Despite the circumstances, I couldn’t deny the attraction that simmered beneath the surface. Ky’rn was a magnificent creature, and being so close to him only heightened his allure. It was impossible not to appreciate his beauty.
However, I couldn’t afford to get lost in those thoughts. Ky’rn’s coloring had paled, a stark contrast to his usual vibrant hues. Something was seriously wrong, and it was my responsibility to help him.
I pulled my hand away from the glass, tearing my gaze from his captivating presence, and turned to rush up the stairs.
I could sense Ky’rn following me, his presence like a shadow as I ascended the spiral stairway that curved around the tank. Empty buckets awaited me on the landing, ready to be filled with the fresh fish Ky’rn so desperately needed.
My fingers trembled as I placed my gun in its holster, a silent promise to myself to protect Ky’rn from any threat. Beside it, I set the pouch containing the box Roman had given me.
A loud splash echoed and I spun around to face Ky’rn, his eyes meeting mine as I slowly unzipped my bodysuit and allowed it to drop to the ground. As I stood in only my black one-piece swimsuit, my skin tingling from his intense gaze, I couldn’t help but feel like prey in a seductive dance with a predator.
Ky’rn’s gaze roamed over my body, tracing the curves and contours as if he were committing every inch to memory. There was a hunger in his eyes, primal and raw, but strangely, it didn’t frighten me.
Ky’rn was a predator, but there was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel safe, despite the fear I would feel if I didn’t know him—if we didn’t have a past.
I felt exposed, vulnerable, and yet, it stirred something deep within me, a forbidden desire that I wanted to explore.
But now wasn’t the time to give in to this attraction. I was here for two reasons: to find out why he was refusing to eat, and to help him to contact his people and let them know that he was safe, for now.
My heart thundered in my chest as I sat on the edge of the tank, unable to pull my gaze away from Ky’rn’s intense, amber eyes. With trembling hands, I reached for my pouch and swiftly retrieved the small box that Roman had given me. The box felt heavy in my hand, knowing what was inside would change everything.
I eased myself onto the edge of the tank, the metal cool against my bare skin, sending a shiver racing down my spine.
Before I could even open the box, Ky’rn was before me. His strong hands gently grasped my legs, parting them to make room for him. He pressed himself between my legs, our faces mere inches apart.
My heart raced. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, his powerful presence overwhelming. Heat radiated from his body. It was intimacy unlike anything I had ever experienced.
How could I be this attracted to him?
“Where were you?”he demanded, his amber eyes searching mine.
I swallowed hard. The guilt I’d been carrying pressed down on me even more as I tried to find the words to explain, to make him understand.“I had to stay away, Ky’rn. For your safety.”I let out an audible sigh.“I needed time to clear my mind, to figure out a way to help you.”
His expression shifted from one of concern to hurt, and it was like a knife to my heart.“I was worried,”he admitted softly.“I thought…I thought you were banned from seeing me again, and I was starting to think that you may have changed your mind about helping me.”
I shook my head, reaching out to touch his cheek gently.“No, Ky’rn, never. I could never abandon you, and I would never let my grandfather keep me from you now that I know you’re here. But I had to keep you safe, which meant putting some distance between us while I figured things out.”
He sighed and leaned into my hand, seeking comfort from my touch. “I understand now,” he said, his voice gentler. “But how was I supposed to know that? When your mentor came to give me frozen fish, she brought guards, as if she thought I’d attack her.”
I shot a quick, irritated glance at the lab doors, knowing that Dr. Violet was likely just outside, hopefully not tipping off my grandfather. “That woman,” I muttered under my breath. Then, I met Ky’rn’s gaze again.“Is that why you refused to eat?”
“That’s part of the reason. My species,”he began, choosing his words carefully,“has incredible endurance. We can survive for an extended period without feeding, particularly during space travel or when in captivity.”
I raised an eyebrow.“Really? That’s an incredible adaptation.”
He nodded slowly.“Yes, so I can wait to eat until I feel safer. I was hoping your mentor would eventually leave the frozen fish with me and let me eat in peace, without guards watching my every move. Even then, I feared the possibility of her administering some kind of drug or sedative through those meals—”
“To start experimenting on you again.”I took a deep breath, my frustration with the situation bubbling to the surface. I couldn’t let things continue like this.
“I’ll personally make sure you have a steady supply of fresh fish,”I promised him.“But until then, you shouldn’t starve yourself.”
He hesitated for a moment, his amber eyes studying me intently.“I can endure the hunger for now.”
My anger flared at his stubbornness.“How am I supposed to get you out of here if you’re weak and malnourished?” I scolded him.
He didn’t falter, his gaze steady.“Then don’t leave me alone.”
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
