2. Natalie

Chapter two

Natalie

Diana and I chat until we’re called to join the others for breakfast. I give her as many tips and tricks as I can think of, and because we don’t have reception on the island due to the magic or something, I promise to send links to some very interestingly shaped toys once we have reception again.

We enter the formal dining room and my eyes jump over all the different figures present, instantly gravitating toward Jasper, only to find his gaze already trained on me. His confident grin tells me he noticed I was looking for him—and he likes it.

That male is a snack. I’d much rather have him for breakfast.

Wordlessly, I saunter toward his side of the room, feeling his eyes like an invisible touch as they track up and down my body. I sway my hips a little more than strictly necessary, letting my short skirt bounce with the movement, hopefully enticing Jasper to glimpse more than he thought he would.

I’m not usually this blatantly obvious about my attraction to someone, but with Jasper, I’m intrigued to a point where I want to push him to his knees, throw my leg over his shoulder, and shove his face in my pussy until I come all over him.

Jasper meets me in the middle of the room and stops an arm’s length away.

“Good morning, gorgeous.” He leans forward and rolls to the balls of his feet, then rocks back on his heels, tucking his hands in his pockets.

I bite my lip and look at his wavy sandy-blond hair, my fingers itching to sink into the tousled locks around his girthy horns. I mentally bat my lusty thoughts away and settle on a neutral greeting.

“Morning. Sleep well?”

“Would’ve if I weren’t so plagued by inappropriate dreams of a certain woman,” the shameless flirt says in his deep timbre.

I trail a hand across my collarbone. “And what would make them inappropriate?” My eyes lock on his warm caramel eyes, and my pussy gets slick at the notion of him having similar thoughts about me.

Jasper’s eyes darken. “Perhaps because they weren’t just dreams, but things I actually wish to do.”

“What if this woman likes… ‘things’?” I volley back.

Jasper eyes blaze and he brings a fist to his mouth to bite down on. We keep eye contact, silently acknowledging our mutual attraction while the other people in the room mingle and make small talk.

The moment stretches between us like a tightly pulled string and my heart rate ratchets up. Jasper’s pulse throbs in his neck and his nostrils flare. For the first time, I see the monster lurking beneath his jovial personality and I swallow against a suddenly dry mouth, all moisture having traveled to my cunt.

The light morning breeze coming in through the open folding doors ruffles my skirt and tickles the backs of my thighs. It’s like all my senses are on edge. Just when I think I’m going to have to excuse myself to take care of this building tension, Adelbert clears his throat from somewhere behind me.

“Good morning, ladies and monsters. Please help yourselves to some breakfast,” Adelbert says. “We shall discuss our situation once everyone has finished eating.”

Jasper and I don’t move for a few seconds, blatantly eye fucking each other as the others go about dishing up their food.

The selkie, Erik, interrupts our staring contest with a smile evident in his tone. “Get some food, Jasper. You look hungry. And make sure Natalie gets something to eat too. Your seat is between Everett and Rollo.”

Jasper smiles blandly and nods, but doesn’t break eye contact with me. The corner of my mouth twitches when I realize neither of us want to leave this little lust bubble we’re in.

Finally, Jasper’s eyes slide closed and he takes a deep breath in through his nose. When he breathes out again, the fire in his gaze is banked and replaced with determination.

“Let’s get you some food, then we can continue… discussing things.” Jasper quirks his neck and adjusts his belt, drawing my attention to the substantial outline of his rigid cock tucked into his waistband.

My once-dry mouth waters and I avert my eyes, noticing a few smug smiles on a couple of people pretending not to be staring at us.

“After you,” I say and gesture for him to go ahead before I join the ladies on the other side of the room.

Sadie bumps me with her shoulder and fans her face dramatically. “Girl, I swear my own panties were about to catch fire from watching you and Jasper over there.”

I lean into her. “You’re one to talk. At least you’ve got all that touching going with Everett.”

Sadie smirks and whispers, “Don’t tell Adelbert, but I highly recommend doing all the touching.”

I raise my chin. “Noted. I’ll see what I can do about that.”

At the table, I’m sandwiched between Sadie and Diana on the women’s side. Jasper sits slightly across from me, just far enough out of reach that I can’t accidentally play footsie with him under the table. I am certain the seating was done with careful consideration on the males’ part, because Jamie and Jasper—the known troublemakers—are separated and buffered by calmer personalities.

Once everyone is done eating, Harvey—a minotaur—scoots over to make space for Adelbert to stand at the head of the table. I note Adelbert’s grave expression and the tight set to his shoulders. I wonder if all elves are as high-strung as him or if it’s the stress of this current situation that exacerbates things. Nevertheless, that male needs to unwind stat.

Conversations quiet down as Adelbert greets us formally. His expression is grave and I fear we’re about to get some bad news.

“After extensive research and much deliberation, I have concluded that the information needed pertaining to the marks is not available in this library, and I will therefore need to return to Alberad School for the Supernatural in Germany to scour its more comprehensive resources. The instant I find an answer to a means of dissolving the mark, I shall contact each of you. I hope to do this in an expedited manner so as to not inconvenience you or disrupt your lives any further than you have already experienced. My sincerest apologies for the events thus far.”

On our side of the table, the women freeze in their seats and the silence stretches until it’s stifling. Clearly, the males already knew what was going to be said because they don’t react strongly, only carefully watch our reactions.

Next to me, Diana tries to hide her nerves and I place a comforting hand on her bouncing leg as Adelbert continues talking.

“Due to the distance limit that has come into effect with the marks, I have determined—for the best interest of each individual present—that you shall have to remain with your partner as you leave the island and accompany each other until this matter has been resolved.”

Pandemonium breaks loose and a few of the women start talking at the same time, pointing fingers and blaming the males for something they obviously had no say in.

I look up and my eyes automatically fix on Jasper’s. There’s an apologetic grin on his face and I shrug, nodding in acceptance of what this means. It’s clear that no one planned to be magically tattooed and connected to each other with a distance bond.

Raising his voice above the noise, Adelbert interrupts the commotion. “If anyone present can provide a more feasible alternative, I would more than welcome hearing it.”

When no one speaks up with any other bright ideas, Adelbert goes around the table and hands each woman his business card so we can contact him if we have any questions or problems.

When he returns to the head of the table, Adelbert says, “For now, I will ask you to speak to your partner. You can decide between yourselves where you will live for the foreseeable future. I cannot yet provide you with a timeline, but I’m leaving today and will start my research tonight. It will be in everyone’s best interest to leave as early as convenient, for once I am not present on this estate, I cannot take responsibility for your safety.”

On my other side, Sadie looks pale and her sister, Florence, fidgets with her long blonde hair. Diana’s leg starts bouncing again and I gently lay my hand on her thigh and give it a squeeze.

Adelbert draws our attention again and holds up a finger. “Ah, before I forget, the most important element to guarantee your safety. It is imperative that you know that all the males have volunteered to swear an oath of safekeeping to you. Each oath will be tailored to the individual and his species and will be between you, him, and the fates. If you would like a witness, I will be present, or however many other witnesses you desire. At this point, I will ask you to make your way to your partner so you can start discussing your plans.”

Without waiting for any more objections, Adelbert beelines for sweet Florence, checking his watch on his way. Everett zooms over to Sadie’s seat and I quickly excuse myself to give them more space.

Jasper stands in the doorway leading to the living room and beckons me to follow him. It is like there is some kind of invisible string pulling me to him, because in the next moment I’m on my feet, all too willing to follow him just about anywhere.