63. Jasmine

63

JASMINE

" I will," Ell-rom whispered. "As soon as I can."

Jasmine wanted to kick herself.

He'd just told her that he loved her, and all she could say in return was that he needed to make her immortal.

Talk about lame and unromantic.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her arms and wound them around his neck. "I love you too, and I wouldn't change a thing about you. I'm not in a rush, so don't feel pressured. It will happen when the Fates want it to happen."

It was still a lame love declaration, but he had taken her by surprise, and she hadn't had a nicely articulated and romantic speech prepared.

Jasmine had recited words of love in many plays, and she had even been moved by some, but now that she knew what love felt like, none of them could adequately express what was in her heart.

Ell-rom nodded. "I know, but I want to be who you need me to be. I don't want to keep you waiting."

She lifted on her toes and kissed him lightly on the lips. "You already are who I need you to be. You are kind, smart, and you love me. The rest will come, and I don't mind the wait. All good things are worth waiting for." She took his hand. "Let's see that bathroom, shall we?"

After exploring the bathing chamber with its luxurious shower and soaking tub, Jasmine led Ell-rom back to the living room.

"Would you like some coffee?" she asked as he parked the walker next to one of the couches. '"We have the benefit of the kitchen being right here, so I don't have to go anywhere to make it. That alone is worth the move."

She sounded a little nervous, even to herself.

This was a shift to a new environment, and she didn't know how well they would adjust to it.

"I would love some, thank you."

The low couch did not lend itself to someone with weak leg muscles, and Ell-rom sat down with marked effort.

Heading toward the kitchen, Jasmine heard the front door open, and as she turned to see who it was, Margo entered with Frankie and Gabi right behind her, all three carrying shopping bags.

A smile spread across her face. "You're back early." She walked over to greet them.

"We got tired of the crowds." Margo dropped her bags by the entry door, embraced Jasmine, and then turned, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Ell-rom. "You must be the prince. Look at you."

Ell-rom rose to his feet, trying to hide how difficult it was for him, and gripped the handles of his walker.

As he headed toward them, Jasmine had a moment of panic, realizing that her friends didn't have the earpieces in.

It wasn't that she was afraid Ell-rom would suddenly discover his compulsion power, but it was a security breach, and Kian would be livid if he found out.

She had to make sure he never did.

"You need to put the earpieces in," she told Margo. "Ell-rom only speaks Kra-ell."

Margo's eyes widened. "Crap, I forgot." She reached into her purse, pulled out the devices, and put them in her ear.

Frankie and Gabi did the same, and by the time Ell-rom made it to where they were standing, they all had the earpieces in.

At least they had the presence of mind to keep the devices in their purses and not somewhere in their rooms. They hadn't known that she would bring Ell-rom to the penthouse so early. He had been supposed to be napping after his hydrotherapy session.

"Ell-rom, these are my friends, Margo, Frankie, and Gabi."

"Hello." He smiled. "I've heard a lot about you. Thank you for accompanying your mates and mine on the search for my pod." He dipped his head. "I owe each of you a life debt for saving me and my sister from an imminent death."

None of them had noticed that he had called Jasmine his mate, perhaps because they had all assumed it already, but Jasmine's heart did a little happy flutter.

Margo waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, don't be silly. We joined it only because it was an all-expenses-paid trip to Tibet." She offered him her hand. "You look amazing. I'm so glad that you are getting better."

"Yeah," Frankie said, giving Ell-rom an appraising look. "Hard to believe that you looked like a corpse only ten days ago."

"Frankie!' Gabi admonished. "That was rude." She turned to Ell-rom with a bright smile. "The doctors have done an amazing job. You look so healthy!"

Regrettably, Frankie had been the honest one.

While Ell-rom looked good in clothes, Jasmine knew the reality underneath. He was still painfully thin, with his ribs not only visible beneath his pale skin but actually sticking out. The memory of Julian and Bridget's concerned expressions each day when they weighed him flashed through her mind.

Being vegan and a finicky eater wasn't helping things, and she made a mental note to discuss protein shakes with the doctors. Perhaps that would help Ell-rom gain weight faster.

"Let's sit down," Margo said. "My feet are killing me after all the shopping. I can't wait to take my shoes off."

"Yeah, me too," Frankie joined in an equally exaggerated tone.

They must have noticed how difficult it was for Ell-rom to remain standing and were making it look like it was them who needed to take the weight off their feet.

When all of them were seated, there was a moment of awkward silence, and then Ell-rom asked, "Where are Aru and his friends? Are they still working on the salvaged parts of the pod?"

"I hope not," Gabi said. "They were supposed to pick up the food from the Golden Dragon."

As the conversation shifted to the descriptions of the dishes Margo had ordered and which of them Ell-rom could eat, Jasmine's thoughts drifted to the bedroom and the big bed in the middle that had made Ell-rom nervous.

He probably expected her to initiate sex, and even though she was very much on board for that, she was worried that he wasn't physically ready yet. Maybe they could take things slow and explore each other but save the main event for when he was in better health.

Heck, maybe she could introduce him to porn so he wouldn't feel like such a clueless novice? Not the cringey stuff that guys like to watch, but the romantic stuff she enjoyed, with actual plot and conversation and not just bodies going at it.

Nah, that was probably a bad idea.

What if he became addicted to it, and it would all be her fault for corrupting the innocent, virginal former priest?

She'd seen how it affected some guys, warping their expectations and attitudes. Ell-rom needed a gentler introduction to sexuality.

The sound of the door opening again pulled Jasmine back to the present.

Aru entered, followed by Negal and Dagor. They were laden with bags from the Golden Dragon, but even without the insignia on the paper bags, the aroma of Chinese food was unmistakable.

Suddenly, it occurred to her that Ell-rom might get nauseated by the smell, and she cast him a quick glance, but he seemed fine, smiling at Aru, who he had met before.

"Ell-rom!" Aru exclaimed, walking over and offering Ell-rom his hand. "You look much improved. How are you feeling?"

Jasmine was relieved to see that all three had their earpieces in.

Ell-rom smiled and shook the god's hand. "Much better, thank you. Supposedly, I'm making good progress, but I wish it was happening faster. I'm impatient." He smiled. "I also wish I had the strength to greet you standing up."

"No worries, my friend. We understand." He motioned for his companions to step forward. "These are my teammates, Negal and Dagor."

"Pleased to meet you," Ell-rom said as he shook Negal's offered hand and then Dagor's.

"I have many questions about Anumati," Ell-rom said. "I was hoping you could tell me about it."

"Hold that thought," Margo interrupted. "Let's get this food sorted out first before it gets cold. There'll be plenty of time for questions over dinner."

"Oh, damn." Jasmine shot to her feet. "I forgot to bring Ell-rom's special meal from the clinic."

"No worries," Aru cut in with a smile. "Margo reminded me to pick up Ell-rom's dinner on the way."