Cecelia blew out a breath and squeezed Kate’s hand.“I truly believe that.”
“And, of course, I’ll explain this to the other women, that they don’t need to worry about their future here,” Kate continued.“I just wanted to come see you first since I understand that you will be leaving shortly with Rixavox.”
Cecelia nibbled on her lip, her heart stuttering at his name and because of her nerves for her impending ‘treatment.’“Yes.Possibly tomorrow, I think.”
Kate stood from the bed, righting her weight carefully.She smiled mischievously.“I meant what I said.Watch out for him.Unless you want to end up like me,” she joked, placing a hand on her stomach.“Luxirians are…potent.”
Cecelia was struck speechless for a moment as she stared at Kate’s swollen belly.The intense longing she felt surprised her, because she thought that she’d accepted her body’s limitations.
“I don’t think I have to worry about that,” Cecelia murmured, trying to infuse some lightness into her tone.“I can’t have children.”
“Oh,” Kate murmured, eyeing her.
“It’s okay though,” Cecelia said carefully, with a well-practiced smile.“I doubt I’d be a good mother anyways.”
It was one of many excuses she’d always given if the subject came up.One that rolled off her tongue effortlessly, as though Cecelia herself had even begun to believe it.
Kate studied her closely and Cecelia felt herself squirm a little bit.But Cecelia didn’t see pity, which was what she always prepared herself for.Instead, she saw something like understanding.
Softly, Kate said, “Like I said…anything is possible here.”
Cecelia drew in a sharp breath, the words unexpected.They sparked something in her, something that she hadn’t allowed herself to feel fully for a very long time.Hope.
Was it possible that she was meant to be in this place?That everything that had happened to her had led her there for a reason?
No, that was crazy.
Wasn’t it?
Tears welled up in her eyes and Cecelia blinked them away, hoping that Kate wouldn’t see.
It’s just exhaustion, Cecelia told herself.And feeling overwhelmed.
It took her a moment to compose herself but when she did, Cecelia looked up at Kate and gave her an honest smile.It was probably the most honest smile she’d given anyone in the past few years.
“Thank you,” was all she said.
Kate nodded at her, holding her gaze for a second more, before turning to the door.“Now, rest, sweetie,” the woman told her.“The northern lands are quite far and you’ll need your strength for the trip.I’ll go speak with the others right now and then check on you before I leave, okay?You’ll be able to sleep better in here.”
“Okay,” Cecelia said, licking her lips.
Sleep sounded wonderful.And sure enough, after Kate left and closed the swooshing door behind her, sleep claimed Cecelia quickly.
Her last coherent thought was about Rixavox and that look he’d given her.It was a look that had made her feel like she was the only woman in the entire world.
Hell, the entireuniverse…
It haunted her dreams.
SIX
Rixavox woke early the next span.It had been a restless sleep, tossing beneath the thin furs.Stolen, disjointed images of Sessela had infiltrated his dreams and more than once, he’d reached out for her, half asleep, only to feel frustration and disappointment and eagerness fill him, knowing that she wasn’t resting safely beside him, but knowing that soon he would be near her again.He’d dreamed of her voice and he swore that he’d been on the verge of cumming in his sleep more than once.
It was possibly the longest night he’d ever experienced.
He padded to the generous washroom off his sleeping quarters, completely nude, his cock erect and throbbing.He had heard tales of newly awakened Instincts within Luxirian males.From those accounts, he knew his cock would be in this state until matehood was consummated.Briefly, he debated releasing some tension himself, but knew it would be no use.He wouldn’t fill the aching void until he was joined with his mate, hisluxiva.Rixavox knew this with certainty.
Quickly, he bathed away the night and dressed in his leg coverings and a thin tunic.His blood had thickened over the rotations in the northern lands.The heat of the Golden City no longer soothed him, as it did most Luxirians.Instead, he felt like he was being slowly suffocated.He longed for the cold bite ofVelraxa, her frigid, bracing winds, her silver frosted mountains.
