Swamp Kings 2 (Bayou Bishops #20)

CHAPTER ONE

“Wait!” Lesion shot up from his chair, hand out toward them. “Don’t. Do not bite him.”

Bishop eyed his alarmed alchemist closely. “Why?” Because what could possibly make a difference at this point?

“Because you gave Nitro blood,” he explained, as if just realizing before regarding their technical brethren. “It became part of Nitro’s system at a critical moment and later, when he overdosed with the serum, that integrated into his physiology,” he hurried, hands in on the explanation before both aimed at Bishop. “If he bites him now, there are three major risks. Genetic overlap, immune rejection, and energy resonance.”

“You got some English words for me, mon frère?” Bishop cautioned, his anger headed back to boiling at this roadblock.

“I need to run tests on both your blood to ensure it’s safe. ”

Bishop eyed him at that laughable word with this biting bullshit. “Safe.”

“As in make sure the bite won’t destabilize either of you,” he added. “Worst case, the shared blood could trigger an uncontrollable surge, overloading your system and causing a complete collapse—physically and mentally. Best case, it enhances your abilities without issue. I need to run these tests to know for sure. And if needed, I can concoct something to clear your neural pathways, ensuring the energy flows smoothly and reduces the risk of overload at the very least.”

Bishop shook his lowered head. Fuck. Fuck-fuck-fuck! He eyed Nitro then Lesion. “These risks go both ways?”

Lesion blurted, “Yes,” with absolution. “The same surely goes for him. Worst case, his body might reject the exchange entirely, leading to a loss of control over his gifts—maybe even weakening him permanently. Best case, his system integrates the exchange smoothly, enhancing both of your abilities and creating a stronger synergy between your powers.”

Nitro added quietly, “If anything, it will work better than ever.”

Bishop regarded him at hearing his knowing tone. “Why do you think that?”

Nitro locked an unwavering gaze on Bishop. “Because it was mostly your blood the serum interacted with when I overdosed. I’m the Alpha of my gifts. You’re the Alpha in my blood.” Nitro glanced at Lesion. “Before you ask, I know this the same way I knew it was safe to bite my wife. It’s in me—part of what I am.”

A salivating curiosity and awe filled Lesion’s face at that bite-bit. “How long do you need for these tests?” Bishop asked, suddenly wanting a second opinion from some of his Northern brothers, particularly Harlow.

“A day at least,” Lesion said.

“I can help,” Harlow offered. “We definitely don’t want to rush a catastrophe, but we also have zero time to spare with other promising calamities on our door.”

“Thank you,” Lesion said, his alchemist’s relief loosening about one inch of Bishop’s knotted guts.

“Sounds like the best fucked up plan we’ve got,” Bishop muttered, eying Seer now. “Unless you tell me those drawings in your pocket I didn’t peek at say we leave right this fucking second.”

Seer shook his head slowly, carefully considering. “I’m getting no alarms. Yet.”

“Well, let me know the second that changes,” Bishop said .

“We can also help,” Fetch said.

Bishop regarded the angelic dude, wishing that offered relief. It surely didn't. “All the help is appreciated,” he said, turning when a heavy hand gripped his shoulder.

It was Kult, still bouncing T-Bagio. “However you need it, brother.”

“I would like to propose the upgrade I’ve heard discussed for your Bat King.”

All eyes swerved to a calm Fin, his icy blue gaze leveling on Bishop.

“Propose away,” Kult urged after three seconds.

Fin raised his upper lip and they watched his canines slowly elongate before receding into normal sized teeth again. “Bio-conductive fangs,” he said. “Cleaner, less painful bites and smoother bio-energy transference directly into the hosts cells.”

“Hell the fuck yeah,” Nitro said, his lust ringing in Bishop’s balls. “Will it let me choose?” he wondered, turning his grin to Bishop. “I might like the messy bites outside of intimacy.”

