Page 26 of Gyft
“Mmm. Hardens into protective spikes.”
Explains how the kids had theirs standing on end.
“Will mine turn back to red?”
“Probably not.” But his rambling voice is so soothing. “You’ll be revered, though. Everyone will know you faced death at the deadlands and lived.”
“The twins too,” I mumble.
“Yes, the twin souls match. They’ll forever be tied to you.” He pauses a second. “Sorry it couldn’t have been a more honorable match. They’re kind of an unruly lot.” He sighs. “Elderly parents who let them run the household. We should have ours before we grow old and tired.”
I snicker softly. This male—my new husband— is snarky and matches me perfectly. And the thought of babies with him makes my heart sing. When I close my eyes to sleep, soft thoughts flutter around in my head.
By the time I wake up, the bed is empty. I lean over to find a Gyft-sized dent in the pillow next to mine.
Like a lovesick fool, I press my face into the indentation and breathe deeply. His scent, citrus and sandalwood. So delicious.
“Good morning, Bride,” a gruff voice says.
I yelp, then choke, looking toward the door as he enters carrying a tray. There’s a fangy little grin on his face because he caught me sniffing his pillow.
“It’s a human tradition,” I snap.
He leans forward and smooths my bangs from my forehead, looking into my eyes as he sets the breakfast tray on my lap. “You like me.”
Then he crawls back into bed next to me, his big shoulder butted up against mine.
“Well, you like me too.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Something skitters in my belly. If only Yvette could see me now.
“I like you. A lot.”
I think he knows what I mean by the silence. I can almost hear his heart pound. “Same. A lot.” He growls and leans over to nip my earlobe. “So much.”
“Glad we’re married. To each other.”
“I chose well,” he brags.
I take a piece of meat from the plate and slowly chew it. It’s smoky and tender, not quite jerky but close.
“My people recognize marriage—not quite like your Earth ceremony—but it’s a contract between couples. Temporary, though renewable when the contract expires. There’s also mating, which is permanent.”
“How do you mate?” I ask, pretending it’s just curiosity but also wanting to know if he feels like we’d ever get there.
“A female is marked. On her neck. With my fangs. I’ll taste you during our lovemaking, if we’re both agreeable. The scar is permanent and shows you belong to someone.”
I make a giant gasp. “I knew it! Vampire!”
He raises his brow bone, the darker shade of skin there like eyebrow replacements. His lashes look long and thick, but I know it’s because it’s not hair. They’re freelig, the same spiky tendrils that he has on his head, but smaller and thinner. Unmoving. “What is this term? It doesn’t translate.”
I giggle. “It’s a monster. An Earth legend. An undead person who bites his victims and sucks their blood.” Then I lean in to whisper. “Undeniably sexy. Women tend to beg for his bite. It gives great orgasms.”
“Can’t deny that then.” He leans over to kiss my shoulder and I bring a piece of the smoky meat up to his lips.
“What’s on the agenda for today?”
