Chapter 28 Rune #2
He ran a hand through his shoulder-length white hair and flashed me a nervous grin. The dark brown suit hugged his muscles unfairly, and the white tie looked devastatingly good against it. “I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to attend a formal with my mate.”
I offered my hand, and he pulled me close. His heat soaked through the thin fabric of my gown, and desire pulsed through our matebond.
“Everything going okay?” I asked, glancing toward the exits where other enforcers patrolled.
He nodded. “Everything is handled. Tonight is peaceful.”
“Peaceful sounds great.” I hummed. “Abnormal but great.”
He chuckled and pressed his forehead gently to mine as we swayed. “How does my little spy feel with finals coming?”
“Adrenaline is pumping,” I admitted softly. “I’ve worked so hard to get to this point.”
“You’ll pass with ease, honey drop.”
I giggled. “You’re biased.”
“Absolutely.” He kissed my brow. “And I like it that way.”
We danced quietly for a moment, our bodies aligned and magic brushing each other’s gently.
“I love Cassie and all, but I wish you were my mentor,” I admitted, loving the feel of his hands on me.
“You would’ve been an incredible mentee,” Jesper agreed softly. “But Cassie’s better for you. I’m glad it worked out.”
“True, but I am glad I’m at least on your squad. Perhaps after graduation…”
“I’ll pull some strings with your mom.” His smile was amused, but the possessiveness of his instincts streaked the bond.
Koa tapped Jesper’s shoulder respectfully. “May I cut in?”
Jesper handed me over with a small bow and a kiss to my forehead.
Koa pulled me close, his firewood scent wrapping around me. “You look…” He swallowed audibly. “Little vixen, you look like something carved out of starlight, which I’m sure was Slater’s intention.”
His burnt-orange suit glowed like flames against him, and his dark brown hair was tied back neatly in a bun. Embers flickered and glowed in his brown eyes as we maintained eye contact.
Heat pooled under my skin. “I like your suit.”
“Glad to hear that.” He beamed, lips curling upward. “I put it on for you.”
“I’d like to take it off tonight,” I flirted shamelessly with my phoenix.
He smirked and brushed his hand down my spine, swaying us gently. “I’d be more than okay with that.”
“You know,” I murmured, tracing the trust tattoo on his wrist, “this time, last year, you didn’t trust me enough to tell me about being a double agent.”
He winced. “I am so sorry about that, Rune.”
“I’m teasing,” I giggled.
“I trust you completely.” He stiffened, and guilt poured through our bond. “Maybe if I had, you wouldn’t have been taken.”
I pulled his forehead to meet mine. “Don’t say that, Koa. It would’ve happened even if you had. I get why you kept it quiet. You were doing it for your dad, and it worked out beautifully.”
He exhaled roughly, relief flooding his bond. “I’m so grateful you understand, but I wish I had told you. I’ll never keep anything from you again.”
“I know.” I smiled. “I’m proud of you, reboot.”
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, cradling my cheek. His thumb brushed over my jaw, down my neck until it rested on his mate mark. “You undo me in the best kind of ways.”
“Terribly sorry for interrupting this romantic dance, but…” Slater’s hand circled my wrist and tugged me into his arms. “I bought the dress, so I get to enjoy it, too.”
Koa chuckled and waved us on. “Have fun.”
“Venom baby, I swear, if you weren’t holding my hand, I’d think you were a hallucination.”
“You’re dramatic,” I said between giggles.
“And you’re gorgeous.”
Slater wore a black suit with a white tie, something I’d never once seen him in.
However, it was clear that he chose it to match my gown, which was adorable.
His short red hair was sticking up in its usual wild mess, and his red eyes gleamed with mischief and affection.
He kept adjusting his collar as if it were choking him, though.
It probably was.
“You look so hot,” I gushed.
He brightened. “I dressed up for you, venom baby. But you, my sweet mate, look like a fucking dream. I should buy your outfits more often. Not just the formal ones.”
“I’ll make sure to wear them, Havoc baby.” I giggled as he dipped me and leaned down.
“Pickup line incoming, venom baby,” he whispered, and his gaze was so intense it slithered down my spine. “Are you made of starlight? Because your body is making me see entire galaxies.”
“Slater!” I giggled.
“Are you stardust? Because I want you all over me.”
I burst into laughter as he straightened us back up.
He grinned proudly. “Nailed it.”
I reached up and loosened his tie before pulling his collar down enough to trace the skull-and-vines tattoo on his neck. “I love this one.”
“And I love when you touch me,” he whispered. “My brother forced me to match him with that tattoo. It was a bonding moment. Okay, he mentioned it offhandedly, and I made the appointment and dragged him to it with me. It worked, though.”
“That’s so you.” I slid a finger under his collar and traced the love tattoo there. “I love you,” I whispered.
He froze as desire shot through the bond. “Say it again, venom baby.”
“I say it all the time.” I laughed as he spun us dramatically, and his hand went up my thigh as he dipped me again.
“But I love hearing it,” he pouted.
“I love you, Havoc baby,” I whispered in his ear.
He shivered above me before his lips found mine messily.
I moaned into his mouth.
Worthy slithered from my mark and hissed, “Unworthy!”
Slater broke the kiss in a whine. “Come on!”
Snakey manifested and hissed at Worthy, and then they both de-manifested.
Slater and I fell into laughter as he did a few more spins.
