I wasn’t shielding.
The horrifying realization drops my core temperature to freezing. The dream wasn’t contained in my own head. My incredibly intimate, feral, completely unhinged fantasies about the little human just broadcasted live, at maximum volume, directly into the minds of every single warrior in my entire clan.
ERIKA
I wake up shivering.
The pre-dawn air in the cavern is freezing, but my skin is too hot. The low-grade headache at my temples is a constant annoying pressure, like someone pressing a thumb directly behind my right eye.
I slide off the woven mat and drag a hand roughly over my face, trying to clear the smoke-drenched remnants of last night’s dream from my head. The same dizzying dream. Rough hands gripping my waist, a towering golden presence pulsing against my spine, the sharp scent of dust and heated stone.
I start toward the water basins on weak legs.
Two unmated warriors are pacing near the weapons rack. They move with erratic, restless energy. When I walk past, one of them steps sharply backward, flattening his spine against the rock to give me a wider berth.
I frown, rubbing my temple, my gaze darting toward the central fire pit. Kol is already there. Sitting perfectly still, his broad body turned fully toward me.
His eyes are already locked on me. They don’t waver.
“Good morning,” I say quietly as I pass him.
He tilts his head slightly, and I swallow.
I reach the bathing pools feeling thoroughly confused and plunge both my hands directly into the freezing water.
Jacqui is already awake and adjusting a full gourd bowl. She looks up at me.
“You look like hell,” she says cheerfully.
“I feel like I was run over by a hot tractor,” I mutter back, splashing icy liquid onto my burning face.
Mikaela walks up behind Jacqui, holding a bundle of dried gourd flesh, and they share a very specific, silent look.
“Why are the guards pacing?” I ask, wiping the icy water from my chin. “And why is Kol staring at me like I’m on fire?”
“Sleep okay?” Jacqui asks, crouching in front of the stone basin.
“Why?” I ask, my eyes narrowing.
“Any dreams?” Mikaela adds, trying and failing to hide an enormous grin.
I go still.
The memory of the golden light floods my brain. The solid warmth of a broad chest. The hot mouth pressing firmly against the side of my neck.
“Why are you asking about my dreams?” I ask, my voice dropping.
Jacqui sighs, crossing her arms. “Because Kol had a dream last night, Erika. And... he broadcast it. To everyone.”
My stomach plummets straight into my boots.
“He broadcast it,” I repeat.
Jacqui nods. “His hands spanning your entire waist. Your legs wrapped around his back.” She flutters her eyes and sways her body. “His fangs scraping against your neck... well. You get the idea. It was extremely detailed.”
“Dios mío,” I whisper, closing my eyes. I can feel the heat radiating off my own skin. The ambient temperature of the cave suddenly feels ten degrees hotter.
Mikaela smiles. “The unmated males are pacing holes into the rock because Kol basically flooded their heads with a full, high-definition experience of what they’re all missing. They’re climbing the walls.”
