“I’ll protect my queen,” Lore said, striding across the room to stand in front of the fireplace, toasting his backside against the flames.
“As admirably as you do all the time.” The lord bowed. “I’ll do my best to ensure everything remains secure at Evergorne while you’re gone.”
I rose from the sofa and joined Lore at the fire. “We appreciate that.”
“You’ll be back in time for your birthday celebration, naturally,” the lord said.
Lore gave him a short nod. “We’ll do our best.”
Lord Briscalar blinked a moment before swallowing. “Very well. I’ll be ready to act with a moment’s notice when you return.” He straightened, taking on the mantle of regent again seamlessly. “Is there anything else I can do for you both before you depart?”
“Ensure the carriages are ready and that our belongings are secured to the top,” Lore said.
We'd considered flitting, but few possessed the ability to flit, and it would look odd if Lord Bastian and Lady Bliss arrived in any way but by carriage.
Calista appeared at the door to our bedroom. “We’ve finished packing your things.”
The lord grunted. “Excellent. I’ll have the trunks broughtdown and as soon as the vehicles are out front, I’ll see that they’re secured.”
“Thank you. We’ll depart in an hour.”
Lore frowned at my timeframe but said nothing.
I met Calista’s gaze. “Have you two finished with your own packing?”
“We’ll see to it immediately.” She and Moira left, hurrying down the hall to their rooms.
There was one more thing Lore and I needed to do before we left.
Would it work? It had to work.
Lord Briscalar paused by the open door to the hallway. “Please let me know if there’s anything else you need. Otherwise, I’ll see you in the foyer when you’re ready to depart.”
The lord stepped out into the hall and instructed a few men to enter and take our trunks.
I watched the servants bustle about, loading our belongings, my mind already racing ahead to what we needed to do.
Once everyone had left and we were alone, I turned to Lore.
“Do you need something, my precious mate?” he rasped, heat blooming in his voice.
“I want you to bite me.”
His eyebrows shot up, and his body stilled. “Excuse me?”
“During sex. Hard enough to leave marks.” Heat flooded my face, but I pressed on. “Tempest told me something about fated mates…”
Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by that dangerous fire I adored. “And you want to see if we can forge that mythical connection.”
“Yes.”
His gaze dropped to my throat, then lower. “Anywhere in particular, love?”
“You choose. I’ll return the favor.”
“I see.” After one blink, his lips curled up on one side, and that dangerous fire I adored smoldered in his eyes. “Foolish me for not realizing you enjoy that sort of thing.” His eyes darkened, not just with heat but with something deeper, like he still couldn’t believe I was his to touch, to bite, to burn with.
“I’m not actually sure if I do or not, but I assume I’ll find out.” I tugged him toward the bedroom. “Tempest and my brother are fated mates. She told me when fated mates bite each other during sex they can then communicate in their minds.”
