Page 88 of Accidental Blood Lust
“Shouldn’t we let them decide that?” Auri purrs, and I growl deeply in response. He chuckles and holds his hands up in surrender, looking amused rather than actually threatened. “Fair enough, pet. So, does that mean you want an arrangementlike Atlas has? The freedom to live in the human world between assignments?”
“Yes. I’m happy to be on call, to keep up with all of my contracted work. You won’t see a slip in my performance whatsoever,” I promise him.
“You know, Rune, the little spitfire, threatened me to get Atlas those privileges.” Again, he sounds amused, like there’s nothing cuter to him than underlings who think they could possibly harm him. “It wasn’t necessary, of course. You’ve proven yourself to be a loyal soldier, and I think that deserves to be rewarded.”
Relief rushes through me. I wasn’t sure how difficult Auri might make this, how hard I would have to fight to live with my mates.
“Thank you,” I say hoarsely.
He waves my words off without a response and turns his attention back to his nails. “Off you go.”
I got what I came here for, so I take the dismissal happily and leave him to his strange, human self-care routine.
JARETH
It only takes aboutthirty seconds for Loch to pack up the handful of clothes and other items he brought from his apartment topside.
“I can’t believe everything that’s happened in such a short amount of time,” he says, crawling onto the bed to cuddle me while we wait for Roman. “I’ve only spent a couple of nights in this room, but I think I might miss it anyway.”
I laugh and card my fingers through his hair, enjoying the weight of his head on my shoulder, even if I’m still getting used to the chill of his skin now.
“Maybe we can have slumber parties here now and then when Roman is on a job.” My stomach squirms with nerves. That’s assuming Auri agrees to let Roman come live in the human realm with us. We’ll make it work if we have to, but I hate the idea of living separately and I can’t imagine abandoning my home and my garden to live down here full time.
“It’ll be okay. Auri lets Atlas live outside the compound, he’ll let Roman too. And Roman won’t rest until he gets a ‘yes.’ He’s stubborn and he loves us too much to let anything stand in the way.”
“How did you know what I was worrying about?”
He shrugs. “I’m not sure. I could sense it, I guess. Cas said I’d get better at the vampire telepathy stuff, and you’re my mate, so it’s probably easier.”
“Are you going to be able to read my mind eventually?”
“I don’t think so. Cas can put some stuffintomy head, and I’ve done that with Roman, but it’s more like vague impressions in the other direction.”
“That’s kind of cool.”
The door opens and we both sit up. I hold my breath as Roman steps inside Loch’s room, waiting to hear what Auri said. His expression is completely, frustratingly neutral.
“Well?” I demand while Loch jumps up and blurs through the small space to stand in front of our mate.
“What did Auri say?” he asks.
Roman’s blank expression holds for another beat before he cracks and a smile spreads across his face.
“I’m allowed to stay topside when I’m not on a mission.” He sweeps Loch into his arms and spins him around.
“Seriously?” I gasp, jumping up too. “You can come live at my place? Oh my god, it’s going to be so cramped with three of us living there.”
Roman barks out a laugh and sets Loch back on his feet.
“I don’t mind cramped,” he says, scooping me up next. I wrap my legs around his middle and press a slow, lingering kiss to his lips.
“Neither do I,” Loch says, sandwiching me in from behind and kissing the side of my neck.
“I guess I can learn to live with it,” I murmur. “Now, can we go home? I need a bath so damn bad to get all the evil vampire stink off of me.”
“Hey,” Loch complains.
“Evilvampire stink.” I chuckle. “You smell great.”
