His jaw locked until pain shot through his temples.The message burned into his retinas even after it vanished from the screen.He slammed the computer shut.These weren't random killers—they were professionals who had made Ancelin's family suffer before execution.And now they had tracked her across galaxies.Whatever her father had hidden was worth slaughtering her entire family.A feral transformation overtook Krevan—fangs lengthening from his gums, nails hardening into lethal points—as his mind settled on one immovable truth: whoever threatened Ancelin would find him standing in their path.
Chapter 5
Ancelin woke to the scent of coffee and sunlight slanting across the sheets.For a moment, she lay perfectly still, cataloging sensations: the pleasant ache between her thighs, the slight sting of marks on her neck, the lingering smell of Krevan on her skin—spice and something metallic.She pressed her face into his pillow, inhaling deeply.Her body hummed with a new awareness, as though her cells had been recalibrated overnight.The thought of washing his scent away seemed suddenly unbearable.She lingered five more minutes before reluctantly padding to the shower, where steam clouded memories of teeth and hands and whispered claims.Afterward, she gathered her damp hair into a tight ponytail and slipped into the soft, worn clothes she'd packed for comfort rather than impression.The woman in the mirror looked both familiar and changed.
Ancelin planned to show Krevan some of her jewelry and ask his advice on online marketing.She intended to reveal the exquisite piece she had crafted for her father to gift her mother for their anniversary celebration that never occurred.It would be her first time looking at the stunning necklace since her parents’ passing.Today, she felt eager to get up and dive into her cherished hobby.
As she headed to the kitchen, the sizzle of bacon guided her forward.Krevan stood at the stove, his back to her, shoulders moving with practiced precision.Soft instrumental music drifted through the room.When he turned, spatula in hand, something fluttered in her chest—a feeling so unfamiliar she nearly stepped back from it.
"Good morning, my sweet girl," he said, voice rough with emotion.
Ancelin's fingers trembled slightly as she reached out, surprised by her own boldness when they came to rest against his stomach.The warmth of him beneath the thin fabric made her cheeks flush.
"I—" she started, then swallowed."Is some of that for me?"
He bent down, his lips brushing hers with a gentleness that made her dizzy.When he pulled away, she found herself following, chasing the contact.
"What is this music?"she whispered, needing something ordinary to anchor herself against the tide of new sensations.
"Yes, I got it working last night.Before you were up, I even had a video call with my mother on it.She asked me to say hello, and she'd like to meet you soon.Is there anyone you'd like to video call?"
"No, not right now.I'm fine using the Satphone.Maybe I'll call Lena in a few days or use net mail.I don't have any family left, and my friends are too busy to be concerned about me much.Net mail is more convenient for them.Besides, I want to focus on the present.My nightmares are easing.I can close my eyes without waking up screaming.Before, I had to take sedatives every night.I think you’ve helped me with that."Ancelin smiled warmly."Did you tell your mother about me?"
"Of course I told her about you," Krevan said, his voice dropping to that intimate register that seemed reserved only for her.His fingers brushed against hers as he handed over a steaming mug of coffee, lingering a moment longer than necessary.The contact sent a flutter through her chest that was both unfamiliar and exhilarating."You matter to me."His eyes held hers, unguarded in a way she'd never seen from him before."And I'm glad to be your personal nightmare repellent."He placed a plate heaped with eggs and bacon before her, watching her face with an intensity that made her cheeks warm.
Ancelin inhaled the aroma."This looks amazing.Though some toast would complete it perfectly.Should I cut some bread?And we really should get a toaster—and some preserves."
"I noticed that on your list."Krevan nodded toward her plate."Finish what's there first.I'll handle the bread situation later.These preserves—I've never tried them."
"They're sweet fruit spreads," Ancelin explained, taking her first bite of eggs."Completely transforms ordinary bread.Could we visit the market in Silos soon?Your kitchen needs basic spices, condiments, and all the things that elevate simple cooking."
"Tomorrow's market day sounds perfect.We could head out early and arrive just in time.Merchants from all over Verrian will be there with their goods.How does that sound to you?"
"That sounds like so much fun!"Ancelin exclaimed, hopping off her stool.She circled around to Krevan, hesitating for just a heartbeat before wrapping her arms around his waist.His body heat radiated through his shirt, and she found herself pressing closer than she'd intended."I'll pack us some lunches for a picnic on the way.Is there a place to stop if the weather's nice?"she asked, her voice softening as she looked up at him.
"Yes, my sweet girl," Krevan replied, his fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, lingering against her cheek."We can find a picnic spot.That sounds wonderful."His eyes darkened slightly as they held hers."We might also find some stones or crystals at the market for your jewelry making.They have nearly everything."
"That would be amazing.I've been meaning to talk to you about my jewelry," Ancelin said as she rinsed her plate.
"I'm all ears."
"I want to show you my jewelry collection.There's this pendant Dad commissioned me to make for Mom's silver anniversary."Ancelin's voice caught."She never received it.I couldn't bear to sell it, but perhaps a photograph would showcase my work online.I have several other pieces too."Her fingers twisted nervously."Would you help me set up an online shop?I'd like to start creating again."
"I'd be delighted to see your work," Krevan said."Show me."
Ancelin guided Krevan down the hallway to his office where her jewelry-making supplies waited, neatly arranged on the desk where he'd placed them earlier."Please, sit," she said, gesturing to the chair before opening an intricately carved wooden box."Creating again—it's like finding a piece of myself I thought was lost."Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted out necklaces and bracelets that caught the light, each one a memory preserved in precious metal and stone.
Krevan observed her animated movements, the way sunlight caught her features as she bent over the box that contained her treasures.Something about her enthusiasm, her unguarded excitement, made her appear remarkably young.
"Ancelin," he asked quietly, "exactly how old are you?"
"I'll be twenty-six next week.I was born before my parents got married," she explained, looking up from the jewelry pieces scattered before her."What about you?"
Krevan settled deeper into his chair."By Earth standards, I'm forty-two, but Triaxen physiology is different.We age much more gradually than humans do."
"Forty-two?"Ancelin's jaw dropped slightly."You look barely thirty."
"Among my people, I'm considered quite young," he said, his lips curving into a smile."And what happened between us—it affects you as well."
