Then I looked up into Kaspian's face. His eyes had dimmed to a shine, but that made them easier to look at. And harder. Because in them I saw possession, triumph, and also something softer. My chest clenched. I had him. I had Kas forever. And yet, I didn't. Not completely. The ache of that almost-love gripped me. It did a double punch with the sheer masculine beauty of his face. And his chest. And those thick arms.
“Kas!” I shouted and came all over my belly.
Chapter Thirty-One
The next morning, after breakfast, we took a stroll through the garden. We had lingered over our tea and flatbread, but the cat hurried through his breakfast, and then dashed out to explore the garden again.
“I've been putting off several meetings,” Kaspian said.
“Yeah, you've been gone awhile. And even after you got back, we were kinda busy.” I scrunched up my face at him. “So, you gotta go to work today?”
“Will you be all right on your own?”
“Of course.” I waved at the garden. “Cat and I will hang out here for a bit. Maybe we'll explore the castle later.”
“All right. Well, if you leave the apartments, one of my knights will accompany you.”
“I'll be fine.”
“You're my mate. You must be guarded.”
I rolled my eyes. “No one is going to attack me in the castle.”
“Demetrius.” He stopped walking and took my free hand, so he held both. “I'm generally liked, but there are always enemies to the crown. And the worst enemies are those who hide. The ones I don't know about. If I don't know they're enemies, I might allow them into the castle. Do you understand?”
“So, this is the only safe place for me?” I waved at the garden.
“You are safe everywhere, Mate. I will ensure that. And the way I will ensure it is by maintaining a watch over you when I cannot be there myself.”
“Wow. That makes me feel . . . kinda nice.” I winced.
Kaspian chuckled. “I'm glad. I'd hate for you to object when I intend to do it regardless.”
“Don't ruin it.”
Grinning, he leaned in to kiss me. It felt normal. As if we were married or something and he was going to work. Did that make me a house-husband? I couldn't think straight when his lips were on mine and his tongue was doing those flicks I liked. Easing back, Kas nuzzled me, scattering those gathering thoughts.
“I'll try to get back as soon as possible.” Kaspian searched the garden, then looked back at me. “Be vigilant, Mate. Even here.”
“You're starting to make me worry.”
“I don't mean to. I just . . . the mating bond is still fresh. I don't like leaving you. It gives me this odd fluttering in my chest. Tightness.”
I lifted my brows. “Anxiety? Are you anxious? Afraid?”
He snorted as if the suggestion were ridiculous. Then his expression went slack. His stare shifted inward, his brow creasing. “Well, fuck.”
I burst out laughing.
“This is not amusing! It's an awful feeling. Even upon first waking in that human prison, restrained and confused, I didn't feel like this.”
I stopped laughing. “What about when you watched that woman stab me in the leg?”
“No.”
I gaped at him.
“I felt rage then. Pure rage.” He cupped my cheek. “I wasn't afraid because I knew I would free us. But seeing you hurt sent me into a bloodlust that I'd never felt before. I couldn't have stopped myself from killing her if I'd tried.”
