Chapter Seven #2
Meeda and Akervel walked into the square with Mia. Meeda stared at Harper and grinned. Harper waved, realizing that they couldn’t see Piper from their vantage point.
Temal was holding Piper carefully and speaking to her softly.
Piper grinned at Harper. “Temal was just telling me that they are in deep-water retrieval and geology.”
“All words you enjoy.”
Piper chuckled, and the sound got the attention of all the interested alphas around her.
Yeskin looked at Piper and then Harper. “How is it that she isn’t mated already?”
Harper grinned. “As much as she can attract, she can also turn it off.”
He grinned. “But she didn’t turn it off for us.”
“I misspoke. She would turn you off, if you get my drift.”
Harper turned her head. “Thanks for dinner, Tez. I am going to go chat with a bird and a whatever the hell it is.”
He reached out and grabbed her wrist. “What? No. I need you.”
“Too bad you invited perverts to come out here and irritate me. Too bad you had plans to take lovers of your own once I was pregnant.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“And yet, when I told you what I needed, you looked appalled. Did you even speak to Antonio, Amble, or Dell? They are the most successful breeding pod with a wilding in history.” She grabbed his hand and began to heat it up.
His eyes went wide, and he pulled his hand back. “What the hell? You burned me.”
She grinned. “I told you. There are extras. Not just a fuck toy.”
Tez leaned back. “I wanted to bring you home.”
“And Skyler was way too enthusiastic about being in my bed. I am never going to be near him again.” She got to her feet. “I am going to talk to Meeda and Akervel for a bit. She spoke very highly of him.”
Tez was sitting and staring after her.
* * * *
Piper sighed. “Well, you fucked that up.”
She was enjoying the feeling of Temal around her as he stroked her arms and rubbed his head against hers. These two were right, and the large twisting serpents on her back proved it.
Tez looked at her and growled. “Shut up.”
“Nope. Wildlings are fluffy bunnies of the altered betas. Their bodies are geared for pregnancy after pregnancy. If you think that doesn’t come with a cost that pulls from her body and soul, you are deluded.
She doesn’t just have children; she needs an alpha or multiples that will make sure that the delicate bunny is guarded, fed, and cherished for her efforts.
Forest lords have an issue with that. You are just fuck ‘em and walk on. Wildlings need more to be successful and survive.” Piper glanced over.
“I think she has a better chance of living with the hydra and bird head.”
Temal chuckled.
Tez stiffened. “Why are you laughing? Your mate is a whore who just dropped in your laps.”
Piper smirked. “Whore? I have never charged for it or exchanged goods and services. I am more of the type of girl who got the mark, realized there would be two of them wrapped around me, and learned to stretch. I like to get ahead of things.”
Yeskin coughed slightly and gave her a burning look. “Stretch?”
“You heard me. I am not into pain or prolonged discomfort. I tried to build in a head start, so to speak.”
Temal nodded. “It will be appreciated, but now we need to discuss the disrespect you were offered.”
She smiled sweetly and looked at Tez. He was exhibiting quite a bit of his prey expressions suddenly.
“Oh, and I can also do that thing with my hands and heat.” She held her hand out, palm up, and flames danced. “So don’t think that close counts.”
Tez flinched and nodded. “This isn’t going the way that I thought.” He got up and left.
Piper sighed. “I guess I am getting the bill.”
Yeskin chuckled. “I can manage it. This is a very exciting night. We placed in the top five in the run, and we appear to have found a mate.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I always hated that word. I prefer partner.”
Temal lifted his head, his eyes glowing silver. “Vrskana.”
Yeskin nodded. “That is good. Vrskana.”
Piper focused, and she closed her eyes. They opened with a snap. “Dragon lover?”
Temal blinked. “You speak our language?”
“No, but I can understand it, so watch your tone.” She looked up at him and beamed.
The music started, and she sighed. She wanted to dance, but the couples were already on the floor.
She looked around to where Harper was sitting with Meeda and Meeda’s pleasantly surprised expression. It was always funny when Harper went social. She was the brooding artist type.
The music picked up, and the couples started to rock together. Piper sighed.
Temal asked, “Did you want to dance?”
“Yes, please.”
He got to his feet, and Yeskin paid the tab. Temal carried her down to the dance floor and let her legs slide down until she was on her toes and leaning on him.
The music was sweet and slow with a heavy beat. When Yeskin bracketed her in, she smiled as they started to sway. She reached up and back, touching his neck as they moved with the others on the dance floor. Piper smiled as more threesomes began to appear. They looked relieved not to be singled out.
She smiled and glanced at the DJ. He met her gaze, and the music got heavier and thicker, and the folks on the dance floor moved together with purpose.
Temal growled. “You are doing that?”
