Page 28 of Making Out With Mermaids (Haven Ever After #6)
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
AMATHEIA
S omehow, Morgan and her sisters manage to get the party back on track as Arkan and the shifters remove Caralorn and the portal disk. Catherine followed them out to inspect it because apparently she has theories about how my uncle even got it in the first place.
I’ll have plenty of questions once I absorb the crap that just happened, but for now, I want to enjoy the tattered shreds of the launch event.
Despite the Hector triplets’ best efforts, the party naturally winds down, and Betmal and I sign more books. Eventually, Morgan and Abe bring over two stacked plates of food and force us to eat something.
“Don’t be like humans at a wedding where you forget to eat,” she says as she sets the plate down in front of me. “Who knows what a hangry mermaid looks like.”
I laugh as I pick up a piece of kimchi flatbread that Herschel outdid himself with. Shoving it in my mouth, I laugh around a piece that was too big. “It’s not, mmph, good,” I manage, nearly choking on the kimchi as I struggle to swallow. “We get a little crazy.”
Betmal pulls me to his side. “If you wanted to choke on something, ma siréne, I have better ideas than food.”
“Okay!” Morgan claps her hands together, eyes springing wide. “I was just coming to check on you two, but I think you’re fine, and that’s all I really need to hear about that.” She leans in close to me. “But also, get it, girl, because he is really so fine.”
I laugh as she dances away from me and into Abe’s arms. The big vampire twirls her across the floor and toward the door, casting us a quick salute as he leaves.
We look around, but the auditorium is nearly empty at this point. Arkan and his wife walk over to us, looking tired but happy.
Hana reaches down and places a hand on my shoulder. “This evening was incredible. We’re so thrilled for the both of you. Arkan tells me you’ve actually got approval from Evenia to begin stocking the welcome books, is that right?”
Betmal nods. “Correct. I’ll order a small stockpile on Evenia’s credit card and have them sent to Town Hall, if you like.”
“Perfect,” she says, smiling at her mate. “I didn’t realize how much this project was needed until I saw your vision, and I’m blown away by how gorgeous it is. What’s the best way for us to update it as things change?” She winces. “Not that we’re expecting change, I just wanted to ask.”
Betmal laughs and pinches my side. “See what I meant in the very beginning, darling? This project is not going to end for a very, very long time. I’ve already deposited payment for the second haven into your account.”
We laugh as one while we head for the door. But already, my mind is spinning around Ever’s growth and how we might incorporate new businesses into the welcome books. At the exit, I pat Town Hall’s front doors, glancing up at the beautifully etched ceiling. “Thank you, friend. You were the perfect hostess for tonight’s festivities. I’m sorry things went a little bit sideways.”
The entire hall’s worth of wallpaper peels from the walls and dances around joyfully. Overhead, the ceiling tiles clap in waves up and down the hall.
“She’s thrilled.” Arkan lays his hand on his wife’s withers. “And so are we. I’m glad this all worked out.”
“Oh yeah.” I smile up at Betmal. “Yeah, it did.” Even so, part of my heart hurts for Caralorn. He lost something when my mother died, and even though I don’t agree with his behavior, he’s been in pain since her death. I hope one day he figures out how to deal with that, but for now, it’s not looking good for him.
Betmal returns my smile with a feral, wicked look as the centaurs carefully descend the front steps and trot toward downtown. Somewhere ahead on Main, it sounds like the party rages on. I don’t recall that being part of our plans either.
Sneaky, sneaky friends and mate.
Thatraeia comes to say goodbye, announcing that she and Taylor are headed to Herschel’s for a late dinner.
Oh my gods, is this a date ?!
Betmal spreads his shadow wings wide, curling one around me. His feathers tickle my side and leg. “Darling, would you like to go enjoy downtown a bit more? It seems the party might carry on for a while, and I know there’s always dancing behind the movie theater. In fact, Abemet and Morgan are probably there now.”
I shake my head, wrapping both arms around my big vampire. “I’m all monstered out, my love. Take me home? I believe there was a lesson in obedience promised to me, and I want it.”
Betmal laughs and picks me up bridal style, cradling me to his muscular chest. “I can do that, ma siréne. Having you on your knees before me has always been a particularly thrilling fantasy of mine. But on the way, I have one last gift. Reach into my pocket, if you will.”
I snort. “I’ve heard that one before, ma vampíre.”
He winks at me. “You might find that, too, but you’ll also find a folded sheet of paper.”
Curious, I slide my hand into one pocket to find it empty. Reaching around his other side, I retrieve a folded sheet of paper.
I stare up at him in confusion. “It’s a flier for a musical in another haven.” My mouth drops open. “Are we going? Is that our next assignment?!” I almost kick my legs in joy. I pause for a moment, worried that it’ll hurt. Then I remember that I don’t have to worry about that anymore, because I finally have a prosthetic that fits.
He did that for me.
“We have tickets to that musical,” he says as he pushes off the ground and swoops up into the sky. We catch a current near the magical ward ceiling that protects all of Ever. “It’s an underwater musical in the New York City haven, Rainbow. Most of the performers are merfolk. I thought that might make an excellent next adventure, ma siréne.” He drops a kiss to my forehead. “We can stay for a few weeks and work, if you like. I have carte blanche from Evenia to work on this project in whatever order I want.”
“Oh, I bet you do,” I say with a giddy laugh. “I can’t wait, Betmal.” I nip at my lip. “When do you want to go?”
He smiles at me, hugging me tight as we soar over downtown and toward our home. “Tomorrow, ma siréne? Or the next day or the next? Anytime. Anywhere. As long as we’re together.”
I tuck my head beneath his chin and sigh with happiness.