Page 22

Elsie

G uilt sets in when bright sunlight wakes me. I’m snuggling in Aruan’s bed with my back against his chest. He has one arm thrown over my waist, anchoring me to him, and I’m using the bicep of his other arm as a pillow. His breathing is even, but he’s awake. I sense it.

When I turn in his arms, he’s staring at me with such an intense gaze that goosebumps break out over my skin. The butterflies in my stomach are both from apprehension and something entirely different, something that feels a lot like… I can’t describe it. Contentment? Excitement? Nerves?

Wait a minute.

Am I freaking falling in love?

The idea is so disconcerting that I jackknife into a sitting position.

What the fuck am I doing? I haven’t even decided if I’m staying or going. I have no business developing feelings for my mate. Because what we share is only physical. For now. I can still leave without either of us getting hurt.

But if I allow feelings to enter the equation, it won’t be so easy to simply hoof it out of here as soon as I find a portal to Earth.

Feelings will complicate everything. Besides, Aruan’s interest in me is of a proprietary sexual nature.

It doesn’t go further than that, and it will be stupid to make myself more vulnerable than I already am.

Becoming aware that he’s diverted his gaze from my face to my naked breasts, I tug the sheet up to my chin. It takes effort to push my startling train of thought down and not to let him know where my mind has been wandering. To my surprise, I find that I can block him from probing our bond.

He raises a brow, letting me know he’s onto me.

It takes a lot more effort to keep my voice normal. “How long have you been awake?”

His lips quirk. “Long enough.”

I have an inexplicable urge to run my fingers through his dark hair.

Which frightens the fuck out of me. Instead, I get up, taking the sheet with me and selfishly exposing him to the fresh air.

Although, he doesn’t seem bothered. Neither does he try to hide his hard-on when he stretches out on his back and crosses his arms behind his head.

I quickly avert my eyes and go next door to do my morning grooming.

As always, I’m ashamed of myself for how easily I forget about everything and everyone when Aruan touches me.

He came inside me—again—and even though I know better, I simply can’t gather the willpower to stop him or to care.

Not in the moment. Not with the heat that seems to fry my brain and leave it totally useless.

Regret only comes when my body is sated and reason returns.

But that just lasts until the next time he lays his hands on me.

That I allow him to take things so far is a huge red flag in itself, a big, blaring sign that I need to get away from here.

From him. But at what price? Will his reaction at finding me gone actually set off a supernova, destroying this entire solar system?

Or… not a supernova. This star is probably not massive enough for that.

If Zerra is indeed a parallel Earth and this sun is identical to ours, then Zerra’s eventual death will come by way of this sun becoming a red giant.

If I recall correctly, the explanation behind it is something like the sun runs out of hydrogen that fuels its fusion reactions, and then its core condenses to dump a whole bunch of heat into its outer layers, causing it to expand and swallow the planets in its vicinity.

Then I think it’s supposed to become a white dwarf. Or is it a red dwarf?

I wish I had Google to check.

Either way, none of that matters if Aruan can cause the sun to flare like that—if his power is that strong and lethal.

And if it is indeed somehow tied to me .

Sighing, I wash my face and brush my teeth.

I can’t dwell on Aruan and this whole surreal situation any longer without going insane, so I focus on the simple task of my morning routine.

Someone has set out clothes for me on the bench, or maybe Aruan fabricated the garments with the sheer power of his mind.

I’m surprised to find black fitted pants and a white shirt in my size instead of another glamorous gown.

A pair of soft socks finish the ensemble.

When I return to the room, Aruan is dressed in a tunic and dark pants tucked into his boots. His hair is brushed back and tied at his nape, leaving his stunning features exposed. For a moment, I falter. My pulse quickens. He looks impossibly handsome. And damn, he smells good.

Get a grip, Elsie.

He stands at the foot-end of the bed, dangling a pair of brown boots in one hand.

They’re definitely not his size. His palm alone is bigger than the sole.

Rushing over, I snatch the boots from him. I’m so ridiculously happy to have practical shoes again that I have to fight an impulse to hug them to my chest.

“Thank you.” I can’t help the silly grin that splits my face. “Did you make them?”

He nods. “You seem to like them better than the shoes the females prefer to wear in the palace.”

I sweep a hand over the soft, suede-like material. “I love them.”

