“Yeah, and if we’re going to work with Count Rossi to win the vampire war, we must destroy the Made vampires’ communications before they can infiltrate and take down more shifter communities. The Mades want us weak enough that we can’t help the Original Vampires win.”
Stone took the front five steps two at a time, not looking remotely tired from carrying me.
“Okay, you can put me down now. I don’t want to go in there with my arse showing under this shirt.”
He laughed loudly, a gorgeous sound that I’d never tire of hearing. “No, that gorgeous sight is for me, no one else. Although the look on Finchley’s face might be worth it.”
Still chuckling, he lowered me to the ground and adjusted his ridiculously large shirt so it was covering me—mostly—beforehe opened the door to the cottage and gestured me inside. Finchley’s tinkling voice called out a greeting.
Stone raised a brow at my suddenly hot face. It was hard not to blush when all I could think about was thepunishmenthe’d doled out for my disrespect of her Fae custom. He grinned as he kissed my forehead. “It’s okay. She doesn’t hold a grudge. But, if you want that kind of…let’s call it areminder, again, sweetheart, all you have to do is ask.”
“You’re such an arse sometimes.” I narrowed my eyes and tried to look pissed off, but I couldn't help but smile.
His lips stretched further, his eyes glinting with mirth. If that wasn’t enough to stir the embers of lust burning in my belly, his fangs peeking out from his upper lip were.
“I am,” he agreed, gesturing me inside.
I stood uncertainly between the kitchen area and the table. I didn’t want to be rude again, but I genuinely couldn’t decide if it was better to go and help Finchley with the food she was plating up or sit. I wasn’t used to being waited on, and it felt rude to just sit and wait to be served, no matter what Stone had said about accepting the food she’d prepared.
Stone shoved a chair out with his foot. “Sit down and eat, Butterfly.”
I swallowed hard, biting back my immediate reaction to snap in defiance at his command. He watched me closely as if waiting to see what I’d do. To be honest, I found I didn’t want to argue. Perhaps it was strange, but I wanted to do what he said. Not only that, but a big part of my brain decided it was kinda nice not to worry about doing the right thing.
Chapter 18
Stone
I grinned as Shannon put her fork down for the second time. “How are you feeling now?”
“Better….Thank you,” she added after a moment's hesitation.
I nodded and brushed a bit of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “Good.”
She’d tried to say she’d had enough after only eating half of the roast chicken and vegetables that Finchley had prepared. I’d disabused her of that notion, directing her to eat more. She’d immediately glared at me and snapped her refusal, so I’d tried something new. I’d gently wrapped my fingers around the back of her neck, bringing my wolf to the surface. My firm command tolook at mehad been enough. She’d instantly stilled, her eyes wary, body stiff, and fist ready to deck me. I hadn’t tightened my hold; I merely stayed there, my gaze calmly holding hers until she’d relaxed and the tension melted from her shoulders. When I’d raised my brows, her pupils dilated, and she swallowed. My smile at that telltale sign of how my dominant side affectedher remained hidden. “You need to eat more, enough to start strengthening your body and your wolf.”
She’d bitten her bottom lip again, a trait I didn’t mind at all, but her nod had been almost instantaneous, as had her whispered, “Okay.”
Now that she’d finished, I could see the tell-tale signs of fatigue in the darkness under her eyes and the lines above her mouth. My eyes narrowed, not liking it. “Come,” I stood and held my hand out to her. Again, there was no argument, but her eyes narrowed a bit, and her mouth pressed into a tight line, clearly trying to prevent herself from arguing. Constantly being on the attack and fiercely independent was her default, and I wanted her to know it wasn’t necessary with me, that she could trust me, and that I wouldn’t break that trust.
I gave her a reassuring half-smile and guided her to the small bathroom at the back of the cottage. It wasn’t modern by any means and certainly nothing like the bathroom at the Winter Palace. There was a tub just big enough to sit in, a privy that ran into a deep pit in the ground, where an underground stream washed away our waste and a porcelain bowl. Finchley had already retired for the night but had filled the tub with lavender-laced water before she left. All I had to do was heat it.
The air between us was heavy with emotions even I couldn’t name as I stared down at her. It was then I realised I was still holding her hand. I brushed my thumb over the back before lacing my fingers with hers and giving them a gentle squeeze. There was nothing to stop me from doing what was instinct any more, so I didn’t fight the urge to lean down and kiss her forehead.
“A bath will help you relax. Then you should sleep. We’ll head into the village tomorrow. It’s probably a good idea to see who and what are there now.”
When she remained silent, looking up at me through huge eyes, her mouth slightly open, I smiled and let go of her hand before I walked towards the bath, mainly to give her time to process that this was me caring for her, not controlling her.
“What are you doing?” she asked curiously as I knelt beside the wooden tub and swirled the sweet-smelling water with my hand.
My lips kicked up, and I shrugged nonchalantly while, inside, I was preening at the chance to show off a bit. “Warming it up.”
Shannon’s eyes widened, and I couldn’t help but puff my chest out at the awed expression on her face as I freed enough of my magic to heat the water.
“Wow!” she breathed, testing the water with her fingers before she grinned at me. It was everything, that smile. It made the lump of muscle in my chest that had all but shrivelled up the past few years beat harder. It even missed a beat or two. It was a wholly unfamiliar reaction but far more welcome than I’d ever admit out loud.
I smiled back, throwing her a mischievous wink. “Well, I do occasionally have my uses.”
Her gaze darkened with lust, clearly remembering this afternoon. “Yes, you do. More than one, it seems.” Her voice was a seductive purr that made my cock twitch.
