Page 32 of Elas (Mate’s Mark #2)

Elas

“Ah, Elas, thank you for coming on a weekend morning.”

Like I had a fucking choice?

I’d woken up curled around August under the warmth of the sheets, surrounded by his citrus, sunbaked scent.

He’d released one of those sweet, sleep-riddled groans, and I guided his drowsy lips to mine, morning breath be damned.

The knock at the door tossed my temper right over the edge, but I couldn’t ignore the summons.

“Of course, sir,” I manage to say, fighting the urge to rip his head off. He crinkles his nose, his gaze moving over my frame before finding mine again.

“You reek of sex.”

It’s not a question, so I don’t treat it as one. I raise my shoulder in a lazy shrug and force a salacious smile onto my lips. “You said to keep an eye on him.”

“I didn’t say to stick your dick in him.”

Another careless shrug makes his hackles rise, but I just laugh and shake my head. “How much do you know about humans and their love lives, Commander?”

Annoyance flashes across his eyes as he narrows them into sharp slits of jade. Sheer stubborn pride burns from him like a laser, but his curiosity to hear my explanation wins. “Not as much as I could.”

“They’re clingy. Offer a human the tiniest bit of affection, and they’ll follow you around wanting more. Hopelessly smitten creatures.”

“And is he? Following you?”

I chuckle again and lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. Khors mimics my pose, and I barely keep my snort at bay. He’s desperate to hear the juicy gossip. “He was already following me, Commander. Now he’s eating out of my hand like a fucking dog.”

“Good, good,” he murmurs, before nodding to himself as though he’s convinced this whole thing was his idea. “And has he done anything suspicious?”

“No, sir. But trust that I’m keeping a very careful eye on him.”

“I’m warning you, Elas—don’t get too close. Remember that he is disposable.” Instinct wars with common sense in that moment, and I fight the urge once again to tear his head off his shoulders.

I could do it, too.

He’d never once bested me in combat, and despite the decades that have passed, I’m positive that hasn’t changed.

Instead, I snort a laugh and sit back in my chair, waving my hand. “Of course he is, sir. These humans are like cattle. Cull the bad ones, and the herd that remains might be worth growing.”

“Interesting way to look at it,” Khors muses, rubbing his hand over his chin.

“All I’m saying is, August is smart… for a human.

” We share a smile that feels wretched on my face.

“He hasn’t shown signs of knowing anything he shouldn’t yet, but if he does…

” I shrug, vaguely gesturing towards the window.

“Perhaps there’s something that could be done with him.

You’re far too strategic to waste an asset. ”

Khors considers this, following my gesture to gaze out into the morning sun. “You mean use him at Ljómur?”

I shrug again as his eyes return to mine, refusing to be the first to break this stare-off. “Perhaps. If it turns out to be a problem, why not put him somewhere that information wouldn’t be a liability?”

“He is medically trained,” he says, more to himself than to me, but I don’t react.

Khors is so arrogant, he’d reject an idea for no other reason than he didn’t want to agree with me.

“There is a heavy guard presence there. Yes, he could be an asset, and I wouldn’t have to worry about him.

” His eyes focus on mine again, refusing to acknowledge that he just mirrored my exact words.

There isn’t an original idea in his head.

“He hasn’t said a word about what he saw? ”

“No, sir. He mentioned the chief was grumpy that afternoon, but hasn’t brought it up since.”

He nods, tapping his fingers against the desk. “There doesn’t seem to be an immediate threat, then. Very well… you’ve given me a lot to think about, Elas. ”

“Happy to be of service, sir.” I gauge his mood, and decide I’m going to push my luck a little further. “Have there been any updates on the search for Ronan?”

“No,” he mutters, and relief washes over me as I fight a smile at his sullen disposition.

“Have you given any more consideration to using my skills to find him?”

“I have,” he says, fiddling with a pen before picking it up and tapping it against his chin. “Maybe these two instances can go hand in hand.”

“Sir?”

He shakes his head. “Just thinking out loud, Elas. Give me some time to mull this over. You’ve given me a great deal to consider.”

The dismissal is obvious, and I stand as he gets another faraway look in his eyes. “Yes, sir. I’ll await your command.”

His eyes flick to mine then, suspicion brewing in their green depths. It makes me question how oblivious he really is to what’s going on here, and a clammy sweat builds on my hands as he inspects me.

Wooden legs scrape against the concrete floor as he stands, and I hold his stare.

I’m a few inches taller than him, but his people are thicker than mine.

