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And I need to tell Wolf what happened when we are next alone.

Will he be cross with me?

We talked last night… between other activities, and he allayed many of my worries. But still, everything is so new and unsettled, and I love Wolf so very much.

“Oh, what is that?” We are passing a crossroads in the wide avenue. To the right at the end of path, is a strange twisted looking gate in a high walled off section of the city. A cluster of soldiers stand at the gate with a small queue of citizens waiting to pass in. “Why is it guarded?”

I shiver.

“Wormwood,” Nox says. “Even great cities have their share of scum. And it’s guarded so unwary Fawns don’t stumble inside and get eaten by the trolls.”

“Would you like something to eat when we return, Fawn,” Eiden asks brightly in a blatant change of subject.

“I’m not very hungry,” I admit. “Do they really have trolls in there?”

Eiden cuts a glare at Nox. “No, of course not. Nox is just an idiot.”

Nox chuckles, leans in to share a brief, quiet word with Eiden, then bows to me and excuses himself.

Eiden resumed pointing out shops and sites until we arrive back at the palace and our suite.

The doors to the balcony are open, and the light, gauzy curtains billow in the breeze.

“You look a little pale,” Eiden says, his sensitive eyes far too perceptive. “If we overstepped ourselves today, please accept our apologies. I should be devastated to upset you.”

His words hold only honesty. I should be honest in return.

“I shouldn’t be with you when Wolf is not there. He did not say so, but it’s how I feel.”

He takes my hand and presses a kiss on the back. “Of course. I should have had more restraint.”

My cheeks grow warm. “I don’t think you can take all the blame.”

He chuckles. “We were very much lost in the moment… Would you like me to talk to Wolf on your behalf?”

“No, thank you.” I think that would be a very bad idea.

“Well, alright then.” He traces his fingers down my cheek. “You look tired. I can only guess Jude indulged himself frequently last night. And he explained how you were afraid to shift in the wolf village, so your long shift today will likely tire you, too. Why don’t you take a nap? No one would mind. I can let Wolf know, and he can come and check on you when he returns from his tour.”

“Thank you,” I say. “I would like that.”

With my hand still in his, he walks me to the bedroom. I pause at the bed, feeling shy again as I eye the sleeping gown folded neatly upon the bed.

“Please, allow me,” he says.

Eiden is so handsome that it borders on beauty. But he is also sweet, and I am very much falling for him.

I nod.

His big, broad hands gather the hem of my dress to draw it up slowly.

He groans, tosses it to the floor, and pauses to adjust his cock tenting his leather pants.

“You are a true beauty,” he says reverently, daring to cup one breast and lightly squeeze the nipple. He takes his hand away just as I forget everything I said about restraint, leaving me throbbing with the need for more. With another groan, he tosses the sleeping gown over my head. “There, under the covers lest I break my word.”

I slip between the silken sheets and let him tuck me in. I wish he could stay and snuggle up with me in bed, but I know we are not ready for that yet.

“I’ll take Blue with me,” he says, leaving me with the feel of his lips after a chaste kiss on my forehead.