"Ezra."The tone was calm if a bit exasperated."This morning you woke warm and cozy in my arms, and now you're trying to run away from me.Why?"
Ezra found no words.Why?How could he ask why?He was trying to kill him.It would take a few days, but he'd starve to death nonetheless.Or maybe he'd explode from his magic since he wasn't allowed to bake or cook or do anything.
"I don't want to die."His voice wobbled, and he cursed his weakness.
There was a stunned look on Rourke's face."Of course not.What makes you think you're gonna die?"
"You said I'm not allowed to eat or go near any food.I'll die."
Horror crept into Rourke's eyes."What?No."He pulled Ezra into his arms."No, babe.I never meant you're not allowed to eat.Fuck."He buried his nose in the cook of Ezra's neck and inhaled."If you die, I die."
"You forbade me to go near any food and told me I'm not to bake or cook anything."
"No, I...I might have said that, but I didn't mean you can't eat."
Ezra was quiet for a few seconds."Even if you allow me to eat, I'll die from not using my magic.If I'm not allowed to bake or cook..."
Rourke blew out a breath, his shoulders slumping, and his face still hidden against Ezra's neck.Then he raised his head and looked at Ezra with wolf eyes."Get in the shower to warm up.I'll get you something to eat."He raised his hand and pointed at him."Don't run away."
Ezra stumbled toward the bathroom.He did want to warm up.He didn't know if the punishment would come after the shower, but he'd handle it better if he wasn't freezing to death.
* * * *
Chapter 14
Rourke walked into Ulric's room without knocking and sank down on the edge of his bed where he cradled his head.Fucking hell.
Ulric exited the bathroom, a toothbrush in his mouth."Back already?"He raised his eyebrows while brushing his teeth.
"He ran because he doesn't want to die."
Ulric nodded."If you're gonna run, I'd say it's a good reason."Foam dribbled onto his chin.He cursed and disappeared into the bathroom.Shortly after, he was back sans toothbrush.
"He thought I'd starve him."He shook his head."What the fuck, Ulric?He truly believed I meant he wasn't allowed to touch food after I told him...not to go near any food."
"Huh, strange.How could he believe you meant what you said?"Ulric spoke in mock exasperation.
"Because it's ridiculous.I might have said it, but I can't forbid people to eat.Even if I'd wanted to, people make their own fucking decisions.My word isn't law."
"It's not?"He gaped exaggeratedly."And here I was convinced you were the alpha and the dominant partner in the mating."
Rourke stared at him."Can we have a real conversation?I scared my mate enough for him to run into the woods without any means to take care of himself.It's nothing to joke about."
Ulric sighed."No, it's not.It could have ended badly.More badly."
"I know."Rourke threw his hands in the air.
"Maybe you should spend less time in the office and more time with him, so he realizes you talk a lot of shit, and the rest of us only listen to half of it."
Rourke glared at him.
"You know nothing about him.You go near him when the mate bond forces you to, but you don't invest anything in the relationship."
"The plan was to not invest anything.You suggested locking him up in the dungeons once I'd gone through with the mating."
Ulric hummed."It was when I believed he'd be like Shixyll.He's not.He's afraid of his own shadow, and his meanest, baddest curse is to bake cookies."
Rourke snorted.
