Neith
Wow.
My breath leaves me in a whoosh.
He really fucking means that, and it’s the hottest fucking thing that I think I have ever heard. It also brings on a flood of emotions that threaten to overwhelm me, and I glance back over the stillness of the water.
Fortunately, Van knows me well enough that he knows that I need some time, so he just sits silently next to me and waits for me to process his words. He’s always been great at giving me the time I need in these kinds of situations.
After a moment, I ask, “How do you know?”
“That you own us?” he asks. “Easy . . .”
I interrupt him because that makes me feel too much, and right now I’m already feeling a lot.
“No, that I’m your mate,” I reply.
He smirks, and I smack him on the arm. He absolutely did that on purpose. He may be understanding of the fact that I need time to process sometimes, but he likes pushing it every now and again, and it always makes me smile when he does, which is probably why he does it.
“It’s sort of hard to explain, unlike with River, where you have a mark, this is more of a magical sign. It just clicked that you were my forever. I knew it before then, but there was this surge of magic, and then I saw you in the water, and it confirmed what I always knew,” he tries to explain. “I can get you the books from Mom and Dad's place, if you want to read about it for yourself. I would say you could talk to them, but I know you’re not too good with that sort of thing.”
I grin, “No, I’m not. That’s pretty cool. I’m assuming you mean that you saw a vision of me in the water, not that I was actually in the water.”
Van grimaces, “Yeah, that’s what I meant. Sorry, Nene, I’m really not doing a very good job of explaining this.”
“You’re doing good, don’t worry,” I reply. Glancing at him, I add, “Mine.”
Van’s eyes heat, and he starts to reach for me.
I smirk, and his eyes widen as I push him, and he lands in the pool with a huge and ungraceful splash.
I wait for him to come back to the surface.
“That was for lying to me,” I say as he opens his mouth, his expression full of indignation. He snaps it closed, and I continue, “Please don’t lie to me, even if you think that I’m going to freak out and get mad, the truth is always better than the lie. Got it?”
He nods rapidly, “I promise, Nene. I won’t lie again.”
I smile, “Good. You should also know that I’m not going anywhere. I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again and again until it finally sinks into that thick head of yours. I’m staying, you’re stuck with me. Not only are you all my team, but you’ve also become my family and so much more than that. I can’t imagine being anywhere else but with you all.”
He nods, “I believe you, Neith. It’s sunk in.”
“Fucking finally,” I chuckle, throwing my arms in the air dramatically.
I have a split second of warning as his eyes fill with a mischievous light, and I suddenly find myself careening toward the water.
Landing with a splash and an unladylike flail of limbs, I’m immediately wrapped in Van’s arms, my legs wrapping around his waist since I absolutely cannot touch the floor, and I’ll use any excuse to wrap my legs around him.
His smile is gorgeous as water drips down the side of his face, and any protest or anger immediately dies as I grab his face and kiss him.
His surprise only lasts for a few moments as he quickly takes control, a growl rumbling in his chest as his arms pull me impossibly closer and he deepens the kiss.
The water swirls around us as Evander’s magic keeps us afloat.
His lips move away from mine and trail down my neck.
I manage to gasp out, “You’re wearing too many clothes.”
“So are you,” he mutters, and I feel his lips tilt up against my neck.
