I spent twenty-four years without ever seeing the sun. But six months of freedom have rewired not only my system, but the way I view my childhood. And all the things that I used to brush off as normal, I realize now how messed up they were. It’s put me in a weird headspace I never anticipated, including the newfound claustrophobia.
Devlin swings the door open for the grand reveal, and it chases away my lingering worries. It opens into a large, comfortable living space. An open concept living room and kitchen with high ceilings and tons of lighting so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic in the slightest. Devlin gives us the full tour, and I quickly realize that this place ismassive.Two bathrooms, a small armory in every room, full kitchen, laundry set up, pantry loaded with shelf-stable food and supplies, and a generator room. He shows us where everything else is before ending the tour at the bedroom. And what’s there steals my breath away.
It’smassive.A bedroom built for a full bondgroup, the bed taking up half the space alone. It could easily sleep seven people comfortably, with an additional ensuite bathroom. One wall isloaded down with weapons, making it clear that whoever built this place was expecting a war to show up on his doorstep. In the corner is a nest similar to the one back home, and my heart squeezes when I spot one of my shirts layered in there. The attention to detail Devlin went into to set this place up with not only my comfort in mind, but Zayd’s. Despite him considering him my pet up until now, this speaks volumes,
“The doors are all reinforced,” Devlin says, oblivious to me choking up, and points to the frames. “So if Whatshisface freaks out, we can lock him in the bathroom or wherever he’s spazzing out until he tuckers himself out.”
Zayd looks grim as he offers a terse nod. “Good. I know in my soul I’d never hurt Kiara, but I can’t say the same about you two. Better to be prepared if the worst happens.”
“Z,” I breathe, but he shakes his head, taking my hand and kissing the back.
“I’m feeling more like myself every day, angel. But only the gods know what tomorrow will bring.”
Before I can figure out a response, Stryker pulls a gun off the wall, inspecting it with admiration. “This place is amazing, Dev.”
Devlin beams at his praise. “Right?! Like a secret underground clubhouse. Oh!” he dives across the mattress and grabs a small remote, rolling over the bed to return to my side in record time. “I know you hate being stuck underground, so I picked this up. Look!”
He presses a couple of buttons and, suddenly, the small astronaut figurine on the bedside table lights up, projecting on the wall at the foot of the bed. It gives off the illusion of an open window, and as the seconds pass, the scene outside of it changes. Mountains and waterfalls, beaches, and rainforests with various animals racing past.
“You can program it for whatever you’re in the mood for, but I figured we could bring some of the surface down here with usso it wasn’t so claustrophobic.” When I don’t respond, he turns and sees the silent tears streaming down my cheeks.
And immediately freaks out.
“We can reprogram it! Load anything else you want on here, it doesn’t have to be outside! We can get, um, porn! Netflix! Hell, I can throw it out completely if you hate it, I just thought-”
I throw my arms around his neck and kiss the hell out of him. “Thank you.”
The tension eases out of his stiff muscles and he sighs against my lips before capturing them with a vengeance. Sliding his hand up to cup the nape of my neck, he holds me captive as he kisses me breathless. When I tentatively swipe my tongue against his, he jolts before releasing a ragged groan and takes over, backing me up against the wall without taking his lips from mine.
The door creaks, and his head whips to the side to find Stryker grimacing apologetically. “Sorry, don’t mind us. We were trying to give you two some privacy.”
I swallow, glancing at Zayd over his shoulder in the hallway. “Can you bring me my bag?”
He frowns in confusion, but nods and retreats to hunt it down. Devlin cups my jaw, pulling me back into a kiss that makes me lose track of everything else around me. When I finally come up for air, I glance over to find my bag sitting on the bed, the door closed, and the two of us alone. Butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I pull back enough to see his face, glancing down at his wrist and back.
“You’re really serious about this? About me?”
He scoffs. “What was your first clue, sunshine?”
Swallowing down my nerves, I remove the silver bracelet I always wear that protects me from being forcibly bonded and rummage around in my bag to find one of the small vials Ipicked up a few days ago from the witches on Main Street when I started considering the idea.
With fated mates being all but a myth to most people, mysts tend to choose their bondmates these days. It’s easy enough; a potion and cementing the bond with sex. Almosttooeasy. Such a massive, life altering decision feels like it shouldn’t be so simple. But the fact it scares the hell out of me and Istillwant to? That’s all the proof I need that I’m making the right decision.
“You chose me. Every single time from the moment we met. Without knowing anything about me, and not a single good reason to hitch your wagon to this shitshow. Even after realizing what a hot mess I am, you’re still here.” Holding his gaze, I drink half the vial before offering him the rest. “We might not be fated mates, but if I had the choice? I’d choose you, too. Every time, in every life.”
His breath hitches before he carefully takes the vial from me. “From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were mine. I’m just sorry it took me so long to find you.” He downs the rest in record time and tosses the empty vial aside, recapturing my lips with fierce determination.
Between desperate kisses, he strips off my shirt, and I fumble with the button of his pants, shoving them off as we stumble toward the bed. The back of my knees hit the mattress and he puts a hand on my chest, pushing me down and hesitates for a fraction of a second before pulling off his own shirt single-handedly, muscles taut like he’s self conscious.
Patches of red and black scales litter his torso, heavier at his shoulders and arms. I skim my fingertips across the ones covering his heart. “Maybe I read too much dragon shifter smut, but I wish you’d show these off more; they’re really fucking hot.”
He cocks his head, carefully studying my face. “You’re fucking with me.”
I vehemently shake my head. “Not at all. It’s like armor. The colors are so vibrant, it’s like your skin is flecked in obsidian and rubies, and makes you look more than human. Dangerous.” Lightly raking my nails down his shoulders, teasing both the skin and scales there, I revel in the shiver that snakes down his spine, his eyes closing and breath hitching.
When he opens them again, the barely banked heat from before is an all out inferno, and he slams his lips against mine, shoving my pants and underwear down my legs. I lift my hips to make it easier, and in the next breath, he’s crawling onto the bed above me. One knee between my legs, nudging my thighs apart as he kisses me like he needs me to breathe. His hands are at wild odds with his fervent desperation, almost nervous in his exploration. With a featherlight touch, his fingertips skim across my collar bone, down the valley between my breasts and across my stomach. Almost experimentally, he grips my hip, rocks me against his thigh, and slides his hand up my side to my ribcage, thumb slipping beneath my bra and stroking my overheated skin.
“Here,” I breathe against his lips, rising up enough to awkwardly unclasp my bra and slide it down my arms, casting it aside before dragging him back down with me.
