20. Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Slate

Another lonely night.

This not sleeping thing really sucks when you're surrounded by people who sleep. It isn't an issue in my realm because time doesn't exist. It's an odd made-up thing that humans conform to and I'm not sure why. Seems they did it intending to keep things organized, but really, I think it stresses them all out more.

Scrolling through movies, nothing catches my attention. I'm not in the mood to do much of anything other than sit here and stare at the wall. But I know how strange that is, even if there is no one here to watch me. I'm content to just sit and be, but again, it's an odd concept for humans.

I'm not sure why Lumen sleeps, because I'm certain radiants don't need to sleep either. Yet, every night, he's in bed with them.

I huff out a laugh. And that's probably why he does it. He goes to bed with them to be close to them. I remember reading something a while ago that humans bond when they sleep together.

Wait—could this be why Lexia kept asking me to go to bed with them? Was she asking just for me to be there, and not because she continuously forgot that I don't sleep? What a thought… How am I only just realizing this now?

Because your head is a mess.

Yeah, that's probably true. I am stressed more than usual. Between the prophecy, needing to mate, the shadows threatening me, and Lexia's father's life on the line, I'd say stress is a factor.

Lumen comes out of the room at the crack of dawn to start breakfast. I'd considered starting it, but his food is better than mine.

"Morning," he says brightly.

"Morning," I return.

He starts on breakfast while I pretend to watch a cartoon movie about vulgar food in a grocery store.

"How was your night?" Lumen asks.

"Uneventful."

A short time later, Vesperon comes out of the bedroom alone. Which is odd. Typically he stays in bed with Lexia until she gets up. He's like a lost puppy, always at her side.

I raise a brow at him as he walks by, but he ignores me and goes right to Lumen.

"Is Lexia still sleeping?" Lumen asks.

"She is."

Vesperon sits at the table. Lumen moves around the kitchen smoothly, making something that smells great.

"I have been thinking," Vesperon begins, causing me to glance at him and away from the TV. "What if this is all a trap?"

"What do you mean?" Lumen asks as he whisks eggs.

"The journal. I like to think I can trust Jhaixl, but what if I cannot? What if this is all part of their plan? Going to the Underworld could be a mistake."

Lumen sighs heavily and responds with, "It could be, but we won't know until we try. Sitting around here isn't doing anything. If we realize it's a set-up, we handle it then." He pauses for a long moment. "You haven't mentioned this to Lexia, have you?"

"I have not."

"Good. We shouldn't worry her over possibilities."

"I agree."

They continue to talk about this scenario, and I drown them out. My thoughts are filled with Lexia lying in bed. Alone. And how this is the perfect opportunity to sneak in there and… bond . Not mate, but get to know one another. When I was in bed with them the other night, I will admit I liked it. It was comforting.

I pop off the couch, blurting out, "I'm going to, uh…" They stop talking abruptly, and stare at me, which makes me nervous. I point to the bedroom. "Going in here."

I hurry into the bedroom and close the door behind me. Why did I have to make that so awkward?

The room is dark, and the bed is a mess. Lexia is lying in the middle of the tangled up sheets, pillows all over the place.

Gods, the least they could have done is tuck her in. She's likely cold. We keep the temperature in the house low, especially at night, because Lumen is hot, and Lexia does not like sleeping when it's hot. This room is especially cold. It also helps Vesperon get his energy back.

I can't be sure how she'll react to me getting into bed with her, but she didn't seem to hate it the other day. Besides, one of us has to make the first move. And it seems she's been hinting at it for quite some time now. I push off the door and go to the bed. Taking off my shirt and pants, I leave them on the floor and slide in beside her. She's on her side, so I slip behind her and wrap my arm around her waist. I get a whiff of something that has my chest warming, and I seek it out. Realizing it's coming from her, I bury my face in her neck and inhale.

Gods, that is divine. What is it? Soap? Perfume? I smell her again, and this time realize there is no way that is made. No, this smell is just her.

She groans, pressing her ass into me which has my dick getting stiff. I wasn't expecting this to happen. I've been in bed with her for less than a minute, and truly only came in here to cuddle. I was hoping to start things slow.

