I took his plates and stacked everything before sprinting downstairs with them and then sprinted back up again. I knew Joel would not mind the dishes in the morning, and I preferred to sleep without old food in the room.
Joel was nowhere in sight, so I figured he had already gone to bed. It made me happy—weirdly enough—to have even more people living under my roof. After centuries of hiding away and not daring to have any friends, it was…nice. I felt lighter as I returned at normal speed to our bedroom. Felix was likely the cause of my uplifted spirits, but I could safely say that the others were helping, too.
I was notalone anymore.
“Severin.” Peter’s voice startled me. I had not even heard him approach me.
“Good evening, brother. Something wrong?”
“No. I simply wanted to make sure you were okay. With your bond and everything.”
Ah. We still had trouble showing our affection and love sometimes, but this was Peter showing he loved me. I smiled before replying, “I feel wonderful. I had hoped we could bond fully before finding Astrea, but I will not let her wait for days while we do so. It is not fair to her or Felix.”
“I agree,” he said, leaning against the hallway wall. “I trust Dina’s coven. But we still need to make sure no one gets hurt tomorrow.” Meaning the other coven who took Astrea.
“You think them capable of murder to keep her?”
“I think them able to do anything they so choose. After all, Astrea has already been asleep for five years, then kidnapped. And then they blackmailed poor Felix, a young man who was unable to fight them back.”
“You are right, brother. They do not seem to have any hearts, why should murder stop them.”
“Exactly. So, you should agree with my plan, then,” he said.
Intrigued, I asked, “What plan?”
“You focus on keeping Felix safe tomorrow, and I, on Astrea.”
“I like that plan,” I agreed. “We need to tell the coven before we leave tomorrow, though.”
“Agreed. Astrea and Felix are family now. I need you to trust I will do everything I can to keep them safe.”
I smiled at that. Peter could tease me and give me a hard time, but he was fiercely protective over those he loved, and at the moment, I was the only one he held such love for. Dina was growing on him, but he was stronger than I when it came to his emotions. He only let those in he truly wanted to.
I did not think as I stepped in to hug him. I just needed my brother. He was older than me by only four years, but still, after all this time, I saw him as my big brother. He wouldalwaysbe my big brother.
He returned the hug, holding me as tight as possible without it hurting us. Then we parted, not saying another word.
Entering my bedroom, I was ready to sleep with my fated in my arms, looking forward to his teasing. But when my gaze found him, my beautiful mate was already sound asleep on his side of the bed, taking away all my hope of teasing and fun.
I smiled, unable to stop myself as I got into bed, too. This was my life now. I had a partner waiting for me in bed. No more sleeping alone.
I fell asleep, feeling lighter than I had ever felt before. At least I could not remember a time I had felt more at ease.
Felix and I slept all night through, until Dina woke us up with her knocking. “Stop touching and get a move on!” she yelled, then I heard her steps retreat down the hall.
If only.
I wiped drool off my chin and then met Felix’s lazy gaze. His right side was filled with wrinkles from his pillow and his hair was sleep mussed. He was the sexiestman I had ever seen.
“Why, oh, why, must you look so good in the morning?” I groaned, before standing up and averting my gaze from the temptation in my bed.
He let out a happy giggle and then my gaze was back on him, transfixed, I could not stop staring. He was happy, radiating light, happiness,life. I jumped onto the bed, then leaned over his body. He stopped laughing, his eyes widening, then he grinned. I kissed his neck, forcing my fangs to retreat, then kissed his jaw, growling while doing so, my vampire nature wanting to take over. To claim him as mine. But this could not go any further, for his sake and mine. Felix needed two more days of no feedings, and I could control myself. I hoped.
Feeling my resolve weaken, I jumped off, then strode to my walk-in closet to get dressed.
“Really?!”he yelled from the bed, his tone indignant. I grinned to myself. I had won this round.
Dressed and somewhat awake, we met the others in the foyer. I told Felix that both Peter and I could sunwalk, which had made this rescue mission much easier to plan. Dina had then introduced us to her coven sisters and with one hug between Claire and Felix, we were now off driving towards Astrea’s location.
