The Abyss wanted her to be comfortable, beyond what it did for our guests. I pressed my hand against the doorway, sending a pulse of gratitude into the walls that made the glyphs spread throughout the room glow purple.
Her eyes widened even more. “And so will that.”
“You’ll have time to adjust.”
The walk to the elevator that led to my quarters was quiet but charged. Every step brought her closer to my territory. My shadows reached toward her, brushing against the faint sparks of her aura like they couldn’t help themselves. I kept my hands at my sides and my jaw locked, fighting the constant urge to touch her.
She was trying so hard to keep her power locked down, but I could see the toll it was taking in the slight tremor in her fingers and the way her shoulders stayed tight. She shouldn’t have to cage herself like this. Not now that we’d found each other.
When we reached the restricted elevator, I scanned us through the heavy wards. The doors slid open, and it felt as though the air thickened when we stepped inside. Her scent filled the enclosed space as we lifted to the ninth floor. I dragged it deep into my lungs before we exited into a hallway that only a handful of people had access to.
Adan and Calliope’s floor was directly above mine, and my space acted as an added buffer for his security. A few members of the security team had suites farther down the hallway on either side of mine, but the one that adjoined the rooms I called home were reserved for my use. But in all my time at The Abyss, I’d never invited someone to stay next to me.
I opened the door to the guest suite but didn’t mention it was connected to mine. And The Abyss did me a favor by distracting Isolde when she stepped inside and found the space decorated identically to the rooms I just moved her from.
She shook her head with a soft laugh. “Well, at least it already feels familiar.”
“And you’ll be safe here. No one reaches this floor without my approval.”
She turned to face me, those emerald eyes searching mine again. “I’m sorry I’m causing problems.”
“You’re not a problem.” My demon pushed hard, wanting me to close the distance and tell her she never had to cage herself again. “You’re mine to protect now. Whether you like it or not.”
Her aura flared, a bright spark racing along her collarbone before she pulled it back. The sight only made me more determined to protect her.
I forced myself to take a step back toward the door before I did something I couldn’t take back. “Rest. I’ll be right next door if you need anything.”
I left before the bond could drag me any closer, but I paused in the hallway to pump some extra energy into the wards protecting her suite.
Back in my own quarters, I leaned against the door separating us. Closing my eyes, I listened to the faint hum of her presence. The pull of the mate bond continued to grow, refusing to be denied.
I had spent centuries putting my loyalty to Adan and The Abyss first. But duty felt further away than it ever had with Isolde so close yet so far away.
5
ISOLDE
Late morning light filtered through the enchanted windows of the ninth-floor suite, diffused, as if The Abyss itself knew I’d barely slept. Which it probably did, considering how much magic the stone fortress contained.
I woke slowly, my body heavy with exhaustion and the lingering hum of the mate bond. I’d tossed and turned for hours, finally giving up and finishing the cozy mystery. Only then had sleep claimed me.
Rolling over, I saw a new book stacked on top of the one I’d just read. My lips curved into a grin when I saw the title on the spine—another cozy mystery high up on my to-be-read list.
I sat up, realizing with a jolt that I was completely naked. The festival dress and lingerie had been too uncomfortable to sleep in, so I’d stripped them off in the middle of the night and pulled on the silky black robe I’d found hanging on the back of the bathroom door. It was soft and luxurious, but it barely reached mid-thigh and gaped slightly at the front. Heat rushed to my cheeks at the thought of Kastiel seeing me like this.
As if summoned by my embarrassment, a quiet knock sounded at the door.
My heart stuttered. I clutched the robe tighter and padded into the living area, acutely aware that I wore nothing underneath.
When I opened the door, I found Kastiel standing in the hallway, holding a tray with a carafe, two mugs, and several covered plates. His dark eyes swept over me, taking in the short robe, bare legs, and tousled hair. Heat flared in their depths, the red flecks glowing brighter for a moment.
“I brought breakfast.”
I stepped to the side so he could come in. “Thanks.”
Turning toward me, he murmured, “You look amazing in that robe, but I should have told you about the walk-in closet last night. I’d be surprised if you didn’t find it full of clothes for you.”
I felt my face burn. “Oh. I didn’t think to look, but I guess that makes sense, considering the entire space has been tailored to me.”
