“What are you doing?”
“Oh, I have a craving for them.”
Frowning, Nik peered around her back at the lush plant with red lumps on it. “What are those?”
“Slugs.”
His gaze shot hers, and she burst out laughing, the light sound warming his heart, but he still plucked free whatever it was she’d eaten, then stared at the succulent fruit. “Berries?”
“Yes.Strawberries. Your child demands it, so I eat them. Hedori had pots of them planted and put out several on the patios, so they’re always at hand when the craving takes hold.”
Oh. “Very well.” Nik carefully moved her aside and took her spot. He plucked several of the gleaming red berries, then held out his palm. “Here.”
She took a fruit from his hand and leaned her head against his biceps. Nik kissed her head. In the distance, beyond the forest, the skies lightened with streaks of pink, navy, and orange.
“Do you want some?” she asked, eating another.
“Yeah, sure.”
She held out one. He threaded his fingers through her shoulder-length hair and dragged her close, then slid his tongue into her mouth. She huffed out a laugh mid-kiss, and he drew back. “Hmm, they taste amazing, especially from your mouth.”
Then he cupped her face and kissed her deeply, savoring this quiet time with his mate…
Somewhere in the castle, masculine voices drifted to him.
Shadow pulled back, her mouth puffy from their kiss. “This, you being back, it’s going to shock them.”
“Probably. I’d rather spend time with you right now.” He nibbled her lower lip.
“I want that too. But you must know they were all realrocksof comfort, and I mean it quite literally, making sure I was taken care of. They set their mates on me,” she said with a wry smile, taking the last of the berries. “They can’t seem to wait for this baby to arrive. So you need to say hello.”
She was right. “C’mon, let’s go give them hope,” he drawled, helping her up from the step.
Yeah, his warrior brothers would have protected Shadow, and he had to give his thanks. But he was here now, and he would see to her every need.
Chapter 38
Shadow glancedat Nik as they made their way indoors, her heart bursting with happiness.
“Keep looking at me like that,agápi,” he murmured, dragging her close to him, “and we’ll end up back in our room.”
Like that threat would work. Laughter spilled free, her joy impossible to contain, her gaze skimming his gorgeous hair, his smiling face. “How is your hair so much longer, and your stubble isn’t?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because of the regeneration.” He shrugged, stroking his shadowed jaw. “The beard was, but Gaia said I shouldn’t scare you off, so she used her abilities and left me with the scruff. “Liam?” he asked, his fingers stroking her waist.
“He’s at university now. He’s boarding out, remember? Oh, man, he’s going to be so stunned when he sees you. I’ll ask him to come home this weekend.”
Seeming in no hurry for his reunion, her mate strolled with her down the winding, elegant corridors, stopping occasionally and kissing her, leaving her panting, until they finally reached the hallway to the kitchen. As they neared the door, voices grew louder, then Týr grumbled about what a dead night it had been.
Shadow opened the door and stepped into the open-plan kitchen and dining room. Everyone was seated at the table for their meal, and Hedori was busy in the kitchen as usual. Kira looked up, as did the warriors.
“Hey, you’re up—” Her eyes popped wide.
Silence fell as if the wind had whooshed right in, sweeping out every bit of noise, then it rushed right back like the tide. Chairs dragged, boots thudding across the marble floor.
Shadow hastily stepped back as Dagan hauled Nik into a rib-crushing squeeze and then slapped his back, followed by more of the same from Aethan, Blaéz, Týr, and Ely.
With all the hard hugs, thank god her mate truly was immortal.
