Chapter Eleven
Chapter
Eleven
Colbie
“You need to take us to that shifter,” Gryff blurts all of a sudden. “He shouldn’t have to be alone anymore.”
My heart melts. The prince is such a softie.
I remember him being like that when we were small as well.
He hated seeing me cry and would do anything to fix it.
The throb inside me now that the bond has been acknowledged is constant.
All I want to do is run my hands over their bodies and grind against them, but I need to focus on other things first, so I shake the fog of lust out of my mind and try to concentrate on what everyone is talking about.
“First, Colbie needs to get a handle on her shift. If she can’t control it, then we can’t allow her to go into the human only zone.
We are going to reach out to the human authorities to get permission for her to visit her grandparents as a cover story, and then you can find that shifter,” Lucas explains.
“Gracelin already sent the message when you went to change.” He turns his attention to me.
“It might be a couple of days before we get a response, so you six can take the time you need to work on your shift.”
“We can also tell the council about this so it will get them off your back.” Layla sounds thrilled by this. “Man, are they going to be shocked. I can’t wait to see Sophia’s and Vallen’s faces when they learn you are mated to the group they both wanted for their daughters.”
“Pfft, if you thought Gianna was bad before, she’s going to be livid that all of her dreams have gone up in smoke.
” Gracelin sounds gleeful as well. I would kind of feel sorry for the girl if I didn’t know she’s had her hands all over one of my mates.
I can’t control the glare I aim in Liam’s direction.
“Hey, if you think they are the only two who are going to be disappointed, then you’re sadly mistaken.” He gestures to the rest of my mates. “None of us were angels in the past.” He sounds defensive.
“You know what? I think we should give you some privacy,” Sable announces, pushing her chair back from the table, and the other parents follow suit. “You all have a lot to work out. Shall we continue these plans at dinner?” She looks at the king and queens for approval.
“Yes indeed. Come on, girls,” Lucas says to Gretchin, Gracelin, and Violet. “Let’s leave them to bond.” The king grabs onto Sable’s suggestion like it’s a life preserver and he’s drowning in an endless sea. His wives laugh, and the girls grumble.
“But this was just starting to get good,” Gracelin complains, but she does as Sable suggested, taking her plate of food with her.
“Violet and I are going to the shift room. She needs to shift and fly off some energy. We’ll be there if you need us,” Gretchin tells me, her eyes serious.
“I’ll be fine. Go shake out those wings,” I tell my friend, who is watching us with unrestrained interest.
“I’ll see you later?” she asks, and I know she’s going to grill me for every gory detail, but I nod my agreement. She takes her plate, then she and Gretchin follow the parents out.
“Ugh, we miss all the good stuff.” Gracelin stomps her foot but hurries after everyone else, and then there are only the six of us left in the dining room.
The silence is slightly strained for the moment, but then Gem turns his attention back to Liam.
“We might have enjoyed our freedom, but you’re the only one who fucked where you slept,” Gem points out.
“The rest of us were sensible enough to keep that shit out of the palace.” He turns to me, his eyes pleading.
“Shifters are highly sexual creatures, all supes are, but now that we’re mates, none of us will look anywhere but at you.
” He side-eyes Gryffin, and I see the dismay in his eyes.
I know I have to assure them that whatever they have going on is fine with me.
I could see it the moment I approached the table, and thoughts of being the jelly in their sandwich make my panties damp.
“I’m not going to stop you and Gryff, if that’s what you’re worried about.
Hell, there’s only one of me, and there’s going to be eight of you.
I would say you are taking one for the team if you two are together.
” I wink at him, and they both relax. “In fact, I’m pretty sure Nox is bi as well.
He kind of implied he was,” I offer. “He’s very pretty.
” I see intrigue in both of their eyes, but it’s the only thing I’m going to say on the subject.
“What about the rest of you? Are you going to be fucking as well? I don’t care, I’m just trying to work out the dynamic here. ”
They all stare at me with shock, and it’s all I can do not to giggle.
