“I’ll wait here,” he said, not bothering to lower his voice, knowing full well Talis could probably hear us.
I didn’t bother answering.
Opening the door, I went to slip outside before Dathal thrust something at me.
“Take this. It’s cold out there.”
Smiling, I took the thick blanket with a muttered, “Thanks.” Dathal was right, this early the air had a damp chillness to it, and I shivered, quickly pulling the blanket around my shoulders. I had thick socks on, but already the cold from the paving stones was starting to seep through.
Settling myself on one of the big chairs, I got comfortable and waited.
It didn’t take long.
He stared at me from his spot half-behind the tree for another few minutes before slowly making his way towards me. I didn’t know if he’d expected me to come out or not. Maybe I’d surprised him. But I knew from Rys that Talis wasn’t supposed to be on guard duty tonight. Syl and some of the others were out there on patrol.
Talis was here of his own volition.
That thought alone sent another shiver through me.
He took his time, silently picking his way over grass wet with early morning dew. It gave me the chance to study him. Talis in wolf form was…beautiful.
The silvery-grey fur that covered him from head to tail grew darker on his legs, down to paws that were almost black. He moved with a lazy gracefulness that showcased the power in his shifted form, muscles rippling with each step he took towards me.
I had first-hand experience of how strong Talis was.
The way he’d lifted me up like I weighed nothing, holding me there, pressed against the wall, mouth hot and insistent as he kissed his way down my throat.
Heat crept up my neck, and I hoped Talis was far enough away not to notice.
“I didn’t think you were on duty tonight?” I said, as he came to a stop at the edge of my patio.
A huff was all the answer I got.
I’d been so close to telling him my secret in the club. If he’d gone home with me when I’d asked, then I was pretty sure I’d have told him everything.
I could tell him now.
“Are you going to come any closer?”
He eyed me, unmoving.
“Or, you know, you could shift back and we could have that conversation I wanted to have earlier.” My pulse raced, the blanket suddenly stifling as I watched him slowly pad over the grey stone slabs until he stood next to my chair.
I sank my fingers into his fur. “Shift back,” I repeated softly. “I need to talk to you.” I glanced over my shoulder into the living room. Dathal stood at the window. He gave me a nod, then turned and left.
I blew out a breath, nervous.
Was I about to tell Talis about my magic? I didn’t want him to hate me. Didn’t want him to look at me like I’d betrayed him. If I told him my truth, the reason why I’d behaved the way I did after our night together, then maybe he’d understand. Maybe we could claw back the easy friendship we used to share.
Is that all you want?
Before I could tackle that question, the air shimmered, magic settling heavily around us as Talis shifted from his wolf back into his human form.
Fuck me.
When I’d asked him to shift, I’d forgotten the small fact that he’d be naked.
Gloriously, wonderfully naked, and standing so close to me I could reach out and run my hands over his warm skin.
