When I open my eyes, the leg is completely healed, and my female is wearing a smile that makes the sky open.
“Oh my God,” she whispers. “That was… that was incredible. How did you do that?”
I desperately try to find the words to explain it. “I’m not exactly sure. I just pull from the energy that lives inside me and direct it in a certain way. My brothers are far stronger than I am, but I excel in healing. Always have.”
She nods, still staring hard at the place the wound used to be. “That’s a pretty cool superpower to have.”
Another word I don’t understand—but the way she says it, it must be a good thing.
“I am happy to know you think so. I promise to always heal your bumps and scrapes, no matter the toll it takes on me. This I vow.”
She lets out a breath, dragging her eyes up to mine. “That’s very sweet of you, Mr.…” Her head tips. “I’m just now realizing I don’t know your name.”
My chest rumbles with a purr.She wants to know my name? This really is the best day ever!
“They call me Rhune,” I say, trying not to seem too eager. “Just Rhune.”
“Rhune.” Her cheeks turn pink.“It’s very sweet of you to say that, but I don’t think that’s necessary.”
I frown, confused. “The Far Place is very dangerous. Your body is fragile, and it is highly likely you will suffer an injury at some point if I do not watch over you.”
“Fragile?” She scoffs. “I’m no such thing.”
“Your soul is made of blue flame, my mate—more fearsome than any I have encountered before. Please, do not misunderstand what I say. I only mean that the shell holding your soul is… well, it requires protection. I would be honored if you would allow me to be the one to care for you in that way.”
She just shakes her head. “But… I want to go home. I won’t be in danger if you take me back, right?”
A low growl builds in my chest. She wants to goback? No. She belongs tome.Now and forever more. “I will not be taking you back. This is your new home. Here. With me.”
I reach out to touch her, but she jerks away, and my chest clenches painfully at the rejection.
“Please,” she whispers, her scent tinged with bitter desperation. “Please, just take me back. I want to go home, Rhune.”
I shake my head, slowly standing to my full height. “I already told you. Youarehome.”
I turn, stalking toward the exit before I break and do as she asks like the lovesick creature I am. I stop at the threshold, my fist clenching the hide covering as I say, “I will be back with better food for you and the little one.”
My soul screams louder with every inch of distance I put between us.
5
Willow
“Ugh! Wretched, stubborn, stupidly attractive demon!”
I grit my teeth, trying to hold back the scream trying to claw its way out of my throat. No matter what I try, I can’t get this stupid collar off. All I’ve managed to do is split a nail and get myself more worked up.
To make matters worse, I still don’t have any clothes. The best I could do is wrap one of the furs around my body like a towel, and though it is keeping me nice and warm, I’m longing for a pair of sweatpants and my favorite jacket.
I shoot a glare at the exit as if that will make my captor reappear and take me home, but nothing happens. There’s nothing for me to do but sit here, wait, and stew.
As soon as Rhune left and the reality of my situation became apparent, all of my despair faded away, replaced by red-hot fury. And beneath that anger is desire—simmering, waiting for a spark to set it alight.
I’ve never been so confused or overwhelmed in my life. I should be nursing my broken heart and eating ice cream in my bed, not chained in a demon’s bedroom—somewhat eagerly—awaiting his return. When I search for the hate that should begrowing within me, all I find is curiosity.Why did he takeme? What is this place? Why does it feel like something fundamental inside me has changed?
I’d love answers to these burning questions, but until Rhune returns, I’m left in the dark.Literally.His room is extremely cozy, but there’s very little light source. No windows either, so I have no way of telling whether it’s day or night.
The only light comes from within the walls. There are hundreds of luminous blue structures, spreading through the stone like streaks of lightning. The glow emanating from them casts the room in an eerie blue hue, and they are so vast and many that it’s impossible to tell where the stone ends and they begin. Almost like…roots.
