i 0e57392105b539eb (9 page)

lurking nearby, but now, she wondered.

“Have you had guards following me?”

His dark eyebrows drew together, and he cupped her cheek in his

hand. “Yes, of course. You are my soulmate. I will always protect you,

even when I can’t be with you.”

He said it with such sincerity, such reverence, her building irritation

faded, and she tilted her head to nuzzle into his palm. Great galaxies,

something was wrong with her. She still knew next to nothing about Kai,

but the more time they spent together, the more drawn to him she felt.

Even being near him gave her a sense of…rightness, like two pieces of a

puzzle that just fit together.

“I can take care of myself,” she murmured, though she didn’t pull

away from him. “I don’t need a guard.”

“You do.”

“Kai—”

“This is not up for debate,” he interrupted, his tone gentle but firm.

“I am yours to command, dove, but in this, I won’t be swayed.”

“Yours to command? Yeah, okay, let me stop you right there.”

Finally, she lifted her head and stepped away from him. She didn’t

want to have a fight in the street, but the way he spoke, as if he’d lay

down his life for her, freaked her the fuck out on so many levels. Fate

and magic, soulmates and royalty—she didn’t know how to even begin

processing the information.

“First off, no one is commanding anyone. We’re a team, partners.”

She hadn’t intended to say that, to imply that they could have a future

together, but stars help her, she meant it. Nothing about their situation

was the way it should be, nothing made sense to her, but she knew what

she felt. She didn’t understand it, but trusting her instincts had saved her

ass more than once. In mere days, Kai had made her feel more wanted,

valued, and cherished than anyone in the whole of her thirty-two years.

As much as she hated to admit it, as much as it went against

everything she’d ever believed or known to be fact, she couldn’t shake

that meant-to-be feeling. That didn’t, however, mean she was willing to

give up everything she’d worked so hard for to be his queen.

“Secondly?” He questioned, his lips twisted into an indulgent grin as

if he found her amusing.

“I don’t need a guard.”

“Ivy, please.” He rubbed his temples with the tips of his fingers and

breathed deeply through his nose. “You are the chosen of the Vasili
of

Xenthian.” Lowering his hands, he looked her in the eyes and sighed. “I

do not doubt your courage, my lady, but you will not win this battle.

Your safety is more important to me than anything.”

He only wanted to protect her, and if she continued to argue, she just

sounded like an ungrateful bitch.
Men.
“Fine,” she answered with as

much dignity as she could muster, “but I want to see them. No more of

this invisible crap, and I don’t need an entire army. Two is more than

enough. It’s called compromise,” she added when he glared at her.

“Very well.” He didn’t look pleased about it, though. “You may even

choose your own sentries, if you wish.”

“I can pick who I want to shadow me?” Okay, maybe this wouldn’t

be such a headache after all. “Done. I want Tariq and Sion.” Which

brought her to another question. “Where is Sion anyway?” Come to

think of it, she hadn’t seen the shifter all day.

“The Helios is running the forests at the edges of the Valley under

careful watch. Being idle was making him…
twitchy.
”

Ivy pressed her lips together and clenched her teeth until her jaw

ached to keep from laughing at his expression. “It means he was feeling

restless. Don’t worry. A good run will even him out.”

“Noted.” Placing a hand in the center of her back, he guided her along

the cobblestone path back toward the citadel. “Sion would make an

excellent sentry. I would prefer you choose someone other than Tariq.”

“Because you don’t like him,” Ivy surmised, still trying not to laugh.

“He really didn’t upset me, you know.”

“No matter.” The muscles in his jaw ticked, and his nostrils flared.

“Choose another.” Then his lips twitched as he glanced at her from the

corner of his eye.

She had a feeling she knew what was coming next, and sure enough,

Kai didn’t disappoint.

“It’s called compromise.”

“It’s been three days!” Ivy stomped back and forth across the library,

pausing occasionally to stare at the vidscreen. “What the hell is taking so

long?”

It was the fourth time she’d asked him in as many hours, and Kai

answered as he had before. “Soon. Patience.”

“Easy for you to say,” she shot back, whirling to face him with her

hands fisted on her hips. “You’re about a billion years old. I’m sure a

couple of days is like a heartbeat to you, but some of us happen to be

mortal. Time is precious.”

With an internal sigh, he closed the vidscreen he’d been working on

and pushed back from his desk. Then he muttered a simple summoning

charm, transporting Ivy across the room and into his lap. She kicked and

squealed, squirming against him as she slapped halfheartedly at his

chest.

“Don’t,” she gasped, “do that!”

“Dove, calm yourself.” He combed his fingers through her golden

hair, loving the way she relaxed into him at once. “Now, tell me what

really has your tail twisted.”

Ivy stared at him for several heartbeats before she burst into peels of

giggles. “You’ve been spending too much time with Sion.”

“Did I say it incorrectly?” Damn, he loved the way she laughed, the

way her eyes sparkled when she smiled.

“No, that was good.” Warm breath rushed from her parted lips as she

tucked her knees to her chest and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m

just tired of doing nothing, I guess. I’m not used to having so much free

time. And you know, I’d also like to point out that it’s been three days

for
you
.” She toyed with the ends of his hair, twirling the strands through

her long fingers. “For me, it feels like it’s been a week.”

In some ways, Kai understood what she meant. Since their initial

introduction, he’d wanted nothing more than to take her to his quarters

and worship her body until neither of them could move. After their first

kiss—which he now understood had been rash on his part—he realized

his intended would require a less direct approach.

So, he’d given her time, hadn’t pressured her for more than she could

give, but the wait was agonizing. Having her tight body curled against

him, her sweet scent filling his nose, was the best kind of torture, but he

didn’t know how much longer his self-control would last.

