Free My Chameleon Loves [Galactic Nuptials 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Missy Martine

smiled. “Come and sit with us, Jeni. We have something to tell you.”
    She took his hand and stood, throwing a questioning look at Zin. He merely smiled and took her other hand. They led her to an outcropping of rock and urged her to sit on one of the warm surfaces. Zin squatted in front of her and took both of her hands into his. “Jeni, there are things about my people that we don’t let outsiders know about.”
    She tilted her head to the side and studied his face. “What kind of things?”
    “Things that could hurt us and make it possible for other races to exploit us if they knew.”
    Kernz settled on the rock beside her, his arm going around her waist. “We want to share everything with you because we want you to be happy as our mate. Try to keep an open mind and don’t be afraid. There’s no way we would or could ever hurt you.”
    “You’re our Laan Asawa, flower, and that makes you the safest person in any world.” Zin pressed a kiss against her wrist.
    Jeni felt her mouth go dry, and she swallowed hard. “Okay, guys, you’re scaring me. What is this deep, dark secret?”
    Zin took a deep breath. “We’re Moriphites.”
    She frowned. “You’re what?”
    “A Moriphite. I guess you would call us shapeshifters.”
    Jeni snorted and rolled her eyes. “Good one, guys. You really had me going for a minute.”
    Kernz took her chin in his fingers and stared into her eyes. “We’re not kidding, Jenilyn. We’re shapeshifters.”
    She shook her head and pulled her hands away, clasping them over her knees. She struggled to speak. “You mean…I don’t…You mean like those romance books I like with the werewolves and vampires?”
    Zin frowned. “I’m not sure what books you speak of, and I’ve never heard of a vampire.”
    “What do you shift into?”
    Zin shrugged. “Anything we want.”
    She studied his face for a moment. “You mean you don’t just shift into some kind of animal. You can shift into any animal?”
    “Not just animals,” Kernz said. “We can shift into anything we’ve touched, even other people.”
    Jeni lowered her gaze, her nails biting into her palms. Do they think I’m some kind of fool? Why would they do this when I already said I’d stay with them?
    Zin sighed and gave a mirthless laugh. “She doesn’t believe us, brother. Why don’t you give her the demonstration now?”
    Jeni raised her gaze. “Yes, I’d very much like to see you shift into something.”
    Zin took her hand. “Do you remember the small tree we stopped to look at?”
    “The one Kernz spent time rubbing on the branches.”
    “Yes, that one.” Zin nodded to Kernz. “Go ahead and show her.”
    Kernz stood and moved several feet away from the rocks, clasping his hands together as if in prayer. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. For a moment, nothing happened. And then his body began to glow. It started small, almost like the sunshine was peeking around his body. Then, the glow widened and began to spread over his features. His skin changed first, turning a crusty brown. His legs seemed to grow together while his arms stretched out, his fingers morphing into tiny branches. She could hear the crunch of bones as they stretched and bent. “Oh, my God.”
    Zin moved to take her in his arms. “Don’t be afraid, flower. It’s still Kernz.”
    As she watched, small leaves and flowers popped out of his brown skin. The whole process took about two minutes. And there, standing before her in the white sand, was a small flowering tree. She took a hesitant step toward Kernz. “Can I touch him?” She jumped back and squealed when the branches waved up and down.
    Zin chuckled. “He’s giving you his permission to touch him.”
    “You mean he knows what I’m saying?” Again the branches waved up and down with a positive response. She stepped closer and ran her fingers over the rough bark, laughing when it seemed to shudder beneath her fingers.
    “Careful, flower. Your touch excites