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“I’m an adult, Moth. I can wait.” “But you… you only asked me for this because you wanted to fuck.” I chuckled, twining my fingers through his on my chest. “And we are. I didn’t expect you to be at my beck and call, ready to fuck the moment I snap my fingers. We’re only doing this if we’re both enjoying it, Moth.”
I know how different I look.” I lifted my head and kissed him, sucking his lower lip into my mouth and swiping my tongue over his piercing. “I love every part of you,” I told him. “You’re perfect.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry I was such an asshole at the beginning.” I chuckled and threaded my fingers through his hair, damp from a recent shower. “Sorry I was so annoying.” “You weren’t.” His voice was muffled against my neck. “I just hate everyone.” He was silent for a moment, before he croaked, “I don’t hate you.”
“My progenitor is the… ruler, but their followers are people. Humans who think my progenitor is a god or prophet or something. They call themself the Herald. And they… they’ve made all the humans become cannibals. They eat the people who don’t want to join.”
He’d lived on the streets as a tiny kid. No wonder he hated everyone—no wonder he was so closed off and prickly. He’d been fending for himself since he was just a little boy. He’d come out into the Wastes alone when he was twelve. How the fuck had he survived?
“Their protectors held me down while they tattooed this on me. It’s the salyik language. I don’t know exactly what it says because I can’t… I can’t read it, but my progenitor told me it warns all other salyiks that I’m a half-breed and shouldn’t be welcomed. I guess they thought that once I knew what I was, I might have tried going to the monster world to find others. So they wanted to make sure I couldn’t.”
“When I kept screaming and shouting for them to let me out, they, uhh… they pierced my lips and tongue and sewed my mouth shut.”
“Really, Charlie.” Moth hesitated, then clasped my face and leaned down to kiss me. “It’s okay. And if it… If they summon me again, just wait for me. They’ll send me back. I’m not going to leave you out here. And if you—if you have to keep moving, I’ll find you. I promise.” “Moth.” I bit my lip, eyes burning again. I nodded. “I’ll wait. But I still… We’ll try and think of something, okay?”
“You definitely deserve a blowjob for that,” I rasped after pulling back. Moth went still, then his white teeth flashed in the dark as he grinned. “Yeah?” “Hell yeah.” I grinned back, slipping my uninjured arm under his coat to slide my hand up his back. “But maybe once we’re both clean and you don’t smell like monster guts.” He snorted and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Princess.”
“Still the best nurse out here.” I grinned at Moth as he flushed the wound out, trying not to wince. “Sexiest nurse I ever had.”
My gut clenched with a heavy throb of want. Not just for his body. Not just for sex. For him. I wanted him. Like wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt for him, but love felt too strong just yet. But… I was pretty sure I could. Love him.
He’d been starved of affection for so long—his whole life. I showered him with it to make up for the lack he’d experienced, and it was no hardship. I wanted to give him everything.
Fuck people. I wanted to tell him that he didn’t need anyone else—that I’d stay with him. That I liked him—more than liked him—just the way he was. Prickly, defensive attitude, arrogance and all.
MONSTER ATTACK IN CHICAGO! THOUSANDS DEAD, MILITARY SAVES CITY
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do?” he interrupted, before shovelling salad into his mouth. “After this?” “I…” I licked my lips, nerves rising alongside the desperate urge to ask if I could stay with him. If he wanted me to. “No. I don’t know.” If you ask me to stay with you, I will. I stared at his bent head, wishing I was brave enough to say it. I’ll teach you to read. I’ll go back to your safehouse in the middle of nowhere with you.
It wasn’t just the desire to have someone. It was him. I wanted him.
“See? Moth, when I look at you, I don’t sit there picking out things that could be perceived as flaws. Because they’re not flaws. They’re just a part of you. And I love every part of you. You’re beautiful.”
I loved everything about him that was different to my body, and I… I was starting to believe him when he said he loved the differences in my body too.
God, I wanted him so much. I didn’t know why he wanted me back, and it felt pathetic to be grateful for it, but I was.
