“Why, thank you, kind sir.” She gave him an elaborate bow.
Despite his discomfort, the need to possess her smiling mouth gripped him hard. He moved into her, and she hastily pressed up against the wall.
“Lore,” she half laughed, half groaned, her hands pressed to his chest as if that would stop him. “What are you doing?—”
“Stop talking, and what’s the word you use? Yes, fuck my mouth with that tongue of yours.”
She moaned. “I’ve created a monster, and you’re avoiding my question?—”
“Very well, I’ll do so.” He cupped her face with both hands, slipping his tongue into her mouth, seeking hers. With a soft sigh, she caved and leaned into him, sliding her arms around his neck. She responded with a desperation matching his own need for her…
“If you both need more time,” a dry voice said, “let me know, Nia.”
“Darn.” She broke their kiss and buried her face in his chest. “Nate, give us a minute. Please…”
Lore glanced at the tall, dark-haired male on the landing before he strolled off, his amused laughter drifting to them.
So, he was Nia’s brother?
Aaandhe was also the same male Ely had begged Lore to save a few weeks ago, who lay dying on the foyer floor in the castle.
He hadn’t.
Chapter
Thirty-Five
Lore followedNia into the warm, open-plan living room and kitchen. The brother, Nate, leaned against the counter, a mug in hand, looking a whole lot forbidding. No sign of the bantering male from moments ago.
“Where’s Ely?” Nia asked, stopping at the counter separating the kitchen from the living area.
“She just left. Said she had something to check out.”
“Right.” Her grip tightened on Lore’s hand.
I’m not going to run off,he murmured while trying to figure out the male in front of him.
Brave man,she shot back.
“Nate,” she said, “this is my mate, Lore.”
“I heard.” His tone dropped to icy.
Lore could feel Nia’s trepidation through their bond, and he didn’t care for the male causing her such anxiety. But he already had a canyon to navigate, so he remained silent. For now.
Nia glanced at him, furrowing her brow, then back at her brother. “Do you two know each other?”
“In passing,” Nate said coldly. “I was mortally wounded not too long ago. Ely begged him to save me. He refused. I heard bits of it.”
Nia’s gaze snapped to him. The disappointment in her eyes gutted him. “You did?”
“So, how can I trust him to put you first?” the brother asked, and Nia’s focus whipped back to her sibling. “He has, and he did!”
Her defense of him had his chest warming. “Nia, let me?—
“He broke your mate bond without even telling you that you were mated, and you’re defending him?” The male scowled.
“Because you don’t know him like I do.”
