Page 31

The next morning, after breakfast, we took a stroll through the garden. We had lingered over our tea and flatbread, but the cat hurried through his breakfast, and then dashed out to explore the garden again.

“I've been putting off several meetings,” Kaspian said.

“Yeah, you've been gone awhile. And even after you got back, we were kinda busy.” I scrunched up my face at him. “So, you gotta go to work today?”

“Will you be all right on your own?”

“Of course.” I waved at the garden. “Cat and I will hang out here for a bit. Maybe we'll explore the castle later.”

“All right. Well, if you leave the apartments, one of my knights will accompany you.”

“I'll be fine.”

“You're my mate. You must be guarded.”

I rolled my eyes. “No one is going to attack me in the castle.”

“Demetrius.” He stopped walking and took my free hand, so he held both. “I'm generally liked, but there are always enemies to the crown. And the worst enemies are those who hide. The ones I don't know about. If I don't know they're enemies, I might allow them into the castle. Do you understand?”

“So, this is the only safe place for me?” I waved at the garden.

“You are safe everywhere, Mate. I will ensure that. And the way I will ensure it is by maintaining a watch over you when I cannot be there myself.”

“Wow. That makes me feel . . . kinda nice.” I winced.

Kaspian chuckled. “I'm glad. I'd hate for you to object when I intend to do it regardless.”

“Don't ruin it.”

Grinning, he leaned in to kiss me. It felt normal. As if we were married or something and he was going to work. Did that make me a house-husband? I couldn't think straight when his lips were on mine and his tongue was doing those flicks I liked. Easing back, Kas nuzzled me, scattering those gathering thoughts.

“I'll try to get back as soon as possible.” Kaspian searched the garden, then looked back at me. “Be vigilant, Mate. Even here.”

“You're starting to make me worry.”

“I don't mean to. I just . . . the mating bond is still fresh. I don't like leaving you. It gives me this odd fluttering in my chest. Tightness.”

I lifted my brows. “Anxiety? Are you anxious? Afraid?”

He snorted as if the suggestion were ridiculous. Then his expression went slack. His stare shifted inward, his brow creasing. “Well, fuck.”

I burst out laughing.

“This is not amusing! It's an awful feeling. Even upon first waking in that human prison, restrained and confused, I didn't feel like this.”

I stopped laughing. “What about when you watched that woman stab me in the leg?”

“No.”

I gaped at him.

“I felt rage then. Pure rage.” He cupped my cheek. “I wasn't afraid because I knew I would free us. But seeing you hurt sent me into a bloodlust that I'd never felt before. I couldn't have stopped myself from killing her if I'd tried.”

“Oh.” I cleared my throat. “That's kinda sweet.”

Kaspian grinned. “Kind of sweet? I just told you that I felt rage as never before, all because you were injured, and you think it's sweet?”

“Yeah.” I smirked. “Romantic even. In a psychotic kind of way, but I think I like that even more. It makes it sexy-sweet, both badass and adorable.”

“I'm glad you think so.” He brushed a kiss over my lips. “Sometimes, I can hardly believe how obsessed I am with you. Soon, you'll have me writing poetry.”

After casting that gem at my feet, Kas left. I watched him go as I tried to catch my breath. Obsession? Poetry? I couldn't imagine it. It was a joke. That's all. Still, it sank into my chest and exploded into tingling fireworks.

“Wow,” I whispered. “I'm done for. I guess that's a good thing since I'm stuck here and that mating bond is eternal.”

Two of Kaspian's guards had been waiting for him near the elevator. They followed him into the car, leaving me alone. I knew there were guards upstairs, posted outside the apartments, and more downstairs at the elevator and the entrance to the stairs. But no one was watching me there. For the first time since I'd arrived on Serai, I was alone.

The cat meowed.

Chuckling, I looked down at him. “I'm not totally alone, eh?” I crouched to pet him. “But it's just the two of us, Cat.” I stood up and breathed in deeply. I liked being alone. Not all the time, but sometimes. I wasn't one of those men who needed constant companionship. Even if that companion was Kaspian.

Suddenly, a shimmer rose before me. Like something out of a sci-fi movie, it coalesced, fracturing the light and gathering colors. With a yip, I backed up. I'd seen that kind of haze before but it couldn't be. Only Cat was there. And yet, the shimmer grew brighter, with an orange heart that quickly darkened. I could see a form inside it. Something large. With wings.

Just as it occurred to me that I should run, the haze cleared. Before me stood a naked, dark-skinned man with wings. Not angel wings. Bat wings. Black, membranous things that rustled as he opened them. His body was impressive, every inch boasting the best of what it could be. Muscular, tall, and handsome. And yes, well-endowed. I couldn't help a glance. But then I got caught in those eyes.

Golden eyes. Like a cat's. One cat in particular.

“Oh, fuck.” I dropped my tea. The cup shattered on the stone bench beside me.

“Yes, it's just the two of us, Duke Demetrius,” the naked Tyasmoran man said, his voice deep and venomous. “I've been waiting for this moment.”

Instincts finally kicked in, and I turned to run, inhaling to shout for help at the same time. The punch came from behind but hit me in the side of the head. It was hard enough to send me to the ground and strong enough that I didn't feel the landing. I was out by the time I hit.