Was she attacked?
I wipe the dirt and blood from her leg, and when my fingers brush her skin, a delicious tingle dances up my arm. She tenses in her sleep, and I pause, glancing up at her. She relaxes after a moment, and I finish cleaning her wound, trying not to touch her before bandaging it up tightly.
Looking over at her, I frown. Initially, I assumed she was human, but something about her tells me she isn’t. Then what is she? She’s not a sky siren, of that I am certain. She must be wearing a glamour, but I have no idea what she is. Maybe fae?
I sigh softly.
She’s my mate. I have a mate, and of all places, she was herein Varindor.
Unease fills me, and I turn away, not wanting to ponder on it right now.
I sit her up, pull on the shirt she’s wearing and slide it off over her head. My gaze falls to the side of her breasts, perfect, large, rounded breasts. I’m sure they feel even better than they look. I smirk as I pull the bed sheet over her fully. Her hair is pure black with pink highlights.
I’ve only been here for just over a week. I needed a break from my father and time to think over the King’s offer. I am the eldest son of Duke Izard of House Kaldor in a world where sky sirens reign supreme. I am Izard’s illegitimate son, just like my brother Jorah. We were born from affairs he had despite being married.
His Duchess had several miscarriages, and when she finally did give birth, she was only able to bear him two daughters. So, since we were his only male heirs, he trained us. Brutally and harshly, shaping us into the perfect weapons until he could proudly show us off as the symbols of House Kaldor’s strength and power, despite the fact that we are reminders of his betrayal to his Duchess.
I tolerated everything, even when he told me I was to be the heir of his dukedom, something that meant I would have to give up all my dreams. I prefer fighting on the front lines as Commander of the King’s Western Army. But once I am the Duke, it means my dreams will have to take a backseat, and I will have to focus on the responsibilities as Duke.
King Varkhazan reigns over three realms, each of which can be accessed through a veil on Earth. But it is his latest command that doesn’t sit right with me.
My blood boils just thinking about it, and my brows furrow asI try not to slam the wardrobe shut as I turn and place the shirt I had taken out for her at the end of the bed.
Once I’ve washed and changed, pulling on some sweatpants and a shirt, I toss my wet pants in the washing hamper and bin the shirt I shredded when I shifted.
Lighting a cigarette, I drop onto the armchair beside the hearth and rest my head back, taking a long, slow drag before blowing the smoke out slowly.
My gaze keeps flitting to the bed, to my mate…
What does this mean for me, for what Varkhazan wants, for everything…?
I have enough on my plate without a mate, who is clearly in some trouble, to distract me.
Hearing a soft groan, my head snaps to the bed. She gasps as she jolts upright, her breasts bouncing. Nice.
She gasps and clutches the bedding to her as she realises she’s naked. Her eyes dart around the room, her breasts rising and falling rapidly as her eyes land on me.
“So, do you often faint and allow random men to carry you to their beds, or is that all part of the plan before you rob and murder them?” I remark.
Can she sense the bond?
Her eyes widen before she attempts a smirk. “Well, seems you figured me out, and I thought you might see me as just another beautiful, lonely girl.”
I mask my amusement, loving her spark of confidence.
I do see her beauty, but I’m not about to compliment her.
“Hmm, busted,” I say, looking at her. “You said you ran away? From whom?”
Her smile vanishes, and she looks down. “Yeah, I had no other option. Don’t worry, I’ll leave…” She glances at the window where the rain is hammering against it. “But can I stay the night?” she asks softly.
I stand up and walk over to her. “What do I get in return?”
“What do you want?” she asks, her eyes now fixed on me, wide as she looks me over, and this time, I see a glimmer of fear in them, most likely intimidated.
“What do you think I want?”
“I… I don’t know…”
