The Prince’s Mate (Fate’s Gambit)

Twenty-Three

Caelan

I whistled at the massacre that greeted us when we stepped through the door and eyed what remained of Andras's hired goons and vampires. Some of them had been beheaded, while others lay in pieces like someone had chewed them out, literally.

Dympna gasped beside me, and I followed their gaze to Ro'Shassz, who slithered toward us in his huge form, his mouth covered in blood. He looked more like a sea serpent than a regular old snake in this form, and if I didn’t know him, I’d be terrified of him.

"Hey, Ro," I greeted with a grin, and then made a face when he pressed his head against my side, smearing even more blood on me. "I didn't think you'd ride to my rescue too."

"Doesn't look like you needed it," he said, eyeing me up and down. "But eh. It was fun."

Damien laughed as I rolled my eyes, and then I turned to Dympna. "See you around, then?"

They nodded, bid goodbye to the others, and then hurried out of the room. They probably wanted to get as far away from this place as they could.

"Let's go," I said to Walker because I didn't want to stick around for another second either.

"Otherworld or apartment?" he asked, and I pursed my lips.

"Apartment. We still have a job to do, after all," I said, and he grinned. Turning to the Dads, he asked, "Are you guys coming with us?"

Damien eyed his son, then me, and then finally our joined hands. Shaking his head, he stepped closer and pulled me into a hug. His clothes were already bloody so I didn't mind too much. "I'm glad you're okay, Cae."

"Thanks for the rescue," I said with a grin, and he rolled his eyes.

"Like you needed it, Mr. Badass. But for what it's worth, we'll always rescue you. You're family," he said as he pulled back, and I smiled up at him.

"Family," I agreed.

"You coming, Ro?" he asked, glancing at the giant snake-dragon, and Ro shook his head.

"I'm staying with them," he declared, and I had a feeling he wasn't letting either of us out of his sight for a while, which might put a damper in my plans for Walker. I had a proper love declaration to make, after all.

Ro'Shassz shrank back into his normal size, and then surprising me, slithered up my leg instead of Walker's, and curled himself around my neck. I raised a brow at Walker, and he merely shrugged before turning to his dads. "Thank you so much for your help. We'll come by later. Oh, here," he said, pulling Andras's soul out of his pocket and handing it to Damien. "That belongs in the Chasm."

"We'll make sure it ends up there," Day assured him, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, I was free.

"And Walker, you don't have to thank us, little one. You’re still our kid," Arty said with a shake of his head, and Walker smiled sheepishly.

He turned to me with a sigh, squeezing the hand he hadn't let go of yet. "Back to the apartment, then?"

"Yes, please," I answered, very much ready to be back in a familiar place, in the apartment we'd finally found each other in.

Magic stirred around us, and then we were in the brightly lit living room of the apartment. Glancing down at myself, I winced at all the blood clinging to me. I looked like the cast of one of my horror flicks, and I needed to get cleaned up stat.

"I need a shower," I said, and Walker bit his lower lip.

"Can I join you?" he asked, and I smiled.

"I'd love that," I answered readily, and Ro'Shassz straightened up.

"Can I join?" Ro'Shassz asked, and my eyes widened.

"No!" Walker and I answered simultaneously, and he huffed. Slithering off me, he shook himself, and poof went all the blood that had clung to him. I knew I could clean up with my magic too, but it just didn't feel the same as a warm shower. Plus, there was no way I was going to skip an opportunity to share a shower with Walker.

"Come on," I said, tugging him to the bathroom. I shrugged out of the robe as soon as I was inside, wincing a little when it tugged against one of the gashes Andras had given me when he'd clawed at my hips and lower back.

"You're hurt!" Walker said with a gasp, and I smiled reassuringly at him.

"I'm fine, Walker. It's healing," I assured him, but he still turned me around so he could get a look. I turned the knob, and warm water started spraying on us, forcing Walker to step back and get out of his own clothes.

I stepped more fully under the water spray and watched as rivulets of pink slid down my body and into the drain, the last remnants of Andras sluicing off my body. I went to grab the bodywash, but Walker stopped me, tugging my hand away and taking the bottle himself.

"Let me," he said in a soft voice, and I nodded as I watched him pour some onto his palm before putting the bottle away. Lathering up, he placed his palms on my chest and started washing me.

I didn't think anyone had ever washed me before, and I hadn't known it could feel this good. Walker's palms on me felt amazing, warm and caring, and so gentle. It was the gentlest touch I'd ever received, and after the day I'd had, I sorely needed it.

"Would it be too much if I asked you to do this every day?" I asked, then squeezed my eyes shut because I was afraid of his reaction.

