16. Chapter Sixteen

MEKHI

After two weeks of learning everything there is to possibly know about plants, my time has finally come. Tonight, I'm becoming fae.

It feels like my heart is pounding out of my chest, a nervous fluttering threatening to consume me. I'm used to casting spells, brewing potions, whittling knives. But this … this is different. This is irreversible, a leap into an entirely different species where my mortality will be stripped away and replaced with immortality.

I pause in the bathroom mirror, taking in my reflection one last time as a witch. Brown hair. Hazel eyes. Thick eyebrows and a strong jaw. My gaze travels past my puka shell necklace I always wear, and to the large scar bisecting my chest, compliments of my late Uncle Blain.

My hands run over the rough, raised skin of my scar. This is the body I know. The body of a witch, a mortal human.

I sigh heavily, shaking off the nerves and stripping down to my bare skin. I take a step back and allow myself to admire my physique one last time. The muscles I've honed from years of physical training, the intricate lines of tattoos etched on my arms, each one representing a spell I mastered last summer, as well as storied moments of my past; my late parents, triumph over finally being free of my uncle, Rose's family taking me in, and the love that bloomed between us. The faded mark on my left wrist, a memento from my first summoning gone wrong.

These are all my battle scars. Some bittersweet, some the best moments of my life, and others, incredibly painful. I inhale deeply, pulling in the scent of my own sweat and the faint smell of magic that seemed to permeate me at all times, a scent that would soon become stronger, more potent. A tingle of anticipation spreads from my core, working its way outwards.

A quiet knock sounds on the bathroom door. That doesn't usually happen in this house unless Bennett is home.

"Yeah?"

"You okay?" Rose's voice, anxious and soft, seeps through the wooden barrier. I hesitate before answering.

My breath hitches at seeing her looking so vulnerable.

"Just preparing myself."

Her eyes trail down my chest and to my body. "Naked?"

I chuckle, pulling her into the bathroom and shutting the door. "Knew you were coming." I press my lips to her forehead.

"Mmm, is that so?" Rose's eyes twinkle with laughter as she takes a step back to look me over. Her gaze snags on my chest, and the light in her eyes dims as she surveys my scar. Her fingers come up to trace it, and I tremble under her touch. "I'm going to bring that bastard back just so I can kill him again."

"Don't do that. I take comfort knowing he's in Aggonid's realm where he belongs, being tortured for eternity."

She wraps her arms around my waist, resting her forehead against mine. "I'm going to miss this." Her chin trembles, and her eyes turn glassy as she looks me in the eye.

This is our thing.

I'm pretty tall for a witch, but much shorter than fae males. This will be the last time Rose and I can press our foreheads together without strain. It's a small change, but it feels significant.

"I'm gonna miss it, too," I admit, my own voice choked with emotion. "But right now I'm mortal. I could stay a witch and gain immortality, but that means I couldn't ascend with you. We have no other choice."

"Then we'll make the most of it while it lasts," she murmurs. Her fingers trace the line of my jaw, causing my pulse to pick up. The blue that colors her cheeks deepens. She steps back, her hand still lingering on me, as if she couldn't quite bring herself to break contact. She strokes the roundness of my ears. "I've cataloged every scar you've ever borne. Traced my lips across every mark on your body. I want you to know that I have never, not once, thought of you as anything less because you're mortal. You becoming fae doesn't mean you're becoming better; you're becoming permanent, and I can't say no to that. It's selfish of me, I know, but I want what I want. And that's you, for eternity."

Her chin juts out proudly as her skin fades to its normal tan.

"And I want you, Rose," I say, my tone firm, betraying no uncertainty. "I've considered every option, every possible outcome. And in each one, it's always you."

As the silence stretches out between us, I see her eyes well up again. A single tear rolls down her cheek, her lower lip quivering, as she bites down on it to stifle her emotions. I reach out and gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her pointed ear, reassuring her with a soft caress.

"Make love to me?" she whispers. "Please?"

I step into her, taking her chin in mine. "Baby, you never, ever have to ask. The answer is always yes."

