Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,140

it always will be.” I tugged her to me, twining the bloom into her hair, the purple flower a brilliant contrast against her onyx locks.

“I love you, Hiro,” she whispered against my chest, her fingers soft as they stroked down my arm.

“I love you too,” I murmured, kissing her head. “Are you ready to play a bit?” I released her and stepped backwards.

“Now that my lesson is done, sir?” she teased. I groaned at the image that painted in my mind, and from the wicked grin on her lips, I was sure she’d done it on purpose.

“Minx,” I mock scolded, as I stripped my clothes off under her assessing gaze. The way her eyes heated let me know she clearly found no issue with the way I looked, and my Kitsune yipped. He wanted time with her, and he wasn’t content to wait any longer. I let him push forward, shrinking to the background.

He stretched his body, his tails unfurling in the breeze. Daintily, he lifted a paw to lick at it, preening for her enjoyment.

“You’re so pretty,” Nix breathed out. I knew my Kitsune was impressive with his white fur, and his green markings swirled and woven in patterns across the ends of his tails, his paws, and even the top of his head. My Kitsune barked his agreement at that, and Nix chuckled. “May I?”

I wasn’t sure why she thought she had to ask, my Kitsune would let that girl do anything she wanted to him, but my mate was always polite. He strolled forward and butted up against her, grumbling with pleasure when she stroked his ears and back before playing with his multitude of tails like boas as they wove and curved around her hands, making her giggle madly.

“Trouble. That’s what you are,” she informed me primly, tapping my Kitsune’s nose. He mock snarled in response. I was stronger with my powers in this form, another fact she didn’t know. My pants with the pouch in them were next to us, and my Kitsune called our powers, forcing the vines up and around her, knitting her in place. She yelped, her eyes growing wide as she stared at me in shock. “You glow!” she gasped, and my Kitsune made a sound that was clearly supposed to be a snicker. She was correct. When I used my powers in this form, the green markings on my body glowed. It was a kitsune trait, all versions of our kind glowed when using their powers, so it wasn’t a shock to me, though I hadn’t actually seen it through my own eyes.

I easily unraveled the plants, forcing them back into their seeds. My Kitsune yipped, dipping his head to the ground and wagging his tails. He enjoyed Nix, but he wanted to meet her Phoenix and he was growing impatient. Understanding the message, she chuckled and stripped her clothes away.

In a flash of light, her Phoenix was in front of us. Her feathers ruffled in the air, and the purple bloom I’d placed behind Nix’s ear danced amongst her plumes. She chirped and leaned forward to rub her beak against my Kitsune, who grumbled his approval at the sensation. She preened, stretching her tail feathers out, and I knew it was a mockery of the way my Kitsune displayed his tails. My girl was getting very cheeky today. I’d have to add another count to her spanking list.

She flapped her wings, taking to the air easily, and darted and danced like a living flame. Swooping down, she brushed her wings against me, my tails trailing amongst her feathers, before she took to the air again. I wasn’t willing to let her have all the fun, and I jumped and pounced, pretending to attack the air, the snow, and even the bloom she dropped on one of her spiraling dives around us. She chirped and cooed, her cacophony of sounds surrounding us in a melody all its own while we played. With the heat she emitted, it took time for us both to exhaust ourselves, and my Kitsune was reluctant to pull back. Soon, my friend, I assured him. Maybe one of these nights I’d take advantage of our rooms and switch to my Kitsune form so he could curl up with her in our bed. I knew none of my brothers would complain about the hair we’d leave there.

I scooped her clothes into my mouth, barking around them as I shook my head, calling her back to the ground.