Page 19 of Iris
“Can we discuss the mate thing?” Igor’s leaves move to get my attention. “You haven’t even commented about having three mates now.”
“Yes,” Kieron sounds from behind me, “why don’t we discuss this mate situation?”
“Hello? Still standing right here!” I flick one of Igor’s leaves softly before looking back at the two males who have my body going into overdrive. “Can we just not talk about personal things like this in City Hall? That would be great.”
Besides, with how wonky my magic is acting, I'm concerned something might be wrong with me.
I shake my head trying to get rid of that lingering thought. I might not be the best witch, but I excel with my plant magic. When it's working. Taking a breath, I straighten my spine. I run my hand over the leaves of the rather tall umbrella plant.
I press a tiny bit of my magic, hoping it will work as it should. When nothing hurts, I push the magic into the plant. It hasn’t been watered in at least a week, having been forgotten as soon as the workers had started spelling the room for the dance.
“Look, Kieron, there’s some kind of spell happening. It attracted Dorian and Noah to me. It sounds like you’re affected by it, too.” I offer over my shoulder at him.
I’ve just started to push my magic to give the plant more life when it rebounds back again. It takes everything in me to not stumble. I can’t let the guys know anything is wrong.
Kieron takes a step closer to me on my right side as Dorian crowds me from the left as well. The combination of hot and cold is a little overwhelming. Kieron runs his hand down my face before cupping my chin and making me look up at him.
“I already knew last night. The mating bond snapped into place the second I touched you.”
“Say what now?” I'm trying to concentrate but it's getting harder when Dorian’s hands are sliding around my waist and I can clearly feel his body against mine.
Kieron keeps his hold on my chin as he takes that last step to basically squish me between their bodies. Iris sandwich. That’s what I am. They are the meat. Hunky meat.
“I’m a shifter, Possum. I’m yours now.” He leans forward so his lips are mere centimeters from mine. “It’s a shifter thing.”
His attempt at humor falls flat as I struggle internally. Can this really be happening to me? Can I really be this lucky of a girl? Sure, there was an instant attraction with Kieron last night, and now, it feels like my body is vibrating with him being so close.
Let’s not forget about Dorian. He is the most unique vampire I’ve ever met. He is also the sweetest. And Noah. Gods, Noah. I’ve been in love with him for years. This all feels like it's happening way too fast to be real.
These guys seem to be every woman's wet dream. I'm not sure if they are serious about me since the spell is still around. Am I even serious? The guys probably deserve better.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it, Iris,” Igor speaks softly from where I hold her pot. “These guys actually do like you. The shifter is right, I can sense the mating bond. You’ve already felt how much the other two want you. Stop freaking out and just go with it.”
“I agree with Ms. Igor, here.” Kieron’s tone has darkened as he keeps his eyes on mine. “Why don’t you let us show you?”
“We do have that date tomorrow night. Why don’t we bring Kieron with us?” Dorian’s lips press against my right ear. I just about lose all feeling in my legs.
“A foursome date. I like it. But I’d like to speak with her on a date alone, the first time.” Kieron presses his lips to my forehead. “You have my number, vamp. Give it to our mate and call me, Iris. We’ll set up something.” He steps back, straightening his shirt where I’ve been clutching it in one hand unaware. “See you soon, Iris.”
With that promise, he leaves the room. When I take a deep breath, I realize I've been holding it for a while. Sweet oxygen fills my lungs.
Dorian still holds me from behind. Good thing too. I'm pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to move if I tried. Funny how I know Dorian, but I haven’t really known him until the past few days, yet I'm just as comfortable with him as I am with Noah.
“Why don’t I take you to lunch? We can talk business and personal.” His fingers stroke my arms. “Does Italian sound good?”
Nodding, I step away from him and turn to face him. “Yeah. Food sounds like a good idea.” I hold up my notebook. “But we really have to talk business first. Deal? Also, get someone in here to care for this plant!”
Dorian’s clear blue eyes crinkle in amusement. “Deal.” He holds out his arm for me. “And, Igor, you can’t come into the restaurant because humans work there, but,” he says that quickly as she opens her mouth to protest, “I have some candied flies I picked up from Buttercup’s Bake Shop this morning.”
“Wait. You stopped specifically to get Igor some food?” If that isn’t the sweetest thing anyone has ever done. “How’d you know?”
Dorian squeezes my hand that’s resting on his arm. “Igor hinted at her favorite flies when you were busy going over the list I gave you.”
“Lovebirds, enough chitty chat chat. I want those flies. Get to your lunch!”
We both laugh at how eager Igor is as we walk out of City Hall. The drive is quiet but I can’t help the smile that spreads over my face. It stays there even when we get out of the car at a small hole-in-the-wall Italian place. Igor is perfectly content staying in the car with the bag Dorian has given her.
We sit in the corner of the small restaurant in a comfortable booth. The lights are low with small candles in the middle of the tables.
