Moon Cursed (Book 2 in The Star and Her Moon Series)

Hope

MERIBELLA

The next hour dragged by so slowly Meribella thought she might tear the cottage down in a fit of impatience. Already, six different selkies had stopped by requesting to see her marks, and while she knew they were only excited about the birth of a new generation for their people, she had to fight the overwhelming urge to punch them in their teeth.

"Would you stop pacing?"

"No," Meribella snapped even as she slowed her steps.

Addien arched a brow and pressed her lips into a thin line. How had Meribella missed the changes in the woman before her? The quiet confidence that had replaced the broken spirit? The peacefulness in her eyes?

It probably didn't help that you were drugged out of your mind.

"Meribella? Are you okay?"

She froze. She hadn't meant to send that thought along the bond. "No. I mean, yes. I'm fine. Still getting used to separating my thoughts from what I send to you."

"I kind of like the idea of hearing your thoughts."

Heat suffused her body, making her ache in all the places he'd touched and kissed the night before. Gods, how did the man manage to make his telepathic words drip with sexuality?

"All I have to do is think about how you looked when you came while I was between-"

"Alright, sir. That's enough. You're going to have to teach me how to have a little privacy."

She felt him pout. "Fine. I think I can manage that. Are you heading this way soon?"

"Yes. We have to wait exactly one hour before we can leave. No one mentioned the viewing parties that would show up afterwards. These people have no shame."

"I can think of someone else who has no shame. Remember how you got on your knees and took me all the-"

"Okay. Love you. Bye."

She imagined a wall slamming between them and almost yelped in surprise when the line went quiet. Not quiet like before- a terrifying, empty silence. No, she could still feel him. He was amused and kind of proud.

"I would think you would be relaxed after last night," Addien said, stretching her long, tan legs in front of her. "Nerida may be an evil bitch, but she's not lying when she says your marks are extraordinary. You and Raff must've given each other great pleasure."

Meribella tugged on the ends of her hair and nodded. Then she sat on the bed and dropped her head in her hands. As much as she enjoyed Addien's company, she desperately wished for Thorne right now. Her friend was nearly as blunt as the selkies, but her humanity tempered some of the more jarring traits.

"That's the problem. It's like I can feel him still touching me. Still making me," she fumbled over the words and ended up mumbling something incoherent.

"Aroused?" Addien supplied.

"Yes! I don't understand it. I mean...I've always wanted Raff. There are times I crave him as much as I crave food. But this is agonizing. Every step I take makes me want to moan. My skin is super sensitive. If we were any other couple, I would drag him into this cottage and have my way with him until we couldn't lift our limbs. Is this normal? Are these marks doing this? Or is it because Raff and I are both marked now?"

Addien turned her head to the side and studied the swirls on Meribella's body. Once again, Meribella was clothed in lace, and the marks glittered through the elegant material.