Another shot of lust hit Bishop right in the cock this time. Fuck him, he was not looking forward to what the fuck this bite would do in that department even while he was sure his wife would love every drop of the insanity. He had a child to protect in addition to her. He barely had brakes as it was. He didn’t want to know what fucking would look like when his demonic lusts gained boosters.

“Whoa, whoa,” Bishop cut in at hearing body-altering ideas flying around the room. He pinned Nitro with a hard gaze, the chief instigator. “Let’s stick with a simple set of incisors and leave your dick out of it. Oui?”

He chuckled, raising his brows. “They’re kind of one and the same now, my Eveque.”

Bishop leaned his glare five inches closer toward him. “Push it and I’ll find a way to create a permanent lock down on your bat wand.” He looked around at the hisses and chuckles then back at his grinning fucking and fighting freak.

“I’ll be good,” Nitro swore silkily.

“Straight up fucking lie,” Bishop said, getting his booming laugh.

“I will,” he vowed, both hands up. “Even if it kills me.”

“I’ll go dig his grave now,” Hurricane chuckled with the rest of them.

Bishop eyed a grinning Harlow at the head of the table, foot propped on the chair. “You can see to this upgrade for him?”

“Hell yeah,” he hurried, straightening .

Bishop nodded. “When?”

Harlow looked around then back at him with arms open. “We are the brothers of now or fucking never.” He tossed a hand toward him. “You call it.”

Bishop regarded Nitro who waited like an innocent schoolboy to learn his fate. “Your call, brother.”

“Now,” Nitro hurried, eyeing Harlow.

“Right fucking now?” the good doc double-checked.

“Hell yeah,” Nitro said, breathless with excitement, his gaze moving from Bishop to the doc. “Right fucking now, yesterday.”

“Well, look who’s awake,” Kult cooed to a quiet, wide-eyed T-Bagio. “You heard all that? Bat fang operations in the swamp at the witching hour?” he chuckled, glancing at Bishop. “He doesn’t wanna miss that kind of action.” He looked back at the baby. “Do you, Garbagio? You want some fangs? Some little bat wings? You’re gonna bust this world’s ass, hell yeah you will.” Kult giggled when the adorable face broke into a big fat yawn.

Pain came over and Bishop marveled at the instant break in his thundercloud expression the second his eyes landed on that angel’s face.

Now, that was power.

“Can we talk?”

Bishop turned to find Seer behind him. “Sure,” he said, the look on his face filling him with instant dread. His spiritual compass had shifted from precarious peace, to shit storm dead ahead.

****

Bishop stepped carefully on the stairs leading to his bedroom then paused at the door, listening. Please , be sleeping . He couldn’t hide what Seer’s talk had done to him and she’d surely see it. He needed time to think, figure out how to tell her. But then what would it change? Not a damn thing. They were taking that fucking trip either way and no amount of his fury would change that. To make everything worse, he craved her so much his body hurt. He was too hungry. Being this desperate when he touched her was asking for it. And if she saw this need, she would make it impossible not to feed it.

He eyed the bottom of the door. No light. He carefully opened it and peeked in.

A light clicked on, illuminating his wife’s smiling face on their bunk. “Surprise!” she whispered then aimed the light at him. He blocked his face with a hand, not ready for a spotlight.

“What are you doing up this late, Ma Petite?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she whispered, excited. “Plus, I have a lot of notes to go over for our class tomorrow night.”

Of course. Precious angel. He made his way to the small table near the door and clicked on the lamp. Hell and all its dirty hounds would fucking wait their turn. His wife was getting her first class before they left. And after that class, the plan was to take the bite at Nitro’s hunting shack and stay however long for observations. The only question weighing was whether he should tell Beth about the bite and how to break it to her about this trip.

He made his way to the bed where she gathered all her papers. The closer he got, the hungrier he became. He took her stack of papers from her hands and set them down then pulled her nearest leg toward him. He grabbed hold of the other until she was right where he could lay his head in her lap. He wrapped his arms around her, moaning with the heaven of her fingers stroking in his hair, and the smell and warmth of his wife. Fuck, this was all he ever wanted and needed .

