His breath catches even though I already said those words last night. Maybe it feels more real to him now that we’re not on the verge of sex. “You know, you don’t have to say that if it’s too soon. Just because we’re fated and bonded doesn’t mean wehave to rush the courting process. It’s okay if it takes time for you to really feel that way.”
I pull back just a little and arch an eyebrow at him. “Do I strike you as a man who does or says anything he doesn’t want to?”
“No.”
I study his face for a second. “We talked about this already, but if you need more time, that’s fine. I felt it bubbling up inside me and I wanted you to know, but no pressure, okay?”
“Of course I love you, Rune,” he growls, dragging me back into the kiss. “How could anyonenotfall in love with a snarky, cocky, powerful, sexy, incredibly complicated, and endlessly perfect man like you?”
Flattering, yet honest. I couldn’t have dreamed up a more romantic declaration than that.
“No one’s ever told me that before.”
“That you’re cocky?” he teases. I shake my head and my throat tightens. The meaning of it seems to hit him and he frowns, a bit of sadness filling his eyes. “Truthfully, no one has ever said it to me either.”
It’s strangely comforting to know I’m not the only one.
“Let’s spend eternity telling each other, then, until we’re both absolutely sick of hearing it.” Again, could I be any more gag-inducing? It’s nice though. Really damn nice.
A sharp knock at the door shatters our perfect bubble of happiness. I crane my neck to glare in its general direction with a sneer curling my lips.
“Should I curse whoever’s out there?” I ask.
Atlas snorts. “As much as I share the sentiment, I think it might be Auri.”
The flicker of worry that crosses Atlas’s face as he untangles himself from around me and slips out of bed puts my hackles up.He said he likes working for the demon, but is it possible he’s just too afraid of him to want to break the contract?
He doesn’t bother covering his nakedness, which isn’t surprising. As a human mage, the casual nudity of shifters is something it took me a few years to get used to, but I get it now. When your shift leaves you naked, it’s impractical to spend much time worrying about who might see your bare ass. He pulls the door open and I stay in bed, sitting up with the blankets pooled around my waist. I let some of my magic surge to the surface to illuminate my tattoos and the matching ones on Atlas’s skin. Is it a power play? You bet your ass it is. Auri isn’t the first demon I’ve dealt with, and one thing I’ve learned is it’s all about confidence. If they sense a moment of weakness or a crack in your armor, they’ll eat you alive… sometimes literally.
Atlas’s body is blocking the door, so I can’t see who’s on the other side, but the shift in his demeanor is noticeable. He stands up a little straighter, like a soldier at attention.
“Auri, hi, good morning. I was planning to come down to your office to talk to you…”
“And you figured I would be patient enough to wait around until you were finished with your honeymoon first?” His voice is cool and dripping with an unquestionable air of authority.
“Uh… well…”
“Let’s not add any more lies to this situation, hm?” Auri says. “Put some pants on and come to my office.”
I narrow my eyes even though he can’t see me and send another surge of power into Atlas so his tattoos glow even brighter. Auri chuckles.
“And bring that mate of yours.”
“Yes, sir.” Atlas closes the door and his shoulders sag as he turns around to face me.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to curse him?” I ask.
“Shh.” He glances back at the closed door. “He can probably still hear you.”
“You think I give a fuck?”
He gives me a weary look. “It would be pointless to ask you to behave during this meeting, wouldn’t it?”
I smirk as I throw the blankets off and climb out of bed. “I’ll behave if he does.”
“Great,” he mutters.
Once we’re dressed, Atlas leads the way through the winding corridors of the compound to Auri’s office. We round a corner and suddenly I can hear heavy, galloping footfalls.
