Page 86 of Protected By the Elf Prince

Coms and Ruth were last to give us a hug and congratulations before Riker stepped up close to me and tugged on my wrist. “Come on. I want to know everything.”

Dashiel lay a hand over Riker’s, and the shifter let go instantly. “You can question Landon another day, and that is only if he wishes to.”

Riker straightened, snapped his heels together like he was in the Army, and saluted Dashiel. “Yes, sir.” But he was grinning wildly too.

Razor gripped the back of Riker’s neck and said, “It’s time for a drink.”

We made our way over to the bar, and Coms slipped behind the counter to serve everyone while I told everyone about Dashiel’s “small” cottage.

Dashiel snorted. “It is small to me.”

Riker snorted. “Yeah, because you come from royalty.” He gasped. “One day, can we all go to the kingdom to check it out?”

I looked up at Dashiel as he nodded once. “One day. But first I take my mate home.”

Riker spun to Razor. “We get to see a castle.”

Razor smirked and pulled him close to kiss his temple.

Eventually, we all moved over to the couches. When Ruth stayed standing, all eyes focused on her. She smiled warmly at Dashiel and me. “I am very pleased for both of you.”

“Thank you,” I said, pressing into Dashiel’s side on the couch. He smiled down at me while placing his arm around my shoulders. He really did make me feel small.

Ruth inclined her head, then turned toward Monkey and Coms. “Now. We have one final matter.”

Monkey immediately straightened while Coms folded his arms.

Ruth glanced briefly toward Soren before she said, “As agreed previously, the choice now belongs to the two of you. If Landon had rejected the bond, your memories would’ve been altered.” She smiled softly. “But he did not.”

Monkey nodded.

“The two of you may still choose to keep your knowledge of our world and be granted an amulet, which will age you at the same rate as our kind, or have those memories removed.”

Dashiel had told me about the amulet. But apparently the bond between Dashiel and I held magic within it, so I would automatically age slower like he did.

Monkey didn’t even hesitate. “I want to remember.”

Ruth smiled. “I had guessed you would, but I still have to ask: Why do you want to keep this knowledge? You understand what will eventually happen? You’ll leave the club, your friends, and start over elsewhere.”

Monkey looked at me, then at Dashiel before his grin slowly spread. “I get it, but it’s simple. My pops linked his life to an elf prince.”

Laughter rippled around the room. Even Dashiel chuckled quietly beside me.

Monkey shrugged as his expression softened while looking at me. “I want to stay part of your life.” He looked at Dashiel again. “Both your lives.”

The bond warmed immediately. I reached over and squeezed Dashiel’s thigh

Monkey continued quietly. “So yeah, I don’t want to forget them, and it’s just lucky I get to keep remembering everyone in here too.”

“Awww, he loves us,” Riker cooed. “But you can’t have me. I’m all Daddy’s.”

Monkey snorted, shaking his head. “No offense, but I don’t think I could keep up with you.”

As Razor looked at Riker with pride, Riker nodded solemnly. “It does take a special someone.” He hugged Razor to him, since he was sitting on his mate’s lap.

Ruth inclined her head. “Then your memories remain.”

Monkey grinned. “Wicked. What about you, brother?” he asked Coms.