Page 72 of Dark Voyage Matters of the Soul

Negal intercepted her just as she was about to exit the hall. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes." She gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm going up to our cabin to help my daughter move the little ones to Kaia and William's room. Gilbert is at the buffet," she added.

"I'll join him for a meal and come up with him when he's ready." Negal hesitated before adding. "Do you need me to thrall you now to make it easier for you?"

She shook her head. "Let's wait until everything is in place. The twins might be fussy and want their mommy, and then the whole thing would have to be postponed until tomorrow anyway. I don't want to have to be thralled more than necessary." She lifted her hand to her temple. "There is no point in living forever if this is not working right."

"You are a smart woman, Karen." He made a move as if to kiss her cheek but then grimaced and leaned away. "This is going to be more difficult than I thought."

She frowned. "Why?"

"Don't take it the wrong way, but your scent is," he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, "how should I say it, unpleasant to me."

Karen's eyes widened, and her first instinct was to smell her armpits, but then she remembered what Casandra had told her about fated mates getting addicted to each other and their scent changing to deter other immortals from trying to seduce them.

That shouldn't be happening to her, though. She was still human, and she hadn't even been injected with anyone's venom. She'd never been bitten, and the reality of it happening tonight made her shiver, and not in a good way.

"What do you smell?" she asked.

"Gilbert." He grimaced. "His scent is all over you."

"Oh, I see. Will you be able to overcome it when the time comes?"

He nodded. "I won't breathe through my nose until I have my fangs in your neck."

Another shiver rocked Karen's body. "Can you please make it so I won't feel the bite?"

His eyes softened. "Are you scared?"

"A little."

"It only hurts for a second, and then there is bliss. But I'll make sure to muffle the pain with my thrall."

"Thank you."

Gilbert

When the loud music was replaced with a pleasant melody to complement dinner, Kaia and William joined the line at the buffet, and Gilbert took the opportunity to tap Kaia's shoulder.

"I need a word with you," he murmured.

"What's up?" She followed him to a quiet spot next to the kitchen entrance.

"There’s been a change of plan. Instead of it happening tomorrow, it's happening tonight." He didn't have to spell it out. Kaia knew what he was talking about. "Karen went up to our cabin to help Cheryl move the little ones to yours. I hope it's okay."

"Of course." Kaia cast a glance at William. "But what's the rush? Even if Negal hooks up with Frankie's friend, that doesn't make them fated mates, and he can still offer his venom services. I don't know why Mom freaked out like that."

Gilbert took a deep breath. "Perhaps she had a gut feeling about it. In any case, I'm glad that it's finally happening, and Negal is perfect for the job. He's kind, polite, and your mother believes that he doesn't find her attractive, which I think is bullshit, but I'm glad she thinks that. It will make everything easier. Besides, after the cruise, Negal is leaving with Aru and Dagor, and it could be months before he's back."

It was beyond awkward to talk to the girl he had raised as his daughter about his sexual relationship with her mother, but it was unavoidable, given that he needed her help.

Kaia nodded. "That's why I didn't say anything. If she's ready, go for it. I wish you both the best of luck."

Gilbert placed a hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, Kaia. And thank William for us, too."

"I will." She kissed his cheek and returned to her spot next to William in the line for the buffet.

Scanning for Negal amidst the sea of guests, Gilbert spotted him at the bar, talking to Aru.