“Thank you for the tip. I have a feeling I may need it.” Derrick laughed. “Of course, if we really are soulmates, then once the marking happens, that should save my butt.”
“I need a soulmate then. I think my mate will want to pull her hair out with me.” Aedan grinned widely. “Of course, after misunderstandings, there’s always makeup sex, but that’s my sister, and that topic is off-limits.”
Derrick chuckled. “I’m hoping the soulmate link will help us avoid misunderstandings in the future.”
“You sure you don’t want to just get the marking done now?”
“Not like this. Not after just recovering from the vervain injection. But I’m hoping to soon. Either I’ll get the witch stuff sorted out now or I’ll arrange to leave for a couple of days. I’m not sure how my venom will affect Lucie. I want to be able to stay with her afterward. You both have pureblood in your system but also aren’t exactly the same as me. It’s weird, to be honest. You two are an anomaly. Very interesting ones. It’s never happened before, from what my father has said.”
“There is a lot that hasn’t happened before with my family. We just tend to roll with the crazy.” Aedan chuckled with a shrug. “I’ll have to see what Lucie wants, but I think we’ll head to the West Dragon Kingdom after the welcoming ceremony.”
“I’ll plan to come here and have your father open up a portal to visit. Hopefully we won’t have to be apart for long.”
“Derrick … I know you may be a bit anxious being away from Lucie after what happened. But I assure you that won’t happen again. Between me, Jasper, and Justice, Lucie will be onlockdown. She doesn’t know it, but I’ve already made some … arrangements.” A wicked smile spread across his lips. “Actually, she’s going to be really angry, but it’s her fault.”
“Don’t tell me. I don’t want her thinking I had anything to do with whatever you have planned.” Derrick laughed and shook his head.
“Yeah, you don’t want this heat.” Aedan chuckled. “Come on, let’s get you back to Lucie.” He walked over to the office door and opened it. The moment the soundproof door opened, the sounds of laughter and shouting echoed into the room.
“CHEATER!” Lucie squealed.
“Sore loser!” Jasper smirked and rolled his shoulders arrogantly.
“You are such a cheater. No. Nuh-uh. That doesn’t count. That was gross.” Lucie squinted her eyes at Jasper and pouted. “You know, some people would consider that an indirect kiss.”
“You’ve drunk out of my water bottle before, so same thing,” Jasper said arrogantly.
“That is not the same thing and you know it! That is disgusting and not fair.” Lucie stood up and started chucking grapes at him.
“Hey! You’re going to have a mess to clean up.” Jasper chuckled as he dodged her assaults.
“Mind telling me what’s going on here?” Derrick asked as Aedan came down beside him.
“Didn’t you hear? He tried to give your mate an indirect kiss.” Aedan grinned wickedly toward Jasper, mischief flashing in his eyes.
Derrick’s eyes darkened, and he began walking slowly toward Jasper.
“Ryan, wait … I can see that look in your eyes.” Jasper chuckled nervously and took a retreating step backward.
“We had a game going where you had to catch the grape in your mouth that the other person threw. The loser had to drink one of Aedan’s stinky troll drinks.” Lucie placed her hand on Derrick’s arm, stopping him in his tracks.
“HEY!” Aedan objected.
“Sorry, Aedan … anyway, Jasper put one of the grapes in his mouth first before he tossed it to me. Obviously I wasn’t catching that in my mouth, and now he’s proclaiming himself the winner!” Lucie said in disgust.
Derrick pulled Lucie into his chest and glared at Jasper. “You wanted my mate to have YOUR spit in her mouth?”
“I knew she wouldn’t catch it. It was certain victory. And the only rule was to serve it up.” Jasper shrugged smugly.
“Yep, sorry Lucie, you lost,” Aedan said, clicking his tongue.
“Ugh, I’m getting ganged up on. I can see this is going to be a swell time being surrounded by a bunch of man-boys.”
“I’ll get your juice for you, Lucie.” Jasper trotted over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of green liquid.
“You know, Lucie, I can make him drink it instead,” Derrick said with a cruel grin.
“She knew the stakes.” Jasper said, holding the bottle out to Lucie.
