Page 38 of Urn My Love

“Thank you, August,” I called.

The hard man simply nodded and closed the door behind him.

“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to upset you.” I brushed my fingers through Jazriel’s hair.

“I’m beyond perfect, beautiful mate. I just need time to process this, and I want to do it while holding you.” Jazriel’s voice was deeper than I’d ever heard.

Content in his arms, and a little sleepy from yet another regeneration in a matter of days, it wasn’t long before I fell asleep.

The afternoon was spent lounging. I felt lazy, but Jazriel reminded me the success of our plan depended on me being at my peak. Secretly, I think the men were just trying to keep me in the room so I wouldn’t get attacked by birds or mauled by wolves.

August disappeared and reappeared throughout the afternoon, bringing various trays of snacks and dishes. I didn’t miss the way he watched which items I reached for first, and which I avoided. He was trying to learn my likes and dislikes, which made no sense if he was leaving me.

More than once, I’d caught his gaze drifting over my body when he thought I wasn’t looking, and I hoped he would act on the undisguised desire that burned in his eyes. The closest I’d come was when he’d joined Jazriel and me on the bed for a nap. I’d been hoping for a repeat of our first night together, but Jazriel seemed to be waiting for August to make the first move, and in the end, I’d fallen asleep.

I finally managed to call Ryls. After assuring her I was safe and everything was going fine, she immediately focused on another topic.

“Sooo… did you and August do it?” She giggled like we were teenagers at risk of being caught by our mothers.

Which was ridiculous. I didn’t even have a mother.

“No. Wait! What do you know about August?” I demanded, glancing over my shoulder and half expecting to see him standing on the balcony and eavesdropping again.

“I know the world’s grumpiest catbird is following you around like you’re the cat’s meow.” Her playful banter sent a pang through me and I realized I missed her.

“Between us, August doesn’t want to be mates.”

Loud boos and foot stomping came through the phone.

“Um, yeah. The guys are here. But don’t worry, they won’t tell anyone.” She must have covered the phone’s speaker, because the next thing she said was muffled. “Because if you do, I swear y’all will be jerkin’ your own gherkins for a month!”

“What does jerking your gherkin mean?” I asked, then twisted around to check on Jazriel, who made a sound like he’d inhaled a sneeze.

“You know! Hand to gland combat? Bopping the boloney? Holding the sausage hostage? Lubing the tube? Playing one-handed baseball? Playing tug of war with the cyclops? Pole dancing? Roughing up the suspect? Shake and steak? Wax on, whack off? Blow your own horn?”

Roars of laughter drowned out the rest of what she was saying, and I turned to Jazriel, hoping he’d been listening to my thoughts and could tell me what she was talking about.

“You don’t know?” he wheezed, his face turning a mottled shade of red.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking you,” I hissed.

Jazriel burst into laughter.

“Who’s with you?” Ryls asked, her side of the call going instantly quiet.

I smiled as I watched Jazriel wipe tears from his eyes and shake his head over the joke I hadn’t understood.

“My mate,” I answered softly.

“YOUR MATE? You have a mate?!” Ryls squealed, nearly breaking my eardrum. “Like did the deed and completed the claim kind of mate?”

“Yes.” I felt like I was glowing from the happiness bubbling in my chest.

“And? Who is he? What is he? What’s his name? Where’d you meet? How do you feel?” Ryls asked eagerly.

“He’s a pegasus who was being held by a group of men who were ex-employees at one of the labs. They took off with him when the lab was destroyed so they could take the research in other directions.”

“Hey, give that back!” Ryls yelped.

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