Page 122 of Her Ivory Flame

Darkness exploded in the room, Kaden suddenly upon her and shoved her against the wall with his hand gently pressing at her throat. Not in the way to harm her, but to make her give him her full attention as his eyes turned pitch black.

“You aremymate and I will not let him ever fucking touch you again.” he snarled. “If anyone surrenders to Mavros it will be me, not you.”

She balked in surprise at his words, her mind racing and she realized he had known about the bond before she did. The room vibrated as his flames engulfed them both into almost total darkness.

“I will happily let him drain every drop of blood from my body and welcome death itself if it means keeping you safe.” His voice started to soften and she could see his power fade around them. “Then I would wait an eternity in the next life until I could hold you again.”

His hand left her throat and slid up to the nape of her neck, her breathing shuddering as he leaned in closer.

“You knew?” she whispered.

“That we are mates?” he asked calmly.

She nodded.

“I figured it out the day you were taken from me on the road.” he pressed his forehead against hers. “The void in my soul when I couldn’t feel that connection between us made me realize what it meant and I knew right then I would forever be yours.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him against her and she let out a long breath trying to calm her heartbeat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I wanted you to want me without feeling obligated to,” he whispered. “You chose me to accompany you because you trusted me and I wanted your heart to choose me for the same reason.”

“Kaden,” she whispered and lifted herself up to meet his lips softly before pulling away. “I will always choose you, from now until death defeats us and into the eternity after.”

Chapter 47

It had taken her a while to calm after the letter and everything that transpired after.

Not long after Kaden’s power faded their entire group had come to the door in panic from the rumble that erupted through the building. Once inside, Kaden explained most of what happened, the more intimate parts he left out and she was thankful for it.

“So then what the scout said is true, Mavros is killing villagers to create more Trenchers.” Xander sighed.

“We need to figure out why there is a dead one in a secret room and what else Emris is hiding.” Boone scoffed.

She stood leaning against the back wall, her body still electrified from the morning events and she wasn’t sure how to feel at the moment. Anger, lust and fear all swirled in her but she didn’t feel safe enough to grab onto any of them.

“Sounds like we need to have a conversation with Oak.” Finnley added, Raine sitting next to him on the bed.

“We can’t, it would put us at risk.” Kaden barked.

“Do you believe Silas that Helen was attacked?” Xander said, his eyes staring at her with a worry in them she had never seen or could explain.

“I don’t see why he would lie.” she shrugged. “It’s not like he would expect me to go check it out when I am busy here.”

“Xander, Boone, and I will go check out the room again. Finnley and Titus, you stay here with Alyra.” Kaden ordered and closed the few feet of space between them. “Stay in this room until I get back,” he said a little softer. “Then we will go train more this afternoon.”

She gave him an annoyed look and his lips curved in response.

“Why can’t I go with you?” she snapped.

“I can’t risk you getting caught and possibly jailed for treason,” he whispered. “I won’t risk you getting locked up again.”

Her face fell and pulled on his shirt he had put on when everyone arrived in response.

“They lock you up and I will be the one to make this mansion crumble.” she smirked and he grabbed her face, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

The entire room stilled, silence heavy around them and she realized the others were still in the room.

“Finally!” Finnley chuckled and the others mumbled in response.