Page 79 of His Retribution

Cora tried to slap me then. She caught herself before she went through with it—she always did—but the thought definitely crossed her mind.

It wasn't the first time and most likely won't be the last. Sometimes I go too far with my words and they cut too deep. I would have deserved it.

And, as usual, my mate fell apart instantly after she made the attempt. She's only tried maybe thrice—including the other night—over our time together, but each time Cora completely fell apart and hated herself for the thought alone, apologized profusely, and tried to convince me to leave her.

My light has a quick temper at times and though she rarely gets that angry with me and her slap would barely leave a mark let alone hurt, Cora hates that she gets to the point of wanting to lay hands on anyone, especially me.

I, on the other hand, find it oddly arousing when she gets that mad. Which becomes rather obvious and almost always diffuses our tiff.

It's incredible really, the way we fight and bicker, the way we can get so far under each other's skin that there is no hope of seeing the surface again, and yet still be mates.

I find that it only makes me love her more though, because the feisty little pixie is my perfect match.

She doesn't take my shit, gives me hell most of the time, but she's also the most selfless, most caring and passionate soul I have ever met. My light loves so big, so fiercely that it's completely consuming in the best possible way.

I also suspect our being at odds is a result of two things.

The first of which is the ridiculous amount of pent up sexual frustration we both harbor.

We've been so short with each other or so lost in our conversations about our time apart that we haven't had the opportunity toreacquaintourselves properly, even when I fed a second time.

We've kissed—oh, how much we have kissed—but each time I feel as though it will go further, something, or should I saysomeone, interrupts us.

Constant visitors to our cabin has driven us both mad.

It isn't like we were even trying to mate yet. Just a little wandering hands, exploring of bodies, attempts to seek release the way we used to in order to grow closer, ignite our bond further, build up to actual mating.

A little hand play.

Perhaps a seriously longed-for taste.

I'm not going to rush my Cora into mating me just because we are together again, but goddammit I missed her pussy almost as much as I missed the rest of her, and I want all of what is mine.

The second though, that's a little more complicated than two-hundred and seventy-five years of frustrated libidos.

We are both on edge about the anticipated return of Nero.

Cora's birthday is only five days away and because in each of her lives he has held true to celebrating the anniversary of her original death, we fear it more and more with each day that passes.

Let me rephrase.

Ifear it more and more but Cora has taken a rather optimistic approach.

Do not get me wrong, she is still afraid. I know my love well enough to know that, but she has so much confidence in me, in our love and our clan, that she is convinced this time will be different.

Cora believes that since we are together it means we have a better chance at stopping him this time.

I am skeptical, but only because Nero has seemingly had control all along and I fear that he will exercise it once again and destroy my light right before my eyes.

I fear I cannot save her and that thought alone sends me into a panic.

Which brings me full circle, back to why Cora is moving her things into my cabin, and why I'm being scolded during a strategy meeting in the war room.

"Havok!" Karel shouts. "My gods, son, have you heard anything we've discussed?"

I look around the table, stop at each of my brother's faces, and scowl when I see Milos snickering in the corner.

"Forgive me,kapitán. I seem to be lost in thought this morning."