Page 33 of Elas (Mate’s Mark #2)

“Even I couldn’t protect you from him.”

We’re quiet for a moment as the gravity of the situation settles among us. “So, what did you say?”

“I said you’re too valuable to waste. Compared you to a prize bull,” I tease, and both of us laugh, but the lightness is missing. “I told him if you showed signs of knowing more than you should, he should consider sending you to Ljómur.”

“What?” His head pops up, confused eyes darting between mine.

“You’re a medic, and it’s a medical facility. It makes sense.”

“Yeah it’s a medical facility… one so secret, even you weren’t aware of its existence,” he argues, a rare panic seeping into his tone.

“Whatever they’re doing there, it isn’t good.

We know that much, Elas. I can’t… I can’t go there.

I won’t take part in whatever evil they’re doing, and they can’t make me.

You can’t send me away.” A sharp accusation lies in the words, and I sit up in a rush, pushing on his chest until his back falls against the bed.

“Breathe, baby. Stop for a second and think about what you’re saying.

Do you really believe I’d send you away?

Ship you off somewhere without being there to keep you safe?

I said that because the alternative is death, August, and it would provide the opening we need.

Where you go, I go… and if we go, we go. We run.”

“Run where?” he asks weakly, the fight fizzling out of him.

“Anywhere but here.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, rolling up on his side and pressing his face into my chest. “I didn’t mean to accuse you of anything, I’m just…”

“Scared,” I finish for him, and he nods. “We discussed Ronan again as well. I suggested that if he sends you away, he should use the trip to let me scout for him.”

“Smart. It would get us both out of here.” I nod, the air slowly feeling less restrictive around us. “When do you think we’ll know anything, El?”

“Khors always struggled with patience, even when we were young. He’s arrogant and needs to be seen as someone who takes action. It doesn’t matter if he’s right , as long as he’s doing something. If I had to guess, he won’t wait long.”

August is quiet for a stretch, his feet kicking restlessly under the sheets as his breathing speeds up.

Whatever occupies his mind has his complete attention, and I give him time to process.

As he pulls back to look at me, my gaze roams over the defined features of his face and snags on the permanent creases in the corners of his eyes.

My happy, smiley mate.

“You won’t like what I’m about to say.”

“Oh, joy,” I mutter, but wait for him to continue.

“Those files are still sitting in the closet. We need to sneak them out and bring them here. I need to read them.”

“Why? ”

He shoots me an incredulous look. “Knowledge. We need to find out exactly what’s going on, Elas. Don’t you think it’s strange that everyone from your side believes no mates have ever been found when there’s an entire room full of paperwork that proves otherwise?”

“Yes, it’s strange, but it isn’t my concern right now.”

“Well, it should be,” he argues. “Wicked men run the world when the good ones refuse to act, Elas. Isn’t that who we are? Aren’t we the good guys?”

It’s my turn to scowl, but he hooks his leg over my hip and rolls me onto my back. The sheets fall away, and he’s only wearing his briefs as he straddles me. Thick thighs bracket my hips, his dusting of blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” My hands land on his legs and drift upward, and I grin as goosebumps lift in the wake of my touch.

“Stop trying to distract me,” he complains, and I sigh.

“Just because I am good with you doesn’t mean I’m not a monster, and you’d do well to remember that,” I say as I jerk him closer, but he doesn’t even flinch, just sets his stubborn jaw.

“For a century, I’ve followed their orders and done their bidding, been their fucking errand boy.

Do you have any idea the amount of blood that’s on my hands? ”

“They don’t get to define you, Elas.”

I snarl, ignoring the stinging hope that his words bring. “ You’re the good guy, August. You’re the one with the heart of gold, but not me. Never me. If it means slaughtering every person inside that clinic, I’ll do it in a heartbeat to keep you safe. ”

“You are good,” he insists, placing his palm over my heart. “Here. You’re good where it matters, and you can knock it off with the theatrics, because you don’t scare me.” He leans in until he’s hovering over my body, his chest pressed against mine and our mouths inches apart.

“Maybe I should,” I argue, but he silences me with his lips.

They’re insistent but patient, his weight pressing into me as he kisses me as though we have all the time in the world.

Lips move on lips, his tongue traces the seam of my mouth, and when our tongues meet, they're patient, too. Soft and sure.

I could never tire of lying with him, just like this.

When we come up for air, we’re both breathing heavier, and he rests his forehead against mine. A deep breath fills my lungs as I stare at the determination on his face. “There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”

“I need to know,” he whispers, desperately quiet.

“Alright.” I force the word out on an exhale, shaking my head. “Alright, I’ll agree to this, but we have to be careful.”

“I will be,” he breathes. He closes the distance between us again, and then I’m lost in the soft caress of his lips on mine, and scheming flies out the window for another time.