Page 31 of Enchanting Her Monsters
“Calder threw you into the tree. He threatened you, telling you to keep your hands to yourself! He held your head and was forcing himself on you!” Flint kneels and easily moves Jade around to his front. “He…”
“Sweetheart,” she coos as she cups his massive, angry face that should terrify her. “It might have appeared he was rough, but I won’t even have a bruise.”
“You promise?” Flint softens and strokes her face gently, as if she were a delicate flower that will be destroyed if he looks at her the wrong way. The expression she wears shows she loves his tenderness. “If I had handled you the way he did, I could kill you.”
He’s right… Am I a brute? Do I even deserve to work through my issues? What if I can never have a sweet exchange like this? What if I remain broken?
“Flint,” I call. “IfJade and I do anything again, I’ll have Maxum watch to make sure I don’t hurt her. Okay?”
He turns a glower at me, then he must see the sincerity in my eyes. “Fine. But she is pack. She is my mate. Our mate. If you fuck this up, I will deliver to you your final death.”
For the first time in years, I don’t welcome a threat like that. I have a reason to hope. I have a reason to live.
“Understood.”
11
FLESH AND STONE
JADE
My mind is still whirling from my kiss with Calder when Flint pins me to his chest and says to the phoenix, “I’m taking my mate to cement our bond. Tell the others I won’t be back until morning.”
“Oomph,” I breathe out as we launch into the sky. His massive wings flap effortlessly, and I envy his ability to escape so easily.
His thick fingers lace into my hair and feel my scalp, likely checking for injury since he thinks Calder pulled my hair. “Are you sure you’re alright? You can tell me the truth now.”
“I told you the truth. Calder was excitable. Yes, he was pinning me to the tree, but I enjoyed his kiss. Remember when I told you I don’t mind it a bit rough sometimes? Calder needs to get to where he can be gentle. Until that day comes, I’ll make sure he understands my limits. He didn’t really hurt me anyway, although it was surprising he even kissed me.”
“I didn’t think he liked intimacy with women, especially witches,” Flint says as he banks right and soars toward a hill that might be classified as a mountain in some flatter terrains.
“I suppose I’m the exception?” I grin at myself.
My gargoyle picks up on my delight. “You want him even though he is damaged?”
“He didn’t hurt me. Maybe he isn’t as damaged as he thinks. He definitely needs boundaries so he can feel safe, though.”
“You need to feel safe too. But enough of the phoenix,” Flint says succinctly.
Yes. Our bond. With each wing beat, I feel his hardening cocks rubbing against my center. “Is that MountShaftain your pants? Do I need to get my hiking gear?”
Flint gives me a lopsided smirk. “Don’t worry, I’ll fly you to my peak.”
I love that he’s picking up my humor more.
Then his face falls back into his stoic gargoyle mode. “Jade, if we don’t complete our bond soon, I fear it might slip away. I can barely hear your thoughts anymore.”
“Our bond can fade?” Fear shoots pain right through my heart. “How?”
“We initiated, but I haven’t been able to commune with you since then. Not with the attacks and travel and the others getting in my way.”
His endearing possessiveness makes my pulse flutter. Though I don’t like to hear he feels I’ve neglected him.
“Flint, you should have told me. With this whole arrangement, you’ll have to be forthcoming if you need my attention. I’ll try my best, but I wasn’t very good at having one boyfriend, let alone several mates.”
“Oh, I…” He stutters on his next thought. “I’m new to this as well. You just seem so naturally gifted at relationships andfeelings. But you’re correct. I shouldn’t expect you will always know what I’m feeling or need.”
“I can’t assume you’ll know either, even if we have telepathy. We need to be clear with each other.” I squeeze him tightly around his waist with my thighs while I take a moment to admire the view he’s given me of the surrounding wilderness. “I’ll have to do better. I’m sorry.”
