His tongue felt like velvet against mine. Dominant. Soft.Addictive.
I want to experience so much more from his mouth. So much more ofhim.
He draws his finger along my inner forearm, tracing the veins up from my wrist. “Are you going to watch so you can try to learn later?” he asks me, his voice holding a touch of amusement.
“You think I’m crazy for wanting to learn how to make runes,” I mutter. “But other mates share gifts, you know.”
His touch stills and I realize I’ve just given something away. Not intentionally. Nothing drastic. JustwhyI wanted him to teach me.
“Will you inherit my talents when we mate?” he asks, studying my features. “Will I inherit yours?”
“I don’t know,” I admit, my heart beating a little faster.
He saidwhen.
When we mate.
Does that mean…?
No.
I squash the thought train entirely. Iknowthat will never happen. Not the way he’s insinuating, anyway.
“It’s a silly desire,” I tell him, trying to brush all this off. “I just thought it might be fun to know how to do… if it ever happens.”
“It’s not silly at all,” he replies, his thumb caressing my wrist. “So, pay attention. This design is a little trickier since it’s on the skin.”
He starts slowly, showing me the pattern and explaining the angles. It’s basically like learning a foreign language, only with lines and dots, not words.
But I focus on everything he says, doing my best to commit the design to memory. It helps that it’s actually glowing on my skin, almost like a fiery tattoo.
“Will it stay like this?” I ask when he’s done, admiring the sharp edges and knotted pattern.
“Until I remove it, yeah,” he replies. “So if you need me, you just have to press your thumb here.” He grabs my other hand and uses it against the golden pattern sketched across my skin.
When my thumb meets the heart of the design, a soft hum stirs in the air. It’s kind of like an alarm, but not loud. Just a presence that can be felt.
“You sense it, right?” he asks.
I nod.
“Good.” He releases my arm, but brings my hand up to his lips to press a kiss against my palm. “All you have to do is touch the rune like that and I’ll feel the same energy buzz.”
I blink at him. “I’ve never seen any of this.” It’s a confession, one he seems to understand.
“Then perhaps we’re altering fate—in a positive manner,” he replies, leaning down to brush his lips against my cheek. “Now, I have about sixty minutes left to cook, eat, and recharge the protective wards outside. So, let’s work on lunch next.”
“Lunch?” I echo, wanting to confirm the time. Because it’s been a little weird living in a cave.
He glances at me. “When I get back, we’ll go for a run. I’m sure your wolf would like some exercise.”
“But it’s lunchtime?” I press.
“Yes.”
“So the sun is out and high in the sky?”
His brow furrows a little. “Yes.” He faces me again. “Why?”
