Never in my life have I felt loved like I do in this moment. Not only the love of a husband—a mate. But also the love of a mother.
“Come,keeshla, let us rest this night together so I may hold you in my arms like I intend to do for the rest of our long lives.”
I turn and smile up at Katem. “I love the sound of that.”
“As do I.”
We lie in our furs, not even bothering to undress, and, as promised, he pulls me tightly to him, although I go more than willingly. With my mate’s scent in my nose and the warmth of his body surrounding me in comfort, my eyes close and I slowly drift off to sleep knowing Katem will keep me safe.
Chapter 22
Piper
I snuggle closer to the warm male who’s kept me tucked tightly against his hard chest all night. For the first time in far too long I don’t feel the worry plaguing me that this will be the last morning I’ll ever have. That when I go to bed tonight, I won’t wake up. I’m sure it will take a while for the newness of this feeling to go away.
“Good morning, keeshla.”
A smile tugs at my mouth and I lift my head to look up at Katem. “Good morning.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Cozy. Warm. Happy.” Loved.
“Healthy?” he asks.
“Extremely.”
He bends and brushes his lips across mine. “My heart is filled with joy at this.”
“Mine, too.”
“I have spoken with the shefir already this morning and asked that I be able to remain here in the village with you for the next several turns. Although Vornak says you are well, he also thinks it is best if you continue to rest until they are ready to leave. He wishes to examine you again before that happens. Janik—the second Prince of Bohna—and his mate Olivia plan to do some more exploring and say they are in no hurry to depart quite yet.”
My eyes widen. “Second prince? How many are there?”
Katem chuckles. “Only two. Alik is the first and his brother is the second.”
“Will I meet these two princes?” If the people from the bottom tier could see me now. Actual royalty here on Tavikh?
“Alik remained on Bohna with his mate and their kits, but the Bohnari take their evening meals with us, so if we join the tribe to eat, then you will meet all of their people who are here.”
“Maybe in a day or so I’ll be ready to rejoin everyone, but if it’s all right, I’d rather stay in here with you. At least for a little while.” As much as I have come to love Alesha, Maeve, and the others, I have an overwhelming need to just be with my husband right now.
“Whatever my mate desires she will have.”
“Right now, she desires for you to kiss her.”
Katem grins. “With pleasure.”
He lowers his head and claims my mouth in a searing kiss that sends sparks shooting through my veins and heat to my center. Never again will I take for granted being able to kiss and touch him. I thread my fingers through his hair and sigh at the softness of it. He deepens the connection and our tongues twirl and twine around the other’s.
Katem’s hand travels down my side and grips my hip. Against my other hip, the hard ridge of his cock digs into me. We had only exchanged a few, fleeting touches before now, but both of us had been growing bolder with our exploration. I arch more fully into him, my body aching with need, but already I can feel the fatigue rolling through me even though I just woke up.
As though Katem can sense I’m growing tired as well, he softens the kiss until he finally lifts his head.
“Get some more rest, keeshla. I will still be here when you awaken next.”
“Promise?” I yawn.
