“I am sorry. Did I wake you?” Odelm whispered, his palms flattening against my back.
I sat up, still straddling his lap, my legs resting on his thigh fins. The blanket slid off my shoulders to pool around my hips. His hands fell to my thighs, cupping them, thumbs rubbing in small circles. His tentacles wound loosely around my ankles.
Smiling into his pale green eyes, I said, “Yes, but it was a nice way to wake up.”
He squeezed my thighs and returned the smile. “Thank you for last night. Thank you for trusting me and accepting my bonding spore.”
I bent to drop a kiss in the middle of his chest, then glanced to the spot where Xylo had laid. He was gone. Tracing our bond thread, I saw he was in the common room.
“When did Xylo wake up?”
“A while ago. He did not want to wake you but wanted to talk to the princes. He told me accepting my bonding spore had taken a lot out of you and to let you rest.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course, Xylo had still wanted to talk to the princes about me.
“I was hoping he’d let it go after you both knew what had happened.”
Odelm searched my eyes, a fleeting smile crossing his face. “He means well. We were both worried about you—you and our cubs.”
I gasped as tears filled my eyes.
Theirs—they considered my cubs theirs. Despite their species not caring for offspring or understanding family in the way human culture did, they considered my cubs theirs—just because it was important to me.
“Are you all right?” Odelm asked, his face worried as he stroked my hair.
“Yes. It is just... what you said. Ours... You called my cubs ‘ours.’”
“That is what Xylo and I consider them. We understand what you want for our family—our clan. So, it became important to us too, as you have shown things of importance to us—my music, Xylo’s research—are important to you.”
I leaned forward, cradling his face in my hands and crushed my lips against his mouth slit. Closing my eyes, I tried to push my warm feelings about him down our bond.
His mouth opened in a gasp, allowing me entry. I lapped at the roof of his mouth and his tongue entwined with mine.
I moaned at the strong sweet-salt taste of him. He buried his hands in my hair as my hands tightened on his cheeks. I wanted him—needed him. And he was mine—now and forever.
I pulled away, panting.
My eyes traced his face, trailing down his neck to his shoulder. A bite mark on the right side—in the exact same spot I’d marked Xylo as I accepted his bonding spore—the ridges of the already-healed scar also white.
Odelm’s eyes followed my hand as I reached for his mark, lightly tracing it with my fingertip. A shiver raced through his body, and he closed his eyes, swallowing.
“Selena...”
“Odelm, you’re mine. This mark proves it. You won’t ever be alone again.”
He shuddered and opened his eyes, his pale green eyes staring into mine.
“You have given me everything I have ever wanted. I hope I can give you everything you want in return.”
“Both you and Xylo are giving me so much—”
My stomach chose that moment to interrupt, rumbling. Odelm placed his hands over it with a chuckle.
“Okay, let us give you your bath and take you to breakfast.”
I smiled. “Okay.”
“Stay here. I will be right back.”
I leaned back and closed my eyes, reveling in the comfort on the nestbed.
The sound of the bathroom door opening brought me alert. Odelm swaggered into the bedroom, smiling proudly. He helped me up out of the nestbed and led me into the bathroom. My legs were still wobbly with fatigue.
Pale purple bubbles covered the surface of the water. Taking in a deep breath, my lungs filled with a light floral scent—perfect for the moment.
“I thought you would enjoy this.”
Looking around, I replied with a smile, “I do.”
I moaned as he helped me lower myself into the warm bathtub.
“Oh Stars. I will never get used to this—or take it for granted.”
Odelm swam to my side of the enormous tub and searched through the soap baskets. He picked a purple-swirled cube, then sat next to me.
“Can I wash you?”
A giggle escaped. “Of course. You don’t need to ask.”
I gave him my back, allowing him to take the lead.
Arms wrapped around me, lifting me from the ledge. He carried me into the deep center of the bathtub, lowering me into the water. His tentacles wrapped around my arms and legs as he cradled me in his arms.
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”
Trusting him, I did.
He lowered me into the water, fully submerging me.
I kept my eyes closed and allowed the air to slowly exit my nose, listening to noises through the water. His tentacles gripped me tighter as he lifted me back to the surface.
I opened my eyes and gasped.
He carried me to the bench along the rear wall of the tub and set me down gently. Sliding his tentacles free, he allowed them to float among the bubbles on the surface. He picked up my leg and massaged it with both hands, rubbing the fragrant bubbles into my skin. A loud moan escaped at the heavenly sensation.
Odelm chuckled as he moved to my other leg.
“Odelm. If I wasn’t so hungry, you could do this to me all day long.”
His pale green eyes met my own. “I am glad I please you.”
“You have some magic fingers,” I confessed. “It must be the dexterity required for your music.”
“Turn around. Let me use my magic fingers on your hair and back.”
I smiled and turned obediently, presenting my back. He scooped up a handful of bubbles and placed them on my head. Combing his fingers through my hair, he worked the soap into it.
Odelm placed his hands on my shoulders and whispered into my ear, “Lean back. Let me rinse your hair.”
A shiver went
