Page 171 of Wicked Magik

I growled when the other triad came closer.

Veylor sighed.“You must let them at least hug. They are her family.”

I groaned.“Don’t care. She’s mine, I mean ours.”

Veylor shook his head.“Oryx, they aren’t going to take her away.”

With a low growl of surrender, I carried Vesper forward until mother and daughter collided in an embrace so fierce it seemed to mend years of separation in seconds.

My heart was overflowing with love that all came from Vesper for her mother.

I sifted through Veylor's memories, hunting for any glimpse of my own mother, but found only emptiness where that bond should have been. My skull tilted as I watched Vesper and Alicia’s embrace, their connection as foreign to me.

“You didn’t like your parents,”Veylor said.“You were raised by numerous nannies. I’m surprised you turned out to be the most loving male fae I have ever encountered.”

I turned my skull to him.“Then I am glad I don’t remember.”

Vesper pulled away from her mother and sniffed. “Mom, I want you to meet my mates. This is Veylor and this is Oryx.”

I tensed, expecting her mother to recoil from my skull-face or question what manner of creature had claimed her daughter, but instead she reached forward with gentle hands and cupped both Veylor's cheek and my jawbone with equal tenderness.

Alicia’s lips curved into a tender smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling with warmth that had been absent during her long sleep. Her voice, still slightly raspy from disuse, carried a maternal gentleness as she looked between Veylor and me. "In the human realm, when people marry into a family, they often call their spouse's parents 'mom' or 'dad.' It's a tradition I've always found rather beautiful." She reached out, her slender fingers brushing against my skeletal jaw with surprising tenderness. "Would you both be comfortable calling me that?"

I perked my ears up, unable to speak.She wants me to call her mom?

Veylor smiled. “Oryx and I would be delighted to continue such a tradition.”

Warmth spread in my eye sockets.

Vesper gasped. “Oh my god, mom, you made him cry!”

I jerked my head away and shook. “I cannot cry; I don’t have tear ducts.” I swiped at my face, but there was liquid leaking down my face. “I am crying. Why?” I rubbed the liquid between my fingers.

Sylvaine's fingers threaded through Alicia’'s hair as he pressed his lips against the crown of her head. "The bond works in mysterious ways," he murmured against her silver-streaked locks. "Just as Thackery's fur took on my autumn hues when he shifts, you might have gained some of Vesper's emotional nature. Who knows what other gifts may reveal themselves in time."

Vesper wrapped her arms around my neck. “Now Veylor and I don’t have to just feel your emotions, we can see them. Crying of happiness, sadness…”

“Or pleasure,” Veylor smirked.

Vesper's cheeks flamed crimson as she shot Veylor a mortified look. "Can we not discuss our bedroom activities while my mother is literally right there?" she hissed through clenched teeth.

Alicia laughed, and turned her body to the men who stared down at her with such love.

Vesper smiled.“I think we should give them some alone time. What do you guys think?”

We retreated from the room, our footsteps soundless against the floor. The three of them remained locked in their embrace, oblivious to our departure. Thackery and Sylvaine had already been assigned to a wing of the house of their own—plenty of privacy for their reunion with Alicia. Vesper's grip tightened around both my arm and Veylor’s as we walked away, herknowing smile tinged with the bittersweet understanding that her mother would be otherwise occupied for quite some time.

That was no matter because we planned to keep our pet entertained for that time as well.

Chapter 57

Vesper

Veylor's gaze locked with mine, burning with intensity. In front of him, Oryx knelt on hands and knees, his impossibly long tongue coiled around Veylor's erection.

“Thought it would be you on all fours didn’t you, darling? But look at you? A shadow cock attached so you can fuck your monster, all while my shadow’s hand is between your thighs…” Veylor choked, a slurp came from Oryx’s tongue that squeezed his dick tighter. “Flicking that clit mercilessly.”

My knees buckled as heat pooled between my thighs. I could barely breathe, my chest rising and falling rapidly. "You two are wicked," I whispered, voice trembling.