It’s just after dawn, but Gray loves to watch the sunrise, so I’m pretty sure they will be awake. I hope they are not having sex. My nose wrinkles and stomach heaves.
Cautiously, I tiptoe closer. No sounds or scents of sex. That’s a relief.
Gathering all of my courage, I stride across the remaining bit of ground and knock on the door. My hand clenches tightly around my favorite pebble and it is pathetic how much comfort it gives me.
The door swings open and Mal glares at me. My gaze roams all over his intricate tattoos before I realize it probably looks like I’m ogling him.
I cough. “Can I speak to Gray?”
No sooner have I spoken the words than Gray appears by Mal’s side. I’m the only one wearing any clothes and now I feel like an idiot.
Gray and Mal stare at me expectantly. I clear my throat again.
“I…um…Sammy fell into my pool and I saved him, and I think I accidentally mated him.”
Mal’s eyes grow wide, and then he laughs, a rich deep laugh. Gray just stares at me. I look back at him. Despite everything, it’s wonderful to see sentience in his dark eyes. He was out of it in the harem. Tied to a bed and capable only of screaming.
“I was wondering if…um…you could tell if there is a bond?” I ask the demon.
Gray nods solemnly.
My mouth goes dry. My heart stops beating and my lungs seize up. Oh crap. Oh no. This is awful. So very awful.
Mal is still laughing. As if this is the funniest thing he has ever heard. Good for him.
“Do you know how to undo it?” I plead.
Gray tilts his head to the side and then shakes it. I shiver. It is exactly what I was expecting, but having it confirmed is turning my blood into ice.
My hand reaches out, and I thrust my favorite pebble at Gray.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t ask your permission to claim your son. I’m not sure what the correct protocol is for cases like this, but…I’m sorry.”
Gray graciously accepts the pebble. Mal stops laughing. My heart feels a little lighter. They’ve taken my offering and they don’t seem furious at me.
“I will fix this,” I whisper. “Please don’t tell him.”
Mal wraps his arm around Gray’s shoulder. The little demon gives me a solemn nod. I nod back and then turn away without another word, because really, what else is there to say? I don’t think all the apologies in the world will cut it. Actions are better than words. The only thing I can do to make amends is fix this.
There is no other option. I can’t take a mate. Me? It’s ridiculous. I was the baby of the harem. The pathetic one. The scared one. The one they all had to protect.
The idea of me being a protector is ridiculous. Absurd. Unthinkable. I can’t keep anyone safe. I can’t be a rock or an anchor. I’m a broken mess. Feeble and worthless.
And I’m terrified of sex.
I’m not fit to be anyone’s mate.
So I need to undo this. Anyway I can.
Chapter four
Sammy
There is an edge to this late night breeze. A hint of chill. Summer is dying and winter is on its way. It’s depressing. I frigging hate winter. The cold, the damp, the dark.
Maybe if I get to stay at the house for a few more months it won’t be so bad. I bet the heating works. And I haven’t seen any leaks from the roof.
A shiver wracks my body. I want to pull my jacket closed, but there is no point hiding the goods. This pink mesh top leaves little to the imagination and I want people to yearn for more. Want it enough to pay me.
