Captured by the Fae Beast (Monsters of Faery, #1)

by Mallory Dunlin

"Orchids do something very strange," Dain said, with nothing but happiness in his voice. "Unlike most flowers, they are obsessively fussy about where they will grow, and each species of orchid has a different set of fungi they require in order to sprout—sometimes even a single species of fungus. To find their soulmate fungus, they produce an incredible amount of seeds, all of which are so small that they cannot survive on their own. If they don't land on the proper fungus, they can't even begin to grow." He hugged me close to him, turning and kissing me on the temple. "I can think of several similarities to a certain fae lying here."

"That's where the fungus connects to it. Even though the orchid is more spectacular in appearance than the fungus, it's the fungus that anchors the orchid. It wouldn't survive without its soulmate." "Are you calling me a fungus, mister?" I did laugh this time, especially when Dain flicked me on the ear with a grin. "You're my very beloved fungus," he said, in the sappiest, most dramatic voice I thought he could dredge up. "It's true love."

"We could make a list of everything we would like to try, and work our way through it." "Ropes and worship?" I asked, lifting a brow. "If you'd like,"

Very slowly, he looked down at the cat, then looked at me, an expression of perfect consternation on his face. "There is an animal on my lap." He looked almost freaked out, so bewildered that I started laughing. "Leah, don't laugh," Dain said, in a pleading voice. "What is it doing?"

"Dain, meet Jonathan," I said, grinning. "This is my cat. He likes you. You should pet him."

"Are you sure this is a cat?" he asked, his voice tight. "I have never before had a cat come within ten feet of me willingly."