Blunt horns on their foreheads protect them from injuries that others would be susceptible to, and their natural muscle mass makes them a force to be reckoned with.

But the throat…

My eyes flicker down to his neck as I recall the way Commander Bravis was killed. Ronan always went for the jugular. It’s another sobering reminder of this high stakes game I’m playing, and that my neck is not the only one at stake.

Khors walks around the desk and pushes his face close to mine. For a terrifying moment, I think he’s trying to get closer, as though he’s reading this weird tension as something more. His nostrils flare, and his pupils distend.

“Next time, shower before you arrive. You stink of him.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, and my throat bobs in a reflexive swallow. My mouth is dry, and my patience runs thin at this mask I’m being forced to wear. His eyes drop to my throat and a smirk spreads over his face.

He thinks I’m afraid of him, and my fists clench at my sides as I fight the urge to knock that smirk right off his mouth.

Khors doesn’t concern me—not on his own. No, it’s the power of the military that I fear. Power he holds simply because he was handed his dead uncle’s position. Influence in the hands of an idiot is more dangerous than the deadliest weapons.

“You’re dismissed, soldier.”

Soldier. Not Officer.

The slight stings, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. With a nod, I turn and leave the room, careful to maintain my usual unconcerned gait. My mask remains impassive the entire walk home, and I only allow myself to slip once I’m safely behind the door of my barracks.

“El?” August’s sleepy voice is raspy, and my irritation makes way for something much sweeter. I step into the bedroom and find him on his back, starfished in the center of the bed.

“Still asleep, huh? Didn’t take you to be the type to sleep in on the weekends, doc.”

“I’m getting lazy,” he complains, pushing the sheets down and exposing the broad expanse of his chest. Golden blonde hairs swirl between his pecs and underneath his navel, and I chuckle when he grips the small bulge of his belly. “Look at this.”

“It’s sexy,” I say as I stalk over, kneeling on the bed and leaning over to place a kiss on the soft roll. “Every part of you is sexy.”

“Liar,” he breathes as I kiss my way up his chest, stopping to nuzzle in that nest of coarse hair. When I reach his mouth, he gladly opens for me, tugging on my shoulders to get me closer.

I grin against his lips. “Eager thing. Let me take off my armor and climb into bed with you. We’ll be lazy together.”

“Thought you said I wasn’t lazy?” He arches his brow, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as he tries to maintain a scowl.

“No, you’re definitely lazy. And spoiled.”

“Spoiled?!”

“Yeah, doc, spoiled. And I plan on spoiling you even more.”

“I thought I was sexy. Can we go back to that part of the conversation?” He frowns at me in an adorable pout, and I toss my armor aside on the dresser as I laugh again.

His eyes follow me, taking an appreciative sweep over my white undershirt and briefs.

Body-warmed sheets surround me as I climb between them and scoop him into my arms .

“You are sexy, baby.” I kiss his rumpled hair as he releases a content sigh.

“Where were you?” he asks through a yawn, and my good mood falters. August must notice the way I stiffen, because he pulls back and stares at me. “Elas?”

My fingers drift mindlessly over his stomach. “The Commander summoned me.”

“Oh,” he says, his brows pinching. “That was fast. What did he, uh… what did he have to say?”

“Well, for starters, he smelled you all over me.”

“Shit,” August mutters, but I cup his head and force him to curl back into me.

“It’s fine. I’ve convinced him it’s some sort of manipulative technique I’m using to keep you close.”

“Is that what this is?” he murmurs, pressing his lips against my collarbone. “Well, color me impressed, because it’s working. You are quite the convincing actor.”

“Dork,” I say with a laugh, and his shoulders shake as he laughs. “I planted some ideas in his head.”

“What sort of ideas?”

Guilt makes a sudden grip on my gut, and I chew on my lip for a moment before responding. “I probably should’ve talked to you about it first…”

“Elas, I trust you.”

He says it with such confidence. It’s a fact, something that just is, and he doesn’t even need to consider it.

A rush of gratitude hits me, and I send a silent thank you to the Fates as I squeeze him tighter.

My hand moves up and down his spine, and he waits with endless patience as I collect my thoughts.

“He was discussing you like you were disposable. There were threats, August. If he suspected you knew anything, anything at all that you weren’t supposed to, that would be it. He would get rid of you. Remove you from the equation without giving it a second thought.”

“You’ll protect me,” he murmurs, and defensive instincts like I’ve never experienced prickle across my skin.