“Part of it. They are doing the rest.” She smiled as they got closer and slid together.
Yeskin leaned down and asked, “What are we allowed tonight?”
“Touch, digital penetration, lots of cuddling, and kissing until my lips go numb.” She smiled. She looked up at Temal. “So since I am sharing a room with Harper, it might be less fun than you think.”
Yeskin laughed. “We are staying on our vessel in the harbour.”
“Vessel?”
Temal chuckled. “Deep sea salvage. We can do it without much equipment.”
“Does it smell like fish?” She raised her brows.
Yeskin laughed. “It does not. It is a very nice vessel.”
Temal nodded as they swayed. “It has a lovely deck and staff who assist with meal prep, as I am not great at it, even after all this time.”
She chuckled and looked up at Yeskin. He smirked. “I eat in the ocean.”
Piper nodded. “So what I am hearing is pack snacks.”
Temal laughed. “You are the pack snack.”
“Oh, that’s cute.” Piper laughed.
Yeskin chuckled. “We think so.”
“Can either of you see my sister?”
They both said, “Yes.”
“Is she dancing?”
“Yes. With the Horus, to use your terms.”
“Good. I was worried that she wouldn’t get the nerve up to agree to it.”
“He did pick her up and just set her on the dance floor.”
Piper laughed brightly. “That seems more like it.”
“The hydra is laughing. Meeda and Akervel are covering their mouths, trying not to laugh.”
“Oh. This is cool. Like a periscope.”
Yeskin’s hands were wrapped around her, pulling her against him.
“Unless you guys mate by conjugation, you can ease up a little.”
Temal chuckled. “I think he wants to make sure you aren’t going to get away.”
“I can’t fly, and my swimming is mid, so I am pretty sure you could catch me if I ran.”
Yeskin made a growl so low she felt it in her bones. “Please run, maiden.”
She froze and looked up at both of them. “I thought you were serpents.”
They looked down at her with glowing eyes. Temal smiled. “We are. Sort of.”
Yeskin chuckled. “Sort of. It was maiden that gave us away, was it?”
She focused on his broad features. “Yeah. There are a few key words that alphas use that are clues. That is a huge one.”
She felt their stillness. “We have stopped dancing.”
Temal said, “You have stopped dancing. We are just supporting your weak knees.”
She laughed and sighed. “My knees never go weak.”
Yeskin leaned down and pressed a kiss to her neck, a tumble of cool fire moving down her skin. He rumble-whispered, “How about now?”
She grinned. “Keep trying.”
His eyes flared, and he grinned. “Challenge accepted.”
She laughed as Temal lifted her and walked off the dance floor, pausing near Harper. “If Serin needs us, we will be available in the morning.”
Harper paused and laughed. “Will you be walking in the morning, Piper?”
“Yup. Ground rules are in place. I might be chafed but not split.”
Temal groaned.
Yeskin laughed.
Piper swung her legs.
Harper frowned. “Where will you be?”
Yeskin said, “We have a ship in the harbour.”
Harper sighed. “The name?”
Temal grinned. “The Deep Dive.”
Yeskin grinned as well.
Piper rubbed a temple. “Well, there is foreshadowing.”
Harper laughed. “I need you at nine, fed and dressed.”
“You’ve got it.” Yeskin rumbled. “We will even braid her hair.”
There was laughter from a few nearby dark elves, including the man holding Harper.
She sighed, and Harper reached out to squeeze her hand. “Save your voice. We might need it for harmony.”
Piper looked at Temal and Yeskin. “I will try. Today. You get one night, Harper.”
“Yeah, I know you are loud. I just want you to save a teeny bit of voice.”
“Yeah, yeah. I will try to keep it quiet. Don’t want to scare the fish or the dragons.”
Harper grinned. “Which one has the flashlight?”
“Surprisingly, Temal.”
“Wow. With that voice, I was sure it was Yeskin.”
Yeskin chuckled. “I am the ghost.”
“Colour me shocked. Okay. Nine tomorrow. Meet me at the bed and breakfast.”
“Yup. Start on the designs, and I will blank the petals out for you tomorrow.”
Harper grinned. “Thanks for the homework.”
“No problem. I guard my voice, and you keep your fingers busy. Have a nice evening.”
Temal laughed and carried her away from the dance floor. The surprising collection of dark elves was congratulating Temal and Yeskin as they walked.
Piper smirked. “And they haven’t even seen me dance.”
Temal carried her to the shore, and then both he and Yeskin glided along the surface toward a grey vessel that looked yachty to Piper’s eyes. Probably didn’t smell of fish.
She watched the water slide past, and then their glide ended up on the deck, where folks jumped into the water and onto attached jet skis. Harper was the one who was used to the islands. Piper was still learning and spent most of her time in the workshop.