“Maggie called,” she whispered.

Everything froze for a split second before he remembered it was part of his planned discussion. But he really needed to wait for daylight hours to have that talk, when logic and clarity had a chance to reboot. “How is she?” he murmured, sliding his face along her silky legs while praying she read his mind.

“Well… she had some pretty big news.”

Fuck. “She’s been drawing up a storm, lately.” He pushed her legs open, ready to use the one distraction capable of changing the subject. “Let’s talk about this.” He kissed along her lower belly peeking out beneath the snug t-shirt. “How is our precious Petite?”

“The size of a full-grown crawfish. And Maggie’s is the size of a little claw.”

His head popped up to a huge smile and nod.

“She’s pregnant,” she whispered, giving a giddy little clap.

“Does Spook know?”

“She planned to tell him tonight.”

“Holy fuck,” Bishop whispered, his pulse ramming his chest as it hit him. All the wives would be turning up pregnant. All of his soldiers would be faced with the same burden he was .

He turned, needing space to breathe and think.

“What’s wrong?” she worried softly.

“That was the news you wanted to tell me? From Maggie?” he asked, still pacing.

“Yes. Do you think he’ll be upset?” she panicked at the possibility.

“No, he’ll be fucking thrilled I’m guessing. And then he’ll be like I am, wanting to hide her in a cave till the storm blows over. Fuck! ”

He stormed aimlessly around the room, his anger back to thick and black.

“Well…you’ll help him?”

“I need to call Seer.” He made his way back to her and wrapped his arms around her body, clinging.

“Bishop, what’s wrong?” she begged quietly, her fingers taking him back to heaven.

He let out a long breath. “What isn’t wrong?”

She let out a tiny sputter. “ So many things,” she assured. “I know you’re freaking out about what’s going on in the world but we’re safe here. I’ve never felt more safe anywhere in my life,” she assured.

Fuck. She didn’t know about the drawing or the trip.

He slowly stepped back, his fingers pressing into her softness as his arms fell heavily to his sides. “Seer had a vision,” he whispered, meeting her worried gaze.

“Okay,” she said softly, nodding. “Seer’s visions are good. We don’t need to fear them.”

He shook his head at her before turning.

“We do not need to fear them,” she repeated firmly.

“Keep repeating that,” he said, his fears fully engaging his muscles until he paced again. “Because we’re required to rescue a woman using Rukem’s bridge.”

“Who’s…we?”

“Me, you, Maggie, and Seer and Zodak, and the fucking triplets. And guess what? Spook wasn’t in the vision, and I really don’t want to think about why the fuck that is since there’s no way he’ll let her go anywhere without him much less into the ass-crack of hell while fucking pregnant .”

He stared at her shocked face. “Seer saw this?”

“And your sister drew it,” he added quietly, steadying his breaths.

“What… do you plan to do?”

He closed his eyes and lowered his head. “I plan to do exactly…what his vision sa ys to do. Because there’s a second drawing of what happens if I don’t.”

He shook his arms and swung them when murder zinged through his muscles, blindly making his way to the desk.

“What was the drawing?”

“I have no fucking clue,” he muttered, pulling the chair out and turning it backwards. “I didn’t look. Didn’t need to, didn’t want to.” He sat, crossing his arms on the chair-back and laying his head on them.

The sound of her bare feet on the creaking floorboards raised his head. She pulled his face into her midsection and held him tightly. “God will surely protect us,” she whispered. “I have no fear. From the moment you said it. Zero fear.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pressed into her softness more. “Must be because I’m terrified enough for both of us.”

She hugged his head tighter. “Oh, I have plenty of fear about a lot of things, I’m just telling you, in regard to this, there isn’t a single drop.”

“That is not a comfort.”

