Because I’m your lifemate.
Did she think he wanted to be with her only for that reason? Thatshe was his lifemate? He had been prepared to be loyal to his lifemate—not love her. Not want to be loved by her.
You would be my choice, Silke. Always my choice.
He materialized beside her, moving into her, wrapping her up in his arms. “Always my choice,” he reiterated aloud. “I had no idea a woman like you existed.”
“Benedek.” There was caution in her voice. “Don’t make me out to be someone I’m not. I have a bad temper. I often make mistakes. I don’t have the first idea how to please a man.”
He suspected the last was her main worry. He feathered kisses down her cheek to the corner of her mouth. “I am very pleased with you. I’m fairly certain, although Carpathian, I qualify as a man.”
She laughed, just as he hoped she would. “You know what I mean.”
“Having lived for centuries, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to study the various ways to please my woman. I think we’ve got that covered.” He gathered her into his arms and took to the sky.
Silke was clearly comfortable with flying. She leaned against his chest, totally relaxed. That was trust whether she knew it or not, and it made him happy. The more she felt she could count on him, the easier the transition into his world would be.
You’ve got it covered that you can give me pleasure, but what if I’m not so good at it?
We learn together. Isn’t that half the fun? We’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime together. I think we’ll do just fine.
She rubbed the back of her head against his chest like a little cat.I didn’t think of it that way. Life is a great adventure. I’m glad I’m going to live it with you.
He set down in the trees leading to the clearing. He wanted her to experience the natural beauty as they moved through the archway the branches created. Threading his fingers through hers, Benedek led Silke to the archway where the moon sent rays of light bursting through the canopy. The colors were more muted than they had been earlier but no less beautiful.
“Seeing this took my breath away, Silke. You gave this beauty to me. It may have been here all along, but I was unable to see it.” He brought her hand to his mouth to kiss the tips of her fingers. “Does it affect you the same way, or are you so used to color that it’s not anything to you?” He was truly curious if experiencing nature’s beauty would dull over time.
She tilted her head so she could easily meet his gaze, wearing that look she reserved for him. He could identify it now. She thought him extraordinary. He knew because he was in her mind and easily read her opinion of him.
“I feel privileged to be in the ancient forest and share it with so many creatures few others even know of. Hopefully, I’ll never lose the wonder I feel when walking around the trees that have been here for centuries. I don’t think I will ever lose my awe of nature and the colors she produces throughout each season. I certainly hope not. In fact, I expect, when I have children, that as each one experiences these places and the beauty, I will see it fresh through their eyes.”
He led her across the little meadow to the blanket he’d laid down earlier for them. “I hadn’t thought what that would be like. Children see things from different perspectives.”
“I love being with the children in the village. Evi is a personal favorite. She’s so bright and full of questions and observations. She’s one of the few who has been given the privilege of seeing some of the forest creatures.”
“I will have to meet this extraordinary child.” He was a little shocked that he was looking forward to the introduction. Merged as he was with Silke, he felt her love for the little girl. She experienced joy when she was with Evi. He wanted to share in that with Silke. He wanted to know all the things that made her especially happy.
“She is extraordinary,” Silke assured.
Benedek could see she liked that he wanted to meet Evi. The little girl obviously meant quite a bit to his woman. “You’ll make a goodmother. I know you worry about it; I can see that in your mind, but I looked at your memories, and your love of children shines through.”
She shook her head, the laughter fading from her eyes. “Loving children and enjoying their company doesn’t mean I know the first thing about parenting. I looked into your mind, and you know less than I do.”
“Many people have a first child without having the least idea of what they’re doing.”
“And they mess up their firstborn,” she said.
“We can choose parents we see have amazing children and look into their memories to see how they acquired their skills,” he pointed out. “Being Carpathian gives us a few advantages.”
Unexpectedly, she laughed. “We steal tips on parenting?”
He gave her a small grin. It felt a little like his face was rusty when it came to smiling. He was learning fast, though. “That’s our way, pulling information out of people’s heads.”
“I hope you’re discerning when it comes to who you choose to believe.” She sounded a little snippy.
“You pulled information on fighting techniques from my head,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back against his front. She felt perfect in his arms. The right height. The way her body fit against his. And her scent rivaled any of the best-smelling flowers. He loved the little shiver that went through her body in response to him lowering his head to press his lips against her neck.
“I suppose I-I did,” she admitted. “I learned from Tora that way as well. I guess I can’t be too self-righteous.”
