"You are my mate until the end of both our lives. I will not reject you. I will not allow others to do so as well. You are now under my protection and my care. I will make sure you have the best treatment and care for Harvin's Skin and any future issues the disorder brings to light." He put his hand on her cheek.
Raised her head so he could see her glossy, tear-filled eyes. "I will make sure you are loved and protected for the rest of your life, Janae. I vow this. Always."
"I should be afraid of this. The last person to commit such a thing to me turned me out on the street."
"You're here now. Expect better."
16
The sound of rain and thunder echoed, and it woke her.
She jumped, expecting she was wet. A problem with not having a home or a regular place to hide from the weather.
Of course, she wasn’t wet.
She was in Khalzin’s bed, next to him.
They both must have dozed off. She glanced at the chronometer on the wall and realized they’d been asleep for several hours.
The sun had disappeared behind the clouds, making everything gray and dark.
Thunder rattled their windows every few minutes while the rain hit the glass. It would be hard and determined one moment, and then a gentle tapping the next.
She sat on the bed, and as she wiggled, she noticed that Khalzin didn’t move.
“They really are dampening.” She wiggled again. This time, it was harder and more deliberate.
Still, he didn’t move.
Inspired by the sound of the rain, to internal music only she could hear, she started dancing around. Bouncing and generally playing on the bed. It still felt solid and secure.
A flash of lightning made her look out the windows.
The trees were beautiful and massive and had a hazy cast over them from the rain. It was pretty impressive to see.
“The rain is pretty when I don’t have to worry about being in it,” she said.
She started to hum a little tune as she bounced around on the bed, watching the rain.
Suddenly, Khalzin grabbed her.
She screamed, her heart pounding.
He pulled her to him and smiled. “Having fun?”
She smacked him in the shoulder. “You scared me!” She started to rise.
He held her to him. “You were having so much fun trying not to bother me on the bed.”
How he said the words made her body tingle in those delicious ways. She squirmed, for she felt the intensity roll down through her and land in her center.
Whether she wanted to admit it or not, he enticed her.
A lot.
Being this close to him, practically laying on top of him, only added to the desire that built in her. Looking into his eyes, the passion that was there, she truly felt that it was powerful. Part of her wondered if he had some mind control because she didn't feel like her normal self at the moment.
She felt pretty.
