For the first time in my life, I didn’t know what to do. This was an entirely novel situation. And while I’d navigated similar ones, no situation had ever come close to akyrana. A fated mate.
Raazos was laughing at me, surely, or testing me. The god of battle had a dark sense of humor, for certainly this would endme. This wasn’t Alaire’s doing. The god of mercy would never give me a wide-eyed keeper as a mate.
And yet…I couldn’t help but stare with fascination as she ate her breakfast. She ate heartily and quickly, making my lips quirk more than once, as if she was afraid the food would disappear.
“It’s not going anywhere,” I told her, taking another long drink from my tea as I leaned back in my chair. I savored the calm of my body, the peace of the morning.
She blinked, confused, wiping her mouth with the edge of her fingers in a strangely erotic gesture. I swallowed, my cock pulsing suddenly as I straightened up, especially when her tongue licked at her fingertip, catching a stray drop of fruit nectar on the delicate pad.
When she looked down at her plate to see it nearly empty, her gaze then darted to mine, which I had yet to even touch. She blushed, the pink tantalizing as want curled in my belly.
I frowned, however, not meaning to make her feel embarrassed. “Don’t misunderstand me,zendra. An appreciation for food is an attractive quality. You wouldn’t believe how many females I’ve witnessed not eat a single bite at a dinner in fear they might stain their dresses.”
“Do you fear staining your vest, then?” she asked, the question oddly innocent. “Since you’ve not eaten anything?”
I laughed, leaning forward. “Fair enough. I picked this color for you. I wouldn’t want to ruin it.”
She blushed an even redder color, making me grin shamelessly. Ihadn’tintentionally picked the color for her, but the small lie was a happy accident since I happened to remember the vase color from yesterday. The small lie was worth her blush—I didn’t even feel bad about how easily it fell from my lips.
“Keepers learn to eat quickly,” she confessed. “There’s always much to be done. I’m sorry for my poor manners—it’s habit.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I said gruffly. Iwashungry but not for food. It didn’t tempt me one bit at that moment, and I’d only ordered aplatter so it would make her feel more at ease. “If I were feeding on your blood right now, I assure you I’d be more ravenous than you. I wouldn’t care about my manners.”
She gasped.
“And once the contract is signed, you won’t have to worry about rushing around the keep,” I added, hiding my smile.
She fell silent. That was when I noticed Maudoric, lingering by the terrace door, a bundle of parchment in her grip, rolled and tied with a red ribbon.
Perfect timing,I thought. I gestured her forward as Erina finished her meal, washing it down with a swig of her now cool tea.
Erina didn’t meet Maudoric’s eyes as I took the contract from her grip. “I’ll meet you up in my study shortly,” I told the Head Keeper. I needed to have a talk with her. Maudoric left again after her nod, and I handed the rolled-up parchment to Erina.
She took it and tucked it into her lap, suddenly shy again, as if the appearance of the contract made everything real.
I stood from the table as she blinked up at me, her brows furrowing. “I have to meet with Maudoric, and then I have business in town. But take your time finishing your tea. Afterward, I recommend going through the gardens. There are quiet places inside where you can read over the contract.”
“Oh, but I have duties to?—”
“Maudoric is aware of the offer I made to you,” I informed her. “You’re not expected to work today. Read over the contract and take the rest of the afternoon to yourself. I’ll send for you later this evening, and we can sign it together if we’re in agreement with the terms.”
Erina peered up at me and then her gaze flashed to the garden. I wondered if she’d ever been inside, but judging from her hungry gaze, I thought that unlikely.
“It’s beautiful,” I told her, softening my voice. I gestured withmy chin toward one of the arched stone entrances. “Go. I’ll see you tonight.”
With that, I left. And with every step I took away from her, I felt that irritating buzzing begin again.
Vaan,I cursed silently, clenching my jaw tight.
In my study, Maudoric was waiting.
“You have the documents I sent for?” I asked, cutting straight to the purpose of our meeting, no pleasantries. My mood was souring, but I’d always endeavored not to take it out on anyone else, especially my Head Keeper. My brothers, perhaps. But never Maudoric.
She nodded and wordlessly handed the papers over.
“Did you read it?” I questioned.
“Yes,” she said.