“Ah, no, the rest of us are very much hetero, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to share.” Brodie recovers first and gives me a sly wink.
“Good to know.” I give him my own wink back, and his mouth drops open in surprise.
I think he was trying to shock me, but I assumed that’s how things worked in a group dynamic.
I’m kind of excited, to be honest. The thought of being shared by two or more of these men is exhilarating, albeit nerve-racking.
I hope I’m enough for them. It doesn’t seem fair that I get to have all of them, but they only have me.
A frown creases my brows as I think about this.
“What are you worried about, pretty girl?” Hunter asks, and I turn my attention to the gorgeous dragon shifter. “The key to a healthy bond group is communication. You need to tell us how you are feeling, because despite our animal instincts, we are not mind readers.”
“Not yet anyway.” Liam smirks at me.
“What do you mean, not yet?” I ask him, and he shrugs.
“We can all mind speak, and once the bond is sealed, you will be able to as well.”
“But that doesn’t mean we can read your mind.” Gem scowls at Liam. “You have to actively send your thoughts to us.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t want them to learn about all my insecurities, and being able to keep my thoughts private is essential to me.
“What about these two new bond mates? Do you really think they are going to be a mer and a fairy? That’s what Violet implied earlier,” Brodie asks and pushes back from the table, bringing his plate down to a chair closer to mine.
It sets off a chain reaction, and the other four do the same thing, so we are all closer together.
My head swims as their intoxicating scents hit my nose.
I know Liam is the frost and pine aroma, but I can’t distinguish the others yet.
I’m assuming the smoky scent is from either Hunter or Gem, both of their animals having access to fire.
I close my eyes and try to breathe shallower so I’m not overwhelmed by them.
“It makes sense,” I agree, opening my eyes again to find them staring at me with adoration.
It’s a lot, but I’m going to have to get used to it.
“So how are we going to work out who they are? Do you think they will go to the bond center and register? Should we put out some feelers so we know as soon as it happens?”
“Actually, I think I might know who one of them is.” Gem rubs his chin thoughtfully, but before I can ask, Gryff jumps up.
“Micah!” he exclaims. “That’s why he was rubbing his chest like that and suffered so badly from the wave of magic.”
Gem nods his agreement.
“He will be a good addition to the team. He is one of my father’s fiercest warriors,” Hunter agrees. “And I like him. He’s quiet and focused, but he’s a good guy.”
“That makes sense. Should I go find him?” Brodie also gets to his feet, bouncing up and down with excitement.
“No need.” The deep voice has all six of us turning our attention to the dining room doors, and my mouth drops open in shock.
The tallest dude I have ever seen stands there.
He has to be close to seven feet tall, and he has broad shoulders and arms that look like they could crush a small car.
His torso tapers into a thick waist, and his thighs look like they are one loose stitch from bursting out of his black cargo pants.
I’m pretty sure this guy could bench press Hunter without breaking a sweat.
He has long, teal hair that is dark because it’s wet, and his glowing eyes are the same color. He has a strong jaw, and his eyelashes and eyebrows are the same color as the hair on his head, which is a little startling. He’s staring at me like I’m the answer to all his questions.
“Micah! Hey, man, come on over. I’m going to take a wild stab and assume you have a mark on your chest that matches ours now.
” Gem waves him over, and the man strides into the room, his attention not leaving me in the least. I scramble out of my chair so he isn’t towering above me when he reaches the table, but it really doesn’t do any good.
He’s just that much taller than me, and he has an intense aura that’s almost suffocating when he reaches out and takes one of my hands.
“Your Majesty, I am Micah, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he purrs and bends, placing a kiss on my hand. I just about swoon with all of his focus on me. Phew, holy shit, this male is intense.
“Hi, call me Colbie. Do you want to join us for lunch?” I stammer slightly before pushing my shoulders back and trying to look confident.
“I take it you have a brand-new bond mark on your chest?” Liam says dryly as Micah releases my hand, pulls out a chair next to Hunter, and takes a seat. He gives the guys a nod before turning his attention to Liam.