Page 27 of Dark Shaman: Love Found (The Children Of The Gods #99)

AREANA

T he private dining room in Navuh's wing glowed with soft candlelight, the flames reflected in the crystal glasses and silver cutlery that adorned the intimate table set for two.

Areana had chosen her dress carefully for this evening.

It was a deep burgundy silk that complemented the black and red décor her mate favored, cut to flatter without being overtly seductive.

After five thousand years together, she knew that Navuh preferred subtle elegance and class to seductive displays.

"You look lovely," Navuh said as he pulled out her chair, his fingers brushing against her bare shoulders. "The color suits you."

"Thank you, my love." She smiled up at him with genuine warmth.

Their love was complicated, twisted, and thorny, but it was real, and it burned bright even after five thousand years .

He took his seat across from her, pouring wine into both their glasses with his usual grace and elegance.

To those who didn't know him, Navuh could appear almost feminine.

He was slim, not buff and muscular, and his fingers were long and elegant like a musician's.

He preferred to wear elaborate robes rather than modern clothing, but his haircut was the latest fashion.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this private dinner?" he asked, raising his glass to her. "Not that I'm complaining, but I know how much you love your ladies and hover over them like a mother goose."

She smiled. "Do I detect a note of jealousy?"

"More than a note. I'm jealous of anyone who has your affection."

Areana leaned closer to Navuh and kissed his cheek. "You will always be my number one. No one will ever take your place."

"I should hope so. You are mine, and mine alone." He took a sip of wine, then set the glass down. "I have news that might please you."

"Oh?" Areana kept her tone light, curious but not overly eager. "What news do you bring me?"

"The construction in the basement is done. As of this evening, you and your ladies are free to resume your archaeological expeditions through the stored furniture and décor. "

"That's wonderful news. The ladies will be thrilled. I can't wait to see what's down there."

"I thought you might be pleased." He paused as the door opened and two servants entered with their first course—a soup that smelled of saffron and seafood.

Once they'd served and departed, Navuh continued.

"But that's not all. I've also arranged for the basement to be devoid of staff after dinner each evening. "

Areana's hand stilled halfway to her soup spoon. This was more than she'd dared hope for. "There would be no one there?"

"It will be off limits to servants and guards." His tone was casual, but she caught the slight upturn of his lips, the satisfaction of someone who enjoyed surprising her with something he knew would make her happy. "After dinner, the entire basement will be at your disposal."

The implications hung between them, unspoken but crystal clear. He was giving them privacy, not just for searching through furniture but for the couples who so desperately needed time alone together.

"Navuh—" she began, but he held up a hand.

"Don't thank me yet. There are conditions."

Of course, there were. There were always conditions with Navuh. "What are they?"

"The men can accompany you and the ladies to the basement, but they must leave the house by nine at the latest. Any later and the staff will talk. Questions will be asked about why they are spending evenings in my home."

Three hours. From dinner at six until nine. It wasn't much, but it was infinitely more than what they had now. Areana set down her spoon and rose from her chair, moving around the table to her mate's side.

Navuh's eyes darkened with interest as she approached.

She sat on his lap, her arms winding around his neck. "Thank you," she murmured against his ear, then captured his mouth in a kiss that was anything but chaste.

He responded immediately, one hand tangling in her hair while the other pressed against the small of her back, pulling her closer. When they parted, his eyes held that possessive gleam she knew so well.

"If I'd known this would be your reaction, I'd have given you access to the basement sooner," he said, voice rough.

She laughed, pressing another kiss to the corner of his mouth. "You're being incredibly generous. I know this isn't easy for you."

"What isn't easy?"

"Allowing someone free rein of your house."

He chuckled softly. "That's not at all what I'm allowing. I'm allowing limited free access to my basement."

"I know you, Navuh. Even that required sacrifice."

His hand tightened possessively on her waist. "I'm simply recognizing that frustrated people make mistakes. Your ladies need their outlets, and this is the best I can do for them under the circumstances."

