Page 4 of To Dwell in Shadows (Shadows of Aurelia #2)

S elene’s heart skipped with anticipation as she followed Sam to his chambers, weaving through hallways reminiscent of English Gothic architecture.

Each Aurelian they passed slowed their steps to stare, reminding her of the first time she had found herself in the Malkina castle.

But as they continued, she realized the attention wasn’t solely on her.

Sam drew just as many lingering gazes, despite having once lived among them.

They moved through more winding corridors in the south wing until they reached a nondescript gray door. Assuming it led to Sam’s quarters, Selene turned the knob. But when the door opened, she saw it concealed a winding set of stone steps—twisting straight up.

Selene tipped her head back to marvel at the height. “We’re going way up there?”

“Yes.”

“Were there no other rooms available on the first floor?”

“Yes, but I chose the tower. I liked the view, and there’s no one around to bother me.”

Selene eyed the stairs with dread. “Okay, let’s go. But I’d like to tell you about a human invention called elevators—” she joked .

Suddenly her feet were swept off the ground and she found herself eye-level with Sam.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

“You didn’t think I’d make you walk, did you?”

“Well, yes.”

“You would have tired quickly.”

“True, but I could do it. Eventually. I’m not that much of a weak human.”

“I know. But I like carrying you.”

“Oh, all right,” she said, looping her arms around his neck.

Since she had returned to Aurelia, letting Sam do nice things for her had been harder than expected.

He was always looking for ways to take away any pain or inconvenience she might encounter and initially, it had felt like a mind game—similar to when her mother would imply that young Selene wasn’t capable enough to do certain things, so Selene would take those tasks on herself.

Like shopping for the week’s groceries while her mother napped in the car.

It was Brunie who first had brought the issue to Selene’s attention.

When Sam would do things for her—like run her a bath after she had spent the day gardening or bring her breakfast in bed—Selene had insisted she didn’t need him to be so attentive.

She was a strong, independent woman, not a delicate flower.

But eventually Brunie had pulled her aside and said, “Let him indulge you. He needs it.”

Her words had caused a major mind shift for Selene. She was so used to always giving, giving, giving that she’d never considered how she was denying others the pleasure of taking care of her. Selene never quibbled over Sam’s ministrations after that.

When it felt like they had been climbing for nearly five minutes, Selene asked, “How is it that you’re not even breaking a sweat?”

“I don’t mind the exertion. Plus, you weigh practically nothing.”

When they finally reached the top, a quick peek back at the path they had traveled made Selene dizzy.

Sam set her on the landing before a broad wooden door carved with decorative swirling patterns.

She ran her fingers along one of the door’s raised lines that curved into something like a fleur-de-lis.

“This is beautiful.”

“I carved it,” Sam said a bit sheepishly.

“You what?” She moved closer to examine the patterns and textures. “I didn’t know you could do this.”

“Eldridge taught me. It helped occupy my time here when I wasn’t on duty.”

“Sam! I knew you were handy with building things, but I didn’t know you were an artist, too.”

He gave her that shy smile with the dimple that always made her insides flip.

“I love learning new things about you,” she said, reaching for his face.

She had meant to brush a soft kiss against his mouth, but when their lips met, he immediately deepened the kiss. Backing her against the door, her arms banded around him.

The rich flavor of his mouth, the feeling of their tongues twining, and the knowledge that they were completely secluded in his towering lair was intoxicating.

Even within Eldridge’s barn, Selene sometimes worried that the moans and growls coming from their love nest could be heard by anyone outside.

But the stone walls surrounding them in the tower were several feet thick, and it was a long way down to the ground.

When Selene rubbed herself against the growing bulge in Sam’s pants, he broke their kiss. His eyelids were heavy, irises flickering red.

“Later,” he rumbled, taking a step back. “Let me show you inside.”

Selene took a second to catch her breath, then passed through the carved door.

She was immediately surrounded by bookcases.

Each curved wall of the tower held a dark, polished wood bookcase that stretched halfway up the vaulted ceiling.

The books were neatly stacked upright on each shelf, but there wasn’t an inch of space to spare.

The continuous line of bookcases was broken up by pair of glass doors leading out to a balcony.

A green velvet couch and leather armchair sat in the center of the room, facing a brick fireplace.

Selene moved closer to the books, skimming over titles like Quest of Fortune, Nightfall’s Desire, and Lustful Journeys. Sam leaned against the doorway, watching her closely.

“I knew you liked to read but I didn’t expect this,” she said, gesturing around the room. “It’s incredible.”

“Thank you. I bought most of them from traveling merchants.”

Selene pulled a book called Yearning of the Storm’s Kiss from the shelf. Graphic descriptions of sex leapt off the page as she flipped through it.

“Sam!” she said in mock outrage. “You read smut?”

“What do you mean?”

She grabbed another book at random. This one contained detailed drawings of a furry Lycah couple involved in various obscene acts.

The third book she pulled out from a different shelf appeared to be about a group of scaled Drago males and one very satisfied looking Drago female.

The book next to that was full of poetry dedicated to the intimate folds nestled within a female Nereid’s tail.

“Are all these books about sex?” she asked.

Sam tapped a leather-bound book near his elbow. “This one is about an expedition through uncharted seas. But the others are mostly erotic texts, yes.” His eyes were hot on her. “I’ve been waiting for my mate for a long time.”

Her arm trembled slightly with anticipation as she re-shelved the poetry book. “Show me the bedroom.”

He led her through another intricately carved door near the fireplace.

At the center of the room was an enormous circular bed draped in red brocade.

A bathroom was nestled in the corner, while a tapestry rug lay before the dual-sided fireplace.

Narrow windows, cut into the walls, allowed soft light to filter in.

“This is the biggest bed I’ve ever seen,” Selene said, trailing her fingers over the bedspread. She could feel the weight of Sam’s gaze and knew he was imagining her spread out before him. “Did you build this, too?”

“Yes.”

Selene held out her arms and did a little spin. “This is so cozy. I love it.”

“I’m glad,” Sam said, his voice low. “It’s also very private.”

He moved toward her with slow, deliberate steps, then pulled her firmly against him. She reached up to kiss him, then hesitated.

“Wait,” she whispered.

Sam let out a growl of protest. “What’s wrong?”

“I have an idea.”

“What?”

She wet her lips, then said, “Bring me your favorite book from the other room. One with something that you used to fantasize about.”

“Why?”

“I want to make it a reality.”