Star Blessed

Roll Call

MERIBELLA

The deep rumblings of male voices drifted into the bedroom, but Meribella paid them no heed. She sat on the edge of Raff's plush bed, her legs dangling over the side with her hands gripping the mattress while she stared through the window and into the violent night. Strange how things had come full circle. Raff had changed her life on a night just like this, and now, as the ghost of his touch still clung to her fevered skin, she knew he'd changed it once again.

Standing, she stretched and winced at the tenderness in secret places. The mirror hanging on the wall reflected her reddened cheeks. Tonight had awakened something inside of her, some sensual part of her she'd denied because of the dangers it posed. Glancing back at the closed bedroom door, she knew the dangers had not lessened, but the worth of the risk had increased.

She left the still cold wetsuit on the floor and pulled open one his drawers, searching until she found a pair of dark gray sweatpants. Shimmying into them, she tightened the drawstrings as far as they would go and rolled the ankles up so she wouldn't trip. Strange, how she found delight in something so small as wearing his things.

Gods, I owe my mother an apology. No wonder Dorea chose to chase after men, and she added to that thought with chagrin, the orgasms. But she knew, without a doubt, that what her mother had found in the arms of men, was nothing like what Raff had shown her. Such care, such selflessness. His gentle touch had almost erased Herrin's brutal violation. Almost, but not quite. How different it would be when he stopped holding back and fully claimed her and she him.

A part of her worried if on some subconscious level, Raff didn't believe she was Fae. That he worried she'd end up pregnant. Her hand dropped to her flat stomach and wondered what it would be like to carry his child. She'd never thought much about being a mother, a side effect of a long life and being obsessed with finding Kai's skin she supposed. And while she wouldn't go as far as to say she loved the man, she admired and desired him more than any male she'd ever met. He would be a good father.

I'll have to talk to Thorne about birth control... surely there's something I can take. THORNE!

Hand over her mouth, she rushed into the living room. Raff jumped to his feet, eyes wide and glowing. Lincoln rolled his and remained seated, a knowing smirk plastered across his face.

"Is everything okay?"

"Thorne. She's going to be so worried. I need to call her."

He closed the gap between them and placed his hands on her shoulder. "She messaged me. A dozen times, by the way. You're probably in big trouble, but she knows your safe."

Dropping her head against his chest, she laughed, "Thank you. I'm sure I'll get an earful."

Sliding his hands down her arm, he reached her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. They walked back to the living room and settled on the sofa. "How exactly did she get my number by the way?"

"I gave it to her. Figured it couldn't hurt."

"Right, Raff. Her accomplice has to know how to keep tabs on you when she can't. However is she going to kill you otherwise?"

Meribella tensed. "You told him!"

Raff nodded, seemingly ignoring the shrill tone of her voice. "I'm assuming Thorne knows most of what I've told you."

"Well, you have me there." She didn't have it in her to get terribly worked up at the moment, her body was still languid.

"And Lincoln, that's enough. I explained to you that she's been honest with me."