"Aria is already thinking of zapping me as it is. If I project to you, too, she may actually do it."
Everyone laughed as I bowed my head.
Tallis pulled me into his lap, offering whisper soft kisses all along my jaw as I snuggled into him. We were free to love each other without any boundaries. And I loved it, but I really wanted more. After feeling my feelings, Tallis kissed me... hard—very hard. A toe-curling, deep moan-worthy, spine-tingling sort of hard that left me breathless.
Amelia giggled. "I love the fact that I don't have to deal with such a headache from the constant push and pull between you guys anymore."
Tallis glanced at her. "Me, too. I love feeling all of Aria's affection without any guilt. I love knowing that she's mine, and I can just be with her—finally." Then he looked at me. "Your crest should have shown up to war you of your impending change about two weeks ago. Have you seen it?"
I shrugged. "Not to my knowledge."
Amelia winked at me. "Is it somewhere you don't look very often?"
I blushed. I looked at Tallis teasingly as a brazen moment came to me. "I don't know. Tallis, will you search me?"
He coughed as though he was strangling, scolding me with his eyes. Henry laughed, apparently enjoying this little war we were having.
"You can tell she's fresh. She's still thinking like a mortal."
Tallis grinned, but I narrowed my eyes. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It just means that mortals are very emotional. You're still as hormonal as a mortal would be," Henry said, poking at me.
Now that was really embarrassing, and I wanted to hide. Tallis laughed harder and pulled me to meet his kiss again. I felt every part of me begging to be with him. Tallis smiled against my lips.
"It doesn't bother me a bit," he murmured.
Henry snickered as he said, "Yeah, well, you don't still have a real mortal. Not to mention an empath. This is crazy hard to deal with."
Amelia smiled up at him with a doe-like expression that screamed innocence. "I'm sorry, but you could just give in, you know?"
Henry shifted uncomfortably, not enjoying the accidental shift of conversation he had just invited in. He glanced at Tallis pleadingly. "A little help, please."
Tallis fought back a grin, though he failed several times. "I can imagine your pain. She's been projecting Aria's emotions on me since the day they bonded. I feel for you."
Amelia rolled her eyes. I couldn't help but lose myself in Tallis's kiss. It was so hard to keep my lips off his now that we could finally be together.
Amelia hopped up and started pulling my shirt up slightly, revealing my back and stomach. "Hey! What are you doing?" I asked, swatting at her hands, but I was careful not to actually hit her out of fear it might hurt her.
"Wow!" she mused, her invasive search still underway. "Your body looks even better than it did before. I hope mine does that."
I could feel myself blushing, and I could see Tallis smiling a wolfish grin. "Why are you inspecting my body?"
She continued scouring all around. "I'm looking for the crest. I'm curious now." Then she smiled daringly. "Henry, turn around. Aria, take your shorts off."
Henry spewed his drink across the patio and whipped his head around to face away from me. I could feel the burning in my face deepen now. "You've gone crazy."
She laughed. "Oh good grief. I've seen you before."
"What do you girls do when you are mortal, exactly?" Henry asked jokingly.
Amelia laughed. "Funny. We've changed in front of each other. I just want to find the thing."
Tallis was laughing hysterically as Desmond and Ash joined us. Desmond spoke quizzically. "What's so funny?"
Tallis couldn't stop laughing long enough to answer him. I was still sitting in his lap, refusing Amelia's request as I stubbo
rnly crossed my arms over my chest and glowered at her. Henry finally answered with his back still turned.