I’d been such an idiot to suggest a casual thing between us, although I couldn’t have known I’d end up feeling… like this. Like I wanted to wake up like this every morning, warm and naked in bed beside an equally warm and naked Moth.
“Come on, Charlie, time to get up.” He shot me a little smirk and started pulling his pants on. Once they were zipped, he yanked open the curtains and filled the room with bright sunlight, making me squint. “I am clearly up.” I slid my fist up and down my straining cock, gratified when Moth’s eyes locked on it. I grinned and jerked my chin toward the window. “Anyone who can see in here is probably wondering why you’re getting dressed when a naked, aroused dude is trying to tempt you back to bed.”
a flash of midnight blue skin and a delicate, elfin face framed by long, dark grey hair. Only one eerie silver eye was visible, the other covered by a black patch. Cat quickly blocked the door again, hiding them from view. But I understood now. They weren’t human.
“Still got your sword, Moth?” I glanced over to see Moth smirking a little. He reached back and unzipped the long bag to show Cat the ornate hilt of his sword. There was a flurry of sound from behind Cat, and he jerked as a midnight blue hand appeared on his shoulder. “That is my sword.” Uh… What? I stared in disbelief as Cat hurriedly started closing the door, shooting us an apologetic look. “Sorry, guys—uh, good to see you. See you soon.” “Thieving little—”
When the Herald had summoned me from the prison, it was to order me to go and find the third aytorin.
And he did make me happy. He was the only thing I could remember making me truly happy in almost my entire life.
Charlie, who’d made me feel truly desirable for the first time in my life. Who’d told me that he loved every part of me. Who didn’t care that I was half monster, who didn’t sneer with instinctive revulsion at the sight of my face. Who’d been patient with me, even when I’d been a complete asshole. Who’d offered to teach me to read and had kissed me and held me close while he was sleeping.
Why are you in here?” “I helped someone escape before they got the Herald’s mark.”
Any embarrassment over that had been burned out of me years ago, particularly after the time I got explosive diarrhoea while Hunter and I were out on a job in the Wastes. He’d found it hilarious, especially when I’d shakily called out for him to get me more leaves to clean up. I was so weak and dehydrated by the end that he’d even had to pull my pants back up for me. God, I missed that big bastard.
I helped someone escape.” His smile softened, becoming more real. “It was worth it. I hope he made it back to his camp.” I didn’t know what to say to that. I hesitantly picked up my glass of water and tried to give him a hopeful smile. “I’m sure he did.”
“Why are you following me?” I muttered, staring at the monkey creature. It gave a cheerful chirp back and kept pace. I huffed in irritation and looked away, ignoring it as I slogged forward.
“No,” I told it firmly. “I already have enough stuff on my back. I can’t carry you.” I set it on the ground and pointed at a random spot in the distance. “Go.” The creature spun in a circle. As I took a step forward, it darted to my leg and latched on. “Fucking—” I shook my leg to try and dislodge it, but it clung on, all its limbs wrapped around my calf and knee. “Come on! I don’t have time for this!”
Surely it would get bored eventually and let go. I wasn’t going to let it slow me down, so I just kept walking, trying to ignore the fact that a little spike-monkey monster was wrapped around my leg. It didn’t let go.
My hand slipped off my stomach, and my eyes flew open again when the creature immediately yanked it closer before squishing its cheek into my palm, using my hand as a fucking pillow.
A tiny part of me hated myself for naming the monkey creature. “Chuck, no.” I shook my leg, and she reluctantly slunk off. “You can’t hitch a ride on my leg.”
“You can be my replacement Charlie,” I told her gruffly. “Until we get him back. But I swear to fucking god, if you start humming, I’m tying you to a tree so you can’t follow me.” She’d just given me a cheerful hissing chirp in response.
