Page 35 of The Last Aether

Kai tried to tug me back to the mattress. “I say we play hooky one more time. We can lie in bed all day and—”

I tickled his side, and Kai let out a high-pitched screech that sounded like a cat being forced to take a bath.

I threw off the covers and slid to the end of the bed.

“That was uncalled for, Pip.”

Atlas chuckled. “Do whatever you can to keep him in line.”

“Traitor,” Kai griped.

“Bicker later. Right now, I need to know where I can find clothes.”

Kai and Atlas shared a look.

“What?”

Atlas rubbed the back of his neck. “We had things put in each of our rooms for you. You can move into the aether suite if you prefer—”

“No.” I wasn’t anywhere near ready for that. It would make all of this elemental queen stuff real, and I was still trying to wrap my head around four mates, one who wanted nothing to do with me. I cleared my throat, going for a more relaxed tone. “In your rooms is great. Are there any uniforms in here?”

Atlas nodded. “Closet. There are toiletries in the bathroom too.”

“You’re a god among men.”

Kai jolted upright. “I thought I was your Golden God.”

I dashed over to him, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. “Forever my Golden God.”

Kai tried to make a grab for me, but I dodged his roving hands and headed for the closet.

“A Golden God with blue fucking balls.”

I couldn’t hold in my laughter as I disappeared into Atlas’s walk-in closet. The space was huge, but it didn’t take me long to find my section. So much for a few things. Atlas had stocked his closet with enough clothes to last me years. There were pajamas and sweats, the everyday things like jeans and tees, drawers full of lacy undergarments and swimwear, a rack full of uniforms, and even fancier things like skirts and dresses. I was pretty sure I saw a few ballgowns in there too.

I tried my best not to let it overwhelm me. I grabbed underwear and a uniform and then scanned the shoe rack for footwear options.

Everything in me melted when I saw the row of Chucks in every color. There was black, pink, red, blue, even a glitter pair. My gentle giant paid attention.

I snagged the black pair and headed for the bathroom. But not before sending a look of promise in his direction. “You’re getting rewarded for these later.” I lifted the shoes as I spoke.

“Wait, he’s getting sexual favors for getting you sneakers?” Kai whined. “I’ll get you a fucking sneaker factory.”

Atlas choked on a laugh. “I think she’s referencing the sentiment.”

I disappeared into the bathroom as Atlas tried to explain my affinity for the classic shoe. I found my cabinet of toiletries and hurried to get ready. A smile played on my lips as I brushed my teeth and washed my face.

It was a good day. I’d slept between two men I loved. Kai made me laugh more than anyone else ever had. And Atlas’s tenderness and care meant I’d always feel cherished. Now, I just had to make it through my classes without short-circuiting our power grid or blowing anything up.

I swallowed hard but forced myself to get dressed. Being late would only make things worse.

Weaving my hair into a quick crown braid in an attempt to wrangle my wild waves, I headed for the door. When I stepped outside, Kai groaned. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“What?”

He motioned to my over-the-knee socks that landed mid-thigh.

“I thought they were cute.”