I Married a Mothman (Prime Mating Agency, #11)

by Regine Abel

Serena and I exchanged a long, bone-crushing hug, although she did most of the crushing. While we were of the same height, Serena had always been the stronger and more muscular one. I released her with much reluctance, saddened by the fact that I wouldn’t see her again for many weeks, if not for many months.

My baby from book 2 of the series!!!!! I still remember then dance she did :)

Had anyone told me my baby sister would end up marrying a snakeman, I would have strongly suggested they urgently seek therapy. And yet, here we were.

Family of monster fuck-- i mean lovers

It was Szaro’s turn to puff out his chest and give me a taunting smile. I had never been particularly attracted to other species. While it freaked me out the first time I saw what species Serena had been forced to marry, I had to admit that my brother-in-law had grown on me. I no longer saw a being who was half cobra, half man, but a very muscular, fine-looking male, with a heart of gold, and who treated my sister like a goddess. I couldn’t have hoped for a better partner for her.

Of course!!!!! He loves her

“He is not an Atreall, although what he does shares some similarities,” the agent conceded, a sliver of amusement sparkling in his green eyes. “He did not leave a mark on you like the Atreall Queen did to the Zamorian. But he did select you as a form of protector.”

As beautiful and lovely as the Temern female was, Linsea was only ever assigned to the most high-profile and critical cases of the UPO and the Enforcers—the intergalactic peacekeeping force of the UPO. But more importantly, her husband ran the Prime Mating Agency. He specialized in finding mates for the most primitive aliens in the galaxy.

Mom and dad!!!

“I have a life of my own! I can’t be stuck babysitting a chrysalis forever. How far is his planet even located? How long before I can go back to my own life? The way I understand it, whatever he injected me with cannot be taken out. I’m forced to stay with him until he lets go,” I argued.

Sounding like an uptight bitch…

“True though this may be, the fact remains that Xarin has chosen her and refuses to let her go. So, she will just have to become a Promethean.”

She gave me a sympathetic smile. “I am a Temern, but my husband possesses an extremely rare trait amongst our people. He is what we call an Edal—an empath who can hear souls. The rest of us can feel emotions, but he goes beyond that. When I asked him to describe it, Kayog said it sounds almost like a melody to him. Each person has a unique song that can only be matched by their soulmate. The same way you recognize someone by their face or voice, my husband recognizes souls by their song. When you hear a popular song, even when interpreted by someone else, with different instruments, and even in a different style, you still know what song it is.”

Dad just gets cooler and cooler

Seconds later, Kayog stepped out of the portal, reclaiming my attention. Seeing a hovercart with my luggage following him twisted my insides. It finally sank in that I was truly going to be stranded in this foreign place for the foreseeable future. The tall dragon-like being on the other side flicked his wrist, and the portal instantly collapsed with a whooshing sound. “Okay, how do I get myself a friend like that?” I said with awe, still staring at the now vacant spot where the portal had been.

He chuckled, totally unbothered by my less-than-cordial tone. “Venus, such tender emotions emanating from you warm my old heart.” I scrunched my face at him, annoyed by how charming I always found him to be in spite of everything. “You’re hardly old. It’s your habit of marrying off the Bello sisters that’s getting old,” I grumbled.

The texture of her skin and especially of her hair fascinated me. I had never seen such tightly curled locks. She had bound her hair into two thick and long elaborate braids. Venus absent-mindedly caressed the right braid while listening to yet another suitor make his pitch. I doubted he realized this was a telltale sign that he was already dismissed. She had a few tells that I had come to identify. Although I could be wrong, this one signified he was boring. When she twisted the tips, it meant she wanted to strangle the idiot babbling in front of her. And to hide an urge to laugh at some stupidity, she would chew on her bottom lip.

“ENOUGH!” Venus shouted, startling everyone into silence. “You know, this is truly one of the most disgraceful displays I’ve ever witnessed. But thank you for showing your true faces,” she continued in an icy tone. “All of you are going to be a hard pass for me. I’d rather jump into a pool of acid than marry anyone who thinks this kind of behavior is acceptable under any circumstances. It’s not your choice to make, but mine. The Prism chose me, despite being an off-worlder, and a Monochromatic one at that. But after this spectacle, I can see why. Atlas has shown more class, decorum, and humility than the lot of you combined.” Emotion choked me. I was the one who defended others, never expecting recognition or gratitude for it. No one had ever defended me, least of all so fiercely. And fierce, that little human definitely was. Forcing myself out of the dazed awe her fiery speech got me under, I opened my mouth to tell her it was okay, but a haunting sound silenced me.

YES BOSS BITCH STICK UP FOR YOUR MANNNNNNNN

“Then it sounds like everything is settled!” Kayog said with enthusiasm, as if he was oblivious to the general dismay that reigned in the room. The wretch finds all of this amusing. I couldn’t even be annoyed with him. Over the few times I met the Temern, I’d come to realize a real brat hid beneath that polished and respectable mature male exterior.

