Jaded [The Moonlight Breed 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Gabrielle Evans (best free novels txt) 📕

“Where exactly are we going?”

“Silmataurea. It’s a little island off the coast of Greenland, and it’s also the home of my people. It’s very private, hidden by magic so that no one can harm us. I think you’d like it there.” The temperatures were ideal for an artic fox shifter like Zuriel, but Spiro had his doubts that a little snow could persuade his stubborn mate.

If he could guarantee his trip home would be a short one, he would make the journey on his own and not put Zuriel in the position to choose. However, it could be weeks, even months before he’d be able to return to Wyoming, and the thought of being separated from his mate for that length of time made him more than a little anxious.

“I don’t know what to say. What about Zavion? What about my friends?” Crossing his arms over his chest, he tucked his hands close to his sides as though he was trying to prevent something inside him from breaking free. “This is my home now. It’s the only home I’ve ever had.”

“It’s not forever, sweetheart.” An idea was brewing, but it was a long shot, and he doubted anyone would actually agree to it. “What if we asked your friends to come with us?” There was more than enough room in his family’s palace to house those who chose to make the journey. Like Zuriel, however, they all had lives in America, lives that were comfortable and familiar.

“You really want me to come with you?”

“You’re my mate, Zuriel. I always want you with me. However, I’ll understand if you want to stay.” He’d go insane with worry while he was away, but he couldn’t just kidnap the man and force him on a plane.

“What if I hate it there?”

“Then you don’t have to stay.” Hope blossomed, but Spiro squashed it quickly before he got ahead of himself. Zuriel may be considering it, but he hadn’t answered in the affirmative yet. “Give me a week, just one week. If you don’t like it there, I’ll get you on the first flight home.”

“And the others could come if they wanted?”

“Your friends and family are welcome to visit anytime they want for as long as they’d like.” Hell, he’d try to convince Stavion to move the entire coven there if he thought that would appease his mate.

“Okay,” Zuriel said slowly, dragging the word out while he squinted in concentration. “When do we have to leave?”

“Tomorrow morning, I’m afraid. I know I haven’t given you much time to think about it, but as you pointed out, the full moon is in four days.” Not only was it an ungodly long trip, but because he and Zuriel would both be forced to shift during the full moon, he’d have to complete the rite before then, leaving him with only two days rather than four.

“Can I talk to the others before I make my decision?”

“I think that’s a good idea. I actually have my meeting with Cicero in ten minutes, but I’ll find you later, okay?” Pinching Zuriel’s chin lightly between his thumb and the knuckle of his index finger, he tilted his mate’s head up and indulged in a slow, lingering kiss. “Don’t stress, lirimaer. If you decide to stay, I’ll understand.”

“Okay,” Zuriel whispered, but he sounded a million miles away. “I’ll see you tonight then.”

“Tonight.”

* * * *

“Wow,” Oscar breathed when Zuriel finished telling his friends about his earlier discussion with Spiro. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, I say this calls for dancing.” Jumping up from the kitchen table, Nikola motioned for everyone else to stand as well, and pushed the table up against the wall.

“I second that.” Mihail scurried over to the small radio situated in the corner near the refrigerator, and loud music instantly began blaring from the speakers. “Dancing makes everything better.”

Zuriel didn’t necessarily agree, but he was tired of thinking about it. A ten minute break to clear his mind might be just what he needed. While Beyonce sang about being a diva, he and his friends twisted, twirled, and gyrated around the kitchen, laughing loudly as they bumped their hips and shoulders together.

The impromptu party didn’t exactly have the desired effect, however. Instead of clearing his mind, it only affirmed how much he loved his life in Haven. Spiro was the only royal he’d ever met, and he hadn’t even known the guy was a prince until a couple of hours ago. Somehow, he doubted dance parties in the palace kitchen would be approved forms of entertainment where he was going.

Plus, he’d be mated to a king, a ruler of an entire race, and he had no idea what that meant for him. He was just beginning to figure out who he was, and he didn’t want to lose himself to a title. Frankly, the idea that he would cease to be Zuriel and become simply “the king’s consort” held very little appeal.

“What the bloody hell is all that noise?” Cian Murphy stomped into the kitchen dressed in nothing but a pair of loose-fitting jeans with his hair sticking out in odd angles all over his head. “How is a man supposed to get any rest around here?”

“Oops,” Zavion mumbled. “I forgot Cian has night patrol this week.”

Jacobi on the other hand, appeared to hold very little sympathy for the Enforcer. “We’re thinking. Go away.”

“You’re thinking?” Demitrius appeared behind Cian, looking just as disheveled and, if possible, more irritated. “How can you think with that…that…”

“I believe ‘music’ is the term you’re looking for,” Zuriel quipped.

“You call that music?”

“Zuriel has a problem,” Nikola tried to reason. “We’re trying to help him come up with a solution.”

Both Enforcers went into full protection mode, storming into the kitchen, killing the music, and grabbing their mates to keep them close. “What problem?” Demitrius demanded. “What happened?”

“That delectable doctor is his mate,” Jacobi began.

“And Spiro is a prince,”