He nodded, grasped her hand, and dematerialized them. Moments later, they reformed on the upper deck of the boathouse. As he ushered her to the front door, she recalled something else, and spun to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me about the spelled blade Derrodus used on you the night before the death fight?”
He rubbed the base of his nape, a sheepish expression flickering. “I didn’t want to worry you. Besides, Qinera had weakened the spell a bit.”
“Weakened?” She glared at him. “Yes, that helped big time, didn’t it? It made you lose control, brought out the beast to the point of no return. I nearly lost you!” She wheeled around, willed the door open, and stomped inside—
Arms came around her, stopping her. He pressed his face into her neck. “My hands were tied back then, Ely. Hurt or not, there was no way I could get out of the fight, you knew that.” He turned her to him. “I missed you. The few hours away from you felt endless.”
“I missed you, too,” she said on a deep sigh. “In the future, Nate, please, please don’t keep things from me.”
A smile hovered. “From my dangerous mate? Never. It’s all in the past now.”
Breathing a little easier, she snorted. But secretly, she liked that he was protective. While her family had been, too, it was accompanied by a sense of suffocation, of being the only daughter whose life was mapped out for her.
Still, it surprised her that they hadn’t sent any more guards after her. Maybe they finally understood she wanted her own life. Besides, she wasn’t heir to Ademéras—thank Gaia! Reynner could deal with that stuff.
She shut out the past, removed her coat, and rolled her tense shoulders, happy the long night was over as she headed for their bedroom.
“I need a shower, I won’t be long.” She dropped her outerwear on the sectional, then pulled off her skinny sweater. “Oh, I meant to ask—” She spun to him. “Shall we eat here or join the others at the castle for the morning meal?”
Nate didn’t say anything, just dropped his coat on hers, dragged off his grease-paint-stained tee, muscles slipping and sliding beneath his bronze skin, and tossed his shirt on top of their things. He undid his jeans button as he prowled over.
Her breath caught in her lungs at the heat in his eyes.
“The only thing I’m ravenous for right now…” He took her sweater and tossed it aside. “Is you. So be a good girl, take the rest of your clothes off, get on the bed, and let me satiate myself.”
Heck, she wanted to leap on the bed. The stars knew she was so on board with what he wanted, too. Instead, she undid her hair, and let it drop to her shoulders. “Yeah, you’re just going to have to wait a while. It’s been a long night, and I’m starving…” His eyes narrowed. Biting back a smile, she trailed her fingers down his inked chest, over his cut abs and his stomach clenched. “…for you,” she whispered, unzipping him and sliding her hand inside his boxers to grasp his hardening length.
His eyes darkened as she swiped the head with her thumb, spreading the wetness there, and she lowered to her knees…
* * *
Her cell vibrating on the bedside table awakened Ely, and she groaned, keeping her eyes shut. Man, the night had been long, sleep short, and now her friends would trouble them.
A warm hand came around her waist, holding her.
“Ignore it,” Nate mumbled into the pillow.
“Then whoever it is will come over. I know my friends. And remember, your sister is dying to spend time with you.” She answered the call to stop the infernal ringing.
“Do you know what time it is?” Echo asked, laughter in her voice.
Ely glanced at Nate, aware he could hear the conversation. A part of his face was buried in the pillow, he opened one eye, and she smirked atold you solook.
“And just so you know,” Echo continued, “Kira insisted I call you after her many, many unanswered calls.” She happily laid the blame at their friend’s feet.
“It was only three!” Kira protested in the background.
“Six!” someone else piped out.
Ely groaned out a laugh. “All right, all right. What is it?”
“Happy Christmas Eve, girl!” Kira shouted. “So c’mon, we’re having a late lunch. You can get back to your hanky panky later.”
“I guess she did deliver the message herself after all,” Echo said, choking back more laughter. “You need to come over real fast, Ely, before she decides to come and get you both herself.”
With that threat, the call dropped.
Ely tossed her cell on the nightstand and flopped on her back.
