Page 29 of Forever My Siren Luna

“I know,” I took her hand in mine, then kissed her fingers still wrapped around the pendant. “That’s why I keep it close to my heart.”

She grins. “Even your words can be pretty,” then comes a heavy sigh, “so why are you such a jerk?”

She rolls over, as if she is about to fall asleep, but I know better than to leave her here. She will slit my throat when she wakes.

I lifted her in my arms, and tried to pass her off to Cherum, who looked more than a little exhausted. “Take her to a guest room and stay with her until morning, please.”

He is about to agree, but then her eyes open again and she snarls venomously. “No! I want to go to bed!”

“That’s what we are trying to get you to, lass. Just come with me and I’ll…ACK!” His hand gets too close to her mouth, and she snaps at it, landing the bite and sinking her teeth into his hand before he can pull it free. “Ela, dammit. That’s not nice.”

“You’re not nice! This is my bed!” She tries to wiggle out of our hold.

“Lira, please,” I begged, getting my arms tightly around her again. She stops fighting and looks up at me, then a brilliant smile spreads on her face.

“There you are. It’s bedtime,” she wraps her arms around my neck, gripping me tight.

“I know, so go with Cherum!” I tried to unravel her arms from around me, but she wouldn’t let me.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen, Alpha. Just let her stay here for tonight.”

“I would love to, but she will murder me when she wakes up in the morning.” I need to keep my head at least until her uncle is dead.

“You deserve it,” he grunts. I furrowed my brows at him, wondering what he’s angry about with me. He shook his head. “We can hash that out tomorrow. Let the lass sleep here tonight. You two could use a good fight anyway. I’ll come fetch her for breakfast unless you call for me sooner.”

Lira’s arms go lax around me, and then her soft snores start to come out. It’s a familiar sound that has my heart racing, because this time it’s not a memory or in my dreams. I am really hearing her snoring in my arms once again.

“She hates me,” I tell Cherum as he walks towards the door. “This isn’t a good idea.” No matter how much I love it.

“She doesn’t hate you, though she should. Goodnight, Alpha. Watch for her teeth. She’s got quite the bite.”

Shit.

I stood there, holding her and wondering what to do. I could just lay her down and sleep in a chair, but when I try, she wakes just enough to latch on to me again.

I have no choice but to lie with her, and I can only pray she is somewhat understanding when she wakes up.

Ten

Elelira

Last night was a blur. I never get drunk, but Cherum fed me a few of his special coffees before we headed to town, and then Lady Vera insisted on giving me free drinks all night to celebrate my coming back. I wonder how I got back to bed? Cherum was there, and Val was on alert, so I'm sure everything was fine.

Stretching in bed, feeling well-rested, despite my hazy night, I stop when my hand lands on something hard and warm, and sparks shoot up my arm.

My eyes fly open, and there he is. Lachlan. Sleeping bare-chested in the bed we used to share.

He’s bare-chested, because I’m in the bastard’s shirt. Just his shirt. The scent of him is so overwhelming it made my entire body buzz.

“What the hell?” I muttered, backing away from him as far as I could, taking the sheet with me.

He still has on his pants, thank heavens, but his chest is completely bare. Val stirs awake in my head, and when she sees our mate through my eyes, she growls furiously, not just in my head but out loud through me, making Lachlan startle. His head lifts, turning in my direction, then slowly his eyes begin to open until he sees me crouched defensively at the corner of the bed.

“Lira?” He mumbles, his voice deep and thick with sleep, but still so full of affection.

I snarl again, my mind racing as I try to figure out how I got here. At the sound, his eyes flew open, surprise and panic filling his expression.

“Lira,” he breathes, “Shit. I thought I was dreaming.”