Page 9 of Dying in Flames (Reborn 4)
Maya
October 29th.
I frowned, tilting my head to the side, feeling a bit odd about seeing that date when it had only been a day or so that had passed for me. Then again, I had never had an extremely good grasp on time, because the only thing I had to base time off of as a kid was how light and dark the ground was outside of my window.
I ran a hand through my hair as Bella offered a cute meow, curling up on my bed while licking her fur, which was slowly turning back to black and white. I smiled at her pure sweetness, but after a minute, moved into my stunning en suite bathroom, turning on the shower and stripping out of my clothes. The room began to steam up, and when I got under the water, I immediately let out a soft sigh, closing my eyes.
I think hot showers were one of my favorite things outside of my mates, glitter, and kittens.
I honestly couldn’t tell you how long I stayed under the water, but after scrubbing my hair and body, eager to get any blood or ashes off me, I began to push thoughts of earlier from my head. I couldn’t fully, because despite all those that had died, Pastor Malcolm was still alive, and even worse, my gut told me that there were more phoenixes trapped as I’d been. I wasn’t going to let that go.
When I was done with my shower, I stepped out and brushed through my hair at the vanity, looking over how tired I appeared. I examined my pink nails and toenails, wondering if I could get them redone soon in a more autumnal color like the leaves outside. Maybe Jordan would want to go with me…
Crap. I needed to talk to her, especially following Pastor Malcolm’s escape and possibly Lorn’s, although I truly hoped that he hadn’t escaped as well. There was something very wrong with him.
Looking over my room, I realized I had no idea where my phone was to begin with. When was the last time I’d had it? I would need to ask one of the boys.
After getting comfortable and cozy in a fresh pair of lacey pink underwear, I put on a fluffy white sparkly robe and slippers, padding back into my bedroom. I froze, finding a freshly showered Atlas sitting on the bed with Bella, who was pouncing on a stuffed pink mouse. I pretended to scowl as she bit the mouse’s head, like a vicious little predator, and as if knowing, she looked up at me with an innocent expression…mouse still in her mouth.
“Oh no.” I waggled my finger. “You can’t act all innocent. You just bit that mouse’s head off. That really isn’t nice, Bella.”
Atlas chuckled, his gold eyes lighting up with amusement as I made my way towards him. A low rumble escaped his throat as he noticed what I was wearing.
“You are so beautiful, angel,” he murmured, motioning me forward. I easily walked into his arms, his head resting against my chest as my fingers ran through his damp hair.
“Today has been…something,” I murmured.
He nodded and looked up at me. “Marco and the rest of them are nearly home. I suggested we take the night off to relax as a family. Anani and Ledger are making some dinner, and I think the boys need to settle in. We put them in the apartment above the garage, and when I went to go check on them, most of them were already asleep.”
“Oh good.” I nodded, knowing I needed to officially meet them but hoping it could wait until tomorrow.
Also, I hadn’t realized there was anything above the garage in the first place. I clearly needed to spend more time exploring our home. Although, after everything we’d been through, I was starting to wonder if we needed to find somewhere new. Somewhere that was fresh for all of us.
Did I have a right to ask that of them though?
“How do you feel about a movie night?”
“I love that idea,” I agreed happily before turning serious. “Can you promise me that we will try to figure out this thing with other phoenixes? I have a feeling it’s really bad, Atlas.”
“We already have probes out about it. Trust me, Maya, we will get to the bottom of it,” he promised, picking up my hand and pressing a kiss to the pink ring there, making my toes curl. The massive pink diamond ring on my finger made me feel exhilarated every time I looked at it. I had never given much thought to getting married or any future past the basement before meeting my mates, but now all of it sounded extremely appealing.
“Okay,” I whispered, leaning into him as I offered him a soft smile. “I love you.”
“I love you more, angel.” His face was so serious as he grasped my jaw. “I need you to be honest with me. Are you okay after today? I know seeing that bastard can’t have been easy.”
“He scares me,” I admitted before adding, “but I feel safe with you guys. I know you would never let him get away with what he wants. I just want him out of our life completely…no matter the cost.” I whispered that last part because I should have been ashamed for what I was insinuating.
Instead of being surprised, Atlas’s eyes lit up as he kissed me softly, causing my body to go completely pliant and sending heat waves through every nerve ending. When I finally pulled away, I couldn’t help but offer him a goofy smile.
“I want you to only relax tonight, nothing else,” he demanded with a tone that had my toes curling. I nodded, and Bella meowed as if he was asking her as well. He stood in my space and easily lifted me against him, his lips pressing against mine, and I let out a happy sigh as he set me down a moment later.
“Get dressed.” He nipped my nose and disappeared through the door.
Atlas was right—I needed to relax with my mates tonight. Tomorrow I would focus on the bigger questions.
Picking out a pair of pink silk shorts and a matching tank top, I pulled the soft material over my skin. I thought about putting on a bra, but considering it was just my mates, I told myself to not worry about that and instead pulled on a matching robe that had fluffy white fur on the edge of it that matched my slippers. I clipped my hair up so the damp strands didn’t get on my clothes and grabbed Bella, her collar glinting in the relaxed bedroom lighting nearly as much as my ring.
My ring. Myengagementring. What did that mean going forward? I always felt like I was in a whirlwind with these men, and I never had any idea what to expect next. I loved it though. I also found myself staring at the ring more often than I assumed… I mean, it was pink and sparkled. I really had a feeling that these men had figured me out, because I couldn’t help myself from constantly appreciating it.
