“Huh?” she asked, mimicking his confusion from earlier as his words created havoc in her undies.
“I bet that’s what you would taste like.” The whisper came from lips that were barely touching her neck. Ghosting over the nerves there as he teased her without mercy. “Honey.”
“Gah!” she groaned, wanting to stomp her feet. “We can’t, Sparx. We promised Rue we’d be there. Hoes before bros—err—or the other way around. I can’t remember how it goes.”
“She’s your ho and I’m your bro?” he asked, climbing off her carefully to stand up.
Lucy winced as she saw him adjust the large erection he had under his pants, her hands itching to help take care of the problem.
“I guess?” Lucy moved off the bed before she could get lured back in by the sex god she’d mated, trying not to stare at the temptation in front of her.
“I don’t like that.” Sparx shook his head. “I do not have any type of brotherly affection for you at all.”
“Ewww. Thank God.” Lucy tossed up a quick thanks to the universe for that blessing as he picked her up to carry her to their destination.
“Now Rue, on the other hand,” he continued, as they walked out the door and turned left. “I would not be against being bros with her. If that were the case, though, and she was my bro, then that would make you my ho.”
His announcement was met with laughter from behind them.
Lucy didn’t need to look behind his shoulder to see who was following them. Instead, she stuck out the middle finger on the hand that was draped behind his back.
“You’re his ho,” Rue laughed, following behind them with Colby as her escort. She snorted a few times, trying to only stop herself for a moment before giving into full belly laughs.
“Shaddup.” Lucy glared at Rue, taking a quick break to nod at Colby. “Hey.”
“How are you this evening, Lady Lucy?” Colby’s question was met with stunned silence for one long moment before both women burst into laughter.
“Holy shit, Goose!” Rue chortled, leaning against the cave tunnel wall for support. “Lady Goose! I can’t even—”
“That is weird,” Lucy agreed, laughing as well, although not nearly as hard as Rue. “And stop calling me Goose.” She tilted her nose in the air. “I’m a lady now.”
“Bahahahahahahah,” Rue brayed, waving away Colby when he walked forward to help her stand where she was now slumped on the hall floor.
“She might be like this for a while,” Lucy said, rolling her eyes. “Let’s go ahead and head to the dining hall. Chuckles over there can catch up when she’s calmed down a bit.”
“If you’re sure,” Sparx said, nodding at Colby. “Bring her to the dining hall for her formal introduction—” He paused when Rue began laughing even harder. “Once she’s calmed down.”
Colby nodded, agreeing even as he looked overwhelmed with the task.
“Good luck,” Lucy said to Colby, raising her voice to be heard over the snickers pouring from Rue where she was still unable to control her mirth. “The last time she had a case of the giggles like this was during jury duty last year.”
“Oh c’mon, Goose!” Rue yell-cackled after them as Sparx carried Lucy away. “Sorry. I mean, Lady Goose.”
“She really needs to forget that nickname,” Lucy muttered, unable to stop the smile her psycho friend prompted.
“I can order her to not use it any longer.”
Sparx’s offer earned him a huge hug and smacking kiss on the cheek before he even knew what hit him.
“God, I love you.”
She froze at the words that had slipped out naturally on their own.
Sparx froze as well, the heavy steps of his boots as he carried her stopping suddenly at her announcement.
After a moment, Sparx turned his head to look straight into her eyes.
With his arms tight around her, he did nothing more than stare at her for a moment before licking his lips nervously.
“You are my heart, Lucy.”
Leaning her head against his chest, she rested against the beat she heard there. Here, in his arms, was her future.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sparx looked at where his mate was sitting, talking to the other volunteers. Even though she was surrounded by women, he was the only one she actually saw.
They had only a few moments to themselves before Rue and Colby had come across them in the tunnels after exchanging their declarations of love. Not nearly long enough for Sparx to tell Lucy all that was in his heart. His hopes for the future. Not only for them but also their city. His dreams for Djaromir and his worries. Worries that, even now, caused him to be vigilant.
The worries that came with having a human mate.
His eyes fell to the stone where her ankle was propped up.
She hadn’t even been on Djaromir for a full cycle yet and she’d already been injured. Of course, it wasn’t a serious injury, but it had happened all the same. She’d been hurt, and he’d been unable to prevent it. What if something like this happened in the future and he wasn’t there to keep her safe. What if it was even worse and she lost a limb—or even her life.
Panic filled him at the direction his thoughts were spiraling.
“Sir,” Colby interrupted the nightmare-like scenarios he was creating in his head.
“Yes?” he asked, not looking away from the object of his obsession.
“I’ve gotten word from Warlord Matrix that the cities of Gunninng and Hamuir send congratulations on your mating. He hopes that you are enjoying your time with your new mate.” Colby blushed and leaned forward. “He also said some other things, but I explained I wouldn’t be saying them because you’d kill me if I did.”
“I’m sure he did,” Sparx chuckled, tearing his eyes
