"If...you're proposing...I want a nice ring."
He chuckled at her comment and reached to cup her cheek with his hand while using his other hand to lift her hand in his.
"Now, now, my Hive Queen. If I was to purpose, I'd ensure you received the finest ring full of diamonds, fit for a woman of perfection," he whispered and leaned right in to kiss her.
She didn't seem opposed to the move and lightly kissed him back, which seemed rather intriguing since we were in the middle of an intense battle.
To be honest, it was really hot.
I don't know why everything was turning me on, or at least why seeing Jade being pleased by one of these guys made me want to join in on the action. I buried my emotions right away, realizing that he was doing more than just affectionately kissing her.
His tender, soft lips had to be extremely hot in temperature because they carried a slight glow on their surface, and it was easy to see the growth in Jade's aura.
He's definitely healing her or giving her a boost.
"Zeke! Your light shadow is being a selfish Zeke and kissing Jade!" Zackery complained.
"You realize selfish Zeke is basically any side of him, right?" Zion pointed out. "You're lucky he's just making out with her. If it was Zahir, they'd be naked and fucking."
"He's right, you know," Zeus mumbled, his eyes still closed in concentration. "I'm almost ready."
"Perfect," Zeke replied. "Hurry up, you two. The finale is ready."
"Coming!" Zahir called back while stopping a dark being and throwing him off the boat. "Hey, Zephyr! Stop hogging my queen, you fucker!"
That actually made Zephyr smirk against Jade's lip before he slipped his tongue into her mouth and deepened the kiss.
Fuck...
Having her in my lap was a foolish mistake now that I was watching the two of them literally make out in close proximity. You'd think Charlie Jackass would have cut off my hormones or done some other shit so I wouldn't be phased by this.
Yet I feel it wouldn't have mattered if I'd remained as I once was. Girl or boy, watching these two make out was fucking hot.
They finally broke the kiss, which seemed to be Zephyr's decision, and his seductive smile confirmed just how much he enjoyed every moment of that.
"How do you feel, Hive Queen?"
"Better," she admitted and lifted her hands slightly to see if they were functioning. "I felt so heavy before."
"You did a lot before," he reasoned and very gently moved her wet strands from her face. "Are you alright?"
I felt he wasn't referring to her physically but mentally.
"Drained but well," she quietly answered. "Thank you."
He nodded and plopped one more kiss onto her lips before he rose up and glanced my way. We shared a simple look, and I mumbled, "What's your problem, light Zeke? Jealous I got your Jade in my lap?"
I didn't expect him to smirk playfully at my taunt, and what shocked me even more was when he leaned over and reached for my chin. Lifting my head further up, he mumbled, "Very jealous but for different reasons." His smirk only widened, and he seemed to observe me carefully before he suddenly had his lips lightly on my forehead.
What. The. Fuck?!
I could only imagine if Ceil was here. He'd be slicing through this poor light shadow in a nanosecond for being so close to me, let alone KISSING my forehead! I couldn't fathom words, but it seemed to not matter as the sudden healing force that went through me spiked my entire being - including my elements.
How? I thought only a Hive Queen connection could boost me...
He removed his lips and leaned over to whisper so low I was positive only I heard it, "Your secret is safe with us." My heart hammered against my chest as he leaned back and looked down at me again. "Thanks for protecting our Hive Queen. Time for me to go."
He gave us a wave and blew a kiss at Jade before he was walking back over to where Zeke was still concentrating.
"C'mon, Olympic killer," Zephyr called out to Zahir, who was making his way back to us.
Backward while shooting at the further out enemies.
He landed back on the platform next to Zeke and spun around to point at Zephyr. "You snake of a holy shadow! Why do you always get time with our Jade?! Huh?! Answer me, fucker!"
"You realize the time you wasted acting like we're in a combat videogame and complaining now could have gone to kissing our Hive Queen, right?"
He stared back at him like he'd said something stupid before it finally clicked, and he began to curse like crazy.
"Fuck! Why didn't you say shit?!"
"Sometimes I question which one of us is the smarter part of Zeke," he admitted.
"That's him over there," Zahir combated and pointed at Zion as he was taking his glasses out of his pocket. Zion blinked innocently while Zackery shook his head.
"Man, Zahir. I know I struggle sometimes, but you missed his point," Zackery pointed out. "He meant between you and him as shadows. Not the obvious point that we're all a part of Zeke."
"Dammit! Stop correcting me! You're making me look horrible in front of our Queen."
I glanced at Jade, who was smirking at the two.
"Time to go," Zeke revealed.
"No! Zeke, give me two fucking seco-"
"You'll get your time with her later," Zeke cut off.
"Bye, Hive Queen." Zephyr waved our way while his other hand caught onto Zahir when he tried to move in our direction.
"No! I swear to the fucking dark heavens I'm getting pay ba-"
They poofed away, and Jade snickered quietly, which seemed to get all of our attention. "He's cute."
"You're feeling okay now?" I asked with worried eyes.
She turned to look my way and slowly nodded. "Still a bit tired, but I think I can stand," she reasoned.
My head bobbed in relief as I slid her off my lap before Zackery and Zion moved over to come aid us in standing up.
Zackery offered to help me remain standing as my legs quivered, but I shook my head. "I'm fine and dandy."
"You sure?" he asked.
"Positive!" I cheerfully declared in hopes to maneuver his attention to Jade. I didn't need any more help right now, and though I was unsure if I even liked that kiss from light shadow Zeke, it did what it was intending to, returning some of my strength back to me.
Zackery nodded and moved to stand next to Jade's left side, while Zion was on her right.
"I'm okay," Jade tried to reason so they wouldn't be so clingy, but they shook their heads in unison.
"Nope," they replied, followed with Zion stating, "You're in our care now until you're better."
"You make it seem like that's a bad thing," I pointed out.
"It's not." Zackery laughed and looked at Zeke, who was now getting up. He quickly surveyed our group and looked to Zeus. "Just the outer ring."
Zeus was the only one left in his spot and he nodded as his tense body began to spark with electric bolts of gold and red.
"Got it. Stand back," he encouraged, and Zeke nodded and quickly moved to join us. He stood next to me, but I was far too focused on Zeus as the clouds above suddenly darkened immensely and more headed our way. I wasn't sure if he was creating a thunderstorm, but whatever attack he was planning seemed to be needed as more dark beings were coming on boats and heading our way from all directions.