She undid his arms, kneeling before him. “I understand healthy fear and know it has an important role. And your news should cause plenty of fear, I’m just telling you it didn’t. At all. And I find that just as strange as you do because if there is anything to fear it would be going out of the swamps.” She took his hands and brought them to her mouth. “It’s a sign.”

He shook his head, flexing his fingers on her mouth. “I still hate it.”

She nodded. “I hate it too. For you .” Her brows narrowed then. “Why would I need to go, though?”

He stared at her, leaning in for her lips. “Your stupid fucking gifts. Why else?” He put his hand on her face and pushed it. “Don’t fucking smile.”

She wiped it off her face immediately. “Sorry.”

Fuck, he needed her. The spark of heat in her soft gaze said she knew it. Saw it. Felt it. Wanted to bow before his hunger. It wasn’t helping she was on her knees so pretty and submissive. And hungry, he realized. Starved.

“I have something else to tell you.” The moment the words left his lips, a door opened inside him, releasing an inferno of ungodly lust.

“What?” she wondered, her body telling on her. She knew. Somehow.

“It’s about Nitro and his bite.”

She wet her lips, and his gaze lowered to the rapid pulse fluttering at her neck in the soft glow of the lamp. “What happened? ”

“Nothing. Yet.”

“Tell me,” she said, her brow furrowing. “Is he okay?”

“He bit the Creole Kings.”

Her reaction said she had no clue about that. “Why?”

“They wanted him to. The King who is a lot like Lesion wanted to understand more and asked to be bit and it… gave his existing gifts quite the boost.”

Her eyes widened with her open mouth. “Wow.” She studied him for many seconds, curious. “Why are you telling me this?”

“He bit all of the Creole Kings. And all of their gifts were enhanced.”

He stood and turned the chair so it faced her and sat again.

She reinforced her position of submission, clasping both hands before her in her lap. His gaze landed on her breasts where her thick nipples screamed to him under the thin, peachy t-shirt. Fucking tits were twice the size, twice as nasty.

“So are… you and the twelve planning to do the same?”

He sat there swimming in lust while studying her breasts. “Yes,” he finally said. “I plan to get his bite before we leave. Show me your fucking tits,” he whispered, winded.

She slowly raised her t-shirt, crippling him.

“Fuck,” he gasped, pressing his palm on his stiff cock. “You are so… fucking … beautiful,” he whispered, devouring their voluptuous shape.

“I…”

He tore his gaze from her chest and looked, finding worry on her face. “What?”

She lowered her eyes, turning her face away a little. “I’m…” She licked her lips. “Dying for you to fuck me.”

The strained confession lit his whole fucking world on fire with agonizing need and self-loathing. Fucking unforgivable. His angel should never have a need he struggled to meet.

“But I know how hard things are for you,” she whispered, still not looking at him.

“Because you drive me out of my mind,” he said, needing her to remember that, to know it in the deepest part of her heart. “Every second of the day I’m dying to fuck you too.”

She gave a tiny nod as big fat tears rolled down her cheeks and gutted him. “I know,” she whispered, wiping them.

“Undress, baby.”

Her brows furrowed. “I don’t want you to…” He stood and opened his jeans, pu shing them down. “Oh God,” she breathed, her gaze locked on his cock.

“Undress, angel.”

****

“I don’t…” Beth was suddenly swallowing too much air as she stood, not about to disobey. She’d been focusing on her submission and after much self-evaluation found how greatly she lacked in it. Submission wasn’t just about doing as told, it was sacrificing your needs for another’s and for her that meant not being so… horny all the time or at least whining or complaining or showing him when knowing it made everything harder for him.

“We’re going to do this carefully,” he said or warned.

“Okay,” she gasped, standing with her clasped fists under her chin, waiting for instructions.

“Sit,” he said as her gaze devoured his beautiful body. Even her eyeballs were starved for him.

She sat like the best obedient girl, wanting him to see the fruits of all her submissive labor.

