I turn my eyes back front, embarrassment heating my face. Maybe a little more than embarrassment…envy? What a fascinating relationship. I thought they only existed in my romance books.
“What’s this?” Bastian whispers. “Aroused, insomeone else’s house?”
“Fat chance,” I murmur.
“Feral miscreant. Were you eavesdropping?” he rumbles.
I look up at him innocently. “What would you do if I were?”
He grins, showing me his sharp canines. “I might remind you that your gaze is for me, as is your body.”
His tail tightens, the tip of it pressing firmly against my crotch. I peep out a surprised gasp, my nails digging into his shoulder.
“Place your magic into the mark.” He grabs my wrist and puts it on the mantle. “So I may take you home for aproperreminder.”
I do as he says, and the runes take my energy.
“It was good to see you, brother,” Rhazan says when my contribution is complete. “Please leave now.”
Bastian huffs, a little smile tugging on his lips. “Always so blunt.”
He runs his fingers along the freshly carved markings and his black explodes out in front of us. Orange weaves through the hovering oval splotch of ink, until there’s a tapestry of swirling light. Flecks of gold glitter throughout it, calling to us.
“Be seeing you,” Rhazan says.
I glance back over Bastian’s shoulder and give Jade a little wave. She twists one of her bound hands and waves back with a sheepish grin.
Gold sparkling blackness envelops us and warmth caresses my skin like diving into a pile of laundry fresh out of the dryer. I lay my head on Bastian’s shoulder and close my eyes with a gratified moan. It’s just so nice to be in his arms, surrounded by him.
Bastian chuckles.
“What’s funny?” I mumble, my breath whispering over the hollow of his throat.
“There’s only one sound in the world more satisfying than your contentment.”
“Oh?”
“It’s a secret.”
I peer up at him, recognizing the ceiling of our apartment. I want to ask exactly how we got here, but I want to know the secret much more.
“What can I exchange for that knowledge?” I ask.
He lowers his arm and dips me, then leans into me in a movement so fluid I swear I can hear romance music tinkling somewherethrough the background of my life. His lips brush mine in a gentle kiss and my eyelids flutter closed.
His kisses move across my lips to my cheek, then my ear, and he whispers, “You will know when I get what I want.”
I swallow hard. “And what do you want?”
“You. In my nest. Making it ours.”
“Nest?”
He laughs again, the most I think I’ve ever heard from him in the half year we’ve lived together.
“First, let us check on the feline,” he says, pulling away but not setting me down.
“Feline!” Bastian calls.
