“Yes. Aren't you?”
He cocked his head as if to consider it. “Yes.” He pushed off me, then climbed out of bed.
I watched Xaedren go in a dreamy haze. His body was perfection. Not an ounce of fat on him. Muscles slabbed his shoulders, thinning a little as they ran down his back to the dimples just above his thick, rounded ass. I had grabbed that ass the last time we had sex, with me on my back and my legs spread wide. Holding a thick ass while a thick cock slid into me had been sheer bliss. I sighed.
Xae turned to look at me as he pulled on his pants. In an aggressive tone, he said, “Do not leave this room.”
I pushed myself up on my elbows and looked around. “We're in a room? Oh, yes, look at that. There's more than a bed in here.”
Xaedren narrowed his eyes at me. “Leave, and I will hunt you down, Ember.”
“Holy shit.” I sat up. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. I'm not done with you.”
“All right.” I held up my hands. “I'm not done with you either, big guy. But where are you going?”
“To get us food. You may use the bathroom if you need to.” He waved at a door to his right. “But other than that, do not leave my room.”
“Yes, Sir!” I saluted him.
Xae finally cracked a grin. “Good boy.”
“Good boy?” I huffed as he left. After the door closed, I muttered, “He's the wolf-shifter, not me.” I smiled as I recalled his other form—that great big, beautiful animal—and didn't feel even the smallest tinge of fear. “He's the good boy.” I grinned and added, “Or bad boy as the case may be.”
Then I slid out of the musky, rumpled, stained bed and headed to the bathroom. Xaedren. Of all the men in the citadel, he would have been my last choice for a lover. But despite his comments about not being gentle and the impression he gave that this would be meaningless, he had softened after our first round. Staring into my eyes as he moved inside me, Xaedren had become Xae. He stopped being fearsome and transformed into a sexy, tender man who always made sure I finished before he did and held me in his powerful arms after every climax.
A Ladrin. Of the Wolf Clan. How wondrously strange life was.
Xaedren's bathroom was clean and orderly, set up in the same arrangement as mine. I used his toilet and took a quick shower, soaping up and rinsing off the dried cum that was getting itchy. As I dried off, I stared at myself in the mirror over his sink. Then I hung up the towel and stepped closer. I had changed. In those two hours of wild passion, I had found more than a much-needed release. I had found joy, safety, intimate companionship, and freedom. Xae had given me that. And it felt fated. As if I had come full circle. His people had hurt me greatly. It was only right that one of them remove that pain.
“Holy shit,” I whispered.
“Ember!” Xaedren called from the bedroom.
A shiver went down my body, straight to my cock. I loved how intense he was. Aggressive. Savage. “I'm here!” I called before he lost his shit. The thought of Xae going crazy over me being gone made me shiver again. I hurried out to the bedroom. “I had to take a shower.” Then I saw the tray of food he'd brought, complete with a carafe of water. “Oh, that looks magnificent. Thank you.”
Xaedren grinned as he took the tray to a little dining set near the window. “I didn't know what you'd want, so I got a little of everything.” He looked over at me. “Do you mind if I open the curtains? Some of the cold will seep in, but I'm running hot.”
“Yes, you are,” I drawled as I joined him and sat down. “Go ahead. I'm warm too. I could use a little cool down.”
“Don't get too cold.” He pulled open the curtains, then sat down. “I'll want you warm again soon.”
“You can warm me up.” I reached for a plate, but he smacked my hand.
“I'll do it.” He emptied the tray, then carefully analyzed the plates—no, platters—of food before sliding one over to me.
I frowned until I realized he had given me the plate with the best cuts of meat. “Thank you,” I said softly as I watched him.
Xae grunted. Then he set the tray on the floor and started to eat. I reached for the carafe. Again, he jerked into motion, grabbing the pitcher before I could and pouring me a glass of water.
“Thank you,” I said again.
He met my gaze and his softened. “You're welcome.”
I ate watching him. Every time he looked up, his stare went directly to mine. And he looked satisfied to find me watching him. Every time. So I kept watching.
“Why did you become a Wraith Lord?” I finally asked.
