“You look beautiful.”
She blushed as she ran her hands down her arms, letting the glamour fade. Her inked feathers shimmered and she smiled softly. “I’m not used to this,” she said. “It’s weird to think I’m not human because I don’t feel any different. Maybe I haven’t had time to feel differently.”
He moved toward her, rocking Pen slightly as he did so he wouldn’t wake her. “I’m sorry we haven’t made it to the phoenix realm yet. As soon as things quiet down here, we’ll go. I know you could go by yourself, but I want to go with you. That’s selfish of me, though. If you need to go with one of your friends, I’ll understand.”
She shook her head and ran her finger down Pen’s cheek. “I want you with me. As much as I know my friends would understand and be with me, this is something I know you have to be a part of. I said yes to being your mate, and that means I said yes to all that comes with it. We can wait to see what happens to me and where I come from and who I will be. I’m also not leaving you alone while you’re going through all of this. I never thought my life would end up this way, and I feel like I’m taking one leap after another, but that’s okay. It’s not what I would have expected, but I’m…well, I’m happy.” She frowned up at him despite her words. “Is it wrong to be happy today of all days.”
He leaned forward and kissed her, keeping Pen safely between them. “No. You can be happy today. My father would have wanted that. He might not have been the man I wanted him to be, the man I needed him to be, but he was my father. I mourned him for all those months I was away from you because I knew the end was coming. The fact that he passed only two weeks ago is only a number. I’m yours, Eliana. I’m Pen’s, as well.”
“And you belong to your people,” Eliana added. “You can’t forget that.”
“I don’t. Won’t. Not ever. I’ve been raised to know that one day I would lead, but you didn’t know that when you met me, when we conceived Pen.” He patted Pen’s diapered bottom, but she stayed asleep.
“I signed up for it when I said I would be your mate. I might not have known all the details, but I’m not some flower that will wilt at the first sign of challenge. I didn’t know what my place was or where I would be going in a world where my friends would grow into their powers and I would be forced to stay behind, but now I don’t have to deal with that. They all took the hits as they came and found they were far stronger than they’d thought they were. I want to be like that, and I’ll find a way to be at your side.”
“You’re a queen you know,” he added. “Even if you aren’t a lioness, you’re still my Queen, my people’s Queen.”
She smiled wryly. “I wonder if the Conclave knew they’d be adding so many lightning-truck to the ranks of royalty when they changed our destinies.”
Malik snorted. “Knowing which members were actually part of it, probably not. But I think this is a way of fate balancing things out if you ask me. You’re all important, all part of more than one world. I think we can do this. Hell, I know I can be Leo with you by my side.”
“Even if some oppose it.”
Malik let out a growl. “The only assholes who oppose it are the ones that wanted my throne to begin with.”
“Language,” she said with a laugh.
He looked down at Pen. “She can’t really understand anything, can she?”
“She’s our child, so I wouldn’t put anything past her.”
“Then I guess we should keep Faith away from her because that woman curses a he—ck of a lot more than I do.”
Eliana shook her head before going to her toes and kissing him softly. “I think we should put Pen to bed in her room and set up the monitor. That way I can put you to bed and take care of you.”
Her eyes darkened, and Malik had to hold back another growl. “Are you sure?”
“I have been sure since I said yes to the bite,” she said with an honest conviction. “I want to celebrate life and be with you in all ways, Malik.” She leaned forward to whisper in his ear, her breath warm against his neck. “I want to make love to you, Malik. Let me love you.”
“Always,” he gritted out, his voice hoarse.
In a heated fog, he followed her upstairs and set Pen up in her crib with the monitors set. The baby didn’t even hiccup a cry the entire time, and he sent a thank you to the goddess for that.
As soon as he closed their bedroom door behind them, Malik was on his mate, his hands on her ass and his mouth to her ear.
“I had planned on going soft and sweet this first time, but I don’t know if I can wait. So this time will be hard and fast and fucking hot. Then I’ll go slow until you’re writhing under me in heat.”