Page 15 of Monster Daddies

"We are," I respond, nodding toward my brother in arms.

Her attention jumps to him, and her eyes widen slightly before she focuses back on me.

Her lips part in a slow, bright smile. "I knew it!"

That stuns me. "You knew?"

She shrugs. "I had a feeling," she says, glancing briefly at the spot where our stone selves would stand guard in the day. She slowly traces the ridges of my horns and her soft touch makes me shiver.

"It's you, isn't it? You've been leaving me the gifts?"

I nod once. "Yes, my brother and I."

"What do I call you?" she asked, looking at me from under her lashes.

It's on the tip of my tongue to tell her 'yours', but even I know that would be pushing it too far.

"I am Jodrick of House Verdant. And my brother is Viraat of House Sardar. We have been the guardians of Stonebound Manor for longer than I'd care to admit."

Her eyes glitter in the dim light, and she lets out the softest sigh. "Promise me this isn't a dream, Jodrick?"

Her question... her plea... undoes me.

"It's no dream, little human. You're awake."

I feel Viraat's stare burning holes into my back, but I don't care. He might have wanted to try and fool her into believing this was all the byproduct of some kind of fanciful dream. I'm done with all of that.

"I have so many questions," Avalon whispers to me, her gaze focused on me.

I've never felt so seen in my life.

"And I have answers for you, dear one," I respond before looking up at the position of the moon in the sky. "And a fair bit of time to give them to you, too."

She smiles at me again, the warmth of her joy filling me. Then she leans in slowly, her hand sliding up to cup my jaw. Her touch is so warm and sure.

Avalon tilts her face up, and presses her lips gently to mine.

My whole world stills.

Her kiss is soft and sweet. She pulls back just a breath, eyes wide and searching, and I know something has shifted between us.

Now that I've had a taste, there isn't a chance in heaven or hell that I'll ever let her go again.

Viraat be damned.

Chapter Seven

Avalon

I kiss him.

I don't even think about it.

I justdoit.

His lips are warm and solid beneath mine, and for one precious moment, the world stills around me.

When I pull back, I realize I'm trembling. Some of it is from the cold night air... but mostly fromhim. From what I've just done.