I was utterly at his mercy, and as fucked up as it was, I liked it. Not only because it felt less like I was betraying myself…but also because I was tired of having to be on constant guard.
Now, my mate was demonstrating that with him, I was protected. Held.Cherished.
He licked the soft flesh on the inside of my thigh, eliciting a whimper. Open mouthed kisses trailed higher and higher, closing in on the apex of my thighs. My head tipped back as I surrendered to the feeling of it.
“Her Radiance is concerned that they haven’t returned yet. What time did they depart, healer?”
The masculine voice punched panic into my lungs. I froze, but Vaeron surged to his feet and spun, shielding me from view. My skirts fell, and his light disappeared, bathing us in darkness.
“Fuck, if we’re caught–”his voice slammed through our bond, fast and unbidden.
“What do we do?”I asked, ice coursing through my veins.
“Stay here,”he commanded.
For once, I wasn’t going to argue or attempt to run. He ducked out of the space, and my heart leaped to my throat like it danced the Sleeping Maiden.
The healer and a male I assumed was one of the Sightkeepers spoke again. “It’s been nearly half an hour. They departed in the direction of the Seer’s feather, though.”
Vaeron dipped through the curtain and gestured for me to emerge. His hand slipped around mine like it was the most natural action in all the worlds, and he tugged me away from the sound of their voices.
“If we’re stopped, you requested a walk outside after the grueling session you had this morning. I will assure whomever that I only remained to ensure you wouldn’t escape, because I am the Issaraeth and everyone knows there is no running from me.”
“Should I tell them how I outmaneuvered you before then?”
Irritation flickered down our bond. I couldn’t help the smile that bloomed.
We twisted around a corner, wide windows revealing a lush garden. Humidity assaulted us the moment we stepped outside.
Overhead, birds sang to one another, their tune far too cheery when panic still wrapped around my ribs like thorny vines. A breeze rustled through the massive fronds on either side of us. Thick, heady, floral scents enveloped me as we delved deeper into the palace’s sprawling grounds.
The open air eased the tightness in my chest. Cleared out the fog of my thoughts.
Vaeron strode forward with calm confidence, losing us among the plants. When we were obscured from view, he whirled on me again. Pools of ink erased the glacial hue of his irises. “Little fugitive, I hope you know that when I hunted you the first time, the only reason you escaped is because I did not want to end the chase so soon.”
He captured my wrists and brought them flush with his chest. The hard thump of his heart beat against my skin.
“I will not make that mistake again.”
He leaned closer so he spoke into the shell of my ear. “Unless you want to be caught.”
His insinuation flooded my core with traitorous heat. From the iron box in the back of my mind, my very first vision of my mate rose, sinister and foreboding. How he’d chased and claimed me then. It was so similar to how he’d hunted me down in the Skala Mountains too.
Something hard dug into my stomach. Pulse after pulse of dark desire swept from him into me.
And, Goddess save me, I suddenly wished I could do more than merely limp.
The fantasy he painted was far too alluring. Vaeron was a predator, and Iwantedto be his prey. Because prey didn’t have to make decisions. All they had to do was run.
Our bond thrashed with need so intense it stole my breath. What would it be like, to let Vaeron claim me fully, utterly, so our connection was as solid as a diamond?
The thought had scarcely finished before he released me and stepped away, leaving me bereft. A small noise even slipped past my lips as I stared at his wicked smirk.
Damn him. Here I was, a wanton mess, and he had enough self-control to put space between us?
Without shattering our shared gaze, he piled his hair atop his head and secured it. “Seer, you look close to collapsing.You’re very flushed. Let’s get you inside before you faint.”
I gaped at him. Forced my teeth to click shut as he gripped my upper arm and steered me back the way we’d come.
