I could see the shadows of the other ones in the background, but they weren’t as friendly or needy as this one, who seriously looked like it wanted to climb into my lap and have a sleep.
“Always charming the monsters, Jess.” Maximus gave me a wink as he shot up out of the water, and with a hand from his brother, swung onto the docks.
Tyson was next. Braxton gave the wizard a boost from below, and Maximus caught him from the top. Now it was my turn.
I leaned over Braxton’s shoulder so I could see his face. “Will you be okay in the water by yourself?”
He responded by brushing his soft lips against mine, sending shooting arcs of heat through my frozen body. “I got this, Jess. Up you go.”
His large hands were so gentle as he lifted me. I loved that most of the time the Compasses treated me like one of them. Sure, we didn’t have punch-ups or anything, but I also wasn’t made of glass to them. But in moments like this, when Braxton was gentle, which was not his usual behavior, I felt like I was precious. No matter how independent a female is – and I liked to think I was pretty tough – every one of us wants to be loved by someone who thinks we’re precious, who touches us with reverence. Braxton gave me that and so much more.
I was just reaching up to grip onto Maximus’ outstretched hands when I realized another force had joined in lifting me up – Loch Ness. With the help of the serpent, who clearly had the neck strength of an ogre, I was raised up above the docks before stepping easily into the waiting arms of my quads. I swung back around and gave the friendly water lizard another scratch, and even waved a couple of times as it sank back down into the darkness.
I turned to find Jacob watching me closely. “What?”
He shook his head, the stunning white and gold of his hair shifting in the dull lighting. “You’re a fascinating creature, Jessa babe. The guards of the gods were not known for this pet-like behavior, but you pretty much had him curling around you and purring.”
It was odd, messing-with-my-head odd. “Maybe it’s because of my mark. We know it has something to do with the gods.”
It was as good a theory as any.
Braxton was up on the dock now, only requiring the briefest of assistance, his massive shifter strength more than enough to power him into the air. The moment we were all standing on the docks, Jacob lifted both of his hands, fingers spread wide, and with a few low, musical words, the water evaporated off us. I let out a deep breath, relieved to be warm again.
“I love that my connection with the elements is so much stronger in Faerie,” Jacob remarked. “It feels like home here. If only it was easier to exist between the two worlds. You lose so much Earth time by staying here.” He shook his head. “Would never work.”
I hated how sad he sounded, but at the same time I would not be happy to lose months of time without him on Earth. He would literally have a day on Faerie and that would be three weeks without him back home. Ouch.
As Tyson crossed my path, I couldn’t stop myself from asking him. “Why did you cut your hair?”
Maybe I was some sort of OCD control freak, but he shouldn’t have been changing things when I wasn’t around to veto it. A few snickers started, and I realized that all of the quads, except the wizard, were stifling their laughter.
“What happened?” I asked, drawing the question out.
Tyson muttered a few times, running his hands through his shorter hair. “Let’s just say Grace was not very happy with something I said, and she decided I needed an attitude adjustment. And a hair adjustment to go with it.”
I bit my lip, trying really hard not to laugh too. He looked so morose, and I knew that was about so much more than his hair. It was about that healer witch, and how much she was under his skin. They hadn’t established a mate-bond or anything yet, and hell, maybe she wouldn’t be his true or chosen mate, but either way she was determined to make him pay for his jerk behavior in the past.
I snuggled into his side, offering my comfort. “Want me to beat her up? I’ll totally do it for you. Just say the word.”
Some of his anger lifted, and I was rewarded with dimples and a true smile. “Thanks for the offer, Jessa babe.”
I shrugged. “That’s what family is for.”
Beating the crap out of people who hurt our pack members. Might not be normal for most, but it was totally normal for us.
He chuckled this time. “Since I’ve seen both of you fight, and I kind of like Grace’s face the way it is, I’ll take a pass on that. I deserve a lot of what she’s dishing out anyway. Doesn’t make it any easier to take.”
I patted his arm. “She has to let go of the past. It’s not healthy to hold on to shit for so long, and you need to man up and get your girl. You’re being a little passive-aggressive. I know you’re waiting for her to be ready again … but you need to show her that you’re serious about it this time. This is not just about getting into her pants, it’s about you caring for her.”
Despite my violent offer, I liked Grace. I wouldn’t have enjoyed beating the shit out of her, but for my boys I’d have done it without hesitation.
Tyson looked contemplative, and I knew he’d mull it over. He was a light-hearted, fun kind of supe, but he was also deep. He could commune with nature and the gods for hours; he had so much going on beneath the face he showed the world. Grace just needed to see that.
The five of us spent the next few moments trying to figure out where the hell we’d ended up. The area was bright enough that Tyson’s wizard light was no longer needed, but there was still that dull, underground feel to the illumination. There was also a damp smell, which was not unusual with all the water lapping around us. The docks at least felt sturdy, without any of the rotting planks one would expect.