“Hold the back of your seat,” he said, kneeling before her.

She wanted to weep in joy at seeing his intentions. Her pussy literally hummed and throbbed as she gripped the wooden edge, desperate to have his mouth all over her.

He knelt before her. “Show me how much you want my tongue on your pussy.”

Her whimper flew out as she scooted her butt to the ledge and drew her knees up and back as far as she could for him.

He moved in closer, staring right at her pussy as his large hands worked under her butt. “Put your feet on my shoulders, my delicious fucking wife.”

The thick, rasped words made her gasp and moan as she propped her feet on his hot shoulders, feeling the hard muscles while he lifted her bottom off the chair. “This fucking naked pussy,” he swore, his tongue thrusting right into her opening.

“Oh God, baby,” she gasped, trembling as he answered with a dirty, warning moan, his tongue twirling then jabbing inside her entrance. His breaths rumbled nonstop as he licked up the left side of her pussy up to her clit, going right above it then back down the right side.

“Please,” she moaned, already at begging. “Please suck my clit so good. I need to come . ”

He answered with a knowing groan, his “Yeah?” hot on her.

“Yes,” she swore weakly, flicking her hips.

“Like this?” He covered her clit in a gentle suction and her eyes rolled in her head as she fought for a tighter connection.

“Bishop,” she panted. “Oh suck it.”

He groaned so hard on her, a sound of wicked intention as he dug his fingers into her ass and pulled her tighter against his mouth.

“God yes,” she gasped, the heat in her pussy spreading and concentrating in her clit. “Don’t stop. I’m going to come,” she warned on desperate breaths.

His thumb found her ass and pressed, the tip entering and sending her to the stars. She bowed off the chair, opening as wide as she could when his groans turned as vicious as his suck. Her cries climbed and climbed, too powerful to hold back as she shook in the hard bite of ecstasy. Her legs finally closed, clamping his head as he gently eased her bottom back to the chair. Ragged, guttural breaths and moans filled the silence and every inch of her heart and body. There was no better sound in all the world, no better song.

Her stomach suddenly clenched when he stood. She watched him, waiting for more direction. She braced for the worst which was him not fucking her. She’d already cried once even after swearing a million times to herself that she wouldn’t. She needed to be stronger than she was, show him he didn’t have to feel guilty because she was so needy. She didn’t have to be that desperate, it was a choice and she could make the one that would help him.

His burning eyes held her right before his mouth covered hers, his hot breaths seeming to speed up as he pulled her from the chair. He kissed her as he turned and sat, guiding her hips onto his lap, his tongue pushing and gliding on hers while she half wept to him and God. He was going to do it. He was going to fuck her, oh thank you, thank you God.

“ You’re fucking me ,” he warned on her mouth, his grip on her waist already bruising.

“Yes,” she gasped, reaching between them and moving his cock over her opening. “Oh yes.” The feel of him so big against her was its own ecstasy. Once she had a tight hold of the head in her opening, she grabbed his shoulders and used the chair leg supports for leverage.

“Oh fuck,” he breathed, grabbing the seat of the chair and watching her slowly lower onto him. He seethed around strained grunts, giving another hot, “Oh ffffuck. ”

She moved her hands to his neck and pulled his mouth to her breasts. “Suck me,” she panted, continuing down his cock. “Oh God, baby,” she whispered, resisting the need to jam him to the deepest part of her. He wanted it as much as she did, but it was the whole reason she wasn’t getting fucked. She had to be sensible . But watching him devour her nipple with greedy sucks, driving her to the wrong edges. That power to make him do whatever she wanted danced temptingly before her.

She shoved herself the rest of the way down and the explosion of pleasure brought a cry of victory and both his hands fisting in her hair. She did the same in his, moaning as she rocked the tip of his cock against that perfect spot, their eyes locked. Oh God, pure heaven.

