Page 88 of Kingdom of Aramis

“Violet and I are going to the shift room. She needs to shift and fly off some energy. We’ll be there if you need us,” Gretchin tells me, her eyes serious.

“I’ll be fine. Go shake out those wings,” I tell my friend, who is watching us with unrestrained interest.

“I’ll see you later?” she asks, and I know she’s going to grill me for every gory detail, but I nod my agreement. She takes her plate, then she and Gretchin follow the parents out.

“Ugh, we miss all the good stuff.” Gracelin stomps her foot but hurries after everyone else, and then there are only the six of us left in the dining room.

The silence is slightly strained for the moment, but then Gem turns his attention back to Liam.

“We might have enjoyed our freedom, but you’re the only one who fucked where you slept,” Gem points out. “The rest of us were sensible enough to keep that shit out of the palace.” He turns to me, his eyes pleading. “Shifters are highly sexual creatures, all supes are, but now that we’re mates, none of us will look anywhere but at you.” He side-eyes Gryffin, and I see the dismay in his eyes. I know I have to assure them that whatever they have going on is fine with me. I could see it the moment I approached the table, and thoughts of being the jelly in their sandwich make my panties damp.

“I’m not going to stop you and Gryff, if that’s what you’re worried about. Hell, there’s only one of me, and there’s going to be eight of you. I would say you are taking one for the team if you two are together.” I wink at him, and they both relax. “In fact, I’m pretty sure Nox is bi as well. He kind of implied he was,” I offer. “He’s very pretty.” I see intrigue in both of their eyes, but it’s the only thing I’m going to say on the subject. “What about the rest of you? Are you going to be fucking as well? I don’t care, I’m just trying to work out the dynamic here.”

They all stare at me with shock, and it’s all I can do not to giggle.

“Ah, no, the rest of us are very much hetero, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to share.” Brodie recovers first and gives me a sly wink.

“Good to know.” I give him my own wink back, and his mouth drops open in surprise. I think he was trying to shock me, but I assumed that’s how things worked in a group dynamic. I’m kind of excited, to be honest. The thought of being shared by two or more of these men is exhilarating, albeit nerve-racking. I hope I’m enough for them. It doesn’t seem fair that I get to have all of them, but they only have me. A frown creases my brows as I think about this.

“What are you worried about, pretty girl?” Hunter asks, and I turn my attention to the gorgeous dragon shifter. “The key to a healthy bond group is communication. You need to tell us how you are feeling, because despite our animal instincts, we are not mind readers.”

“Not yet anyway.” Liam smirks at me.

“What do you mean, not yet?” I ask him, and he shrugs.

“We can all mind speak, and once the bond is sealed, you will be able to as well.”

“But that doesn’t mean we can read your mind.” Gem scowls at Liam. “You have to actively send your thoughts to us.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t want them to learn about all my insecurities, and being able to keep my thoughts private is essential to me.

“What about these two new bond mates? Do you really think they are going to be a mer and a fairy? That’s what Violet implied earlier,” Brodie asks and pushes back from the table, bringing his plate down to a chair closer to mine. It sets off a chain reaction, and the other four do the same thing, so we are all closer together. My head swims as their intoxicating scents hit my nose. I know Liam is the frost and pine aroma, but I can’t distinguish the others yet. I’m assuming the smoky scent isfrom either Hunter or Gem, both of their animals having access to fire. I close my eyes and try to breathe shallower so I’m not overwhelmed by them.

“It makes sense,” I agree, opening my eyes again to find them staring at me with adoration. It’s a lot, but I’m going to have to get used to it. “So how are we going to work out who they are? Do you think they will go to the bond center and register? Should we put out some feelers so we know as soon as it happens?”

“Actually, I think I might know who one of them is.” Gem rubs his chin thoughtfully, but before I can ask, Gryff jumps up.

“Micah!” he exclaims. “That’s why he was rubbing his chest like that and suffered so badly from the wave of magic.”

Gem nods his agreement.

“He will be a good addition to the team. He is one of my father’s fiercest warriors,” Hunter agrees. “And I like him. He’s quiet and focused, but he’s a good guy.”

“That makes sense. Should I go find him?” Brodie also gets to his feet, bouncing up and down with excitement.

“No need.” The deep voice has all six of us turning our attention to the dining room doors, and my mouth drops open in shock. The tallest dude I have ever seen stands there. He has to be close to seven feet tall, and he has broad shoulders and arms that look like they could crush a small car. His torso tapers into a thick waist, and his thighs look like they are one loose stitch from bursting out of his black cargo pants. I’m pretty sure this guy could bench press Hunter without breaking a sweat.

He has long, teal hair that is dark because it’s wet, and his glowing eyes are the same color. He has a strong jaw, and his eyelashes and eyebrows are the same color as the hair on his head, which is a little startling. He’s staring at me like I’m the answer to all his questions.

“Micah! Hey, man, come on over. I’m going to take a wild stab and assume you have a mark on your chest that matchesours now.” Gem waves him over, and the man strides into the room, his attention not leaving me in the least. I scramble out of my chair so he isn’t towering above me when he reaches the table, but it really doesn’t do any good. He’s just that much taller than me, and he has an intense aura that’s almost suffocating when he reaches out and takes one of my hands.

“Your Majesty, I am Micah, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he purrs and bends, placing a kiss on my hand. I just about swoon with all of his focus on me. Phew, holy shit, this male is intense.

“Hi, call me Colbie. Do you want to join us for lunch?” I stammer slightly before pushing my shoulders back and trying to look confident.

“I take it you have a brand-new bond mark on your chest?” Liam says dryly as Micah releases my hand, pulls out a chair next to Hunter, and takes a seat. He gives the guys a nod before turning his attention to Liam.

“I do, and I happened to run into King Lucas and the general as they were heading back to the barracks to check on everyone. They explained the situation and sent me this way.” He absently rubs a spot above his heart, which I’m assuming is where his new mark is. He shakes his head. “I can’t believe I was marked. I’m forty years old, so I’d given up on being marked for a mate or bond group years ago and was focused on serving my kingdom, despite my community’s reluctance to get involved in shifter affairs.”