My stomach rumbles so loudly, both guys look at me with shock. “What? I’m starving. I have barely eaten all day,” I defend.
It’s late into the evening now, and I know we missed the big meal my father put together. I feel a little guilty, but for the first time since I walked through the palace gates, I feel balanced and whole, like everything is right with the world. I feel kind of invincible, to be honest. I still haven’t shifted into my phoenix or fairy forms, though, and I definitely need to give my pegasus and wolf forms a trial run, but I feel like everything is going right—at least with the possibility of being crowned queen. I know there are other issues we need to deal with, but it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
“Apologies, my mate. I was thoughtless when I dragged you away from dinner with your family.” Titus throws the covers back and climbs out of the bed the three of us had been basking in during our after sex glow. He pads naked across the room, and it’s no hardship for Nox and me to watch him go. His wings frame his ass perfectly when he holds them against his back.
A hiss in my ear has Nox shrieking and launching himself off the bed as Fluffy slithers down and makes himself comfortable against my naked body. I guess he’s drawn to my body heat.
“No, no, no. I draw the line at a snake in the bed.” Nox puts his hands on his hips and glares at the serpent. I run my hand over his triangular head, and he leans into it as I stare at Nox’s naked body this time. Damn, the goddess blessed me with what must be the most beautiful men in the whole of the shifter kingdom.
“I bet Stormheart sleeps on your bed,” I argue stubbornly, “and he has a violent vendetta against me. I think Fluffy should come along because then it might keep Stormheart in line.” I pick the viper up and carry him back to his tree branch perch, stroking a finger over his head, before turning my attention to Nox.
“But Stormheart won’t murder us all in our sleep.” He looks between me and the snake.
“Maybe not you, but I bet he’d slit my throat and eat my face if he could.”
Titus disappeared into what must be the bathroom, but he hears our conversation. “Colbie, you can literally change into a big cat and eat him. I bet if you roared in his face, he would never bother you again.”
Nox’s mouth drops open, his eyes wide. “You wouldn’t!”
“I so fucking would, so make sure you have a word with him if he is going to live in the palace,” I warn him.
“Maybe I will just leave him with my parents… or maybe my sister. Her kids love to spoil him.” He looks around for clothes, but Titus magicked both of ours off, and there is nothing for us to wear.
He returns, and his hair is brushed back and tied in a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and his wings are away. He’s wearing a pair of sweatpants and nothing else.
“Wow, you look casual,” I comment, running my gaze over his naked chest.
“I still prefer the little black pair of hot pants.” Nox winks, and I laugh. They explained their first meeting to me while we were coming down from all the amazing orgasms.
“Make sure you pack them when you come to the castle,” I say lightly, and he frowns, and my heart sinks.
“You aren’t coming to the castle?” I ask him, and he rubs his head awkwardly.
“I am one of Loki’s assassins and spies. I’m not sure he will allow me to leave.”
“We’ll see about that,” I say stubbornly, crossing my arms and tapping a foot, but then something occurs to me. “Unless you don’t want to come?”
He looks torn, and my heart aches. He winces and rubs a hand against the bond mark on his chest. “Oh, baby, don’t do that. I can feel how hurt you are. I didn’t mean for you to think that. I want to come, but I trained all my life for this position. It won’t be easy for him to find spies and assassins he trusts as much as me and my brothers.”
“But surely he won’t need you all anymore, not if the goddesses’ plan comes to fruition and five sisters rule the continents.” I feel hopeful, but Titus scoffs.
“Five sisters who know nothing about one another. Hell, it is one of the best kept secrets because although I know of their existence, none of us know their identity. Loki only shared yours with me once the magic passed to you. I certainly didn’t know I was your mate, and at that stage, I wasn’t. I think the goddesses are hoping you all get along, but what are the chances of that? Who knows what kind of upbringings the others had? Yours certainly wasn’t all roses, but you did have the steady presence of Jenny and Joseph.”
Titus has a point. “Well, no use speculating,” I say, trying to be positive. “How about you dress us? As much as our other mates may enjoy us coming to dinner naked, I doubt my father and the goddess want to see it.”
Titus flicks his hand, and Nox and I are fully clothed again. He put us both in comfy lounge clothes, Nox’s sweats matching his own, and he has a fitted shirt. I wear a soft pair of pajama style pants with a tank top, and none of us are wearing shoes.
“Shouldn’t we dress more formally around the king?” Nox asks, looking down at the tight shirt that hugs his beautiful body.
“Pfft, some days it’s a struggle to get Loki to wear pants. He prances around in his boxers more often than not, especially in his private living quarters. We will be fine.” Titus waves off Nox’s concerns.
He holds out a hand to each of us, and we both grab hold. I squeeze firmly, not wanting him to lose me somewhere along the ley lines. In a flash, we rematerialize in the family living area we were in before this started. Nausea rolls through me, and I grimace, struggling to get my bearings.
“Fucking finally,” Liam grumbles, speeding over to me and snatching me away from the others. “I missed you.” I lean into him, breathing in his scent to calm my racing heart.
I can hear my other guys and Father congratulating Nox and Titus and welcoming them to the family. The goddess remains seated on one of the sofas, her eyes soft when I meet her gaze.
“Finally. You are ready,” she says triumphantly, but before I can answer, my stomach rumbles again. I blush and press against Liam’s chest, trying to get him to put me down.
