Her heart squeezed. Pressing another kiss to his hair, she whispered, “Thank you for telling me, big guy.”
He made a gruff sound in the back of his throat. “Whatever you need, princess.”
Whatever I need. Gods, I’m an idiot.
What had she been panicking about? That Kaz might not want her like she wanted him? Exposed to the light of day, the doubt that had seemed so powerful had shriveled into a sad little husk.
It was terribly difficult keeping her bubbling desire to simplyaskhim about the bond under control. Giddiness, nerves, and the steady certainty that even if he wasn’t ready, hewouldbe someday, made it hard to remember where they were, who they were surrounded by.
Atria had to suck in a deep breath and hold it for a moment before the urge receded again, washing back into the warm, safe place she kept her love for him.
“Did you see the nest?”
“No.” A scowl formed on his handsome face. “Is something wrong with it? Should we stop—”
She gave his pectoral a reassuring pat. “No, no. It’s great, I promise. Your grandparents cleaned it up and left us a bunch of blankets and pillows.”
Kaz blinked owlishly at the road. “...They did?”
“Yes. All nice and folded in the middle of the mattress. Isn’t that sweet?”
He was quiet for a moment. Then, with great solemnity, he replied, “Huh.”
Atria fought a smile. “We’ll have to thank them when we get home, okay?”
Kaz let out a slow breath — not quite a sigh, but close. “Fine. If things are safe, we can invite Suhana to visit or something, too. I’m worried about her.”
My big, protective, thoughtful guy. Always trying to do right by his people.Atria pushed as much of her affection and pride as she could across the tether, but she feared it wouldn’t hold even a fraction of what she really felt.
“We’ll invite Suhana,” she replied. “And if they’re not comfortable with her visiting, maybe we can make another trip out here.”
“If Teddy ever lets us leave the territory again.”
She winced. “I’m sure Margot will help us out.”Maybe.Her friend might have been one of the kindest people she’d ever met, but Margot also had a ruthless streak a mile wide. Atria was fairly certain it came baked into Goode DNA.
Pushing thoughts of house arrest and pissed off, super-powered healers aside, Atria gave Kaz’s chest one last pat before she stepped away from his seat. “I’ll go make up the nest.”
He turned his head to give her a brief heavy-lidded look. “Think of me while you do it.”
Atria’s cheeks heated. “Like I could think of anything else?”
“Damn right.” He turned his focus back on the road, but a smug smile remained fixed on his lips. “Damn right.”
* * *
When Atria emerged from the nest a couple hours later, Vesta was waiting for her.
“We’ll be stopping for fuel soon. The Captain is wondering if you need food.”
She could feel the eyes of the other elves on her as she quietly but firmly shut the door to the nest behind her. Atria did her best to keep her expression neutral as she sized up the woman who’d pointed a gun at her mate. She’d found Kaz’s brutality with the gargoyles shocking, but now she thought she understood a bit of what he must have felt when he watched Dan drag her around.
If he hadn’t stopped her, she would have torn Vesta apart without a second thought.
“I’m fine,” she answered, brisk, as she made to step around the elf in the narrow galley.
Vesta smoothly matched her step for step, blocking her path. Her eyes were seafoam green and speckled with yellow. They were beautiful, except for the fact that she didn’t blink nearly enough, which gave her the look of a cat about to strike. “You will need to stretch your legs, then. It’s good to exercise before sleep.”
Atria clenched her jaw. “I’mfine.”