In a swift motion that highlights the fae-like grace she possesses, Rose wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me into a kiss. Her lips are soft against mine, eager but not desperate, sure of the love we share. This is not a goodbye kiss; this is an affirmation, a promise that even the death of my mortality cannot separate us.

The world blurs into nothingness as I surrender to her, the only reality being the smoothness of her skin, the warmth of her lips, the intoxicating scent of her hair. Slowly, I strip her of her T-shirt before sliding off her pajama bottoms. I lift her off the ground, our bodies entwining in mid-air, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. Using magic to open the door, I carry her across the hall, ignoring the loud interest of her other mates who catch us stumbling towards the bedroom. Tossing up a locking charm, I carry her gently to the bed, laying her down with a tenderness born of a thousand stolen moments. Her skin glows against the satin sheets as she gazes up at me, her ocean eyes filled with love and need.

I allow my hands to explore her body, tracing the curves of her hips, the ridges of her ribs, the swell of her breasts. I marvel at the feel of her.

"Always you," I echo, my hand dipping to the apex of her thighs.

Her breath hitches as my fingers find their mark, her body twitching in response. A sweet gasp escapes her lips, a melody to my ears. I lean down, capturing her mouth with mine, swallowing her moans as my hand continues its exploration.

She arches her back, her fingers finding purchase in my hair as she tugs me closer. I can feel the thrum of her pulse beneath my touch, the desire simmering just beneath the surface of her skin. My name, uttered as a prayer, slips from her lips as I bring her to release.

Before she even has a chance to come down from it, I'm sliding into her, slow and languid as the summer evening unfurling beyond our window. She gasps, a sound that's half pain and half pleasure, lost within the confines of our sanctuary as I bury myself deep within her. Her eyes flutter shut, her brows knotting together in a wrinkle of concentration as she adjusts to me.

I give her time, watching as she inhales and exhales slowly, her chest heaving under mine. Feather-light, I trace the length of her neck with my lips, planting soft kisses from her collarbone to her jawline. The taste of her skin is intoxicating, like the sweetest sin.

"Okay?"

"Yes, just grappling with the fact you're probably going to be bigger as fae."

I grin down at her. "I'm certainly not going to complain." It's a good thing her body heals itself when she's hurt, thanks to her luna order.

Her fingers sketch patterns across my back, sending shivers skittering along my spine. We move together, our bodies perfectly in sync, the world narrowing to just one focus: her.

Her eyes flutter open, and I'm caught in the storm of her gaze–swirling hues of a sea after the storm–beautiful, haunting, and infinitely captivating. I thrust gently, my movements slower than time itself as I bask in the pleasure of being one with her, of being allowed this sacred privilege.

She locks her legs around my waist, quiet pleas on her lips as she cries for more. Her hands trail down my back, her fingers digging into my skin, the sharpness of her nails only pushing me further.

She looks like a goddess in this moment—transcendent, untouchable—and yet she allows me to touch her, to trace the outline of her fae form, to worship at the altar of her divinity. I am perennially in awe of her, of the way she surrenders herself to me, of the trust gleaming in those pretty eyes.

"Time's up!" A loud knock sounds at the bedroom door. "Chaos is here!" Jax's shouts echo through the room, the spell broken as abruptly as it was woven.

"Five minutes!" Rose calls out from under me, and I offer her an affronted look. She winces. "Ten!"

"You're not leaving this bedroom until I've given you at least two more orgasms," I counter with a smirk, daring her to argue with me.

The corners of her mouth lift up. Before I can get a chance to wonder why she's grinning at me, she hooks her ankles behind my calves and, using her fae strength, rolls us so she's on top of me. "Then I guess we'd better fuck and not make love."

"We can do both?—"

Her hips roll against mine and she silences my argument with a passionate kiss, her tongue dueling with mine for dominance.

It's no secret I'm much weaker as a mortal, and when Rose fucks, she does so like it's the last time she'll ever do it: hard, fast, and with the kind of ruthless intensity you've got to hold on for.

