Page 176 of Wicked Magik

“Yes, lets go.” Mom broke the silence and put her arm in loop with Benedict’s. He visibly relaxed, and I followed suit as we walked.

I nudged my friend, who I didn’t have any hard feelings towards when working with my father to kidnap me. “Are you excited to meet her?”

Benedict swallowed heavily. “Yes, I hope she appreciates this vessel. I appeared more muscular in the last one.”

I scoffed. “Each person has different preferences. I used to like preppy-looking human boys, and look what I have now?”

A monster and a gothy fae.

Benedict nodded and squeezed my hand. “I am truly sorry—”

I shook my head. “Stop, you’ve said it enough. If you try to kiss my feet again, Oryx might have something to say about it.”

Benedict stiffened.

Benedict did his best to stay away from Oryx.

Who could blame him?

The last thing he saw before he died last time was his teeth crushing his head.

Veylor

Benedict escorted Vesper and her mother through the doorway. As his creator, I'd forged a mental link with him—a precaution that assured me his intentions toward them remained pure.

Through our mental link, I could feel his every emotion—respect overshadowed by the constant thrum of fear. Every thought Benedict has revolved around avoiding offense to Oryx, myself, or Vesper's fathers. His loyalty isn't born from devotion but survival; his primary concern remains finding and protecting his mate, even as he treads carefully around our family.

My family is more important and I will make sure that he never betrays us again.

Benedict’s mate is here, Sylvaine personally invited her to let her know her mate would be in attendance.

Flora, a spring fae.

Which gave me the reason to create Benedict’s vessel into more of a spring fae body.

Aren’t I nice?

I was rewarded handsomely by Vesper for thinking ahead of such things.

Oryx stood behind me, his cock pressing into my back. “You both look beautiful tonight.” He muttered into my ear.

Since the bonding, Oryx had mastered reading and writing, but his primal nature remained untamed. He'd drag us intothe woods for hour long hunts, his eyes wild with hunger as he chased us through the underbrush until we surrendered, breathless and willing, to his carnal appetite.

Not that we minded.

Beneath his feral strength lay a vulnerability that craved gentle reassurance—soft words and yielding bodies that affirmed his place in our world. Vesper excelled at this tender dominance, whispering praise against his skin while I observed a new kink of mine that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Especially when they play on the lab beds and I take notes.

I smiled when Oryx put his arms around me and Vesper walked toward us. “Did I miss any of the good stuff yet?” she whispered and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

“If you mean if Flora has revealed herself, then no.”

Oryx's tail coiled around Vesper's waist, drawing her closer as he pivoted us both toward the entrance. Sylvaine stepped aside with a knowing chuckle as Flora emerged from behind him. Her lavender hair cascaded down her back, half gathered in an intricate braid, while her lime green gown accentuated the rich darkness of her skin.

Benedict froze, his mind completely blank except for the one word that stood out in my mind when I finally realized who Vesper was to me.

Mate.