Page 98 of The Monster's Wife

I nod, wrapping my arms under his. I breathe him in, reveling in the sound of his purr. At some point, biology takes over and I promptly fall back to sleep.

* * *

I wake up drooling on Hex’s chest, but it’s the loud banging on the door that makes me groan.

I sigh, pushing myself up as Hex grunts, making a grab for my hips. I stagger toward the door and do a double take when it’s Bane holding Veryn’s hand.

“Ali, I knew he didn’t killed you,” Veryn says, chucking himself at my knees.

Hex’s warmth frames my back as I bend down, and Veryn climbs up, squeezing my neck and nuzzling his face to mine. I cradle him closer in return. Kids really do have a way of brightening everything.

“I told you I’d never harm her,” Malice says in a jovial tone. “But you were supposed to keep our mission covert.”

“I don’t know what that means.” Veryn kisses my cheek. “But I’m glad you’re okay. There’s a wyvern sleeping in our courtyard.” It takes me a moment to realize exactly what he said. His small head bobbles. “Oh, and I gotta pee.”

Bane opens his mouth, but Malice siphons over, grabbing Veryn from my arms. “Still haven’t gotten the hang of it?”

“Nah, Mom still makes me sit.” Veryn crosses his arms over his chest like he’s truly exasperated by the fact.

“No one wants to clean pee off the floor, kid. Not even your mom.” Bane laughs, swiping his hand through Veryn’s hair.

“Come on, we’ll find a tree, and I’ll teach you how to keep from pissing on your shoes.” Malice takes a step toward the door but spins back around, kissing my cheek. “Good morning, kitten.”

“Her name is Ali,” Veryn says, fluttering his wings as his face scrunches in disgust. “And she’s not a shifter.”

“I know, but she’s ‘kitten’ to me.” Malice heads out the door with the wiggly Veryn in his arms.

My system is very fond of seeing him holding a child. It makes my knees a little weak to imagine him doing the same for our kids one day.

Hex’s hold tightens around my middle, drawing me out of my thoughts. He pulls me closer to the side, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Banyan Oxtari. What thefuckare you doing in Haven?”

“Why is the nightmare teaching my kid to pee on Mrs. Segar’s oak tree?” Charity approaches with her hands on her hips.

“Because of the sitting down to pee rule,” Bane says, extending an arm to Charity. She gives him the meanest look I’ve ever seen on her face, sidestepping his touch.

“Again,” Hex says. “Why are you here?” He jabs a finger at Bane, who, I guess, is also known as Banyan.

“He’s here because he decided to come clean with some information this morning, and it involves you.” Charity stares straight at me.

“I’ll bet it does,” Hex growls, holding me even closer. He gets very near to my ear before continuing. “He’s one of the top assassins in the dragon court. I didn’t even know he was in the human realm, but he’s known for his brutal efficiency and unwillingness to call a job until it’s complete.”

Bane grimaces, clearly having heard what Hex said. “Yes, well, that was the case prior to my last assignment.”

I swallow thickly, my eyes bouncing between Charity and Bane. “And I’m that assignment?”

Bane crosses his arms over his chest, giving a clipped nod. “Yes, the trackers had been unsuccessful, so Queen Aryndia made a deal for my services. However, I met my mate.” He gestures at Charity, who scoffs. “As such, I abandoned the assignment and took up residency in Haven.”

“My sister is queen?” Silence’s memory or nightmare that fed Malice replays in my mind. At the very least, it’s a good thing that she’s okay. Otherwise, all that I sacrificed to keep her alive would mean nothing.

“Do you intend to turn me over to the court?” My hand slides down Hex’s side as I hold on to him for dear life.

“I’d like to see him try,” Hex snarls, vibrating with fury. “You’ve done work for my network in the past. You found myfucking wife,and you didn’t think that was worth mentioning?”

“Look, man,” Bane says, tossing his palms up. “You know what a clusterfuck Faere is. I went back long enough to secure my wealth and dipped back to the human realm. I wasn’t about to turn my mate’s best friend over to you assholes with no idea where your allegiances lie.”

“I’m not your mate,” Charity grinds out, pointing toward the wyvern sleeping in the courtyard. “That’s my mate!”

“Thefuckhe is,” Bane growls, his eyes glowing.

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