, surrounding me at all times.

“A liability to the clan.” “A Hexrin who cannot be trusted.” These are the thoughts that swept through the minds of my coven when I left the clan and retreated to Kayt and Nee-roh’s home in the caves.

I do not blame the coven for thinking such things. It is my fault dear Nalba, our brilliant inventor, was badly injured in the battle against Bzzsil Chi and his henchmen. I tried to save our clan by using my fire orb against Bzzsil, and if Tibik had not interfered, I am quite sure I would have been successful. Bzzsil Chi would have died by my hand, and Nalba would never have been hit by mistake and thrown into that tree, causing her to lose her memories.

I have not spoken to Tibik since the battle. After Nalba was taken to the healer for her head injury, he took the opportunity to scream at me in front of the other members of the coven, “If Nalba dies, it is on your hands. You are not strong enough to attempt such advanced spells. Shame on you for thinking otherwise.” I did not offer a response. I just left. And his words have followed me to the caves.

It has been many days since Nee-roh and Kayt brought me here, but the pain feels fresh, even though leaving was the right choice. I must take this time away from the clan to hone my powers and control them fully before I return.

“Hey, Jo. You busy?” Kayt asks as she leans against the door of my room.

“I am not,” I tell her. Silently punishing myself for Nalba’s injury can wait until later.

Kayt does a gleeful hop in place at my words. “Oh good! Come, come.” She gestures for me to follow her down the hall to the room with the giant machine that helps her make clothes. I believe she calls it a digital stitcher. When we arrive, she pulls a garment from a hook near the door and holds it in front of me.

She tilts her head from side to side as she examines it. “Hmm, it might be a little loose on you, but I think the color will look fantastic with your skin and that maroon hair. Try it on for me?”

“Yes, I shall,” I reply, taking the garment behind the black velvet curtain Kayt has hung in the corner of the room and removing my tunic and leggings. Many members of my clan are quite comfortable with nudity, but that is not a sentiment I share. Due to my unusually small size, I am not often pleased with the look of my body. Kayt even assumed that I was a young girl when we first met.

The dress Kayt fashioned for me is quite nice once I have it on, but there are two long pieces of the smooth teal fabric that hang off my back and chest, and I am not sure what to do with them. “Is this correct?” I ask, upon stepping out from behind the curtain.

“Let me fix that,” Kayt says, lightly slapping away my hands. She takes the two pieces and ties them into a fluffy bow that sits atop my shoulder. Then she tugs at the bottom hem of the dress until it reaches my knees, and the bunched fabric at my stomach is smoothed out.

When she takes a step back to look at me, her hands fly to her face, covering her mouth. “Oh my god, Jo, you look amazing!”

Kayt nudges me to the large mirror propped against the wall, and the moment I look into it, my breath becomes lodged in my throat. I have never worn anything like this. In my five centuries, I have never worn a garment that reveals so much skin. My arms are bare, there is a cut-out showing the area of skin just beneath my breasts, and the bodice and skirt are quite tight. They are not too tight for the dress to fit, or for me to breathe, but the dress is tighter than my usual loose tunic and leggings. Those tend to hang off my small frame. This…does not.

“I do not know about this,” I tell her honestly. I do not wish to hurt Kayt’s feelings. She has made a gorgeous garment, but it does not feel quite like me.

“Oh, come on,” Kayt protests. “You look absolutely stunning. Besides, you should take more fashion risks.” Then her green eyes light up in a way that makes it clear I am not winning this battle. “I would have so much fun building you a wardrobe.”

Before I can offer a counterpoint, Nee-roh pokes his head into the room. “Ah, hello, myrivi,” he says to Kayt. Then his eyes meet mine in the mirror. “I see my mate has recruited you for a bit of dress-up. How nice. Hopefully this will deter her from removing any more items from my closet.”

“Everything you own is black,” Kayt replies with a groan. “Don’t get me wrong, black is my favorite color too, but let me bring some patterns into your life, blue man.”

Nee-roh shrugs. “I am famished,” he says. “Would you two care to join me for a meal?”

“Oh, you know I’m always down to eat,” Kayt says. “Especially with my little fire-breather here.” She rubs a hand over the lower part of her belly that is just starting to show signs of her pregnancy.

“That would be lovely,” I reply, sighing as I watch Kayt toss my tunic and leggings into the bucket of cleansing solution. It seems I have no choice but to keep this very revealing dress on.

Kayt and Nee-roh set our usual places at the long table in the center of the eating room, with them sitting beside each other on one side, and me on the other. Our meal is a bowl of steamingrofan mashwith chunks ofkuhnypa meaton top smothered in a spicy brown sauce. I have grown to adore this dish.

“Thank you for this,” I tell them.

Kayt immediately groans. “You don’t have to thank us for every single meal, Jo. You’re our guest, but we want you to feel comfortable here. Like this is your home too.”

“Though, perhaps more like a second home, rather than a primary place of residence,” Nee-roh clarifies as he takes a bite. He is a polite and kind male, for the most part, but it is quite clear that he would prefer to have the caves, and his mate, to himself.

“Of course,” I reply with a smile. I am grateful they have allowed me to stay. If not for their hospitality, I would be forced to endure Tibik’s wrath over what happened. His loud, angry rants would echo through the house we share with the rest of the coven, making them uncomfortable. Space is best for us right now.

The door to the launch room slams shut, and the three of us turn our heads toward the sound. “Brother! I am here!” Nee-roh rolls his eyes upon hearing the greeting, and moments later, Alu appears in the doorway of the eating room.

“Ah, I am so relieved I did not miss mealtime,” she says with a smile as she saunters to the food dispenser and presses buttons on the control panel.

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