"Still." She traced her fingers along his jaw, feeling the slight roughness of the beginning of stubble. "It means a lot to them. Tamira has been struggling. She tries to hide it, but I can see how it's affecting her."

"She's grown attached to the human." It wasn't a question.

"Very attached," Areana confirmed. "As has Tula with Tony."

"Hmm." Navuh's expression grew thoughtful. "They do realize these are temporary arrangements. Humans age and die. In fifty years, sixty at most, they'll be grieving."

"I know, and I'm surprised at them both. But the heart is not an organ that listens to logic."

"No," he agreed, his fingers tracing patterns on her silk-covered back. "It isn't."

"We should eat before the soup gets cold," she said after a moment, though she made no move to return to her seat.

"Should we?" His hand slid higher up her back, fingers finding the zipper of her dress. "I can think of better uses for our time."

"Later," she promised, catching his hand before he could pull the zipper down. "The servants won't leave us alone until we finish dinner."

"They'll do whatever I order them to do." He sounded menacing, but it only sent a thrill of excitement through her .

"I'm hungry, my darling. Working all day depleted my energy."

He sighed dramatically but released her. "We can't have that. I'll feed you first and then ravish you."

Laughing, she returned to her seat. "I like the sound of that." She lifted her spoon. "So, how are you going to make it so the couples have privacy in the basement? What about the surveillance cameras?"

He smiled. "I had them all moved to an area of the basement that requires extra security. Furniture and boxes with household items don't need surveillance cameras. As for sound, there is no reason to have it on."

He looked quite smug as he described his arrangements, and she had to concede that he had gone to great lengths to accommodate her wishes. The cameras had probably been moved to the construction site, but she didn't want to ponder what was there that needed the extra security.

"Thank you, my love. You've been very thorough."

He lifted one perfectly shaped dark brow. "Aren't I always?"

She paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth. "I wouldn't know. You usually don't involve me in your decisions."

He nodded. "That is true. But it's for the better. You are too good and too delicate to be involved in such matters."

Areana swallowed the spoonful of soup to hide her reaction .

He was probably right. If she knew all the things he was doing, she would have a much harder time being with him, and that would just make them both suffer.

She couldn't change him, but she could smooth out the edges and perhaps prevent him from doing even worse things, simply because he knew he needed to retain some semblance of morality to be worthy of her.

"Are you unhappy, Areana?" he suddenly asked after the main course was served.

The question caught her off guard.

"Not unhappy," she said. "But sometimes I get restless. Five thousand years is a long time to live the same patterns."

"Would you prefer something different?" There was an edge to his voice now, a hint of danger.

"No," she said quickly, reaching for his hand. "This is my life, our life. I just appreciate having interesting projects from time to time. They break up the monotony."

He relaxed his jaw, turning his hand to interlace their fingers. "Then I'm glad I didn't get rid of the old furniture and decor. You can redecorate to your heart's content."

"Thank you." She squeezed his hand. "And thank you for the basement arrangement. It will mean so much to everyone."

"Everyone?" He raised an eyebrow. "Or specifically to Tamira and Tula?"

There was no point in dissembling. "Specifically, to them, yes. "

"Hmm." He stood, pulling her up with him. "Now, I believe you said something about 'later' earlier?"

She laughed, letting him draw her against him. "I did."

"Good." He captured her mouth in a kiss that was possessive and demanding, reminding her exactly who she belonged to. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark with intent. "I have two hours before a scheduled call I need to make, and I intend to make good use of them."

As he led her toward the bedroom, Areana's mind was already racing ahead to tomorrow. Tamira and Tula would be so happy when she told them about the new arrangement with the basement.

"Your mind is somewhere else," Navuh murmured against her neck as they entered his bedroom. "When you are with me, I want all of you to myself."

"Sorry," she said, focusing on him. "I'm all yours now."

"Yes," he agreed, his tone possessive and certain. "You are."