She stabbed at another carrot. “You told me that Ulric’s body is impenetrable, so there’s no way to get his blood. Right?”
His chest ached. “Right.” Yet he had to find a way.
Her shoulders drooped. “I know Ulric is evil, but what do you think he intends to do if he escapes from prison?”
“He was put away because he had a plan to end all enhanced females. We don’t know exactly what he was going to do, but it involved harming women like you—and my mom, aunts, cousins…”
“That’s terrible,” she whispered.
Yeah, it was. But now Garrett was wondering if the tumor in Dessie’s head was a clue. Was there a plan to create such tumors on a broader scale? If so, the end game was death? “Ulric needs to be destroyed.”
“I think I agree,” she murmured.
Which was why Garrett needed to kill Ulric. While he’d thought to protect Dessie in case he died in the battle, she also needed to mate for good, or at least for as long as possible, to counter that tumor.
Based on further medical examination, Emma had changed her opinion. She now believed there was a chance that mating would slow down the tumor’s growth, and that was Dessie’s best option, considering he didn’t have Ulric’s blood. Even if the mating was temporary. Having the marking even for a short time could both protect her and perhaps make that tumor shrink in size, for a while.
For his part, he needed her. It was that simple. “Do you love me?”
Her mouth dropped open. “We…we just met,” she stammered.
Also not an answer. “I’ll wait all night for the truth.” It was only fair to give her a warning. His people recognized their mate at first glance, even if it was just on a subconscious level. Oh, there was often courting and a dating dance or, in the case of his family, a fast lockdown and mating. But it was always consensual, and right now, Dessie didn’t seem to know what she wanted. Or rather, she wasn’t willing to tell him. “Dessie?”
“Why haven’t you bitten me deep?” she asked. “I’ve seen your fangs and I’ve seen what they can do.”
He hadn’t expected that question. Apparently she’d had quite the chat earlier with the other mates. “I didn’t want to scare you. Or hurt you.” She’d been a virgin, for Christ’s sake.
“Isn’t using your fangs a compulsion for immortals?” Curiosity burned bright in her stunning eyes—along with need.
“Yes.” He wanted a taste of her more than anything. “We bite when having strong emotions, usually in battle or sex with our mates.” Her blush was a pretty pink. He figured it was time to put everything on the line. “You’re it for me, Destiny. Thought you should know.”
Pleasure burst across her face so quickly he could feel it in his body. “Garrett, that’s crazy.” But her smile couldn’t be contained.
“There’s a theory that most immortals are crazy,” he said, drinking his wine. “My point is that we might as well be honest with each other.”
She took two big gulps of her wine. “Fine. Yes, I have feelings for you and have since you somehow rescued me in my dream years ago. You’re the only man I’ve ever slept with, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
That was a fucking good thing. His growl rumbled up from his chest, and he let it free. “I’m not a man, baby. Nothing human. All male.”
“Oh.” Her lips parted on the gasp. “That’s true.” She twirled the glass with her fingers. “I’ve been considering everything you said, and I don’t want to be a coward with regard to the future. If you’re willing to take a chance that I’ll never be cured, then so am I. It’s been you since day one for me.”
God, she was cute. Adorable. Fucking sexier than hell. “We’ll cure you, Dessie. I know it.”
Her smile was his reward. “However, I think we should wait to try mating again until we’re sure I won’t freak out and kill you. I don’t even want to discuss it until that trigger of your tattoo is gone.”
He caught her meaning, and his chest heated. “You’re afraid you’ll hurt me?” He was both touched and mildly insulted.
“Yes. I almost took your head off,” she whispered. “I’m still really sorry about that, by the way.”
Amusement attacked him, and he laughed, feeling it to his belly. “Honey, I know you have skills, but your knife is gone. Plus, now I understand your trigger. I promise you can’t hurt me.”
She frowned and partially turned her head to the side.
Cute. So cute it hurt. He tossed his napkin down. “All right. Here’s the deal. If we were both a hundred percent with no war looming and no problem with your chemistry, we’d mate. You know it, and I know it.” He stood and lifted her right out of her chair. “So I’m not waiting until Ulric is dead or until the war is over. I want to help you fight that tumor in your head.” He didn’t know how to get Ulric’s blood yet, and that might take time. Mating would not. She felt slight against his chest.
She gave a half-hearted attempt to push him away. “Garrett, I don’t—”
“I know you’re exhausted. Do you want to mate me?”
