“But the other guy is. Calix. He came by earlier and we talked about skeletons. Isn’t that exciting?”
“As in the bones inside a sabrevipe?”
“And you. And me. And every living thing around us.” She grins. “I’m no scientist, but it was fascinating comparing human bone structure with that of morts.”
“You made a friend? With Calix?”
“Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Calix is singularly focused. He doesn’t spend much time making friends.”
“Maybe no one ever had anything worth saying to him.” She shrugs. “He’s also a very proud daddy and husband. We talked about his father’s notes. I’m going to add them to the historical reference section of the library.”
I should be shocked that Quinn made friends with Calix, but then I remember she’s so adorable and sweet, it’s hard not to love her.
“I came just in time,” a voice says behind me. “Looks like you’re about to leave.”
At hearing Galen’s voice, my sub-bones start popping. I keep a tight grip on Quinn’s hands, turning to glare at him. I’m still angry with him for trying to starve my mate.
“Brought you some nomatoes.” He holds up a basket filled with fist-sized bright blue fruits of some sort.
“Nomatoes?” I ask, confused.
Galen chuckles. “Emery grew these. She said they’re like tomatoes back on Earth II, but not quite. She named them nomatoes. They’re juicy and have the perfect mix of sweet and tang.”
He steps forward to hand her the basket and I growl. His features darken.
“Thank you,” Quinn says. “Just set them on the desk and I’ll snack on them later.”
Galen’s eyes narrow at me, then glance down at our conjoined hands, and his sub-bones start popping.
I don’t rekking think so!
“Mine,” I snarl, staking my claim.
Galen sets the basket down before whipping around, his double fangs bared. “You can’t just claim her!”
“Boys,” Quinn squeaks out, her voice quivering with nerves. “Simmer down now.”
“Whatever you’re trying to do,” I snap at Galen, “ends now. Quinn is my mate, not yours.”
She doesn’t argue, simply squeezes my hands.
His shoulders hunch. “I need to get back to work. Let me know if you like them, Quinn.” Without waiting for an answer, he storms out.
“That was awkward,” she mumbles. “I didn’t…surely I didn’t give him the wrong idea.” She chews on her bottom lip, darting her big eyes my way. “I feel bad.”
“The world may be threatening to end and I may not have hardly any time to spend with you, but I won’t let him take my mate.” I lean forward and press a kiss to her lips. “You’re mine, Whisper.”
She flashes me her silly grin that makes my heart melt. “My hero.”
“Your hero, huh? Like in your storybooks?”
“I don’t normally read about heroes with fangs,” she says with a laugh. “Usually the fanged creatures are the villains.”
“Usually…”
“But not this time.”
“The hero is fanged, unbelievably handsome, and is going to save the world?”
She giggles. “And mine.”
I kiss her again, this time taking the time to taste her sweet tongue. My cock is hard in my suit, eager to officially make her mine.
If only there were more time.
“If I’m the hero, what does that make you? The princess?” I ask, my lips brushing over hers. “Emery tells lots of stories about princesses.”
“I’m the heroine.”
“What does the heroine do if the hero is busy saving the world?”
“Heroes don’t always have to do something grand and life-changing.” Her brows furl and she darts her eyes from mine. “Sometimes it’s something small. Like saving a child from someone trying to hurt them.”
I tense from her dark tone. And who the rekk would want to hurt a little person?
“Or creating magical worlds by building a library!” she exclaims, once again smiling. She squeezes my hands, making me wince. “Oh, crap. We need to get your hand looked at. Stop distracting me with kisses.”
I lean forward, bringing my mouth to her ear. I nip the lobe, loving her sharp intake of breath. “What can I say? I’m a determined hero.”
Calix frowns the whole time as he fixes me up. I can’t stop yawning, but I distract myself by eating another one of the nomatoes Quinn brought with us. It’s juicy and rekking delicious.
“It’ll heal,” I assure him.
Calix studies my face. “Not your hand I am worried about.”
I stiffen and pin him with a glare. “What’s wrong?”
“Have you been sleeping?”
“Kind of busy building a machine to destroy all Kevins,” I snap, swiping off juice from my chin.
“I could give you something. To help you sleep.”
“I don’t have time and you know it.”
The doors open and Quinn walks in, holding two trays. I’d sent her to fetch us a proper meal while I had Calix heal me.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her smile falling at seeing our grim faces.
“I think Ozias needs—” Calix starts, but I cut him off.
“I need to take an early evening to rest. Care to tuck in early with me?” I flash her a devious smile that makes her cheeks burn crimson.