He captured her body in his arms and squeezed tight, moving her on him while keeping a pulling tension in her hair. He suddenly yanked her head back with a growl, holding her down against him as his teeth scraped her neck. The feel of his hot breaths blasting on her skin had her squirming and twirling her hips.

He returned to feasting on her breast, one then the other, grinding her on his cock till her cries came on repeat.

“I want to fuck you so fucking hard,” he swore, nipping her nipple and sending a hot current to her clit. “You know what this bite will mean,” he said, sending a near violent excitement through her at his warning, lusty tone. “It doesn’t just enhance my gifts, it puts rocket boosters on my need to fuck you.” He pet her face with both hands, his every breath a growl as he made a ponytail of her hair and wrapped it around his fist. The hard, exact control was a drug.

“Yes,” she whimpered, lost to her plans, forgetting what was necessary and important other than him fucking her into oblivion. “You won’t ever hurt me,” she moaned, knowing that with all she was. “Not ever.”

His other hand latched on to her hip, digging so hard she gasped.

“They’ll help you,” she remembered. “All the Kings. Oh please,” she croaked, flicking her hips before getting her mouth forced to his for a rough kiss. His tongue was hard and lashing, fingers back to biting on her hip, forcing her to move faster on him.

“Yeah?” he said right on her mouth, bucking against every jerk on her hip. “This is what you fucking make me do, what you want. This cock taking my angel’s cunt apart ?” He stood with her and three breaths later, the wall hit her back and oh God, he laid into her. He bucked hard and fast with rough, seething grunts while her ecstasy flew out in screams. His finger plunged in her ass right as his orgasm struck, turning him into her fuck monster that he hated. The pleasure ripped both of them to pieces, finally ending with their faces and bodies pressed together, astonished rapture in every ragged breath.

“I’m okay,” she managed, knowing that would be the first order of bummer-business. “It was… amazing.”

He pet her face with both hands, kissing with a reverence at various angles on her mouth. “I will use my gift,” he gasped, winded. “To protect you… from me.”

The idea of nothing standing between her and the full force of his divine, glorious passion got her immediately giddy. And giggly at imagining how he might do that, what he would create . “Like a… super vagina?”

His single laugh came on one of his labored breaths as he continued his sweet kissing and face petting. “Something like that.”

“Maybe a passion parachute?” The sound of his laugh brought hers as she pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him. “A love muffler.”

Their laughs shot out as he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a long, tight hug. “I fucking love you too much,” he whispered at her ear, back to petting her. “Way too fucking much.”

She shook a fist next to his face, holding back her laugh. “Say hello to your worst nightmare. The passion smasher.”

He turned and put his back against the wall with booming guffaws while hugging her, the feel of the big rumbles making her so happy. “My angel,” he chuckled, smashing his mouth against hers over and over. “I will create wings for you to fly away when I become a fuck-monster.”

“Yes! I’ll use them to hold you down and teach you a lesson.” She gasped at an idea. “Make me stronger than you so you have to obey me!”

His kiss turned soft as he stroked her face. “You already are. Why else do you think I had a demonic lust-quake all over you?”

She laughed at that expression. “Mmmm cuz you love me and knew I needed it? ”

“Need,” he whispered, his kiss turning hungry. “Present tense.”

His cock jerked and he turned them, putting her back against the wall again. Everything turned deadly serious as she wrapped her legs around him and sank her fingers in his silky hair, already moving on his cock. “Oh God, yes,” she gasped, his long, slow strokes ending with a vicious thrust and menacing growl.

“That baby?”

“Yes!”

“Yeah?” He held her hips and pulled her lower body away from the wall then jerked her down to meet his thrust. “Yeah, I fucking like when you scream, did you know that?” He jerked her again and again and again, then slowed. “Your fucking tits.” He gripped one in his hand and kneaded with a hunger, keeping his cock buried. He grabbed her jaw next. “ Look at me while I fuck my angel’s cunt.”

