“What do you mean, not yet?” I ask him, and he shrugs.
“We can all mind speak, and once the bond is sealed, you will be able to as well.”
“But that doesn’t mean we can read your mind.” Gem scowls at Liam. “You have to actively send your thoughts to us.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t want them to learn about all my insecurities, and being able to keep my thoughts private is essential to me.
“What about these two new bond mates? Do you really think they are going to be a mer and a fairy? That’s what Violet implied earlier,” Brodie asks and pushes back from the table, bringing his plate down to a chair closer to mine. It sets off a chain reaction, and the other four do the same thing, so we are all closer together. My head swims as their intoxicating scents hit my nose. I know Liam is the frost and pine aroma, but I can’t distinguish the others yet. I’m assuming the smoky scent is from either Hunter or Gem, both of their animals having access to fire. I close my eyes and try to breathe shallower so I’m not overwhelmed by them.
“It makes sense,” I agree, opening my eyes again to find them staring at me with adoration. It’s a lot, but I’m going to have to get used to it. “So how are we going to work out who they are? Do you think they will go to the bond center and register? Should we put out some feelers so we know as soon as it happens?”
“Actually, I think I might know who one of them is.” Gem rubs his chin thoughtfully, but before I can ask, Gryff jumps up.
“Micah!” he exclaims. “That’s why he was rubbing his chest like that and suffered so badly from the wave of magic.”
Gem nods his agreement.
“He will be a good addition to the team. He is one of my father’s fiercest warriors,” Hunter agrees. “And I like him. He’s quiet and focused, but he’s a good guy.”
“That makes sense. Should I go find him?” Brodie also gets to his feet, bouncing up and down with excitement.
“No need.” The deep voice has all six of us turning our attention to the dining room doors, and my mouth drops open in shock. The tallest dude I have ever seen stands there. He has to be close to seven feet tall, and he has broad shoulders and arms that look like they could crush a small car. His torso tapers into a thick waist, and his thighs look like they are one loose stitch from bursting out of his black cargo pants. I’m pretty sure this guy could bench press Hunter without breaking a sweat.
He has long, teal hair that is dark because it’s wet, and his glowing eyes are the same color. He has a strong jaw, and his eyelashes and eyebrows are the same color as the hair on his head, which is a little startling. He’s staring at me like I’m the answer to all his questions.
“Micah! Hey, man, come on over. I’m going to take a wild stab and assume you have a mark on your chest that matches ours now.” Gem waves him over, and the man strides into the room, his attention not leaving me in the least. I scramble out of my chair so he isn’t towering above me when he reaches the table, but it really doesn’t do any good. He’s just that much taller than me, and he has an intense aura that’s almost suffocating when he reaches out and takes one of my hands.
“Your Majesty, I am Micah, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he purrs and bends, placing a kiss on my hand. I just about swoon with all of his focus on me. Phew, holy shit, this male is intense.
“Hi, call me Colbie. Do you want to join us for lunch?” I stammer slightly before pushing my shoulders back and trying to look confident.
“I take it you have a brand-new bond mark on your chest?” Liam says dryly as Micah releases my hand, pulls out a chair next to Hunter, and takes a seat. He gives the guys a nod before turning his attention to Liam.
“I do, and I happened to run into King Lucas and the general as they were heading back to the barracks to check on everyone. They explained the situation and sent me this way.” He absently rubs a spot above his heart, which I’m assuming is where his new mark is. He shakes his head. “I can’t believe I was marked. I’m forty years old, so I’d given up on being marked for a mate or bond group years ago and was focused on serving my kingdom, despite my community’s reluctance to get involved in shifter affairs.”
“Well, we can’t really blame them.” Gryff winces. “It isn’t like the shifter nation has given you anything to fight for, but we think that’s going to be different. Colbie is going to bridge the gap my parents were unable to.” He beams at me with pride, and I shift uncomfortably. Everyone has so much faith in me, but I have my doubts. Until recently, I was happy with my lot in life and determined to find a small amount of joy in my career and make new friends. Everything has changed. I’ve made new friends, but that came with a life completely removed from what I planned.
“What are you?” I ask bluntly, giving up on all attempts to be subtle. So much is up in the air, I think the least I deserve is to know what each of my mates shift into. “Actually, can you all share with me what you are? I know that Gryff is a tiger and Hunter is a dragon, and you told me you’re a phoenix, Gem, but what are you?” I look at Brodie and Liam before switching back to Micah. I know it’s not polite to ask, but I figure since we’re mates, I deserve to know.
Micah is still gazing at me, half bewildered and half amazed, like he can’t believe what’s happened, but then he frowns and his eyes take on a look of distrust. “I’m a mer,” he announces like he’s bracing for a reaction.
“Like a mermaid?” I ask carefully, desperately trying to control the squeal inside me that wants to break free.
“Well, merperson or merpeople are the proper terms, but yeah. Is that a problem?” He crosses his arms defensively, and I bounce up and down on my chair in glee and clap my hands.
“Do you have a tail and everything?” I ask, unable to control my excitement anymore.
The distrust in his eyes fades, and he looks at me in wonder. “Uh, yeah, I do.”
“And gills and you can breathe underwater?”
He starts to chuckle. “Yup, that’s usually how it works. It would be pretty bad if we couldn’t breathe underwater.”
“Oh my god, that’s amazing!” I turn to the others. “Do we have a pool so we can go swimming and he can show us?” I feel like a kid whose dreams have come true. I was obsessed with mermaid books when I was a tween.
“Huh?” Micah shakes his head with amazement. “She doesn’t care,” he mutters.
“Shit, man, neither do we. You’ll find that none of us are like those assholes who made you feel worthless. King Lucas and his queens have been trying to stamp out that ridiculous prejudice against humanoid shifters for years,” Hunter tells him. “No one in the service gives you a hard time, do they?”
