“Pest,” Mindy warned; Kal ignored him, snarling.
“Vince, what are you doing here?” Seth asked, clutching him.
“I should ask you that.” Vince’s eyes moistened.
“It’s a long story.” They stared at each other, smiling.
“They know each other?” Serlotminden asked.
I shrugged. Vince hadn’t mentioned it, but then again, if he had randomly mentioned an old friend named Seth, why would I remember?
Seth rocked Vince, whispering. Kal was breathing so hard I feared he’d pass out, and light gathered under his scales. Heat came off him in waves, making me sweat.
Serlotminden pushed me behind him. “Pest. Breathe. Seth loves you.”
Seth and Kal could communicate telepathically with the whole Crystal-bound-mate thing, but apparently Seth wasn’t talking.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Vince cupped Seth’s cheeks and he grinned. Vince pressed closer and placed a kiss on Seth’s lips.
If I thought Kal was freaking out before, he went apocalyptic. Light exploded off him, blinding me, and the moment I was able to see again, I spotted him in front of Seth, wings sprawled and growling. Humans cowered near the ship, but Vince was squaring off. I recognized the expression. He was about to start screaming.
I rushed forward and snagged his arm. Vince blinked, eyes running over me. I said, “I’m here too.”
Kal pulled Seth closer, and Vince demanded, “Let him go.”
“Do not kiss my mate, human.”
“Mate?” Vince asked.
Shit. He sounded hurt. Very,veryhurt. Who the fuck was Seth to Vince?
Seth glared at his husband. “Kal, calm down.” Turning to face Vince and I, Seth said, “Vince, this is my husband, Prince Kalvoxrencol, but you can call him Kal.”
Even I could see the absolute devastation in Vince’s whole body as he practically crumbled inward, and I wasn’t alone. Kal growled, Mindy shifted, and Don crossed his arms. The one person who didn’t notice was Seth, who smiled contently.
“Vince is my childhood friend. Remember, Kal? I’ve mentioned him before.”
“I do,” he said shortly, dragging Seth closer.
I draped my arm over Vince, hugging him. “I’m right here too, Vince.”
He smiled, but it was fake, and his eyes never left Seth. Vince said in a forced voice, “Hey, you didn’t vanish or die.”
“Nope.” I pointed to Mindy. “He abducted me. He’s Kal’s older brother. He was trying to help me, but we crash landed on an ice planet. Took me a bit to get back to you. Serlotminden, this is Vince. Vince, this is Serlotminden.”
“We are also husbands,” Serlotminden announced, which made me roll my eyes. They might not resemble each other at first glance, but they sure as hell proved they were brothers rather easily.
Vince’s eyebrows rose. “Well, you two move quickly.”
I smirked. “He’s cute and has a nice ass.”
He gave a chuckle, but his gaze remained firmly on Seth, who grinned. Seth disentangled from Kal and pulled Vince close for another hug. “Let me talk to everyone, then we can catch up. It’s been years.”
Vince nodded.
“Everyone,” Seth said, facing all of the cowering humans, “if you come this way, I will explain everything.”
Seth led the humans away, and only after Don practically ordered Vince and I to follow did I leave Mindy’s side.