I'm unsure if she's still sleeping, and I doubt she knows it's me in bed with her. Not wanting to be a creep—or for her to think she is with someone else, only to realize it's me and freak out and hurt my feelings—I whisper her name softly. When she doesn't answer, I say it a little louder, and she stirs awake. She looks over her shoulder, confusion in her eyes. I hold my breath, waiting for her to tell me to leave. She blinks a few times, as if she can't believe what she's seeing.

"Slate?"

I smile in response when she doesn't shout at me to get out. "I hope this is okay."

She blinks a few more times and looks around. "Where is everyone else?"

"Cooking breakfast. Well, Lumen is. Vesperon is sitting at the table."

"Why are you here?" she asks gently.

"I just…" I'm not really sure how to explain why I'm here.

"I'm not complaining, just curious. You don't sleep, so…"

"I had a thought."

She rolls onto her back, and I lift onto my arm to see her better. We aren't cuddling as close, but we're still touching. Her leg is warm against mine, and I can still smell her.

"A thought about what?"

"All the times you invited me to come to bed. It wasn't to sleep, was it?"

Her smile grows slowly. "No," she admits.

I nod. "You wanted me in here?"

"Yes."

"To… bond?" Her brow furrows. "Not sexually, but emotionally, maybe? Like, get to know one another."

"I suppose so, yeah."

"Is there a reason you didn't just say that?" I ask.

She chews on her lip, turning her attention to the ceiling. I take the chance to brush my fingers along her arm.

"I guess I didn't want to push you or make you think you were being forced."

"You aren't the one forcing me here."

"So, you do feel that way?"

I shake my head. "Not in a bad way."

"How is there a good way to force someone?"

"In the way of getting them to do things they want to do but are too afraid."

"Like skydiving?" she asks, narrowing her eyes.

I smirk. "I suppose so."

She turns to face me, hesitantly putting her hand on my cheek. "If you don't want to stay, you don't have to."

Each time she tells me I don't have to stay, I swear it makes me want to stay even more.

"What about our duty to the world?" I whisper.

She gives a small shrug. "Maybe stay until it's done. You can leave after."

"And if I don't want to leave after?"

"Then stay."

Something comes over me, and I lean in to kiss her. I push her onto her back as her hand comes around to my nape, pulling me closer. Seeking more of that sweet scent, I move my mouth to her neck and inhale as I lick her skin. She moans, the sound so damn sweet.

Everything happens so quickly after that. Her clawing at me. Me gripping at her. Our mouths clashing. Bodies rubbing. Before I know it, we're both naked and I'm settled above her body, her legs wrapped around me. It's the moment before I slide into her that I pause.

"This wasn't my intention," I say, panting.

"Even if it was, I wouldn't be mad," she says, brushing her fingers down my cheek.

I kiss her lips. "We can wait."

"I don't want to." She pulls me closer. I swear her lips are the softest thing mine have ever been on. "Fuck me, Slate."

Gods…

I slide into her in one smooth thrust. She's soaked. So fucking warm. I need a moment to feel how perfect she is, so I don't move right away. Her pussy flutters around me, but it's her heels digging into my ass that urge me to move. Slowly, I rock into her. We keep up this pace. A slow grind that has me going mad. It's an entirely different experience than I'm used to. Usually sex is fast. Messy. It started out that way, but quickly changed. Now, here we are, holding onto one another like our lives depend on it—taking our time. I'd never expect to finish this way, but I already feel the telltale signs of an orgasm.

I rest my forehead against hers. "I need to feel you come on my cock."

Her response is to moan and say, "Keep doing what you're doing and I will."

So that's what I do, driving myself crazy in the process.

Lexia's moans become more breathy and her nails break skin.

"Come for me, beautiful girl," I plead, right on the edge.

"Oh, my stars," she mutters as her pussy spasms around my cock.

Listening to her, feeling her, watching her… it has me soaring into my own orgasm. One I feel through my entire body. My cum fills her, and the second I come down from it, my chest tightens, and I can't breathe. It lasts seconds—not long enough for me to panic. Something inside me snaps. My chest floods with warmth, and when I open my eyes and look down at Lexia, I know things are going to be very different now. Because I have a mate.