I pulled back sharply, staring up into his eyes. There was no way, was there? Maybe I was hallucinating, or maybe the effects of whatever Dante had done to me and my bonds was starting towear off.
But that voice was unrecognisable, something I’d never heard before.
And Thor…
The smile slipped from his lips as he cocked his head, as if to ask me if something was wrong. His nostrils flared as he scented the air, though I shook my head.
Slowly, I touched his hand, covering his fingers where they held the basket. “Do you understand me?” I asked, stepping into him.
The response was immediate, soft.Yes, he seemed to say as he nodded once.I do.
This changes things, I thought, eyes widening.
Why?he asked, eyes narrowing.
“Holy shit, you can hear my thoughts, too,” I said aloud, tearing my hand away.
Thor, apparently, was more than he appeared.
66
Thor
Ivy stared at me like she didn’t recognise me. And yet, something flared in her eyes, a softness appearing in her features.
Her words reverberated through my head as she beckoned me to follow her out of the strong-smelling glass room. A greenhouse, she’d called it. A place to grow food outside of different environments.
The gathered fruits in the basket each had a distinct scent that tickled at memories I couldn’t find. When we left the dark storage room, she took the basket from my hands, set it on the counter, and took my hand.
Are you certain you can hear me?she asked, mouth not moving. And yet, I heard the words clearly inside my head, almost howheused to communicate with me.
Her voice didn’t feel like his. When I’d heard him inside my head, there’d always been a sick feeling that would follow. A darkness that would leak through my mind, fingers reaching for control.
With her, it felt…nice. Calm. Peaceful. Her voice brought a warmth that flooded my chest and made my beast happy.
I nodded once to her question but realised quickly when her eyes narrowed that she wanted an answer.Yes.
She sucked in a breath, eyes widening. “Okay. That’s notwhat I expected,” she said aloud, keeping her voice quiet. “Could you always do that?”
I’m not sure, I replied.I’ve always been able to hearhim. But I heard the winged one’s voice when death tried to claim me.
Ivy blinked hard, releasing a slow breath as she looked over her shoulder. Outside of the cage, she was far more radiant, especially now. Even with the collar, there was something about her that drew me towards her. I wasn’t sure if it was her scent, which was more distinct now, no longer clouded by the stench of the other creatures or soldiers, or if it was something else entirely. But the pull towards her was one that couldn’t be ignored.
My beast wanted to claim her. I only partially knew what that meant; could understand the urge that came with it.
But I knew I couldn’t. That she wouldn’t like it.
“You heard Hawk’s voice,” she whispered, finally looking back at me. “The winged one. Hawk. The male we rescued?”
Yes,I replied.Him. He spoke to me.
She nodded before looking at the kitchen door. “Alright. Cool.” She gave my hand a tug. “We need to tell the others.”
Why?I asked, though I followed without any other complaint, especially since she continued holding my hand. It fit so neatly into mine; her smooth skin pressed against my rough palms, her flesh unblemished while mine was covered in scars. She didn’t seem afraid of any of it.
“Well, we thought you were a shifter with no mage abilities. But I shouldn’t be able to hear your thoughts, and you shouldn’t be able to hear mine. We aren’t bonded mates,” she explained, briefly looking back at me as we left the kitchen. “You having mind mage abilities is the only way. Which shouldn’t be possible.”
I frowned, her explanation not making much sense to me.You think I have to be likehimthen?
