Page 14 of Frosty and the Reaper

But when it came to his mate, he realized he had no control.

She ignited a passion within him that he hadn’t even known was possible. The moment they had met, she had become the center of his universe. But now they were bonded, she meant more to him than his own life.

There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.

Zander vowed that he would ensure all the pain and anguish she’d experienced growing up were replaced with nothing but joy and bliss for the rest of eternity. Not only would he provide whatever she needed to make her happy, he would slaughter anyone who tried to hurt her. Hellfire, he would gleefully thrash anyone who even glanced at her sideways.

The very fate of all the worlds depended on her wellbeing because if anything ever happened to her, he really would become the monster the folklore had named him. He’d dedicate himself to protecting the six realms because that meant protecting her.

As confusing as his own emotions were, it was nothing compared to the chaos going on in Kami’s mind. At the forefront was embarrassment over her lack of control. Not that she had much choice regarding that. They had a lot to talk about, but they didn’t have much time. She was still in the throes of the mating frenzy, and this was only a temporary reprieve.

As he waited for the completion of their magic exchange, he glanced down at the mating mark on his chest that was appearing beneath her palm. The ancient symbol glowed with silvery iridescent light, but as his magic flowed into her, the mark began to change. The base of the mark remained the same, but a few glowing red and black lines began weaving around the silver.

He wasn’t surprised by the mark’s appearance. Since his powers were different than other supernaturals, it made sense that his magic was manifesting a different kind of mating mark. He probably should have told her about those differences before they had completed their bond, but it was too late now.

Once their bond was complete, he moved his hand and saw the mating mark on the side of her neck was the same unique brand made up of glowing red, black, and silvery iridescent light. However, her mark was more red and black with only a hint of silvery light. It was far more visible than a normal mating mark. It almost looked like a real tattoo, but he didn’t mind. He preferred that everyone know Kami was mated simply by looking at her.

Zander hated to do it, but he slipped the amulet back over her head. He didn’t like her wearing something that he hadn’t made for her himself, but it would help her control the mating frenzy a little longer.

As soon as she handed it to him, he scanned it and determined that there was nothing harmful about the necklace. Actually, it was a powerful protection amulet that had been lost for centuries. That was why it had been able to keep the worst of the mating frenzy from affecting Kami until she had taken it off.

While he thought it had looked familiar, he hadn’t recognized the piece until he touched it. Once he had examined it, he knew exactly who had made it. He had no idea why it had turned out to be a prize at a school festival. Such a powerful relic could be dangerous in the wrong hands, but fortunately, it had ended up with Kami.

Or perhaps that had been by design.

That was something he had to consider. He knew the amulet wasn’t meant for Kami. There was no doubt in his mind about that. Still, the fact that she was wearing it had brought it to his attention. That in itself wasn’t remarkable, but knowing he coulduse the amulet to find its creator was a hell of a coincidence. It was as if fate had intervened, placing the relic in her hands just when he needed it most.

But that was a mystery he would deal with later.

She squealed in surprise when he swept her up into his arms and immediately teleported them back into his lair, directly into his private bathing room. It was much warmer than the dining hall they had just come from, and the air was thick with humidity inside the cavern.

When she slapped a hand against his shoulder, he fought the urge to smile.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought it would be best to continue what we were doing somewhere a little more private.”

“Weren’t we alone in the pavilion?”

“There were quite a few pixies peeking through the glass.”

Her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink. “I guess I didn’t notice.”

“You were a little distracted.”

When she playfully punched his shoulder again, it made him laugh. He found her reaction hilarious. She was so expressive, even if she tried to hide her true feelings most of the time. It was strange. Lust still flooded his system, making him hard as stone, and yet, he was delighted that he could laugh with her. Lighthearted amusement wasn’t something he’d had much of during his lifetime, and it was a rare gift to be able to share with his mate.

Kami tried to hide her embarrassment as she glanced around. She hadn’t entered the bathing room earlier, only peered through the thick curtain of vines that were covered with glowing white flowers. Unlike the other rooms, the walls of the cavern were dark with no crystals embedded in the rock. Whatshe had assumed was a single lagoon was actually a series of pools that fed into one another, creating a colorful cascade.

The water shimmered with an ethereal combination of turquoise, violet, and silver light, shifting shades as it moved, so it looked like it was infused with stardust. The dark stone floor had patches of springy silver moss, and the vibrant blue plants and vines clinging to the cavern walls cast a soft glow through the room. The mesmerizing mix of illumination created a dreamlike tapestry of light and shadow, enhancing the magical atmosphere in the room.

At the far end of the cavern, a small waterfall flowed into the highest pool from a fissure in the wall. It barely made a sound as it set off a cascading effect into the tiers of water below. A soft, soothing breeze drifted through the enclosed space, and the air was scented with an exotic floral fragrance mixed with spiced vanilla. The lowest pool was the largest of the sequence, set deep into the stone floor. Steam rose up from the water, creating a slight haze over the surface.

“Are you the only one who can teleport in here?” she asked, craning her neck to try to see everything.

“I am.”

“Petty,” she mumbled.