Page 47

Dreamers use these words in hushed whispers—the musings of poets. From the very first meeting, I knew it was so, the way her scent fitted mine.

But she is already mated, and the wolf shifter is not about to relinquish his claim, nor is he congenial toward sharing.

Jude steps back. Fawn takes my outstretched hand, and an electric current zaps from her to me.

The sense of humility in receiving her small trust is profound. I understand what it must cost him, the shifter who is her mate. He thought he was taking a beta to his bed and that he would be her only one. What a surprise it must have been to find out Fawn is a doe shifter, not only that but an omega, one whose scent will never belong to him and only him.

I guide her out of the bedroom and into the adjoining bathroom, feeling Jude’s stare follow us—we all have much to learn.

Like all the buildings in our city, the palace has pipes connected to an underground hot spring. The water in the bathing chamber is constantly circulating. Fresh, hot water enters on one side, while dirty water is drawn out on the other. Bath is inadequate when applied to the square bathing area, which is more of a pool by any standard.

Still, Seven is, well,Sevenand Master of all herds. His quarters are opulent, as one might expect. It is not unusual for all three of us to enter the pool together… with companions—it could hold a dozen if one were so inclined.

Still, there will be no more companions, at least not for us, and so long as she accepts us… I shall be devastated if she does not. As for Fawn, let us hope she does not require the full capacity of the bathing pool. Some do, and their mates and courtiers must vie for scraps.

Sharing her with Seven and Nox is a given, should she be congenial, but I cannot say how I would feel seeing others from our herd with her, nor Jude, her Wolf.

Wolf shifters are… coarse by nature; I am gentle—my stag is nevertheless intrigued by the thought of her with him. My stag likes it when Seven or Nox takes a doe in the rough way I cannot.

My cock stirs… I think of… dead bodies until it is under control.

“Oh,” she says, taking in the room. “That is the bath?”

“It is.” I smile down at her, guiding her to the shallow end where the low steps lead to the water.

My stag is acting up, snorting and stamping his hooves to get out. It isn’t easy to have a stag that is so different. My human soul is a gentle omega who wants only to please, while my stag is savage, wanting to rut and claim his little doe.

Gods, I can’t wait to meet that side of her—her inner doe, the side even Seven hasn’t seen now that she’s all grown up.

“Should we remove this?” I ask as I untie the belt she bowed neatly around her waist. It comes undone before I can reconsider how forward this action might be. She is not from a herd and is not accustomed to having an attendant or a courtier.

Her gasp is pure shock as the material whispers apart.

I freeze before carefully averting my eyes. “That was forward of me. Please accept my apologies.”

“You surprised me, that’s all,” she says. “I mean, I understand I have to undress before I can get into the bath.” Her laugh is a little nervous, and I lift my head, ensuring I look only at her face.

I would usually enter the bathing pool to tend a doe, but doing so would present a challenge if I wish to keep this innocent. Fawn is not used to our liberal ways, and I must maintain control.

“I will turn away while you enter the pool… And then I will get some supplies… So that I can wash your hair. And I could, if you wish, remain outside the water.” I’m rambling with my nerves. The air is warm and humid here, but I cannot blame that for the sweat that breaks out across my skin.

“You don’t need to,” she says, her hand taking mine, small and comforting, and forcing me to consider dead bodies again, lest my cock forget to behave. “I feel very comfortable with you.”

She flushes like that admission is bold on her part.

I smile.

She smiles back, and Gods, her beguiling beauty, sends me a little stupid, for I say nothing for the longest time. “You are very brave,” I finally mutter inadequately, wondering where the charm I’m renowned for has gone.

Memories of the past threaten to overwhelm me. My life was not always so coveted—omega males are not always revered, and my former herd was cruel. I don’t want to frighten her; my greatest desire is to put her at ease with her new home and me.I call on my hard-won confidence, the side that Nox and Seven allowed to flourish and be safe, the side that can believe I have something to offer the world besides being a kicking post.

“You never need fear with me, Fawn. I would sooner die than make you feel uncomfortable.”

“I do feel safe with you,” she says. The earnestness in her words, reflected on her face, is like sunshine bathing the dark, unworthy place inside me and sending it into retreat.

“Good,” I say inadequately. “I want you to.”

“And what was the other option?”