Her hands are in my hair, pulling my head back, her lips searing a trail down my neck, marking me. Her face is in mine for a brief moment, and I catch a glimpse of a feral look in her eyes before her dainty fangs slide from her mouth and she descends on my neck.

The bite isn't painful, it's tantalizing, erotic—a surge of pleasure that arcs down my spine and floods my senses. A groan rumbles in my throat. Her fangs, diminutive yet potent, are welcome. I want her to mark me, and as soon as I'm fae, I'll do it to her in turn.

Her body moves rhythmically against mine, her skin hot and slick with a thin layer of sweat. Her brown hair spills down her front in loose waves, brushing my chest, tickling my skin.

Rose bucks hard against me, her pussy squeezing my cock like a vise as she lets out a low groan. She rides out her orgasm, but I don't let her come down from it before my fingers are rubbing her clit, thrusting her back into pleasure's throes. She throws her head back and my name spills from her lips like a whispered prayer, a sacred oath that sends proud triumph echoing through my veins.

"Say it again," I murmur against her ear. My hands slide down the small of her back, tracing the curve of her hips. I'm almost there.

"Mekhi," she pants, her voice ragged and sweet.

A surge of arousal shoots through me, and I buck into her, my primal grunts muffled by the crook of her neck where I bury my face. The climax leaves me spent, shattered, my chest heaving against her body as I struggle to find my breath.

A single droplet of my blood lingers on the edge of her lips, and I'm mesmerized by the way she quickly flicks out her tongue to consume it.

"If you aren't out here in thirty seconds, Chaos said he's teaching us how to dismantle this locking charm!" Jax calls from the hallway.

Rose gently pulls away, eyes warm. "Destiny awaits." She grins at me.

I watch as she slips out of bed with a fluid grace, her skin still glowing with the remnants of our shared pleasure. I can't resist watching her dress, every inch of her body screaming perfection in my eyes. She catches me staring and flashes me that teasing grin, the one that promises more wicked pleasures to come.

Slowly, I climb to my feet and put on clothes. Before I can let her leave the room, I pull her into another embrace, resting my forehead against hers.

"I will love you in every form and in every life. You are a part of me, now and always," I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

Her eyes flutter closed, and she buries her face in my chest for a moment longer before stepping back and motioning towards the door. "As I will you, in all of yours. Now let's go get our destiny."

"You're going to love it," Deakan grins over at me when we enter the Sanctuary courtyard a few minutes later, joined by the whole family. His blond hair falls into his eyes, and he brushes it away. "We're powerful as fuck."

"I know." I glance at Rose, waggling my eyebrows. Her skin glows its beautiful blue. Not because she's horny, healing, or hurting, but because we're under the strength of Bedlam's multiple moons.

Her cheeks flush an even deeper blue, and Jax playfully nudges her with his elbow.

"Do we know what his fae order will be?" Deakan turns towards Chaos, who towers over us all in the center of Sanctuary's courtyard. "I vote he be an incubus."

"That's not a half bad idea." I shrug, eyeing the god. I'll be powered up all the time, just living off our family's arousal. Especially as Rose tends to lounge in next to nothing when Bennett isn't home.

Chaos sighs. "Fate decides. We don't."

My eyes find the fountain at the center of the courtyard. It's cool, with all sorts of fae orders carved into its sides. Which one will I be? Part of me hopes I'll be a luna fae like Rose and Bennett. Though it'd be cool as fuck to be a dragon or a lion. I just hope it's nothing lame like a mouse or something. While the only one I know—Penelope—is pretty cool, it's still lame. I want to be gigantic.

"Will this … will this hurt him?" Rose bites her lip, looking to Chaos with pinched brows.

"Not for long."

She winces, facing me now, but before she can speak, I try to assuage her.

"I'm ready, Rose," I assure her, caressing her face gently. She hesitates, then sighs in acceptance, before turning to look at Chaos with pleading eyes.

"Please make sure he's safe," she requests, and the god gives her a solemn nod.

