“Oh!” Kaitlyn exclaims.
One by one, I uncover the remainder of the glow rocks and light up everywhere. The last time I was here, the Faerie came and took me. In one corner, there is an overturned chair. The rest of the lair is how I left it.
Only it doesn’t seem the same. Not after everything I’ve seen and everything I’ve done. All the blood spilt. All the death.
I am no Barghest, no black dog of death. The Bluecaps brought light and life to the Yeavering, and the Faerie corrupted what we were to mere instruments of doom.
At least I have a lair to come back to.
“It was.”
“I love it.”
“You do?” I watch her as she walks around the space, inspecting it.
“Once, I think, I had a life which was routine. I protected my lair, I assisted those farming my lands, I settled disputes. I shared my scales.” I tell her.
I did things other than killing.
“Why would I not like it?” She returns to me. “It is exactly what I thought it would be.” She smiles, her face lit up. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Even if Tam Lin is going to come for us?”
“We have time.” She wraps her arms around my waist, pressing herself against me. “We can figure this out.” Kaitlyn sighs.
“There is nothing to consider.” I brush my lips over hers and revel in the taste and scent of her. “The Faerie caught me out, along with so many other Bluecaps, because our doors were open, as was expected of us. And they simply walked in. This time, this place will be a fortress they cannot enter.”
I gently move the hair away from her face.
“I will protect you, my mate. The moment I set eyes on you, I knew I had to keep you safe, and I will. It is my bond with you as surely as the moon becomes full.” Kaitlyn gazes up into my face, her eyes wide, full, beautiful. “I know I’ve never wanted anything more in the entire Yeavering than you, before the wars and after.”
KAITLYN
The clarity in Linton’s dark red eyes hits me right in my soul. This is his place, his origin. Not sprung from some dark corner, but a fully formed cave, lit by lichen and with everything so perfectly ordered.
Linton has not always been chaos. One time, he was quite the opposite. Respected and respectful. The Faerie took all of that from him.
It makes my blood boil on his behalf. We have both been used.
He trails his lips down my neck.
“We have this place all to ourselves, my Kaitlyn,” he rasps. “We can do what we like.”
“Like mate?” I suggest, holding back a laugh.
Linton looks off into the distance, his brow drawn down. “I suppose.”
From what I can feel pressed against me, there is nosupposeabout it. Linton knows exactly what he wants.
“Well, if you’re not bothered…” I tease, moving as if to release my grip from him.
I find myself pulled hard against his muscular body, making me expel the breath from my lungs.
“I am bothered,” he growls. “I want to mate you as the full moon rises, Kaitlyn.”
His eyes burn like I’ve never seen before, as if lit by an internal flame. They are mesmerising.
Linton trails his fangs down my neck, the sharp tips scraping at my skin, making me tingle with desire and heat pool between my legs.