"I'd love to do that," Walker replied, and my eyes snapped open.

"Really?"

"I enjoy taking care of you," Walker said with a shrug. "If you could eat, I would've brought you a dozen kinds of sweets—or snacks if you're more the salty type—but doing this for you? I like it a lot."

"Me too," I agreed with a smile, and he grinned.

"I was so worried when I came home and you were gone," he murmured softly, traces of fear still lingering in his eyes.

"I'm okay. You found me," I reminded him, and he sighed.

"Yeah, but for so long we couldn't. My dads couldn't find you, and Ro'Shassz couldn't either," he said, and I mulled that over.

"Andras must've made Dympna put up some kind of barrier," I said, and he tilted his head.

"The fae?" he asked, and I explained how Dympna had helped me take Andras out.

"Well, I'm glad they were there," he said, and I smiled as I pulled him close, smearing soap onto his chest in the process.

"Me too, Walker. Me too."

Walker

I didn't want to let Caelan go. I wanted to hold onto him for the rest of the day and maybe the rest of our lives. He'd been his badass self as usual and rescued himself before I ever showed up, but there were still any number of things that could've gone wrong.

What if Dympna had been helping Andras willingly? Or what if Andras had hurt Caelan worse before the fae ever showed up?

I knew there was no point in thinking of the what-ifs, but unfortunately, that was all I seemed to be capable of doing.

"I love you." Caelan's voice broke through my thoughts. My head shot up, eyes wide as I stared at him.

"So soaked in blood isn't the right time, but naked and soapy in the shower is?" I asked, and he grinned.

"It's better ," Caelan reasoned. "And I couldn't wait another moment to tell you."

I smiled, sliding my arms around his waist to hold him to me. "I love you too, Caelan. More than I ever thought I could."

Caelan smiled back at me and then let out a yawn that seemed to startle him.

"I just yawned," he said, and I chuckled.

"The day must be catching up to you," I said, and he shook his head.

"Walker, I don't yawn. I've never yawned since I became an Otherworlder," he said, and I blinked at him, confused.

"Could it be because you're hurt?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"I've been hurt worse before. Maybe..." he trailed off, and I squeezed him to pull him out of his thoughts.

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe it's because of our bond," he said, and I blinked. That was...possible.

"You mean like Dad got Da and Pops' humanity?" I questioned, and he nodded, his tail swishing softly.

"Yeah, I mean. You aren't exactly like the others, right? You still eat, you sleep more."

"So you might actually get to eat," I said excitedly, and he chuckled.

"You and food," he said with a shake of his head. "Either way, right now, I need a nap."

"A nap sounds good, " I decided, and we helped each other clean up. The wounds on Caelan's back and hips were all but healed, but I was still careful as I gently washed the area.

"I love you, Kitty," I said just because I could, and he smiled at me, leaning closer to rest his forehead against mine.

"I love you, too. Now let's get out of this water," he said, and I nodded. Turning off the shower, I grabbed a towel and wiped the water droplets off of him. My cock twitched at the sight of all that beautiful skin, at the sight of Caelan's naked form before me, but I was tired too, so I ignored my body's reaction and focused on taking care of my mate.

Once he was dried, he returned the favor, and then we headed into the bedroom. We'd only just climbed under the sheets when Ro'Shassz came slithering into the room. He climbed right onto the bed and curled up on the pillow above our heads without a word. I knew he was a little shaken by the events of the day too, so I let him be, and pulled Caelan close.

"Sweet dreams, Kitty," I murmured softly, and his lips tilted up in a smile.

"Sweet dreams, Walker."

Caelan fell asleep almost instantly, but it took me a while to shut down my thoughts and drift off. The last thought I had before sleep took me was that I was not leaving Caelan alone for at least a week. Hopefully, he wouldn't grow sick of me.

Ro'Shassz

All's well that ends well, right? Caelan was back home safe, and the vampire bastard's soul was nicely burning in the Chasm—I checked. Caelan and Walker were also very much in love, which meant my mission was successful.

I wasn't sure if I’d actually played a role in getting them together except getting them here together, but it didn't matter because I was still going to take full credit for it. I deserved it, since I'd practically signed up for a lifetime of third-wheeling by bringing them together. I should be given an award for my selflessness.

Caelan mumbled in his sleep, and I rested my head over his; whether to bother him or comfort him was anyone's guess. I had a feeling when these two woke up, I would not want to be here, so I was going to soak up the few moments of peace I had.

Step : Enjoy the moment of peace and then get the hell out of dodge before they 'got their freak on' like Nox would say.