Turning back to me, she presses a warm kiss on my lips, and I savor the moment. This is the last time I'll kiss her as a mortal, so I take my time, feeling the pressure of her lips against mine, her warmth radiating through me. She pulls away slowly, a trace of sadness lingering in her gaze as she touches a tentative hand to my cheek.

"In every form," she whispers, so only I can hear.

"For eternity."

Standing in the center of the courtyard with the jungle enclosing us, I prepare myself for the transformation that Chaos promised. He stands before me, arms lifted as if summoning the elements themselves. The tinkling water and nocturnal animals serve as the lyrical backdrop to our evening.

The words are powerful and commanding as he announces, "Mekhi, your heart has chosen this path. Now, let the essence of the fae remake you."

The night air around us crackles with magic, visible currents of energy spiraling from his fingers, enveloping me in a vortex of light and force. The water from the nearby fountain echoes the upheaval, its surface agitated and swirling in response to the powerful magic.

As the power of transformation engulfs me, I'm driven to my knees by its intensity. A pain like I've never known unmoors me. The ground seems to shift beneath me as agony sweeps through every nerve. I can't suppress a scream, and it pierces the silence of the night.

Time dilates, stretching each moment into an eternity as the transformation rewrites my very essence. The pain peaks, unbearable and all-consuming, and just as I reach my limit, it starts to wane. The harsh energy that ravaged my body softens into a gentle thrum, filling me with newfound strength and vitality. Every movement feels heightened and amplified under the influence of this raw power.

I find myself on all fours, gasping for air, my palms pressing into the cool earth. The pain recedes completely, replaced by a vibrant energy pulsating within me, the life force of the fae.

Chaos's voice reaches me again, now soothing and steady. "Rise, Mekhi of the fae. Witness the world anew."

I can understand why Jax thinks he's always showboating. It's because he is, but now I've felt this kind of power through my veins? I don't blame him. He's infinitely more powerful, and I've only got a teaspoon's worth compared to his.

He is Source.

With an effort, I stand, feeling a noticeable increase in my stature, each movement imbued with fluid strength. I test my new form, stepping forward, each motion more assured than the last.

My clothes are too small. With every move, the fabric strains and stretches, the occasional snap of a button or seam giving way under the pressure.

"The gift of the fae is yours," Chaos declares, observing me with a satisfied nod. "Go on, see how it feels."

The sounds of the night are now sharper, a fugue of the wild, each note clear and full-bodied. I'm transformed, not just in body, but in soul.

The first thing that hits me isn't the crispness of the stars or the depth of the shadows—it's the vividness of Rose's eyes. Suddenly, the blue in them isn't just blue; it's a burst of tropical seas and lapis lazuli, every fleck and pigment distinct and luminous. Even from a distance, the tiny silver specks around her irises are visible, sparkling like miniature, metallic suns.

I blink, astounded, and turn my gaze away, only to be struck by the complexity of the world around me. The leaves on the jungle trees are no longer merely green blurs but intricate canvases of veins and droplets of dew, each one shimmering under the moonlight like delicate pieces of art. The bark of the trees is a patchwork of textures, each groove and ridge telling its own ancient story.

Even the air feels different as I draw it into my lungs; it's richer, filled with the scents of sodden earth and jungle flora, which previously would have mingled into one indistinguishable earthy aroma. Now, I can separate each scent, identify each floral note as if I'm holding the flowers right beneath my nose.

I look down at the ground and see the minute insects crawling over the soil, their tiny bodies crystal clear. I can count the segments on a nearby war ant's body, watch a lava beetle's wings flutter with an almost imperceptible tremor.

Have they always been able to see, hear, and feel like this?

Turning back to Rose, I step closer, my new height adding a layer of confidence. Maybe a little extra swagger. Her features are even more striking up close, every emotion flickering across her face as clear as if she's speaking them aloud. It's overwhelming, this new sensory world, but exhilarating, too.

