30. Chapter 30

Chapter thirty

Sammy

A fter a week in the ocean, being back in the house feels good. A lifetime of not having a home, and now I have two. Wherever Blue is, and here. I'm spoiled. And I love it.

The hum of conversation as everyone finishes putting the dinner stuff away, feels like a comforting hug. My belly feels content too. I'd nearly forgotten how delicious carbs are. Though, Blue flame roasting fresh fish for me on deserted beaches is not going to get old anytime soon.

And the side effects are amazing. I caught sight of myself in a mirror earlier and nearly gave Blue a heart attack with my shriek. One week of near constant swimming, and no carbs, has made me very toned. And the sun has bleached my hair and given me a glorious tan. I suppose that could all be paranormal stuff, but either way, I'm ecstatic with my glow-up.

"Living room!" orders Lello with a clap of his hands.

We all obey him and file into the next room. Blue chooses an armchair in the corner and I squeeze in next to him.

"Game night!" calls Lello cheerfully.

Good natured groans echo around the room. Lello dives under the telly where all the games are kept and starts rummaging. A little spike of anxiety thrums through me. I'm not clever enough for most games. Charades is not too bad but Trivial Pursuit is beyond me. As for Scrabble, clearly that is hopeless .

"Ta Da!" exclaims Lello as he holds the Twister box above his head.

Yes! Now that's a game I excel at. This is brilliant. Thank heavens I didn't eat too much at dinner.

"You playing?" I ask Blue.

He gives me a soft smile and shakes his head as he lifts up the cup of herbal tea Pink made him.

"Alright," I say as I wriggle out of the chair.

Pink and Red join me by the mat.

"Ned, you can be the spinner," says Lello.

The vampire grumbles but dutifully takes his place.

The first few moves go fine. If I'm angling my ass towards Blue and arching my back a little, well then sue me. Blue likes to watch me. I can feel his gaze on me right now, and it is heating my skin.

"Left foot, green," calls out Ned.

And I go crashing to the ground. Everyone laughs, and the sound makes me grin. I untangle myself from the others and climb to my feet.

"It's not fair!" I huff teasingly. "I'm only human. You guys are way more bendy than me!"

"Hey! I'm human!" says Pink from his contorted position on the mat.

I grumble some more stupid excuses and then go sit back down next to Blue. He rests his hand on my thigh and the heat of his touch tingles.

I laugh loudly as first Pink falls over, quickly followed by Red, leaving Lello victorious. The kelpie squeals and jumps up and down in delight. He really is the sweetest. I probably should have let him win anyway.

"Jade!" Lello suddenly shouts.

Jade is staring at his phone with a soppy grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He looks up, startled, a good few moments after Lello called his name .

The kelpie crosses his arms and taps his foot on the floor. "No sexting on game night!"

Jade turns a glorious shade of fuchsia and quickly shoves his phone in his pocket. I chuckle but refrain from teasing the poor boy. Unlike several of the others.

Still smiling, I lean my head on Blue's shoulder. It's wonderful that he is okay with my touch now. Affection and kisses are good for him. He wants nothing else from me, and I think he is starting to truly believe that I'm absolutely fine with that. Using my own hand while he watches me with glowing eyes, is everything that I need.

We are so good together. It's perfect.

"Sing for us, Blue!" says Lello abruptly.

I blink in surprise. Blue looks thoroughly taken aback.

"I…I still don't know if I can do it without enchanting people. And protection spells are a pain."

It's such a shame because I'd love to hear him. He didn't sing in the ocean because other sirens might hear him. Gray's talisman only works on magic sensing, not any of the usual five senses.

So it is a good thing there is a soundproof cupboard here for him to use. Sirens need to sing, I'm sure of it. Maybe I can try squeezing into the box with him and hear him that way? Blue did say that as his mate, I should be immune to his voice.

"It's fine if you accidentally enchant someone," Gray says softly. "I can undo it."

I feel Blue's shiver. It wracks his body. Excitement and a little dash of trepidation.

"If you are sure?" he asks.

Gray nods.

Maybe the little demon isn't so bad after all. At least he is trying to be a good friend to Blue. Or a good stepdad father-in-law, or whatever the hell he is .

Blue leaves my side to stand in the middle of the room. A hushed, expectant silence falls. He takes a breath, and then the most beautiful sound I have ever heard rings out.

Clear and pure. It fills the room and resonates with my soul. I don't recognize the song, but it's even better than ABBA. It's a song of love and hope and fulfillment. Tears start to leak out of my eyes. Blue would have been an incredible pop star.

He finishes far too soon and looks around the room anxiously. He sees everyone is fine, and he breaks out into the most gorgeous, dazzling smile ever. My heart flutters.

Everyone claps and he comes takes his place by my side. I squeeze his hand and he squeezes it back.

We sit like that for hours while everyone else plays a variety of games. Neither of us wishes to move and sitting here together, holding hands, is everything we need.

The hour grows late. Red and Brodie call it a night and then everyone is saying goodnight and heading to bed. My face is hurting from all the smiling I've done this evening.

Still hand in hand, Blue and I walk down the hallway towards my room.

"Do you think the vibrating butt plug will still be charged?" he asks suddenly. Unexpectedly. Wonderfully.

My heart flutters and my stomach swoops. Heat coils deep inside me.

"It bloody better be!" I say.

Blue laughs and squeezes my hand. I feel a little giddy.

I never knew life could be so perfect.