“How long have you been standing there!” snaps Carter.
I ignore him. “He needs sex,” I repeat as clearly as I can.
Lello giggles softly. It’s a lovely sound, and now my stomach feels all funny. I think I’m glad that he is well enough to laugh. Even though I should not be so soft.
Brodie and Carter are just staring at me as if I’m crazy.
“Seed contains life force,” I say. Surely they are not this unintelligent?
Carter’s gaze meets Brodie’s.
“It might work,” says Brodie.
I bite back my hiss of annoyance. How dare he insult me and my wisdom? I have no reason at all to deign to help them. They are reckless indeed to be rude about it. But losing my temper won’t help Lello at all. Staying quiet will. And I’m good at that.
Carter looks down at Lello, who meets his gaze evenly. “What do you think? Are you well enough?”
A bright smile stretches across Lello’s face. “Always well enough for nooky.”
“Does nooky cure you of everything?” chuckles Carter.
“Hopefully.” Lello grins back at his mate, even though he is weak and depleted.
Watching these two is filling me with all sorts of emotions. Some of them nearly unbearable, yet still strangely addictive. I think I want what they have. Even though that is a foolish dream. Love is rare and precious, and not for the likes of me. That is a lesson I have been taught. The scars of which are carved into my soul.
“Gray, we need to give them some privacy!” hisses Brodie.
His voice makes me startle. The healer is in the doorway now, gesturing for me to go with him. I cast one last look at the lovers and then trail after Brodie. Privacy? That’s a strange idea. But whatever makes them happy and as long as Carter gives Lello his seed.
I stand in the hallway as Brodie shuts the bedroom door.
“Thanks Gray,” he says with a nod.
He turns and leaves. And just like that, I’m all alone. No one is watching me. Goosebumps erupt all over my skin. I’m unbound. I’m just standing here. No eyes on me. No chains. For the first time in hell knows how long. I’m not sure I like it.
My heartbeat quickens. I’ll walk back to Mal. The urge to step through the shadows is strong, but speed is no longer important and saving ether is a good idea. Getting low again and drifting away would be awful.
I’m not so far away from Mal. It will take but a few heartbeats to be back by his side, basking in his presence.
I find the stairs and then the main door. I step outside into a late summer night. The air is still warm and laden with sun kissed scents. Heated grass and rich dark earth. Stars are scattered across the sky. Not as many as there should be. Humans have filled theworld with light and drowned out the stars. Even so, the night sky is still breathtakingly beautiful.
My feet are taking me towards the door to the basement. But wait. Why? I freeze. Why go back? I’m free. Unbound. Unrestrained. Unfettered. I could go anywhere. I could run.
My gaze slides to the basement door, just up ahead. Mal would catch me. It might take a while, but he would. I’m sure of that.
I shudder and wrap my arms around myself. My heart is beating like crazy and my mouth is dry.
He’d find me and nothing good would come of it. Whereas now, life is pretty sweet. He treats me well. Why ruin a good thing? I should be happy with what I have. It’s a vast improvement on what I had before.
Gravel crunches under my feet as I take the last few steps to the door. I open it, step inside, and allow it to slam shut behind me. The sound is fitting. Symbolic. Signifying my captivity and my cowardly acceptance of it.
Mal is lounging in my hammock with his phone. He is dressed in soft cotton clothes and it is bitterly disappointing. I much prefer him naked. He looks up at me and smiles. Something flashes across his eyes. It looks a lot like relief. Did he think I was going to run and he was going to have to chase me?
“All sorted?” he asks.
I nod.
“Do you want to come snuggle with me?”
