Page 26 of Shadowed Spirits (Haunted Magic #2)

CHAPTER 26

IZZY

I try to scramble off his lap, embarrassed and ashamed that I just tied him to me when he clearly doesn’t want it.

He growls and holds me in place. “You can’t fucking take it back. I get that this isn’t what you wanted, but this is the best moment of my life, other than finding out you are my mate. Please, let me enjoy it for just a little before you tell me you regret it.” Bishop’s voice breaks, and he hangs his head, avoiding my gaze.

While I want to reassure him, all I can do is close my eyes in relief. Taking a moment to gather myself, I eventually open them to look at him again. “I don’t regret it, St. James. That’s not even remotely what I was going to say.” I should regret it, but how can I regret something that feels so damn right?

His eyes widen, and he gives me a sheepish smile. “Oh. Uh, continue, then.”

I snort. “Thanks for the permission.” I shrug because I’m not really sure what I was trying to say. Probably something along the lines of hey, thanks for the best sex of my life. Sorry not sorry I tied you to my walking, talking, trouble-magnet self for the rest of our—probably short—lives. Instead of word vomiting any of that, I settle on asking, “So, I take it you’re not mad I formed the mate bond?”

Bishop chuckles softly. Since I’m half lying on his chest, I can feel the vibrations running through me. “ We formed it, sweetheart. It takes two, and if I didn’t want it, I would’ve stopped it. But I’ve wanted to complete the bond with you for a long fucking time. I’m over the moon that it finally happened. I’m just worried you’re going to regret it once the high wears off.”

I bite my bottom lip and stare over his shoulder as I try to figure out how to explain the confusing mess of emotions swirling through me right now. “As cheesy as it sounds, my soul and heart don’t regret it, and I don’t think my mind truly regrets it. It’s just hard to feel good about tying you to me. I get peace and a sense of wholeness I’ve never experienced before from the bond, and you get what? Annoyance? Danger? A more-trouble-than-she’s-worth mate? It just doesn’t really seem fair to you.”

I try to look away to hide the vulnerability on my face, but he gently grasps my chin and makes me look at him. “If you honestly think that’s what you bring to the table, Izzy, we’ve failed you as mates. You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met. You care so deeply about others, especially those our society cares the least about. You always ensure everyone else has everything they need and want before you even begin to think about yourself. You love fiercely. You’re funny, smart, loyal, strong, and so much more. It’s an honor to be your mate, Isabel.”

Fuck. When did Bishop get so sweet he gives me a sugar rush? Feeling awkward, I have the urge to blurt something embarrassing like, you too, champ. Instead, I dip my chin and whisper, “It’s an honor to be your mate.”

Bishop gives me a heart-stopping grin that makes my insides feel like mush. He wraps his arms around me and crushes me to his chest. “I love you, Isabel. Thank you for trusting me enough to complete the bond with me.” At the mention of the L word, I squeak. He chuckles, the rumbling sound rolling through me, and smooths his hand up and down my bare back. “There’s no need to say it back, sweetheart.”

I worry my lip between my teeth. Blowing out a harsh breath, I decide to just woman up and say it already. I’ve known it for a while now. “I love you too, Bishop.”

While it’s hard for me to voice my emotions, I know it’s important to let the people who matter to me know how much I care. Everything in life is uncertain, and tomorrow isn’t promised. It’s easier to avoid talking about feelings, but there’s no guarantee I’ll get a chance later to tell him, or any of my other mates, how much they mean to me. Especially with Lua trying to end the world and all that jazz.

He flashes me a smug half smile and puffs up his chest. “I know.”

I snort and smack his arm lightly. “Don’t let it go to your head, St. James.”

“Too late. Hearing that you love me has absolutely gone to my head. I’ll be riding this high for the rest of my life.” He leans up to press his lips to mine. The movement causes him to flex inside of me, and I groan. He tilts his head and examines my pained expression. “Sore?”

I nod because I can already feel my inner muscles protesting. “Yeah, a little.”

“Let’s get you up and dressed, then.” Bishop kisses me once more before standing up while holding me. Since his dick is still hard in me, I gasp at the position change. His chest rumbles with masculine satisfaction, but he doesn’t say anything as he carries me over to the window where my discarded clothes are. Here’s hoping there’s no one on the other side of the glass, because that’d be awkward.

Bishop slides out of me and sets me on my feet. He kneels and picks up my dark purple sweater and pale pink bra and hands them to me. While I’m pulling them on, he picks up my undies and holds them out for me to step into. “Uh, shouldn’t I clean up a little? You kinda made a mess.” His cum is starting to drip out of me as I talk, illustrating my point.

“No cleaning up,” he growls, sounding more like a wolf boy than a mage. Taking matters into his own hands, he lifts my right foot, unbalancing me a little. I flatten my palms against the windowpane to maintain my balance as he slides my panties on before doing the same thing with my other leg. After pushing them up to my thighs, he gathers up the cum that leaked out and shoves it back into me. Bishop then pulls my undies back into place before starting on my jeans.