With each breath, each look, I feel more connected to this land, to the very essence of my new existence. It's as if I've been reborn, and every cell in my body sings with the possibilities of what I can now perceive and accomplish.

It's like I've been holding onto a single strand of magic all this time, and now I've been given a vast, pulsating river that flows endlessly through me.

"Hi," Rose says, a soft smile playing on her lips as she steps closer. The hue of her skin deepens as her eyes flicker over my new form. It feels like I'm being viewed for the first time, assessed, and accepted all at once.

"Hey," I reply, my voice sounding strange in my ears. Deep, and rich. This is such a mindfuck.

Rose reaches out a tentative hand to stroke my ears, the tips of which have sharpened to a fine point, a characteristic of my newfound fae nature. Her brows furrow as she traces each, the deftness of her fingers causing a ripple of pleasure to surge through me.

"Fuck," I breathe. "That feels good."

She grins at me before she launches herself in my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist so she can press her forehead to mine.

I knew she was stunning. But gods, I didn't have the eyesight to appreciate it to the fullest until now. "You're so fucking beautiful."

She throws her head back and laughs. If I could capture the sound, I'd be the richest fae in history. "Just wait ‘til you look in the mirror, handsome."

"How is it fair that he got even hotter?" Deakan whispers to Kieran, and I whip my head towards him. "Now, I'm no longer the hottest mate. Can we change him back?"

"I heard that."

He grins at me and shrugs. "It's true. You should look at yourself."

"In a minute," I reply with a grin of my own. I press my lips to Rose's, gently easing her back as I whisper, "One sec."

She steps back, nodding in understanding.

I then turn and stride over to Chaos, feeling more confident with each step. Extending my hand toward him, I watch as he momentarily observes it, then reaches out, his hand firmly clasping mine. "Thank you doesn't seem like enough."

"I'd do anything to make her happy," he replies sincerely.

In that moment, something shifts inside me, a warmth spreading through my chest. He isn't here to drive a wedge between any of us. Despite his power, his aim is to unite us, and that's something I can't help but respect.

We let go and Rose steps forward, her arms encircling him in a warm embrace. She plants a soft kiss on his cheek. He blushes, a rare sight that catches me off guard. As she turns away, he touches his cheek, his expression one of wonder and gratitude.

Then, with Rose held tightly against me like a koala on a tree branch, I sprint towards the house. The act of running comes effortlessly to me now. Fuck, I could do this for hours.

From the courtyard, Theo blasts magic at the door to open it for me, laughing as I carry Rose into the house, cross the living room, and barrel through the bathroom door.

I prop her on the sink so I can get a good look at myself. And there I stand, a mirror image of amplified beauty and raw, untamed power. It's me, but perfected. My new fae eyes, glowing an intense shade of sunburst hazel, stare back at me. They radiate with a fire that's almost unnerving to witness. The dark stubble on my face seems sharper, my jawline more pronounced. I still have my deep tan, but no more scars. Same lopsided grin. "I think I just came."

She giggles and slaps my chest playfully. "You were always hot, but this," she traces her fingers lightly across the new lines of my fae features, "this is breathtaking."

Despite myself, I swell under her praise, the warm flush of pride quickly replaced by another kind of heat.

But Rose, being Rose, is already ahead of me, reading my desire as easily as she does my heart. Her brilliant blue eyes spark with awareness and she bites her bottom lip, sending a dangerous jolt of arousal through my newly enhanced fae body.

"Careful, love," I warn her. "You know what happens when you look at me like that. Especially now, with all this power running through me."

She grins back at me, a gleam of mischief in her wide, ocean eyes. "Let's see how far we can push this new body of yours."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah." She gives me a light shove, and I step back to let her hop down off the vanity.

She grabs my head and pulls me in for a kiss, but before I can fully indulge, she whispers against my lips, "When you catch me, you can have me."

Then she pivots and bolts out the door before I've even processed what she just said.

"What the…" I start to say, but she's already disappeared down the hall, laughter trailing behind her like sweet perfume. I grin, my body thrumming with energy—not just from the chase, but the promise at the end of it.