Page 33

SIX MONTHS LATER

MAC

Sitting around a card table with my gorgeous mate and listening to Cassius and Roman argue over the rules of Go Fish is not how I thought my life would play out, but I have to be honest and say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

I’ve had one assignment since the amulet—a fifteenth century spell book I hunted down in New Orleans—but most of my days are spent down here, making my mate happy.

Auri is surprisingly cool, even with his penchant for stroking my head and calling me his fiery pet, and I’ve grown to trust him.

He’s a collector, like me, with no ill will towards humankind.

I know why the guys like it down here too.

We have everything we need, and as long as our duties are taken care of, Auri gives us freedom to come and go as we please.

Since Drax and I are mates, he even gave us the gift of a new, much larger unit.

It’s decked out with great furniture and a place for me to keep my hoard.

Drax and I go up to my old room a few times a month to gather things and bring them back.

Surrounded by my mate and all my things, the underworld actually feels like home.

It helps that I take my gorgeous love flying every couple of weeks for a break.

Drax is perched on my lap, smiling at our friends bickering and twisting his clawed fingers through my hair in a relaxing manner.

Every touch from him soothes my dragon and does a lot for the man attached to him too.

All the years I spent aimless and detached feel like another life now.

I know in my heart that home is wherever Drax is.

I slide my hands up Drax’s back, tickling his furry skin. I’ve got him wearing pants whenever we’re outside our apartment now, but he’s still topless most of the time. Fine with me.

“We should go to bed soon. It’s getting late.”

He giggles, brushing his nose against my cheek. “It’s cute that you still abide by human time.”

“Old habits.”

“I like it. It’s easy to lose that skill.” His face lights up. “Oh, can we watch another classic human movie?”

I nod. “Sure. How about Scarface ? We haven’t gotten to that one yet.”

“Whatever you like.”

“I’ll be sure to tell you the parts that are accurate.”

“Very helpful.”

I learned that Drax didn’t know much about the human realm, and what he did know was outdated.

I’ve had fun teaching him things and showing him pop culture stuff, but I have to remember to frame it with how things actually are.

After watching Terminator , he was upset that he didn’t know about the war.

“We’re going to bed,” Drax announces. Grim, who was sleeping at our feet, lifts his head with interest. Much to Auri’s chagrin, his hellhound likes to sleep in our room sometimes.

“One more round,” Roman says. “We’ve got it sorted now.”

Drax looks at me and I nod, saying, “One more round.”

Roman smiles, grabbing the deck to shuffle, but before he can deal the cards, Atlas stumbles into the room, disheveled, with a terrified look on his face.

Cassius is on his feet instantly, rushing over to our friend. “What’s wrong?”

“I had a nightmare.” Atlas grips Cassius’s shoulder like he needs it for balance. “It’s Rune.”

I startle. “The mage?”

Atlas nods, dragging a large hand through his hair. “He’s in trouble.”

“How do you know that?” Roman asks.

“I don’t know. I can feel it.” He rubs his chest. “He needs help.”

Drax twists his lips. “Are you sure? You said it was a nightmare, and he doesn’t exactly like us. He probably wouldn’t want us just showing up.”

Atlas nods. “I’m sure. We know how to get to him.” He frowns. “I can go alone.”

“No way,” Cassius says.

“Yeah, no,” Roman says.

I nod. “We’ve got your back, Atlas.”

Drax slides off my lap. “Sounds like we have another mission. Let’s go save Rune.”

As everyone scrambles to change clothes, I wrap my arm around Drax’s waist, pulling him close. “Rain check on the movie? Our friend needs us.”

Drax gifts me with a pretty smile. “Rain check accepted. I’m so glad you see that they really are your friends now.”

Warmth vibrates along the bond, filling me with a sense of home and belonging I’ve never had.

“It feels good.”

Drax leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I love you, sexy dragon.”

“I love you too, my sweet demon.”

He claps his hands. “Alright. Let’s get changed.”

“And hope Atlas’s instincts are right.”

Drax nods. “It’s gotta mean something that he can still feel Rune.”

“Should be interesting.”

“It always is.”

“Time to go rescue a mage and hope he doesn’t blast us with magic in the process.”

Drax giggles. “We can handle it. We can handle anything.”

I watch him walk ahead to our room, a smile on my face. He’s right. Together, we can handle anything.

The End