I roll my eyes at him, wondering what my mates’ obsession with having their cum in me is. “Whatever floats your boat, St. James. I’ll be cleaning this up and changing next time I get the chance, just so you know.”

He finishes pulling up my jeans and puts on my shoes before standing up and leveling me with a glare. “You better not. If I find out you changed, I will punish you, Isabel. And I can assure you it won’t be enjoyable for you.”

Raising my eyebrows at him, I mutter, “Guess I’ll just have to make sure you don’t find out.” We may be mated, but that doesn’t mean I’ll start rolling over and doing whatever he says. That’s just not how I’m built.

Bishop wraps his hand around my throat and gives me a warning squeeze. “Now’s not the time to rile me, sweetheart. The new mate bond is making me feel even more possessive of you than usual. I know you’re too sore for another round, but that’s exactly what’s going to happen if you keep pushing.”

I gulp at the thought of him fucking me again, needing at least a little break before any of my mates stick their way-above- average dicks in me. I haven’t seen Levi’s or Archer’s yet, but I’m going to guess they’re just as gigantic as the others. Thinking of Levi reminds me that I wanted to check on him, so I should probably stop arguing with Bishop. “Okay. I won’t change. Is it cool with you if I go find Levi? Or do you need to lay some other claim on me before I see anyone else?”

Huffing a laugh, he shakes his head. “No more claiming needed… for now. I should probably check in with Elemental, anyway. Try not to get into too much trouble while I’m gone.”

I snort. “Have you met me, St. James? I don’t have to try to get in trouble, it seems to find me regardless of what I do.” Seriously. I’ve been trying to stay out of trouble since I got my magic. Yet, I feel like I’m constantly jumping from one problem to the next.

I’m pretty sure I hear him mumble, “You’re not wrong.” But he bands his arms around me for a quick hug before I have a chance to ask about it. When he lets me go, I stretch up onto my tiptoes and attempt to give him a peck on the lips. Because he’s so much taller than me, I can only reach his throat, much to his amusement. I flick him in the pec in retaliation for finding my struggles funny before turning around and making my way out of the room.

“Love you, sweetheart,” Bishop calls to my retreating back.

My lips quirk up, secretly enjoying hearing him say that. While I may have told him I loved him earlier, it’s still weird as hell for me to say, so I settle on, “You too, St. James.”

As I venture through the Nightshade mansion, I’m glad I don’t run into anyone. I’m not really in the mood to deal with strangers right now. There’s too much on my mind, like worrying about Levi, trying to figure out how we’ll find Lua, wondering how we’ll even stop her, and so much more.

I’m surprised when I reach Luca’s door, too lost in my thoughts to pay attention to most of the walk here. I rap my knuckles on the doorframe, not knowing if he’s even here. He’s super busy with running the pack, so he could be anywhere, really.

“Come in,” his deep voice rumbles from inside.

I step through the dark-wood-trimmed doorway and find him sitting in his mahogany desk chair. Surprisingly, he hasn’t whipped off his navy shirt yet, since he seems to love hanging out in just his jeans. Not that I’m complaining. At all. Luca’s muscles are sure pretty to look at.

Sweeping my gaze around his large bed with a muted green comforter, tan sofa, dark wood floors, and nature prints on the mossy green walls, I try to get myself back on track, instead of focusing on Luca’s muscles. “Hey, wolf boy.”

“Hey, wildcat,” he parrots with a soft smile on his face. As I walk closer, his nostrils flare and his eyes widen before turning amber. He grips his desk edge so tightly it creaks in protest.

I freeze. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” he grits out.

My eyebrows raise skeptically, since there’s clearly something wrong with him being so close to shifting. “Why are you wolfing out?”

“I can smell Bishop all over you. My wolf is trying his hardest to take control so we can claim you too.” His words come out as a growl, and his eyes seem to glow for a moment before they turn teal again.

I blink at him a few times, not really sure what to say. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me that the wolves could smell what happened. I’m doubly glad I didn’t run into anyone, now. Looking away from Luca, I scuff the toe of my white Chuck on the ground. “Well, that’s awkward.”

Luca lets out a slightly pained laugh as he continues death gripping the desk. “It’s not awkward. That’s part of having multiple mates. I’m happy for you both, as long as it was good for you.”

I can feel heat creeping up into my cheeks at the question. “It was.” All the experiences with my mates have been really good, at least so far. I don’t foresee that changing.

“Good. Is there something you need? If not, it’d be best for you to leave, unless you want to be claimed again.” His aquamarine eyes burn with hunger as he drags his gaze down my body.

I feel liquid heat start to pool in my core at his desire, but I shove that down because I do actually want to get things accomplished, besides fucking and forming bonds, before we leave. “Where’s Levi?”

With his jaw clenched and the tendons in his neck standing out starkly from how hard he’s holding himself back, Luca gestures over his shoulder. “Two doors down on the left.”

“Thanks, wolf boy.” I give him a half smile and back out of his room. I don’t want to excite his wolf by running away, so I make sure my movements are slow and aren’t sudden.