He nods again, looking pleased with himself.

“I appreciate the clothes too.” He did make an effort for me, and it will be rude not to thank him. I’m not making a pass at him or anything like that.

A smile plucks at his lips as he drags a gaze over me.

I look down at myself. “What?”

When I meet his gaze again, amusement sparks in his eyes.

“The men’s clothes and hairstyle suit you.”

My heart skips a beat at how that smile transforms his face with attractive laugh lines crinkling the corners of his eyes.

Focus.

I touch my spiky hair. “I kept it short because of the chemo.”

He frowns.

“It’s a cancer treatment that made my hair fall out.” At the dark look that comes over his face, I add, “But I happen to like my hair short.”

His easy smile doesn’t mask the strain in his voice. “Me too.” His tone is still a bit clipped when he points at the bed and says, “Sit.”

I obey without arguing, not because I’m giving in easily but to give me time to gather myself.

What the hell is wrong with me this morning?

My breath catches when he goes down on one knee and takes my left foot in his large hand. Our eyes meet as he brushes his palm up my calf. My heart beats so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. His touch is light, but he’s lingering longer than necessary.

Holding my gaze, he gently frees one of the boots from the death grip in which I’m clutching them. I haven’t noticed how I’ve tightened my hold on the boots or how I’ve clamped my knees together until he cups one knee and parts my legs.

A gasp forms in my throat. Only sheer willpower prevents the sound from making it to my lips. I stop breathing, watching him watching me as he carefully pulls the boot over my foot and ties the laces.

By the time he’s fastened the second boot, my pulse is all over the place.

Pulling on boots shouldn’t be so sensual, but the way he kneels in front of me while doing something so simple yet so thoughtful sets my heart racing.

I could’ve easily pulled on the boots myself, but how he’s taking care of me warms my belly. And other parts of me too.

Yet this isn’t about sex. This is about something else, and it scares me.

Just as much as falling for him scares me.

Maybe more. We may be destined mates, whatever that means, but being physically compatible doesn’t make him the right man for me.

He’s overbearing and overprotective. He’ll smother me without even trying.

Not to mention, melt anyone for looking the wrong way at me and cause the sun to explode if I’m in danger of getting hurt.

Yeah, my mind refuses to wrap itself around that last one.

Regardless, I don’t see how this can work.

I hop off the bed, standing over him where he’s still kneeling on the floor with the hand he had curled around my calf now empty and poised in the air.

My voice comes out squeaky. “I’d better get going. Sandy and the others must be going out of their minds.”

He straightens unhurriedly with a knowing smile on his lips. “We’ll eat first.”

Taking my hand, he leads me to the adjoining room. He seats me at the table and then disappears, returning a short while later with servants carrying trays loaded with food.

While the servants set dishes and jars on the table, he watches me quietly. Being the focus of so much undivided attention has me squirming in my seat.

“You promised to let me visit the sacred site today,” I say to break the intense spell.

“I remember,” he drawls.

“What’s your schedule like?”

He arches a thick, black brow.

“When will you have time?” I clarify, knowing he must be busy with his official duties.

The servants retreat.

He serves generous helpings of the food I like on my plate. “I have an engagement this morning. I can make time in the afternoon.”

“Great.” Not wanting to sit there with my hands folded while he does all the serving, I take the jug of juice and fill two glasses. “That will give me the morning to spend with the humans.”

At the approval that burns in his gaze when I offer him a glass, heat creeps into my cheeks. He’s making it clear that he appreciates the gesture of me serving him like he’s serving me. Why does his appraisal make me so self-conscious? And why does it make me feel good?

Ducking my head, I pretend to be absorbed with the task of eating.

Though I have to admit that after yesterday’s activities and another night of mind-blowing sex, I’m starving.

Somewhere between giving me multiple orgasms and soaking in the pool, Aruan woke me up to feed me a snack in bed, but it wasn’t enough to replenish the energy I spent.

The juice is spicy but surprisingly refreshing. I help myself to seconds and eat another one of those delicious thoska cakes, minus the snake egg topping.

Aruan’s appetite is astounding. He polishes off the food on almost every platter and finishes the enormous jug of juice.

When breakfast is over, he comes around the table and offers me a hand.

I place my fingers in his and let him help me to my feet.