“I don’t… I don’t think I was ever actually in love with Ghost,” I croaked to Chuck. “I think I just convinced myself I was because he didn’t seem to care about my monster side. Because he didn’t immediately look at me with disgust. I just clung onto him.” I let out a weak, humourless sound and looked down at Chuck loping beside me. “Pathetic, right?” As if she understood, she stretched up one flat grey hand, using the other to keep lumbering forward, and tucked her fingers into my palm. My eyes got hot, and my face flamed pink as I glanced around furtively to make sure no one was nearby. But
...more
At least I’d had him for a little while. At least I knew what it was like to want someone so fiercely it consumed me, and to be wanted back. At least I’d gotten to know someone truly decent, and kind, and compassionate—even if he could be an annoying shithead sometimes.
“D-don’t go near humans,” I got out weakly as she hissed in fear and skittered closer to me. I jerked back, holding out a hand and barking, “No. Stay away, Chuck.” She looked frantic but didn’t come closer, twisting in a tight circle and worrying her little grey hands together. Shockingly intense grief at the thought of losing her
She’s scared and confused 😩
“St-stay safe, Chuck,” I gritted out as she darted closer then back again, fear and confusion making her movements jerky.
I hope he finds her again
As Charlie and I crashed through the forest, leaving the mall and the cult behind, I felt my mouth stretch into a wide, wobbly grin. I was free.
“I liked your safehouse.” I’d live there with you. Just ask me. Fucking ask me.
“Chuck!” Moth suddenly cried, confusing the shit out of me. He lunged forward then stopped dead, face flaming pink as he looked at me. “Uh, I mean—that’s—” He cleared his throat. “This monkey thing started following me when I was coming to get you.” A slow grin spread over my face. “And you named him Chuck?” “She’s female. I’m pretty sure anyway. And yes.” He shot me an imperious look, arching his brow. “She was almost as annoying as you at first, so it felt fitting.”
“That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” I told him solemnly, and his face flamed even darker. “Shut up.” “I mean, you have to keep her, right?” I took a step closer, but didn’t reach to touch her yet. “She’s clearly already in love with you.” You and me both, girl.
We weren’t going to tell anyone about the Herald and that whole ordeal. I was particularly glad, because I was pretty sure Edin would laugh his damn head off if he found out that I had once again been captured and thrown in a cage. Hunter’s head would probably explode.
“Hunter has been… very worried.” I chuckled. “You mean he’s been an unbearable ass?” A tiny smile tilted his mouth. “Edin keeps him calm. Somewhat.” I grinned over at him. “He just shouldn’t be around people for too long. Small doses is best. He’ll relax when he’s back at the homestead.”
“Charles Dylan Keane.” The sweet, familiar roar of my best friend boomed across the camp, bringing a tiny smile to my lips and chasing away the gnawing ache in my gut. “Where the fuck have you been?”
“Hi, Edi—guh—” I was yanked off my feet yet again by giant purple arms. Edin rubbed his cheek against my hair frantically. “Charlie,” he rumbled, his voice vibrating through me before he set me down. “You are back and safe. I told you he would be fine, josdo.”
“Ah.” Edin’s low, amused voice made my eyes jerk back to him, and he shot me a knowing smirk. “You and Moth fucked.” Hunter choked on a breath as my face went pink. “What?” “It is obvious, josdo,” Edin drawled with a wave of his hand before I could say anything. “Look at him. Charlie is gazing at Moth like he wants to—”
“Only you could make something as simple as fucking complicated after a goddamn monster apocalypse.” I glared at him. “Says the guy who decided a big purple dude with horns is his ideal life partner.” That made Edin give me a wide smile as he threw his arm around Hunter’s neck and tugged him close. “Don’t worry about Moth’s lack of horns, Charlie,” he told me earnestly. “I’m sure he is still very virile. Well, you’d know, anyway. Is he? Virile?” My face burned as Hunter muttered, “Don’t get him started on the horns, dude. It was a whole thing while you were gone.”
“So you’re not coming back to the homestead?” he asked, lips pulled down into a frown. “You’re gonna go with him?” I shrugged uncomfortably. “I mean… if he wants me to.” “What?” Hunter barked immediately, eyes narrowing as he glared over at Moth. Uh-oh. “Why wouldn’t he want you to? What’s his problem? Does he think you’re not good enough for him?” “Jesus, Hunter.”
