Page 144 of Claim Me

Then they performed a small ceremony to welcome Issy and Ayla into the territory, giving them both a gold charm adorned with a solitary garnet gem.

It was a ritual I knew nothing about, something that surprised Kaspian when I mentioned it. But he hasn’t said anything about it since.

“So, um, when do you leave?” I ask Ayla and Issy.

Ayla lifts a shoulder. “Maybe in a few days. Khaos didn’t really give me a start date, just ordered up a place for us to live and said to move at our leisure.”

“That was nice of him,” I acknowledge.

She nods. “Pretty sure he’ll be making me work for it, though. But at least I’ll enjoy the job.” She smiles at Issy with the words.

I might have found a way to help her track auras more effectively.Issy’s silver irises gleam with pride.You know, without being detected.

Oh?I glance between them.That’s impressive.

I know.

Modest as always, I see,I tease her.

She preens in response, the expression making me laugh just as Nox and Bane enter the room.

They both pause.

“Oh. Is this a bad time?” Nox asks.

“I told you to knock,” Bane mutters.

“But it’s sort of our room now, too,” Nox replies, his words soft and clearly meant for Bane. But we can all hear him just fine.

“We’ll leave you to it,” Ayla says, her black eyes casting a knowing look at Issy.

Mm-hmm,my twin hums.Have fun playing with your phantoms.

I almost correct her and say they’re not mine—a response I made a lot over the last year when she teased me aboutmy phantoms.

Instead, I reply,I will.

She smiles, mirth flirting with her soft features. Then she winks at my phantoms and leads Ayla out of the room.

Bane and Nox both glance at each other.

“Sorry, we didn’t know they were here,” Nox says.

I palm his cheek. “You don’t need to apologize. I know how much you enjoy barging into my room and spying on me in phantom form.” It’s a familiar taunt from our early days, one that has his lips curling in amusement.

“Iama voyeur,” he replies.

“I know.” I go up onto my toes to kiss him. “You’remyvoyeur.”

He wraps his arm around my back, his opposite hand going to my throat. “That I am, firefly. That I am.” He kisses me soundly, his tongue easily mastering mine.

It doesn’t matter how young this mating is; Nox devours me with the knowledge of several lifetimes, his expert touch and embrace making it feel as though we’ve done this for hundreds of years.

Bane joins us by pressing his chest to my back, his lips caressing my neck.

It’s a practiced move that just further proves how perfect these men are for me.

My phantoms,I marvel, lost to their embrace.