When I reach the hallway, Luca calls, “Let me know if you need anything else.”

I nod before realizing he can’t see me. Huffing at myself, I make my way to the room Luca indicated. Hesitantly pushing open the wood door, I peek inside to make sure I’m not walking in on some random wolves getting it on.

Luckily, all I see in the darkened room are Levi and the furniture. He’s sleeping on a cast-iron frame bed with a sky blue comforter. The heavy curtains are drawn over the two windows, keeping the space dark for Levi to rest.

Easing the door shut behind me, I attempt to silently walk to the bed. Instead, my foot lands on a creaky floorboard. At the noise, Levi bolts upright in bed with a throwing knife clutched in his right hand. His black and red eyes dart around the room before they land on me. He sighs in relief before groaning in pain and flopping back against the mattress.

“Hell of a way to wake up, screech owl,” I whisper as I make my way over to him, not wanting to talk loudly if he’s not feeling well. I sit down on the edge of the bed.

“Growing up the way I did, you learn to be a light sleeper and always have a weapon. The habit’s hard to break.” Levi grabs one of my hands and tugs me down until I’m lying on his chest. I don’t want to hurt him, so I make sure most of my weight is on the mattress instead of him.

I trace small circles on his chest as I lie there. “Why’d you have to do that growing up?”

He makes a humming noise, like he’s debating what to tell me. “It wasn’t always a forgone conclusion that Hades would rule Infernus. There were many others who wanted to rule. When it was clear how strong Hades would be when he came into his power fully, those who viewed him as competition tried to take him out, often at night. Since I was his brother, they often made attempts on me, even when I wasn’t with him. Plus, Lua had a habit of trying to kill both of us, so I learned that it was unsafe to sleep too deeply or unarmed.”

I don’t know whether to be sad, outraged, or murderous that he had to grow up that way. I know from experience that even the threat of people trying to kill you takes its toll on a kid. Having actual attempts on his life is so much worse. “Want me to kill Lua for you? I can also murder the others who tried to off you and Hades.”

Levi barks out a surprised laugh. “You’re very sweet, little raven, but most, if not all, other than Lua, are dead. Hades doesn’t take kindly to cura attempting to kill him or me, so he dealt with them swiftly at the time. As far as Lua, she would be dead if we could figure out a way to kill her.”

“Does that bother you? That we might have to kill your mom?”

“No. Lua Mater was never a mother figure to me. I was raised by our father, Saturn, and Hades for the most part. Lua had lost her grip on sanity long before I was born, perhaps even before Hades was. The thing that bothers me the most is that I don’t know how to stop her.” Levi’s voice is filled with a vulnerability that makes my chest ache.

Wanting to reassure him, I push up on my elbow so I can see his face. “I don’t have all the answers right now, but I have to believe we can find a way with all of us working together.” I refuse to believe that I found my mates just for all of them to be ripped away when I’m starting to trust that we have a future together. “Besides, you said I’m almost as powerful as Hades. I’m sure, with the two of us working together, we can wreak havoc the likes of which Lua and the universe have never seen before.”

He snorts. “That is very true, little raven. The universe is fortunate you and Hades have yet to team up.” Levi throws his arm on his uninjured side over his eyes. “What if we can’t stop her?” His question is so quiet, I can barely hear it.

I don’t say something flippant like, we’d all be dead, so it wouldn’t be our problem , because I’m pretty sure that’s not what he needs. Instead, I take a moment to think through my response. “If you want my honest answer, I don’t know, demon boy. I don’t know what happens if we can’t stop her, and I’m pretty sure none of us wants to find out. All we can do is focus on what we can control and do everything in our power to stop her. Worrying about it endlessly saps our energy and doesn’t really change anything.”

Moving his hand up from where it’s been playing with my hair, Levi cups my face. “When did you get so wise?”

My cheeks flush at the compliment. “The world’s in deeper shit than I thought if I’m the wise one.” I flash him a self-deprecating grin because I’m much better at making jokes at my expense than accepting kind words.

He rolls his eyes at me. “You’re very wise, intelligent, mature, and handle life and its challenges with more grace than anyone should ever be expected to. Don’t discount yourself, little raven.” As soon as he finishes speaking, a giant yawn splits his face. He covers his mouth with a hand, as if to hide his exhaustion, but his drooping eyelids give him away.

“Sorry I woke you. I can skedaddle so you can get some more rest.”

“Stay? Please?” he whispers as he fights to keep his eyes open.

“Of course.” I lie back down with my head on his chest. I assume this is the most comfortable position for him right now because that’s where he pulled me down. It’s only a minute or two before I hear his breathing even out as he falls asleep.

Unlike Levi, I can’t fall asleep. Instead, I lie there awake, pondering his question about how the hell we’re supposed to take down Lua. Going against Doyle, who has a fraction of Lua’s power, was a shit show that resulted in one of my mates getting injured. If we can barely manage to take down Doyle, how in the world are we going to defeat Lua? Even if we do, who will we lose in the process? Will any of it be worth it in the end?