“It’s weird. I don’t know him, but I feel deeply that I can trust him.” “Of course, you do.” I tore my gaze away from Atlas to glance inquisitively at Kayog, intrigued by the way he said that. “Why ‘of course?’” I asked. The sound of thunderclap startled me. A short distance behind us, a black portal opened through which I could once more see the golden dragonkin. “Because he’s your perfect match,” Kayog said, matter-of-factly. “And my ride home has arrived!” I stiffened. “Perfect match? As in my soulmate?” I asked, shock and outrage audible in my voice. “Yes, Venus. Atlas is your soulmate. Even when I don’t try, I succeed,” he said, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and disbelief. “It’s something else being me.” “Wait, what? No!” “Yes. And as you know, I’m never wrong,” he said while patting my cheek affectionately. “Be happy, my dear. You deserve it.”

DAD IS SO FUCKING AMAZING HAHAHAHAHAA

And she chose me. Venus freely picked me.

“Reports will not be a problem,” Venus interjected in my stead. “As for regular visits, the Prism will have to agree to those.” “Excuse me?!” Ajustus exclaimed, sounding outraged. “Based on the tingling that appeared at the back of my head the moment you said that, it sounds like Xarin isn’t too keen on hosting guests. I can only assume he needs to save his energy for his development,” Venus said matter-of-factly. “Therefore, unless it is absolutely necessary or that the Prism himself requires it, I will severely limit random visits. If you need reassurance as to his welfare—beyond the confirmation by your highest-ranking public defender—then I’ll be happy to have live conference calls with you to show you that he is fine. Your technology supports it.” By the Lights, there was something insanely sexy about watching my mate verbally slap that obnoxious male in the politest and most reasonable voice possible. Should I be ashamed to be this turned on to have her knock him down another notch or two and remind him that he wasn’t in control?

Although I couldn’t deny that Venus possessed agreeable features, I wasn’t attracted to her in the traditional sense. So why did I feel so sad that we would not be sharing a room like a normal couple? Because you want to cuddle.

Considering how Serena often called me a diva—which wasn’t entirely false—I couldn’t explain why I was acting so low maintenance all of a sudden. Because you want him to like you.

“You’re following a nail tutorial?” Venus asked with a stupefied expression. My scales darkened, and my wretched hand went right back to scratch the fur below my clavicle. You’d think I would have overcome that nervous tick years ago. “You said it was essential for you, but there are no spas here,” I mumbled in a slightly defensive tone. “So you decided to learn it?” she insisted with a disbelieving look. “It is my duty as your mate to bring you happiness to the fullest extent of my capacities,” I said in a firm tone. “I didn’t know much about human nails, but I have been learning so that I may provide for you.”

YES BABY

She snorted. “No dates here. According to my mother, I’m turning into a hopeless spinster. Most potential partners I’ve met were idiots. And the ones I actually would have considered to settle with were already taken.” My efforts to look sympathetic failed miserably. My heart was too busy rejoicing to know that no other male held hers.

This beautiful female was my wife. My lawfully wedded mate… It no longer mattered that this wasn’t a real marriage. Since Venus entered my life, I had experienced the type of emotions and happiness I only ever dreamt of. Obviously, the physical contacts played a significant part in it. Even now, just holding her in my arms as we flew through the sky filled me with an incommensurable sense of well-being and fulfillment. But her mere presence, our conversations, the way she seemed genuinely interested in me as a person brightened my days in a way no words could describe. She was the last thought on my mind when I went to sleep and the first one when I woke. I didn’t doubt she also haunted my every dream. I intended to cherish every moment we had together, however banal.

Hes adorable

If it could help prevent Thaudras, I was all in. By the time we flew back home, the only thing that mattered to me was the wondrous feel of my mate’s body in my arms.

“You really want me to go with you,” I whispered, my voice filled with shock and wonder. “I do, Atlas. We barely know each other now, but I already can’t bear the thought of parting from you. By the time everything is settled here, there’s no question I will want to keep you forever. You’re mine, Atlas. And I am yours. Whatever the future holds, we will face it together.” “You and me together,” I whispered.

“My Venus, my mate… I will fight for you. I will fight to keep you forever. You are mine, and I am yours.” I smiled.

Kyrene greedily pored over the data I forwarded to her both yesterday and earlier this morning. In the back of the room, two of her assistants looked on the verge of having an orgasm as they also analyzed them.

Nerds

“Make me yours,” she whispered against my lips. I stared at her while the fire burning in the pit of my stomach spread throughout my body, like liquid flames coursing through my veins. “You accept me, Venus? All of me?” I whispered, my throat constricted by emotion, and my voice made deeper by the burning desire consuming me from within. “Yes, Atlas. I want all of you. I want to be one with you,” she replied with fervor, her eyes flicking between mine. “You are mine, Venus. Now and forever,” I said before crushing her lips in a possessive kiss.

