“Oh.” I cleared my throat. “That's kinda sweet.”
Kaspian grinned. “Kind of sweet? I just told you that I felt rage as never before, all because you were injured, and you think it's sweet?”
“Yeah.” I smirked. “Romantic even. In a psychotic kind of way, but I think I like that even more. It makes it sexy-sweet, both badass and adorable.”
“I'm glad you think so.” He brushed a kiss over my lips. “Sometimes, I can hardly believe how obsessed I am with you. Soon, you'll have me writing poetry.”
After casting that gem at my feet, Kas left. I watched him go as I tried to catch my breath. Obsession? Poetry? I couldn't imagine it. It was a joke. That's all. Still, it sank into my chest and exploded into tingling fireworks.
“Wow,” I whispered. “I'm done for. I guess that's a good thing since I'm stuck here and that mating bond is eternal.”
Two of Kaspian's guards had been waiting for him near the elevator. They followed him into the car, leaving me alone. I knew there were guards upstairs, posted outside the apartments, and more downstairs at the elevator and the entrance to the stairs. But no one was watching me there. For the first time since I'd arrived on Serai, I was alone.
The cat meowed.
Chuckling, I looked down at him. “I'm not totally alone, eh?” I crouched to pet him. “But it's just the two of us, Cat.” I stood up and breathed in deeply. I liked being alone. Not all the time, but sometimes. I wasn't one of those men who needed constant companionship. Even if that companion was Kaspian.
Suddenly, a shimmer rose before me. Like something out of a sci-fi movie, it coalesced, fracturing the light and gathering colors. With a yip, I backed up. I'd seen that kind of haze before but it couldn't be. Only Cat was there. And yet, the shimmer grew brighter, with an orange heart that quickly darkened. I could see a form inside it. Something large. With wings.
Just as it occurred to me that I should run, the haze cleared. Before me stood a naked, dark-skinned man with wings. Not angel wings. Bat wings. Black, membranous things that rustled as he opened them. His body was impressive, every inch boasting the best of what it could be. Muscular, tall, and handsome. And yes, well-endowed. I couldn't help a glance. But then I got caught in those eyes.
Golden eyes. Like a cat's. One cat in particular.
“Oh, fuck.” I dropped my tea. The cup shattered on the stone bench beside me.
“Yes, it's just the two of us, Duke Demetrius,” the naked Tyasmoran man said, his voice deep and venomous. “I've been waiting for this moment.”
Instincts finally kicked in, and I turned to run, inhaling to shout for help at the same time. The punch came from behind but hit me in the side of the head. It was hard enough to send me to the ground and strong enough that I didn't feel the landing. I was out by the time I hit.
Chapter Thirty-Two
I came to in the middle of a conversation. Not one involving me, although it concerned me.
“—had to wait until he was alone.”
“Yes, you're lucky it didn't take longer.”
“Are you sure no one saw you?”
“Yes. I made sure none of the castle guards were looking up when I left. Once I was beyond the grounds, I was certain that we hadn't been seen.”
Listening to them, I wondered if it would be best to play possum for as long as possible. I'd been abducted—that much was clear—but why? They must want something from Kaspian. I didn't feel injured. So, beyond that punch, they hadn't hurt me. That meant it wasn't an assassination. I was valuable.
“Is he secure?”
“He's human.”
“He's also mated to a Dragon.”
“That cell could hold a Dragon.”
“Could it? I'm not so sure.”
A new voice broke into the conversation. “He knows! The King knows his mate has been taken. The castle is locked up and the soldiers are scrambling.”
Someone chuckled. “They think he's still on the grounds.”
“They'll have to make sure that he's not. But I doubt the King is sitting idle, waiting for news. He'll already have teams searching the city, and I wouldn't be surprised if he joined them.”
