“But things happen that there’s no way to predict,” Maryn said. “And while we’ll try to help from the sidelines, we’re also ready to storm the place if needed.”
“You will all come out alive,” Yarak said. “Anything else is not an option.”
As much confidence as I had in my men and me, there was something incredibly reassuring knowing that we had a monstrous backup on standby.
“You’ve got armor,” Yarak said. “And I may or may not have had a little bit of fun with it while the Valkyries were assembling it.”
I glanced at him, raising a brow. He just smirked. Out of all supernatural creatures, djinns were notoriously quiet on details about their species. I would guess that his men knew more about him than the average person since they were together, but even then, I was sure Yarak had secrets.
“He did,” Maryn said, sighing in exasperation. “Was a right pain in the ass and getting in the way.”
“Don’t pretend that you don’t crave my company, woman,” Yarak said.
Maryn rolled her eyes. She looked at me with a deadpan expression. “Yarak is of the mind that every relationship needs a dick to be complete.”
“Sure, they do,” I said, making Maryn raise a brow and Yarak grin widely. “But who said it needed to be attached to man? I’ve seen silicone cocks that would put some men to shame.”
Akello laughed loudly as Yarak took a step back. “The fuck?” he said. I looked back in time to see him yanking Gale forward. “You letting silicone show you up, bro?”
Gale looked at me, confused.
I smiled sweetly and looked back at Yarak. “I said ‘some men.’ Not my men. They aren’t lacking in their pants, Yarak.”
While Gale grinned widely, Yarak narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like what you’re implying.”
Raising my arms, I tried to look all innocent and shit. “I’m not implying anything. Are you feeling a little self-conscious?”
Javan’s hands landed on my shoulders again, a wide grin splitting his dark face. “I love how uncomfortable you make him. We will certainly reconvene this conversation when we have more leisure time.” He eyed Yarak. “Now I’m questioning how endowed the djinn are.”
Yarak’s eyes blazed brightly. When he breathed out, smoke drifted from his nostrils.
“That’s kind of sexy,” Akello said. “Do you do that in the bedroom, sweetheart?”
He growled and turned away, stomping off. I chuckled, reaching on either side of me to take Maryn and Akello’s hands again. They gripped me tightly and for a minute, the four of us stood there, not speaking.
I supposed the seriousness of the moment made Yarak decide that he’d let his indignation go for now as he came back and hugged me forcefully. “Despite that you’re wrong and I’ll show you when the time is appropriate just how wrong you are, you will be coming back and we’ll continue this conversation.”
Because my hands were occupied, I rested my face on his neck and just breathed him in. Javan’s hand went into my hair, gently clasping it. With them surrounding me, my tears were momentarily dislodged.
This couldn’t be goodbye. It just couldn’t.
Too soon, we were all pulling away from each other. Our little groups split up and my men and I gathered close. We were always very near, touching and affectionate. But right now, it felt like we were on top of each other.
“One more thing,” Lieke said as he came toward us with a bouquet in one hand and a small bundle of paper in his other. “How about a marriage contract, Igarashi?”
For the first time in what felt like months, I think we all smiled together. I didn’t even read it, not caring in the least what it said. When we passed it around, I signed it without hesitation and passed it on. Lieke handed me the flowers and I turned to exchange some quiet moments with my men in which we promised the stars and moon, shared some kisses, and silent longing as we clung together.
More than anything, in this moment, I refused to believe it would be our last together. I wasn’t sure what the difference was, but I was sure, right then, that come hell or hybrid monsters en masse, we’d be coming home. One way or another, we’d be coming home and get a chance to celebrate our marriage as it deserved to be honored.
“Before we leave, hand your bouquet over,” Kohara said, kissing my cheek.
Without giving it much thought, I headed straight for the Agnis. Yarak’s eyes were wide when I placed it in his hands, giving him a smirk. “You should probably have two. One for your family and one for your enormous ego.”
He snarled at me, grabbing me by my waist and pulling me to his chest. He held me for a minute before whispering, “Thank you, Hadley,” and letting me go. “Hurry home, okay?”
I nodded, turning back to my guys. It wasn’t until we were on our way down to the cars that I remembered what the bouquet symbolized. I bit my lip for a minute, wondering if I’d made a mistake. But with Bronte’s hand in mine, I didn’t think I did.
Not thinking about it at all meant I reacted on instinct. Even if that instinct was to give Yarak a hard time. I didn’t take that back. House of Agni would get their completion next. I was sure.
