I felt it too.
“Maddox,” I whimpered, overcome with the feelings crashing over me.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart.” He cradled my head and rocked into me, pressing the softest of kisses to my cheek and jaw. “Always.”
Afterward, he held me against his chest, slowly moving his fingers through my hair. Sunlight spilled in through the window near the bed, the rays a dark golden hue as the day neared its end, creeping ever closer to dusk. I watched the shadows shift along the wall.
Things I’d tried hard to shove from my mind surfaced again.
“You’re the one. I sense it in your blood.”
So much was still foggy from my attack, but I recalled the mercenary’s words perfectly as he’d stood over me. I had been the true target all along, not Prince Sawyer. Why? What was so special about me? It made no sense.
And perhaps the most nerve-racking… what would happen once he woke from the sleeping spell? Would he reveal everything? Who hired him, as well as my true identity? The son of the prince who’d sent the kingdoms back into war.
“You look so faraway.” Maddox slid his hand to my cheek. “What’s running through that beautiful head of yours?”
“I’m just enjoying this.” I leaned into his touch. “Being with you.”
For as long as I could.
Chapter Three
Masked Men are Still Hot
Thunder rolled in the sky, like a distant growl. So much for the clouds just floating past us like I’d hoped when spotting them earlier.
I stood at the kitchen sink, washing dishes and fighting the anxious twists in my belly. Worrying about the approaching storm, sure, but also about Briar.
Had he woken the mercenary yet?
Voices filled the cottage, coming from the main dining room. My favorite band of knights had come over for dinner and were now decompressing with mugs of ale and a platter of brownies. The noisy house helped me feel more at peace. Comforted.
“Hear ye, hear ye!” Quincy exclaimed. “I propose a contest. What do ya say, Lieutenant?”
I laughed under my breath. He and Callum often challenged each other to eating contests. Once, they’d tried to see who could fit the most muffins in their mouths without swallowing. Muffin chunks had soon ended up spewed all over the table and floor as the pair of them erupted into a fit of giggles.
“Touch my muffins and die,” came Maddox’s voice.
My quiet laughter wasn’t nearly as quiet anymore. My big grump was still bitter about all those wasted muffins.
There was another flash of lightning, and my humor fled. I peeked out the window and groaned. The flickers were more frequent now, almost constant cloud-to-cloud lightning.
The scent of peaches tickled my nose before arms came around me from behind. Lake walked so soundlessly, the perfect predator. I didn’t mind being his prey though, especially when getting caught came with the sweetest nuzzles and kisses.
“I sense your unrest,” he murmured into the back of my hair.
As a demi-wolf, fated mates worked differently for him compared to my other men. His soul had imprinted on mine, allowing him to feel my strong emotions. It also helped him sense my life force. Meaning, he could always find me, no matter the distance between us.
“I’m okay,” I said, resting my arm over his. “Just dreading the storm. Do you think it’ll be a bad one?”
He stood quietly for a moment. “No, not a severe storm. Mostly rain and thunder with a little wind.”
Lake was my personal weatherman. He could feel the energy and small shifts in the air. Thunderstorms, blizzards, and even cold fronts.
“Good. I can handle rain.” I slowly exhaled, less nervous now. “I hope Briar remembered to eat something for dinner.”
“As do I. He’s neglected his needs for too long, in both eating and sleeping. Stress weighs heavily on him.”
