Page 175 of Tempt

I let out another small laugh, and Vyrian beams. ‘The crunch this contraption makes is wonderful.’ He demonstrates, and Eissa purrs behind me.

‘I’m so happy you’re happy.’

‘It is quite different from Erethar, but I find I will be quite busy here. There is so much to discover.’

‘There is.’

He peers around my room and walks over to a small plant with flowers on it. He reaches out and touches the leaves, probably expecting it to respond, but it doesn’t. ‘What is it called?’

‘An African violet.’

‘I do not know African.’

‘It is a continent with many countries inside.’

‘I should like to go there one day.’

‘I’d like to be there when you do.’

He grins again and then picks up the plant and walks from the room, leaving Eissa and me staring after him. I turn to look over my shoulder at him, and his fingers caress my cheek.

‘He looks happy,’ he signs. ‘I think he will do well on Earth.’

‘He will. And you?’ I ask, concern lowering my brows. ‘Will you be happy here? I know you cannot return to Erethar.’

‘I will miss parts of it, but nothing compares to how my hearts would break if you were not with me. We are safer here. It is your home and where you go, my love, I will go.’

My eyes grow wet, and I sniffle. Eissa’s ears turn down, fearful he’s upset me. But I lean up and send through the bond, I am not upset. I am just so fucking happy. I love you.

He sighs into the kiss I give him, and I feel a deep yearning for me.

So I push him onto his back, crawl up his chest, and give him what he wants.

thirty-seven

EISSA

The next two days are filled with Dante and Luca comforting a forlorn Lucie and getting Vyrian settled into Quilliyn’s apartment. I do not get to see Luca as much as I’d like, but I know this is important.

Gerald was also delivered to us, a Tarek having come through the portal in the middle of the night and dropping him onto the porch. The commotion of the kradun trying to enter the door by sheer force pulled me from Luca’s cock. I was angry at the interruption, but Luca’s joy at seeing his pet made everything worth it.

He fed me two more times after that as I listened to Gerald happily rearranging furniture in the other room.

The only part that made it upsetting was when Lucie found out that Dhoryn did not deliver the kradun. That he had the chance to come to Earth and did not. He sent another in his stead.

We have not seen Lucie for two days. We know he is alive because Dante is with him often, but Luca worries for his new friend.

Right now, Luca and Dante are getting Lucie a bus ticket back to Iowa, hoping his family will help him in his grief. And I am currently rearranging furniture in Vyrian’s new room, hoping my new friend finds this place acceptable.

“Are you sure I can live here for as long as I’d like?” Vyrian asks his brother, his head cocked to the side.

“Of course. Your home is mine.”

Vyrian seems unsure, as he should be. His brothers on Erethar were never kind to him.

Quilliyn, however, is different. He always has been. It’s why he escaped to Earth the first chance he had.

“If you insist.”