Chapter Five #3
Vine and Kazuya wandered out, and Meeda smiled. “There. You have a playmate.” She kissed Akervel, and he sighed and kissed her back until she stroked his cheek and headed for the main routes.
She heard Kazuya’s laughter and kept walking.
* * * *
Kazuya looked at him and grinned. “Scourge of the seas reduced to needing a playdate?”
Akervel took some fruit and bit into it. “I am the proud mate of a flying mermaid. She can call me sweetie in public if she likes. I will wear it with pride.”
Kazuya stared at him. “Holy shit.”
“She is worth every raised brow and laughing remark. Plus, she was injured trying to make my beast happy. That goes a very long way.”
Mia smiled. “Are you really going to wait here?”
“No. I am going to follow her in a few minutes. While I trust her implicitly, there are a lot of unattached alphas roaming around. I don’t want her to hurt them.”
Mia was grinning and laughed. “So you have been paying attention.”
Akervel nodded. “I truly have. She’s a pixie, after all.”
He waited a few minutes, had another pastry, and grinned at Mia. She looked back at him with arched brows. “You have questions?”
“Do you often enjoy the cuff?”
“Ah, that. When I am here, yes. It is safe here. I have selected a specific grouping, and they are amenable if they are unoccupied for the night, so I ask, they say yes, and we are mutually satisfied.”
He looked at her, “But you are older for a human.”
She laughed and patted his cheek. “My dear brother-in-law, when she turns forty, you are going to need to be in the shape of your life. Our family’s ladies enjoy the freedom from ovulation. Our hot flash is your exhausted evening.”
His eyes widened, and he smiled. “That sounds fascinating.”
She laughed. “I hope you have the stamina required or will allow another into her bed. She’s learning right now, but that won’t last. Either way, you have nearly fifteen years to figure it out.”
He blinked, dazed. “I will take that under advisement, but if she wants another alpha, I will not object. He will just have to take on my beast and win.”
Kazuya burst out laughing.
Mia blinked and grinned. “Fair enough. Have some more pastry. He really outdid himself.”
Vine was eating and looking between them. “So you frolicked with the baker?”
“Yeah. He’s excellent for an early evening connection. He has to get up early.” Mia smiled. “But he finishes work early in the afternoon, so a quick nap and he’s ready to play.”
Vine grinned. “My compliments to his inspiration. Who else are regulars?”
“Oh, there’s a butcher, a cobbler, and a weaver.” Mia smiled. “I am a huge fan of the trades. There used to be a plumber and an electrician, but they have both gotten married in the last few years.”
Vine nodded. “That’s so sweet.”
“Yeah. I was at their weddings. Folks aren’t nearly as uptight about sex here as they are in the city.”
Vine grinned and leaned against Kazuya. “I have accepted the reduced clothing, and I know Kaz is a fan of it.”
His hand wrapped around her waist. “I certainly am. I did send Mao a picture of Meeda in her current outfit, though. He’s miserable.”
Mia shook her head. “Don’t tell Meeda. His emotional state is not her responsibility.”
Kazuya nodded. “I won’t. Oni alphas are arrogant, and this is something that will make him act with less conceit in the future. While he has blood to spare, she was never going to pine for him when he dismissed her.”
Akervel cocked his head. “Blood to spare?”
Mia chuckled. “Yes, if she gets pregnant, she will draw far more heavily. A second donor might be a good idea.”
Akervel looked at Kazuya. “Can we borrow him if there is a necessity?”
Kazuya laughed. “I am sure that he would consider it, but he is the general manager of my spas, so he has a job.”
Akervel chuckled. “Excellent. I will talk to Mao when I am back in town or on a video chat.”
Kazuya frowned. “Why are you so upbeat about it?”
“He swore she could come to him for blood and nothing else. I am wondering if he is willing to hold to that.”
Kazuya laughed. “He may want to renegotiate.”
“He will have to find something that Meeda wants or wishes to have.”
“Mao is an award-winning massage therapist when he puts his mind to it.”
Akervel laughed. “She might be up for that. She is very... acrobatic.”
Kazuya snickered, and Vine elbowed him.
Kazuya looked at her. “Problem?”
“Talking about her will not endear her to you or him.” Vine shrugged. “I am used to folks discussing me behind my back. It adds to my mystique as a master enchanter. Meeda’s life was... worse. She does not deserve to be talked about.”
Akervel’s expression was pure embarrassment. “You are correct. I am just a little giddy with possession of a mate for the first and only time.”
Mia smiled. “Thanks, Vine. I was getting there.”
Kazuya asked, “Mia, you don’t want a permanent mate?”
“No. I can’t as long as I am in charge of the company. It was in my contract. A mate for me surrenders the company to him, and that isn’t what our family trust had in mind.”
The two alphas and the mage stared at her. Vine whispered, “Oh, shit. Registered omega.”
They went quiet, and she smiled. “Pastry?”