“Ah, but you do. Couples should have hobbies together.”

The courtyard behind the house where we were transported rings with my laughter. “Look at us, already on our way to becoming an old married couple.”

Sakura reappears. “Come on, you two! You’re worse than an old married couple, fawning over one another.”

Ilian and I share a glance, both of us amused by Sakura's remark. With a teasing smile, my Ithaqua places a hand over his heart.

"We're a couple very much in love—can you blame us for being a little wrapped up in each other?"

My friend just shakes her head, leading the way into her parents’ home. The traditional architecture is gorgeous, and I know the house has been in Sakura’s family for generations.

As we step inside, the scent of incense and the warm embrace of familiarity greet us. Although reserved, Sakura’s mom and dad have always embraced me as their daughter’s friend.

Sakura takes us down a hall and through a panel of sliding doors that leads outside to the bathhouse. She leaves us towels before going to check on Dairfyn.

Although my friend might complain about them, I can see her interest. Something about the Dagon has piqued Sakura’s attention—and that’s a first.

The warm waters soothe away the tension of the past week as Ilian and I sink into the large, wooden soaking tub.

Steam swirls around us, and we enjoy a moment of tranquility that’s interrupted by hushed tones bickering not too far away.

Sighing, I get out and put on the robe Sakura left. “One second.”

I round the corner to put an end to whatever is going on between my friend and Ilian’s only to freeze in my tracks.

Dairfyn and Sakura are locked together in a passionate embrace. Their top hands fist Sakura’s thick, black hair, and she’s bent over their bottom arm as they ravage her mouth.

She whimpers, and I quickly retreat, rushing back to Ilian. He’s standing in the water, reaching for his towel.

“I sense your distress…and arousal.”

A scorching blush sears my cheeks. “It’s nothing. Let’s get back in.”

Hanging back up my robe, I ease into the tub only to have Ilian pull me forward and into his lap.

“Soyam, what is going on?”

“Dairfyn and Sakura are kissing.”

Ilian chuckles. “They work fast.”

“Indeed, they do. I feel guilty for letting you unleash them on my friend.”

“She can handle her own from what I’ve seen. Either the two will be mated by the spring or one of them will be dead.”

“My money’s on Sakura.”

“Obviously, but the Kueeng will be upset. Dairfyn is one of his favorites. So they were kissing, huh? Do you get off to watching others when you shouldn’t?”

His question makes me squirm. “No! It was more the unbridled hunger in their touch that caught me off guard and aroused me a little.”

“And what should we do about this?”

I gasp when his cock rises from under his fur. It’s so long that the white tip bobs out of the water between us.

“There’s no hanky-panky in the Yamamoto’s bathhouse!”

Ilian quirks a brow. “Did Sakura tell you that—because she’s breaking the rule right now, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t.”

With wicked intent, he grips my hips, lifting me until his cock pushes against the entrance of my pussy. He teases me, keeping me aloft while I try to wiggle out of his hold.

“This looks like fun.”

I scream, and Ilian drops me into the water with a big splash as a familiar, unwanted red gaze lands on us.

Elohim Adirim, he came back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Ilian

All I can do is gape at Ulyen.

Zhuliya ducks under my arm so that I cover most of the body, and even though I’m sure the Ithaquan god has already gotten an eyeful, my temper begins to boil.

“What are you doing here?”

“Is that how you talk to a beloved deity?”

His tone is teasing, but there’s a warning in his words, and I bite my tongue to keep from saying something that might rouse his own anger.

“Forgive me, but I’m having a private moment with my mate.”

“Yes, and that’s why you called to me.”

Zhuliya’s nose scrunches up. “We didn’t summon you.”

I take a deep breath. “Didn’t Aisyth close the connection?”

“She did, but once you summon a god, we’re always tied. The stronger the sexual emotion, the more likely it is to bring me.”

“Great, this clown is going to pop up every time one of us comes,” Zhuliya mutters bitterly.

“Well, aren’t we rude—and after I shared my fur. Besides, I was only coming back to return your horn.”

He conjures it with a flick of his wrist, and bile rises up my throat. Next to me, my mate gags.