“Why did it need to be cleaned?” I asked, “I guess that’s not important right now. Where’s Lady Augusta?” I looked at Sage.
“The clan warriors are assembling in the ceremonial hall.”
Tynan stepped further into the hall, giving directions to someone out of sight.
“As your advisor, I suggest that you establish a warm relationship with the new clan leader. From one woman to another, so to speak.”
I scrunched my nose, a thousand answers swirled on the tip of my tongue.
“All this is Alina’s doing. All of it. She alone brought the white clan to agreement. Convinced Augusta to take charge and forced old Rutherford to sign his resignation papers,” Tynan said.
I watched Sage’s mouth open and close.
Just then one of the warriors brought a carefully folded black leather suit and handed it to Tynan.
“Make sure they don’t start before we’re ready,” Tynan instructed Sage.
“And how would you recommend me to delay the meeting?” The latter raised his eyebrows.
“Be creative.” Tynan opened the door of the room for me.
I stepped inside. Behind me, the door quietly closed. I turned, looking at Tynan, who just stood there, my coal black flying suit in his hands. His eyes appeared open, honest, and direct, but nothing else was, even after everything we had been through. My breath caught in my throat and a new wave of pain squeezed my chest.
“Thank you, but I don’t need any help.” I exhaled.
“Let me.” He stood right behind me. His hands landed on the strings of my corset and he carefully tugged on the restraints.
It took a lot to put this dress on, and I knew it would not be easy to take it off by myself. I stared at the wall, attempting to distract myself following the swirls of plaster that decorated the edge of the ceiling. I still planned to keep my distance, but the bond, my weak heart, and my treacherous body, all worked against me. His warmth, his scent, his closeness, affected me like the strongest drug.
“We need to hurry. I don’t want to miss it,” I said.
He did not respond as his fingers brushed against my skin. He leaned closer and I could feel the lightest of touch, just like a tender summer breeze on my neck. A rush of agonizingly sweet shivers coursed down my back.
I turned, taking my suit. The next moment, I caught the expression of his eyes, his parted lips, his dark hair that brushed against his cheekbone.
“Thank you. I can finish up on my own.”
I quickly stepped out of the dress and pulled my leather suit on. When I was ready, Tynan offered me his hand, but I would not take it.
CHAPTER FIFTY
FRID
The shadows shifted on the walls around us and I could clearly see our silhouettes on the surface of the unpolished rock. The light of my torch danced all around me, painting the hall the warmest of colors. Victor’s fingers wrapped around my hand as he pulled me toward the entrance to the temple. Just below his muscled forearm was a strip of dark fabric that I had tied around his wrist back in the compound, claiming him for myself. He never took it off.
“I’ve never seen you so impatient to get back home,” I said, enjoying the view of his strong back, his powerful shoulders, his silky light hair.
My heart felt so full, so carefree, that I wanted to laugh, I wanted to kiss him again and maybe force him to make love one more time before we left the sacred land. I had no idea how it could be when you finally find the right person who treated you just the way you deserved, who enjoyed every part of you, who loved and cherished your body more than you ever thought possible.
“I have to get you back to safety.”
I did not even try to hold back my smile. It was so unexpected, so freeing to feel that someone was ready to take charge and be in full control.
“If I’m correct, the sun is already up,” Victor continued.
“What do you think will happen to the sisters?”
“I’m sure they will continue living their hateful ways.”