Oh God, he was driving her out of her mind with his hot lust. She watched him through slitted eyes, gasping and moaning, waiting. “Fuck me,” she breathed, putting all her heart’s desire in the words, praying he was right about the power she had. “Do it,” she whispered.

He held her throat and the feel of his power lit her body up. He looked down between them and placed his thumb on her clit, swirling circles over it.

“Oh yes,” she barely cried, moving her hands to her breasts.

His gaze shot up to watch her squeeze them and strum her fingers over her nipples. “Play with your fucking clit,” he grit, holding her hips again. “Keep being so fucking nasty,” he ordered, his gaze roaming slowly up her body before locking on her stare. “Are you my nasty angel?”

She nodded then blasted her, “Yes!” while squeezing her nipple and rubbing her clit faster.

He got back to long, slow strokes with that furious finish, each pounce bringing her shriek and her orgasm closer. “Yes, yes,” she wanted to weep, rubbing herself faster.

“Get so fucking close,” he ordered, leaning in for a rough, hungry kiss. “Your pussy is quivering on my cock.”

“Yes, oh God yes,” she shuddered, squirming on him. “Oh Bishop,” she added when he returned to those slow, long strokes. “BISHOP!”

The next brutal flick set off her orgasm. He kept his cock so deep, using only his grip on her hips to jam his cock. She came so hard, pulling his hair, her body arching off the wall. And then he came. There was no orgasm hard enough to stand against his. He blasted through her remnant and she rode the storm that he became. God, he was a 10.0 lust-quake with aftershocks that she’d surely feel for a week.

“You have a death wish,” he gasped on her mouth in the aftermath, his forehead against the wall next to hers.

She kissed up the remains of his ecstasy, amazed with how much she could love something. “Your ballerina is so much stronger than you realize,” she whispered, kissing every inch of his beautiful mouth. “And our baby will have our strength.” She let out a small laugh. “It’s his poor wife we’ll need to worry about.”

He chuckled, chasing her tongue with his. “Or her husband. But then who cares about him?”

She laughed, loving that. “Right? Fuck that asshole’s dick off, who cares.”

“Ugh, stop. I can’t handle talking about this with our daughter.”

“She can join up with the nuns.”

“And fucking marry a robot?”

Beth sucked in a breath as Bishop carried her to the bed. “I forgot about that. But they are super protective? Created to be the perfect husband?” He sat her on the bed and jumped up next to her. “You could… ma ybe…have a hand in his blueprint?”

He answered with an angry sounding groan then dragged her down with his bossy arm for a full-body cuddle. She smiled when he glued himself to her backside then locked her down with his heavy leg. “Yes.”

She angled her head. “Yes what?”

“Yes, I will. If we have a girl and this world is as fucked as it is now, God forbid. She’ll have her very own indestructible mate to keep her safe.”

“Oh, wouldn’t it be cool if you could create him as a child she grows up with?”

“Pfff,” he mumbled in her hair. “Didn’t you hear I’m the Quantum Architect? I can create any damn thing I want.”

She considered that for real, pulling his arm up to her mouth and kissing it. “Quantum Architect.” She angled her gaze over her shoulder. “I know we’re joking but… it’s terrifyingly possible , isn’t it? Not that we ever would but that we could is… just insane. Considering what they’ve already made? I think of Kaphas as a husband and… wow, can you imagine our daughter having such a being so obsessed over her?”

He pulled her closer to him with a soft moan. “Don’t provoke my jealousy, Ma Petite. ”

She grinned, kissing his arm softly. “Why? What will you do?”

“Mmmm,” he moaned, sounding half asleep. “I’ll… Quantum Architect his ass in a robot grave.”

She busted out laughing. “A robot grave. Like a metal box?”

“In an alternate universe.”

“That’s so sweet,” she sighed. “But for real… what do you think you’ll be creating once you’re like… superman?”

