Page 86 of Storm

Melek finds some old clothes from Ren’s bedroom, and Seraphina offers me one of her dresses at the sight of my torn garments strewn across the floor.

“I can heal those if you want?” she says, lingering on the hickeys marking my skin. The dress she gave me sits tight around my chest, barely containing my breasts, and billows out around my stomach. The light, baby-blue, glistening material sets off the fleck of blue in my eye, which I’ve given myself two seconds to mourn. At least I didn’t lose it all. And my hair didn’t go prematurely white—just a long streak down one side.

I’m alive, Phoenix and Sunny are well, and that’s all that matters. For how much longer… I ignore the pessimist living in the back of my head.

This has to be the shortest dress I’ve ever worn, with strappy sleeves to boot. My arms, neck, and collarbone are littered with red and purplish welts. I think seriously about her offer. If Sunny sees these, he’ll be worried, and I already have enough things to stress over.

“Yes, please, can you?” Daunting pearly whites gleam before me, Sera too pleased about my impending healing. I take a step back. “What did I just agree to?”

Her graceful figure is set in a long waist-hugging gown that dusts the floorboards under her bare feet, gliding as if she’s walking on air.

“You, Stormy, just agreed to one kiss in exchange for all of your dirty, dirty sins”—she points up and down my body—“to be washed away.”

I place my hand before her, stopping her movements. “There’s no way Melek will agree to that.”

“Are you sure about that?” Spinning on her heel, she calls through the door. “Melek, we need your assistance.”

My husband strides into the room, Ren’s brown pants and white tunic giving him a casual but sexy look, his thick arms more pronounced than the fae’s, the sleeves straining. I was not provided any underwear, which now means any wetness I hope to stop dripping down my leg has no hope at the sight of him.

Seraphina tilts her head and sniffs the air. “For a human, you do show a lot of mate tendencies.”

My head whips from Melek’s chiselled, tanned features, to sparkling green eyes set in a perfectly sculptured feminine face. “What do you mean?”

“The way you just perfumed for him.” Nose up in the air, she smells again for emphasis.

I choke on a cough. “What are you talking about, Sera?”

“You know.” She leans in closer to me. “You are literally dripping for him. I can smell you.”

“WHAT?”

She chuckles, syrupy sweet.

My mate leans on the door frame, his hands crossed over his arms, looking unbothered by Sera’s antics. “What did you need me for?”

“Your wife would like me to ask you if I can heal her love marks?” A pink lip sits bitten against her upper lip.

He ignores her, his eyes roaming the map he’s created.

“If it were just one or two, I would say no, but Sunny…” Melek is surprisingly thoughtful in his answer as he contemplates, probably reaching the same conclusion as me. Best not to have to field questions from our inquisitive five-year-old.

“Great, so we are in agreement.” Rubbing her hands together, the pink fae inches closer to me.

“No. Sera, you need to tell him the rest.” I swear, she’s just asking for him to go feral on her.

“Oh, fine. You’re no fun.” She pouts at me before turning to face the curious man waiting against the door frame. “The easiest and fastest way to heal your mess.” Sera emphasises your like it will somehow persuade him. A green glare catches my scoff. “Well, it’s to kiss Storm. My saliva is a conduit to healing, and when I make contact through the kiss, I’ll be able to assess her body while pushing my intention towards those parts of her skin that need my magic.”

I expect Melek to say no. Instead, he looks intrigued. “That is the easiest and fastest way to heal the marks?”

“Yes. Well, it’s the least invasive and quickest way. If we give her blood, they’ll still take time to heal because most of the magic will go straight to supporting the pregnancy.”

“Okay.”

“You’re kidding?” I exclaim. Both of them turn their attention to me. “One minute, you’re trying to tackle her for giving me a hug, and now you want her to kiss me?”

Moving through the doorway, he makes his way over to me. “I never said I wanted her to kiss you. The only lips I want on these are mine.” Leaning down, he brushes his mouth over mine, and I can’t help it when I melt into him. Melek smells the air and moves back in to murmur at my ear, “Don’t forget who makes you wet, wife.” Holy fucking hell. My knees wobble, and my husband plasters his front to my back, circling his hands under my swollen stomach, lifting it. I groan at the sudden weightlessness. “No one will ever know you like I do.”

It’s a promise I relish.