Mid-turn, I was stolen away by Zuko. He didn’t even announce himself. He just slid in and plucked me from Slater’s arms with a single fluid motion.
Slater protested behind us. “Zuko, man, you—”
“My turn,” he purred as his hand slid down my back, leaving tingles in its wake. “Having a good evening?”
“I am.”
Slater pouted but backed away.
“Pretty little poison,” he murmured. “Watching you dance with your other mates has been a special kind of torture.” His other skeletal tattooed hand cupped my cheek as he pressed a swift kiss to my lips. “Mine.”
“Yours.”
We pressed together, swaying slowly as he traced circles on the small of my back that made heat pool between my legs.
He wore a tan suit that looked way too good on him.
I hated that his dark orange eyes were hidden behind that damned black bandage the House of Torment forced him to wear.
His hair was as breathtaking as usual, with the sunset yellow fading to orange and red.
He had it held back with a black claw clip.
Zuko traced a line down my bare back with one hand while the other stayed just above the slit of my gown. “What are our plans tonight?”
“We dance.” I smiled brightly at him. My cheeks ached from how much smiling I had done tonight. “Perhaps after, you can make me scream your name.”
He hummed. “I have plenty of ways to do that.”
I reached up and lifted his bandage slightly. His dark orange eyes glowed, molten and hungry, as they met mine briefly.
“Fates,” I whispered. “I miss seeing them.”
“One more year,” he said, voice dropping, “then you’ll never have to go without seeing them.”
I let the bandage fall back into place and slid my hands down his suit, biting my lip.
After dancing with all six of my mates, my bladder urged me to pay it attention. My mates clustered around me protectively as I moved toward the hallway.
“I need to pee,” I laughed.
“We’re coming,” Jesper said with no room for argument.
“To wait outside,” Dimitri clarified.
“I mean, I’ll join you if you want, venom baby.” Slater winked.
“He’s kidding,” Koa interjected.
“I wasn’t kidding.” Slater huffed.
“It just makes us feel better to keep watch,” Koa added.
“To murder anyone who looks at you wrong,” Zuko added with a grin.
Drecken smiled softly. “I can make anyone disappear if they have bad intentions, viperling. Enjoy your pee break.”
They leaned against the walls like bodyguards as I slipped inside.
Eleanor stood at the mirror, adjusting her dress straps. Her gown was flowing, amber-colored, fitting her willowy build perfectly.
Her brown doe eyes brightened in the mirror as she noticed me.
“Rune!” She turned and rushed toward me. “You look gorgeous!”
“You too,” I said, pulling her into a tight hug. “We never get to see each other anymore.”
She sighed. “I know. Training is insane.”
“Absolutely,” I agreed and pulled back. “How are you and Lorian?”
Her face lit up at his name. “Amazing. He’s…everything. I love him and can’t imagine life without him. But enough about me! How are your six mates?”
“Chaos,” I giggled. “But good chaos. They’re perfect.”
“Well, you do have a chaos demon,” she pointed out with a light laugh.
“Give me just a minute,” I interrupted her with a wince. “I really do need to pee.”
“It’s all the champagne they offer.” She giggled as I went past her into a stall and relieved myself.
Once I exited the stall, I washed my hands and turned back to her.
Her expression had darkened. “I just…I can’t believe Aura or Allison or whatever her name is did that. I thought she was our friend.”
“She betrayed all of us,” I mumbled. “She was there when humans took me. She watched. She enjoyed it.”
Eleanor hugged me again, suddenly teary. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“So am I.” I gave her a watery smile, and we shared a moment of solidarity.
We walked out together.
Lorian was waiting for her, and she ran straight into his arms. He smiled at me before they headed back to the auditorium.
My mates all straightened up at once as if they were guilty of something.
“You okay?” Jesper asked.
“Yeah. What were you talking about?” I gave them an accusatory stare.
Slater blurted, “Who gets to take that dress off you first tonight.”
That was the moment Vel, the house head of the first-years, walked past us with a bright smile. “If it isn’t some of my little legends,” she cooed, her gaze meeting mine briefly. “You look lovely, Rune. Enjoy your night of fun.”
“I intend to,” I admitted as my mates subtly shifted closer.
Once we were back inside the auditorium, Mom, Dad, and Pops approached us.
“We’re hosting a family dinner before the House Gauntlet after finals,” Mom announced. “All of your mates are invited.”
All six mates nodded, accepting the invitation immediately.
“Absolutely,” Jesper said.
“Thank you for the invitation,” Dimitri replied.
“We wouldn’t miss it,” Koa agreed.
“Free food?” Slater perked up. “I’m in.”
Zuko smirked. “I’ll bring wine.”
“I’ll bring my newest potion.” Drecken glowed as magic swirled around him.
“Tobias and his mates will attend as well,” Pops told us. “I look forward to our first big family dinner!”
“So much to cook,” Dad muttered under his breath.
My heart throbbed with warmth as love filled my bonds.
This was home—with all six of my mates, my brother and his mates, and my parents.
This was happiness and everything I could’ve ever wanted.
As the music swelled and fae lights sparkled overhead, my mates surrounded me again. Their bodies swayed against mine as we danced in a group, with me in the center.
For the first time in years, I felt completely at peace.
Loved.
Claimed.
Safe.
Free.
I couldn’t bring myself to get anxious about the future. About finals, missions, the impending conflict with the humans. All of that felt like something I could face at any time because I faced it as their mate.
Tonight couldn’t have been more perfect.