Page 36 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

While they departed, Amelia tried to approach Mikhail, catching snippets of his conversation with Zacharia. Nyavolski blocked her path, pitching one last plea for her to consider a career at the Hospital. She promised she’d think about it.

When she spun around, Mikhail was already facing her. “If you’re interested in surgery, I’d be glad to have you practise here.”

The smell of rain-soaked grass mixed with his subtle cologne overwhelmed her senses. She inhaled, gathering her courage. “I need to speak with you privately.”

His gaze softened, multicoloured irises scanning her face. “We are alone, Amelia.”

She looked around to find that he was right. Her hesitation grew when she considered her next words. She was here under the pretence of stealing his ring, yet he had risked his life for her. Despite his harsh methods and his potential torture of Elisanda Grace, he had suffered for Amelia’s sake.

Before she could articulate her thoughts, Mikhail stepped forward, enveloping her in a warm embrace that seemed to bridge the distance between accusation and forgiveness.

12

Mikhail had delayed meeting Amelia over the past few days. Given his unstable physical state after the reptilian attack, it had been all too easy for him to lose control over his primal spirit. And the beast within him harboured special feelings for her.

Yet now, having her before him, all Mikhail longed for was to touch her.

As soon as he pulled her into his arms, her body tensed at their closeness. He leaned in, whispering in her ear, “Thank you, little beast. You saved my life.” He breathed in her scent of geranium and citrus, and his desire stirred.

Amelia stepped back from his embrace, raising her eyebrows. “Why do you thank me? That man was aiming at me. If his knife had stabbed me, I wouldn’t have survived.”

Mikhail suppressed a growl. Whenever he remembered how close the reptilian had come to taking her away, his blood boiled and his senses sharpened for battle. If he let his animal instincts take over, Amelia would see a side of him he didn’t want her to – a reminder of what he bore within.

“He was never aiming for you. He wanted to distract me so he could escape,” Mikhail said.

Her pale face, half illuminated by the fireplace’s glow, tensed. “I made a mistake going to the graveyard.”

Mikhail smiled. “I would have been surprised if you’d acted differently. Honouring your deceased loved ones is not foreign to me. And because of that, I was able to find you.”

For a split second, silvery streaks flickered across her blueirises. When the scent of mirabelle pierced his senses, Mikhail recognised her transformation – a subtle change she seemed unaware of.

Suddenly, he found it difficult to keep his hands to himself. What he truly wanted was to whisk Amelia away to a secluded place and make love to her in all the ways he had imagined every second since he’d first tasted her.

His eyes travelled across her face, from the discreet scar above her left eyebrow to her pale lips. “I’m sorry I didn’t see what was happening to you sooner – not until it was almost too late.”

“There’s no need for apologies…”

Mikhail reached out, taking her hand and pulling her closer until their bodies were just inches apart. This time, though, he didn’t embrace her, but held her gaze. “On the contrary. I have more than one reason to apologise.” He stroked the inside of her wrist with his thumb, feeling the rhythmic pulse under her skin. “We’ve left much unfinished, Amelia.”

Her eyes widened. She held her breath, staring down at their intertwined hands. Then she shook her head. “The circumstances brought us together, and we succumbed to primal instincts, which I suppose is normal given the uncertainty of the situation.”

“Uncertainty of the situation?” Mikhail’s eyebrow shot up.

Amelia tried to pull away from his touch, but he didn’t let go. She hesitated for a second. “In a situation of uncertainty, humans cling to what is familiar. The carnal.”

This time, he released her hand. “I’m no human, and neither are you,” he said, though irritation simmered beneath his calm. “And I don’t recall ever being afraid.”

Her voice trembled. “I was frightened, and you, perhaps, needed to… relieve some tension. It doesn’t matter what it was. Once I became the Oracle, I realised we were meant to work together. I am obligated to assist you in your work restoring thedamaged regeneration, but that’s all that binds us.”

“Obligated?”

Amelia gave a firm nod. “Indeed.”

He looked away, gritting his teeth. “I understand…”

Mikhail willed himself to remain composed. He had been awaiting this conversation for days, and now all they had managed were a few muddled lines?

He observed her stiff posture. She had to be hurt by his treatment at the end of last year, but the subtle, involuntary reactions of her body never escaped him – not during their first encounter, nor now. Her features twisted with worry, shallow breaths, and dilated pupils, while she’d fought for his life the other day, was a sight he would forever treasure.