Leric sighed, his own growling stopping, sounding damn content. “There you are.”
My chest was pumping in frenzy as quiet surrounded us, and I screamed, “I am going to start hurting people if you don’t quit staring, and help us!” I thumped on my chest as another…goddamn…bitty growl erupted. “And this shit, Leric. You are going to explain.”
“It’s a…baby tiger,” Queen Ruckler murmured, sounding awed, her voice coming closer. “Is she going to shift, or something?”
I froze. Utter and completely. “If I’m going to be turning furry, you had better warn me right fucking now before I rip your goddamn balls off for doing this!”
“Just calm down…and nothing will happen.” Elusive words, which I didn’t like one damn bit…and I instantly felt him trying to soothe me down the tether, which only worried me more. “Really, people, I know you’ve had mates before. This runs parallel. Just a little advice would go a long damn way.”
Realizing—belatedly—I was probably choking Elder Merrick, even as I sucked oxygen, I loosened my hold…a bit…and held still on his frozen lap, feeling his heartbeat pound like rapid fire against my side, racing as fast as mine, waiting…for someone to get over their damn shock.
King Collins eventually cleared his throat. “Alright,” another clearing of his throat, “normally as I’m sure you both know when two individuals of like faction are mated, they receive one mate gift.” A pause. “You’ve apparently received all, plus…others. The double vision and “tiger”…thing, aren’t usual. The other three are. To control the other three, you need to envision your power. Your gift, which would probably work best as the stars. Imagine building a wall of this between you and the other in your mind…”
He continued babbling in a calming voice, but I was already working aggressively on my damn wall of stars. It wasn’t easy. Not at all. Beads of sweat started perspiring down my temples, and I started trembling the barest bit at the effort it took, because the expanse was so damn vast. Eventually, after what seemed like forever, I muttered on a defeated breath, “It’s too much.” It was the fucking galaxies. It would take a lifetime to accomplish.
Leric grunted, his own voice breathless. “This is ridiculous.”
My brows pinched, even as Elder Jacobs started in, stating patiently how to do it, and I shook my head, murmuring, “It’s too much! Imagine the endless sky. How long would it take to block that?”
Everyone was silent for long moments, and then Elder Merrick spoke softly, his voice hoarse, “Encompass just yourself.”
Keeping my mind blank, I instantly started firing stars around myself in the ether, pulling from the ones I had already placed on the wall, twisting and turning, floating upside down at one point, my hair floating about me, until I had finally constructed the wall, placing the last fireball in place, then blowing on it, bathing it, to one large ring of stars fire around me, strong, but clear enough to see through…and instantly, Leric’s voice cut off inside my head, the emotions gone, the added power I had felt sizzling just within my reach gone…and I inhaled, wiggled my shoulders…and fucking growled like a damn tiger. A baby one, anyway, that not gone. But, I slowly peeked open one eye, not seeing anything wickedly twisted, so I let both eyes open, seeing Leric on the ground, still working on his wall, eyes closed in concentration, his face a bit pale. He was much larger than me, so it would probably take him a while longer, but he didn’t react to me opening my eyes, so the double vision must be gone.
I tilted my damp face toward Elder Merrick…only to have my cheek brush his, and through all my swirling emotions, I felt an instant jolt of arousal low in my gut, quickly pulling my face away, stuttering, “I-It…worked.”
His jaw was clenched tight, eyes hooded, black thick lashes hiding his gaze, lips thinned, but his brows slammed together with his next inhale, and if it was possible, he froze even more under me, his lips parting on a shaky exhale.
I cleared my throat, damn shocked, realizing I could still feel that…because mates weren’t supposed to feel arousal for another. “Um…” My mouth flapped for a moment, then I patted his chest awkwardly with my free hand. “I’d…uh…say thanks, but I still need to kick your ass.”
My attention jerked to Leric when he asked, eyes still closed, “You’re done? It worked for you?”
Eyes a bit wide, I mumbled, “Yes. Nothing going in or out from what I can tell.” Mind swirling, but confusion reigning, I quickly released Elder Merrick, practically tumbling down his chest I had been resting against, swiftly moving to the far end of the couch, shoving his legs off it. He was dressed, but only in a pair of white athletic shorts, his feet bare, so I didn’t look anywhere near his gorgeous body. Instead, I curled up on the edge, placing a hand over my forehead, staring at Leric as he worked, his handsome face one I had dreamed of many times after first meeting him, knowing he was creating his barrier meticulously, just as he had done with the terrible cookies we had made together.
What the fuck was the Chosen?
What the hell did it mean in correlation to the One?
…and how the hell was I able to still get aroused for someone else?
King Collins moved around the couch to squat in front of me. “Are you alright, Caro?”
“Not really.” My voice was a bit breathless, not caring if I was showing weakness right now, and I knew my gaze was wide, frightened. “I’m freaked and confused as hell.” I rubbed at my chest, feeling the…animal…the definite damn tiger inside me. “Weirded…most definitely weirded out.”
King Collins placed his hand on my bare knee, still dressed in the damn tiny match clothing. “I had to make this choice for you given the facts.”
“I know.” I placed my cold palm over his, squeezing it. “I wasn’t upset about that. I would have made the same decision if I were in your place.” I inhaled shakily, and tried to breathe out calmly. “This is just a bit much.” With not enough answers.
King Collins grabbed the blanket on the back of the couch, blankets he had placed all over the Elemental section now that I was here, a kind, thoughtful gesture, pulling it over my shoulders and wrapping me up tight.
My smile was small with my emotions as they were, but my heart expanded for him, a definite place there for him, and I whispered quietly, “You’re going to make a good dad one day.” It was safe to say.
Brown eyes slammed to mine, and he swallowed hard, his voice gruff. “Yes,” he cleared his throat, tucking the blanket under my feet, “well…I’m definitely getting practice in patience and anxiety lately, so I hope so.” He cleared his throat again, straightening, but when he moved, he only sat on the arm of the couch, directly next to my elbow, placing his hand on my shoulder, leaving it there.
Only a minute later, Leric opened his shadowed eyes slowly in the quiet around us, and he blinked a few times before he sighed heavily, sitting up straight, not bothering to stand while he stretched his arms over his head, his V-neck cashmere white thin sweater pulling against his muscles, and yeah, I noticed more than a little, but my gaze was dead on his when silver eyes met mine. He held it steadily, keen intelligence in their depths which he didn’t try to hide. “I imagine you have questions.” Simple words.
“Understatement.” My own tone was brusque, and I couldn’t hide my agitation. “You’ve know this…since when?”
“Since Tristan reacted as he did with you in my study.”