“I could distract you,” he offered. Realizing how his suggestion could

be misconstrued, he coughed to clear the gravel from his voice and

hurried to explain. “You wanted to know more about magic, yes? I could

teach you.”

“Nice thought, but I don’t actually have any magic.” She sat up in his

lap, surprising him by leaning in to press their lips together in a lingering

kiss. “Thanks for the offer, though.”

Battling back indecent thoughts, he twirled his wrist twice,

producing a small, silver pendant with a glittering black stone in the

center. Once they’d bonded, she’d be able to share his magic, but until

then, she’d need a little help.

“For you.”

“Show off,” she teased, but she took the pendant delicately between

her fingers. “It’s beautiful.”

“The stone comes from the mountains of the Northern Isle.” He

cradled the outside of her hand, idly caressing her wrist with his thumb.

“We call it
lakatsa
, or a wishing stone.” Sliding a finger under his mate’s

chin, he turned her face toward him to place a chaste kiss on her

forehead. “I’m happy it pleases you, dove.”

“Why do you call me that?”

“Xenthian has been hidden for thousands of years, but it’s not

accurate to say that no one has left the planet in that time. Before an heir

takes the throne and assumes leadership, they’re sent on an observation

mission.”

Each of the rulers of the Five Isles, along with a small guard,

ventured into the vastness of space to observe and document other

worlds and their inhabitants. It made them better leaders, more

knowledgeable about the dangers that lurked beyond their home, or so

the elders told them. His travels had taken him to several planets, and

he’d been away from Xenthian for more than seven years. Still, he knew

practically nothing about the planets or races he’d seen.

“Humans were preoccupied with conquering and warring at the

time, not a threat to anyone except themselves.” He’d watched them

destroy one another for more land, more gold, more power, and instead

of fear, he’d pitied them. “Nothing I hadn’t seen before, and I didn’t have

much interest in staying.”

Ivy tilted her head to the side and frowned at him. “You call me dove

because you think I’m uninteresting?”

He had to laugh at her. “Quite the opposite. As I prepared to leave

your planet, a pair of birds flew past, perfectly synchronized, in complete

harmony with one another. They were fascinating.”

The lines across her brow deepened, and she shook her head. “Okay,

I guess I’m still not getting it. You find me fascinating?”

“Immensely so.” Taking the pendant, he slipped the chain over her

head, settling the stone gently between her breasts. “I later learned they

were turtle doves, intensely loyal creatures that formed strong

attachments with their mates. At the time, I hadn’t given much thought

to finding my soulmate, but in that moment, I knew I wanted a bond like

those birds, unconditional, fearless.” Still clasping the stone, he tugged

lightly, pulling her closer to nuzzle against her throat. “You, Ivy Dalton,

are my turtle dove.”

A quiet, breathy moan escaped her, vibrating against the pulse point

in her neck. “That is simultaneously the strangest, yet sweetest, thing

anyone has ever said to me.”

If she didn’t stop squirming in his lap and making those beautiful

noises, he’d have her right there on his desk. “I speak only the truth,” he

answered tightly, his jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached. He needed a

distraction, or so help him… “Let’s try a simple spell.”

“Kai, I told you, I don’t—”

“For now, you can borrow some of mine.” He tapped the center of

the stone. “Focus on this, and I’ll guide you.”

She still looked skeptical, but she didn’t debate him. “Okay, let’s do

this.”

“It’s one of the first spells we teach the younglings. We’re going to

create dancing flames.”

“Right, okay.” One eyebrow winged toward her hairline, and she

gripped the pendant in her fist. “What do I do?”

“Hold out your hand.” Circling his fingers around her wrist, he

turned her palm up toward the ceiling. “Now, just picture a single flame,

any color you want, see it in your mind.”

The look of concentration on her angelic face was adorable, and he

couldn’t resist swooping in for a quick kiss.

“Stop it,” she chastised. “I’m concentrating. Now what?”

“Keep thinking of your flame, and repeat after me.
Chroma flago.
”

“
Chroma flago.
” Her eyes narrowed, the lids thinning into slits. “It’s

not working.”

“So impatient.” It had taken him weeks to produce his first flame, but

he also hadn’t been as determined as his mate. “Try again.” Using just

the tip of his index finger, he stroked the center of her palm. “Imagine

the flame right here, a pretty little spark right in your hand.”

“It won’t burn me, will it?”

“No, dove, I’d never let anything hurt you.” He’d move mountains

and destroy entire worlds to keep her safe. “Try again.”

Ivy took a deep breath, inhaling slowly through her nose, then

releasing it through her pink lips. “
Chroma flago.
” Nothing happened.

“Again.”

Again and again, she tried to produce the flame, and each time she

failed, the look of disappointment and discouragement almost broke his

heart.

“Damn it!” she growled, clenching and unfurling the hand he held.

“Look at me. Ivy,” he cooed when she ignored him, “look at me.”

The moment she lifted her head, he slanted their mouths together,

delving between her lips to taste and explore. When she arched her back,

pressing into him with a sweet moan, he tangled one hand in her hair,

tilting her head back so that he could trail a warm path of kisses down

the column of her throat.

“Try again,” he whispered against the hollow just behind her ear.

“I can’t concentrate when you do that.”

“Try. Again.”

A shiver rippled through her, and her breaths came in uneven pants,

but she lifted her hand again, and licked her puffy lips to wet them.

“
Chroma flago
.” A bright green flame erupted in her palm, flickering

happily as it swayed from side to side, rocking like a pendulum. “Oh,

wow. Oh, great galaxies, I freaking did it! Kai, look!” She pushed at his