Page 394 of Never Kiss a Fae
“But I didn’t—” I protested while Titus stormed over to his father.
“Do you think this is some sort of joke?” Titus boomed. “Why are you here if you’re going to ruin everything?”
Titus’s father puffed out his chest. “I didn’t burn your cake, if that’s what you’re implying.” He landed a hand on Lance’s shoulder, making the fae flinch. “Although, it was pretty funny, wouldn’t you say, Lance?”
The younger Fire Fae did not appear to be laughing at all, nor did he seem amused by his father’s hand on his shoulder.
“I’m afraid it’s my fault,” Cyrus interjected. “I rather detest fire cakes. It’s a Water Fae thing. Maybe Claire is taking on some of my preferences during the pregnancy?”
Titus frowned, but the suggestion wasn’t enough to cool him off.
Gina held up a package she’d plucked from under the tree. “Oh, look, a present from Sol’s family!” she announced. She hurried to me and brushed away the drifting ash before dropping the gift onto my lap. She leaned down and whispered, “A distraction will keep the Fire Fae from blowing up.”
Titus grumbled but returned to my side as I unwrapped the item. The decorative tissue held a large green leaf. I held it up to the light. “Do I, uh, eat this, too?” I asked, afraid it might erupt into flames like the last edible item did.
Sol chuckled. “It’s a swaddle, little flower.”
I turned it over and raised an eyebrow. “Oh… um, thanks?” I said, giving him a weak smile before putting the leaf back into the tissue paper.
The gift-giving continued as the fae offered me more presents—some of which I hadn’t even noticed beneath the tree, thanks to magical enchantments crafted by Aflora and the others.
Each present was stranger than the last.
Gina gave me a row of sticks that supposedly would help me predict nap times.
Aflora and Zephyrus gifted me with a seed that they stated I would not want to plant. Something about burning thwomps and only using it as a protective measure.
Vox’s family had sent a rather annoying set of wind chimes that I suspected had a curse attached to it.
My mother and Mortus provided the most normal present of them all—a book of elemental stories to read to our faeling when she or he was older.
I started to read it as a distinct sensation made me cross my legs and start to squirm.Crap.
“What is it?” Cyrus asked, placing a hand on my knee.
Sol wrapped his fingers around the curve of my shoulder in that possessive way I liked. He had sensed my sudden discomfort, too. I almost allowed it to lull me into a state of comfort.
Until my bladder protested and forced me into action.
I shot up, flinging my mates off of me. “Bathroom!” I shouted, not caring how everyone openly stared at me as a sudden, inexplicable urge swept through my body. “Gotta… pee!”
Gina’s prophetic words followed me as I bolted out of the room.
Welcome to pregnant life, Claire. It’s going to keep you on the run.
Cyrus stood outside of the bathroom, waiting for me.
“Ready for another gift?” he asked, a hint of promise in his voice.
“Is it sex?” I guessed.
His lips quirked upward at the sides. “That’s a given, not a gift,” he drawled, holding out his arm for me. “Come on, Exos and I want to show you something. And no, that’s not a euphemism.”
“With you two, it’s hard to know for sure,” I muttered.
“Definitely hard,” Exos echoed.
The two males laughed, and I just shook my head. “I rest my case.”