The touch sends a jolt through my body, my awareness of him always like a live wire ready to catch fire with a single spark.

However, this morning, the all-consuming heat isn’t the same.

Beneath the scorching flames, something fragile is smoldering, something that warms me in a different, deeper way.

I pause for a moment, trying to get a read on what’s changing. The bond between us is still vague, so it can’t be that.

“The waterfall that gives access to the Sky Bridge is sealed for security reasons,” he says, pulling me from my thoughts.

“If you’re going to take the humans to the outlook point, you’ll have to ask Gaia or one of my cousins to open the archways and the waterfall.

I’ll let them know I authorized it, and I’ll leave the archway to my quarters open for you. ”

He’s making sure I take a chaperone. He’s not taking the risk that I may use the opportunity to run away. “You forgot your brothers. Can’t they open the waterfall too?”

His jaw hardens. “Ask Vitai if you can’t find Gaia.”

So he hasn’t forgiven Kian yet for taking me to the village yesterday. I have a feeling Kian did that on purpose, that he was trying to make a point. But what point?

Aruan goes to the trunk and removes a jacket.

I walk to the archway, hovering a few paces away.

Will I be able to part the wall one day?

Otherwise, as with the waterfall, I’ll always be reliant on someone to do it for me.

I suppose as long as there’s a window, I could always get out with the help of a pterosaur.

Curious, I focus my attention on the exit. Just like yesterday at the village, when I felt my power flowing through my body, fire zaps through my veins. I concentrate harder, willing the wall to open… and then a small crack appears.

“Aruan,” I exclaim, bouncing on the balls of my feet. “Look!”

He walks over, peering thoughtfully at the fissure. “Your power seems to be growing stronger.”

“This is so cool.” I clap my hands. “Do you think I’ll be able to do the evaporation trick too?”

He studies me with a strange light in his eyes. “I think you’ll be able to do whatever you set your mind to.”

Too excited to analyze the shift in his mood, I concentrate on the wall again. In my mind’s eye, I imagine the stone separating into grains of sand, and then the grains of sand breaking apart into individual molecules.

The gap slowly but surely grows bigger.

Aruan’s voice seems to come from somewhere far-off. “That’s enough, Elsie.”

The hole in the wall expands a little more.

Almost there.

A hand falls on my shoulder. “Elsie.”

Voila.

The exit is open.

When I come to my senses, I’m shaking, and perspiration beads on my forehead.

I gape at the wall, saying more to myself than to Aruan, “I did it.”

He doesn’t sound pleased. “You’ll wear yourself out. Coming into your power can be dangerous if you don’t know how to control it. You have to move slowly.”

I turn to face him, his words barely registering in my mind. “I did it!”

He sighs. “Yes, you did.”

I tilt my head. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“I never doubted that you would.”

“You have an awful lot of faith in me.”

He cups my shoulders between his broad palms. “You have a strong power, Elsie. You have to be mindful of how you use it.”

I’m still high on my achievement. “Do you think I’ll have the same power back on Earth?”

His gaze darkens, and his grip tightens. “It doesn’t matter. You’re not going anywhere.”

I almost waver under his broody stare. “I was just wondering how it works.”

Clenching his jaw, he says, “Going there is forbidden, so I guess you’ll never know.”

I stare at his handsome features, now hard and relentless when he was being so accommodating and considerate a few moments ago.

“It will be the same,” I say, throwing the statement out there for no other reason than testing my theory by whatever reaction it will evoke from him. “I became sick because I was a baby when your mother sent me to Earth, but adults don’t change when they go to Earth through a portal, do they?”

The truth shows in the cold, stony gleam of his eyes. “The subject is forbidden, or did you forget?” He bites off every word. “We won’t talk about this again. Did I make myself clear?”

All the fuzzy warmth that accumulated in my chest turns into ice. That fragile thing that almost bloomed to life dies a premature death when I shut down my emotions and say in a voice devoid of feeling, “Perfectly.”

I turn on my heel and walk through the archway, not bothering to close it behind me, or rather, not bothering to try.

“Elsie!”

Aruan’s voice chases me down the hallway, but I don’t stop to listen to whatever he wants to say. I march to the Earthlings’ quarters, half relieved and half disappointed that he doesn’t follow.