He pulled her closer with his leg, letting go a single, tired sounding chuckle. “My first job is creating Handy’s new body, apparently.”

Her breath blasted. “Oh wow! That’s huge! A whole body? What are you going to do, like give him special features? Well, duh, I’m sure you will, but like what kind? Who all knows about this? This is sudden, isn’t it? Is it because of Celeste?” She sucked in a breath. “It has to be that, at least partly because Kaphas would not want to share a wife. I’m sure Handy wouldn’t either, but then from what I’ve gathered, he can be somewhat of a troublemaker.”

“Did you have coffee before bed, Ma Petite,” he murmured, making her laugh.

“No, I’m just… don’t really get to talk to you much these days. I miss you,” she said softly, st roking his arm and kissing it again. “Is it too late to choose to be your right hand so I can be with you more?”

“Way-way-way too late,” he said, sounding suddenly wide awake.

She stifled a laugh. “That woke you up.”

“You’re my domestic goddess, please don’t ever change that.”

The terror just beyond the desperate beg in his voice clenched in her chest. “I won’t. I will always do what it takes to protect you. Which means protecting me and the baby, so you aren’t worried. See? I get it.”

“Thank fuck,” he sighed, back to exhausted. “You ready for your classes?”

“No!” she whispered. “And yes! Mostly yes. I’m just nervous. I’ve been back and forth on how to start it, what’s most important and then life keeps changing and making its new emergency demands but, in the end, I realize that love works for every scenario, every problem and is the prime mover in every solution.”

“Fuck, I already love you more just hearing that,” he murmured, squishing her into his body. “You’re going to be amazing. I swear it.”

“Don’t forget you need to be ready to be my helper.”

“Helper? ”

At hearing his worry she turned her head. “Just if I need you to demonstrate anything in regard to a husband and wife.”

“Like…?” he wondered.

“Don’t worry, you’re just gonna help with the practical demonstrations, but—okay, so first I start with the emotional stuff, because, that’s the key in the ignition to the physical. So, we’ll spend the first hour talking about emotional triggers—oh wait, before that, I’ll explain the whole ‘crisis’ thing, like, how stress makes people crazy and causes everyone to snap at each other and stuff. So, I go over recognizing emotions under pressure, and then I’ll have them do this thing where they just look at each other, no talking, just staring , in a deep, connecting way, not creepy. And then I’m gonna get them to practice saying ‘I’m scared’ or ‘I’m stressed,’ which I know sounds super basic, but you’d be amazed how many people just can’t say that stuff. So, they’ll share, and then boom, we move into triggers. Everyone has them, especially in an apocalypse, so I’ll get them to write down their triggers—of course I’ll tell them how—then they’ll share them with each other—oh, and you’re not just standing there nodding and looking thoughtful and too sexy for my own good,” she laughed. “Like, I’ll explain how holding hands can calm people down when they’re freaking out, and you and I will demonstrate it. I’ll show them how to hold hands the right way—firm but not too tight, you know? Just to keep grounded. And maybe I’ll throw in something about eye contact, and you’ll have the chance to tell me with your eyes how much you want to fuck me and are pissed that you can’t,” she giggled. “Oh, and then , when we hit the second hour , that’s when you’ll…”

She angled her head and smiled at hearing his light snores. Poor baby. “And that’s when you’ll go to sleep,” she continued in careful whispers, “and I zip it so you get your desperately needed rest.” She kissed his arm tenderly as far as she could reach with her lips. “And I’ll sleep like the princess you’ve created out of me…” Her words snagged in her throat as tears welled. She shuddered out breaths, hugging his arm so very tight to her. “And I’ll wake up and be the best wife ever because you deserve only the very, very, best of everything. And I know you don’t believe it,” she continued in a strained whisper, “but I love you way-way-way more and I’m saying it while you’re asleep so it gets inside your stubborn head and you know it’s true.” She smiled, blinking through tears. “Goodnight my beautiful, sweet Bishop.”