“I’m keeping you, Atlas. You’re mine, now and always,” she whispered against my chest. My left arm tightened around her, and my right hand caressed her hair while a powerful emotion I didn’t dare name yet filled my chest with warmth. “As long as I draw breath, I am yours, my Venus.”

By the divine lights, I was crazy for this woman.

“I’m falling in love with you, Venus,” I blurted out in a whispered voice. The words no sooner crossed my lips than I stiffened. I hadn’t meant to speak those words so soon, honest though they were. But the powerful emotion laced with an undeniable joy on her face wiped out my blossoming tension. “Good. Because I’m falling in love with you, too, Atlas,” she whispered, her eyes filled with affection.

“You are the light of my life,” I said while admiring her beautiful face before brushing aside a lock of her curly hair off her slightly damp forehead. “Until I met you, I didn’t know what happiness and truly living meant. I am sorry that I cannot give you the proper courting you deserve, take you out on fancy outings, nights of entertainment, or sightseeing around the land. But I promise to make it up to you.”

“I stand before you as the chosen voice of the Prism,” I said in a tired voice. “What you’ve seen on that recording was initiated by his will. He wants the Achromatics to work together, which allowed them to rediscover long-lost powers. His guidance has helped your most brilliant scientist get within reach of a solution to your people’s greatest threat. Isn’t that all that should matter? Instead of chasing conspiracy theories, listen to what they have to say. And I will continue to follow Xarin’s wishes. And so far, he wishes for me to stand by his Blessed Guardian, the Razus of Japhyr. Wherever he goes, we’ll go.” Atlas and I locked gazes. The love on his face melted me from the inside out. The loud voices arguing all around us faded into white noise and I drowned in the dark depths of his obsidian eyes. Yes, wherever he goes, I’ll go.

“You go in there, kick that thing’s ass, and come right back to me. Do you hear me, Atlas?” Venus said in a commanding tone that failed to hide the worry gnawing at her. “I hear you, my mate,” I replied tenderly. “My body, heart, and soul are yours, my Venus. I love you and intend to spend the rest of my life with you. Nothing, not even that radioactive Queen will keep me from coming back to you. Anyway, you owe me a guided tour of the galaxy. Don’t think I’ll give you an excuse not to make good on that promise.” She snorted, love and sadness warring for dominance on her beautiful face. “I love you, too, Atlas. And you’ll find out that the best way to piss off a human woman is to ruin her travel plans by being a no show. So get your butt back here, or I’ll come get you myself. Deal?” “Deal,” I replied softly before reclaiming her lips for one last passionate kiss.

Despite our determination to beat the odds, we came here prepared to die. But now, a single thought replayed in a loop in my mind. I’m coming back to you, my Venus.

Dismissing the disgraced Chancellor, Xarin returned his attention to Atlas. To my surprise, he took my left hand and placed Atlas’s right one on top of mine. “I entrust my Prima to you, Shaydwin. Take good care of her for me. Honor, protect, and love her,” Xarin said before turning to me. “I give you my Blessed, Venus. Cherish, guide, and love him. Together, you will bring hope, peace, and relief to many other worlds as you have done for us. Remember us fondly during your journey.” I looked at Atlas. Our gazes locked, and something magical that transcended anything I ever felt before passed between us. I drowned in the dark depths of his eyes and barely realized he was drawing me into his embrace. As he leaned down to kiss me, I vaguely perceived Xarin moving away from us and heading towards Acamon and Kyrene. But the world around us ceased to exist. All that mattered, all I could see, was the man I loved.

This chapter had me in tears T.T

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I could now cast magic. It was super weak. Nothing that would represent a real threat to anyone. But it was enough to perform basic healing, like fully mending a small cut, reheating the tea in my cup, or closing a door left ajar with a kinetic blast. And above all, it was a major bragging right.

“You felt him, too,” I said in a factual manner. He nodded and smiled in a way that said everything would be okay. I rose to my feet and went to him. He pulled me into his embrace, and I rested my head on the soft fur of his chest. “Prisms cannot feel physical pain. Xarin didn’t suffer. He was happy, at peace, and full of love,” Atlas whispered in my hair in an appeasing tone. I nodded against his chest before lifting my head to look at him. “He was. You know, we’re both young enough that we might still be around the next time he returns. Maybe we’ll get to see him again,” I said, only half-teasing. He snorted. “Now that my entire generation has survived Thaudras, I no longer doubt anything is possible. So let’s add that to our list of long-term goals.” I chuckled. “Deal!” “Deal,” he echoed before kissing my lips.

“My Venus,” I whispered. “You’re so beautiful. I love you so much.” She blinked away the tears welling in her eyes and gave me a trembling smile. “I love you, too, Atlas. More than life itself.”

But all that mattered to me was the beautiful woman in my arms, my impossible dream, my soulmate, my love.