Page 100 of Bianca and the Monsters

Archie dutifully attends to all the affairs of Clumberton Castle as quickly as he can and returns to us, where Bastien and I cuddle with Nico who’s sleeping peacefully. With our song, we reach for Nico, for Pennie, and we don’t give up on Archie, but he’s still not coming through yet.

For three days, this is our sparkly cavern life. Cuddling, eating, singing, questionable attempts at goofy in-pool entertainment, and creatively translating messages from Pennie, whose liquification didn’t dampen his chattiness at all. So far, Nico’s and Pennie’s songs are connected to Bastien and me, but they can’t hear each other, only us.

On the morning of the fourth day, I wake on my fluffy blanket beside the pool. I tried sleeping in the liquid but a princess can only be submerged for so long. My eyes aren’t even open and I already know that this is going to be a good day, thebestday.

Chapter64

Bianca

It takes me back to that first morning when my entire life changed. That morning began just like this one, with a fragrance so mouthwatering, so tingle inducing, so sexy and alluring—a scent that was instantly the best thing I’d ever smelled.

I don’t open my eyes, not wanting to break the spell in case I’m still dreaming. But then I hear his rich, melodious tone.

“You are the most extraordinary woman who has ever lived.”

I roll toward his voice and realize that he’s lying beside me on my fluffy blanket. I still don’t open my eyes and I feel awful for my hesitation. But it’s really more about him than me. If he’s not fully healed,notmy lovely, blue/black furry monster, I don’t want him to perceive any disappointment in my eyes. I only care that he’s healthy and happy andneverinanypaineveragain.

Fur is a perk, of course, but I loved him when he was trapped in another realm, seemingly lost to me forever. Besides, I’m sure they have some furry costumes around here somewhere. We could role play. I’m willing to get all sorts of fuzzy.

My jittery question is answered when his soft fur teases along my cheek.

“Let me see your eyes, my love.”

My eyes practically blast open and I don’t bother restraining the wave of tears that might just drown us. He’s perfect. He’s himself again. He’s so dang beautiful, this amazing monster who adores me—this monster who is my mate.

He’s so blue all over that he’s almost glowing. “Lady Bianca, there’s something I wish to share before we wake the others.”

Archie’s snores from Pennie’s bed reverberate through the entire cavern. I can’t believe Bastien manages to sleep so soundly beside him.

I brush my hand over Nico’s furry face, listening to his purr that awakens a deep yearning in my core. How am I ever going to stop touching him? “Please, share everything.”

He drinks me in before he begins. “First, I want to say that I’m physically better and stronger than I’ve ever been, but that doesn’t mean I’m still the monster I was before I endured that trial. It will take time for me to fully discover who I am now. Much of what surfaced during that experience involved a dozen lifetimes of unfaced darkness. I would ask for your understanding as I find my way.”

“Of course, whatever you need as long as it’s not distance.”

Nico nuzzles his face against mine. “Never distance, my dear.Never.” He pulls back and stares down at me. “There’s something I’ve suspected since the day I arrived at your house, but I didn’t believe that it could orshouldbe embraced…”

His forehead knots and his scent wavers a bit, as though that moment just before an oven is opened, releasing the fragrance of decadence into the air. His blue eyes are so compelling, the hope in them possessing such promise.

“My Lady…” A deep frown. “No, I believe it’s right to call youBianca, my Bianca—my mate.”

I swallow roughly and squeeze my lips shut, suppressing a soggy declaration of love, because he still has things to say and I really don’t want to babble through this momentous occasion.

Nico reads the love and acceptance in my eyes, but more than that, he hears my song. His ears twitch as though he’s trying to hear on the outside what’s playing on the inside. “That really is miraculous.”

“I think so.”

He holds me with his eyes, still not touching me other than my face, though I know for a fact that he’s not wearing any clothes. “Bianca, I want you to understand why I didn’t declare myself to you or to myself sooner. I never meant to mislead you, but I dreamed of your arrival for many years and in every dream, I was forced to leave you behind. I never knew the reason, not until your father needed rescuing.”

I can’t help it. I reach for him and try to pull him closer. He gives in and lifts me onto his lap, cradling me in the warmth, softness, and wonder of a Nico hug.

“So, I repressed the magnitude of our connection, though it slipped out several times, didn’t it? But now that I’m back and there is no barrier between us, I want you to know how fortunate I am to have a mate like you. I wish to be the best monster I can be for you and for myself and our family.”

There’s consternation in his gaze, but I know that’s not about me. “Before I fully unlock all it means to be mated—and please understand, this is all new to me; I had no worthy guidance during my youth—your acceptance is required. Once given, I believe things may bedramaticfor a while, but I truly have no sense of what it means to be mated. That said, I anticipatelustmay become a factor quite soon.”

I grin at him. “Finally.” I giggle and breathe him in, but then I sober. “Nico, I love you. I’ve loved you since you first touched me, even when I was asleep. I’ve trusted you exactly that long. We’re mated, Nico. I will never fear anything about that, because I know we’ll find our way through everything with love and tenderness, passion and hope. We will love fiercely, my beautiful Nico. We already do.”

He’s trembling now. “You accept me? Youfullyaccept me?”

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