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She hugged him. “Actually, I think it’s how we are together. I know I have a vine-gift, but I’ve never moved the water.”
As Malik remained resting inside her, a new emotion moved through her chest, warming her, swelling her heart and bringing tears to her eyes. Was it possible that during all this time, beginning with so many chases through the forest, she’d been falling in love with him?
Or maybe it went back farther, back to appreciating all that Malik was as the ruler of Ashleaf Realm, the man who instituted laws that saved lives, the man that fought prejudice wherever he found it, the same man who helped her to engage with the five fae so that together they succeeded in healing the protective shield over the colony.
Whatever the case, how she felt about Malik had layers and texture, like the vines that had held them together, like the water that had seemed to come alive and flow over them while they made love.
Maybe she didn’t understand all that was happening to her, but one question rose: after all that had happened, how could she ever let him go?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Later, Malik flew Willow back to her house. After showering and cleaning up, he helped her make pastrami sandwiches, then suggested they grab a couple of beers and take their meal to the meditation porch. She agreed with a smile. That she wanted to kick back was exactly what he needed, and the thought crossed his mind that Willow was so his kind of woman.
Settling into his chair, he contacted Evan first to make sure that all was in order at the entrance to the colony. Evan confirmed that he had half the Ashleaf Vampire Guard as well as all of Zane’s force on duty patrolling in the air and on the ground. They couldn’t control whether Axton returned while cloaked behind yet another invisibility charm, but he had his vampires in place no matter what Axton threw at them.
Malik felt in his bones that Axton wouldn’t make another attempt tonight, but he wanted all the bases covered. Willow held the same sentiment, so he delivered a few standard orders about keeping on the alert and of course for rotating the Troll Brigade at dawn. After he hung up with Evan, he called Zane, talking everything over with him as well.
Zane held a similar opinion about Axton, but said he’d be staying in Ashleaf for a couple of nights just in case. “Are you with Willow?”
Malik glanced at her. “I am. Through the night.”
Zane chuckled low then told him to stay right where he was and that he and Evan would look after both Vampire Guards.
Malik rarely set his duties aside to be with a woman. But Willow was a helluva lot more than just sex and more maybe than he wanted to admit, so he didn’t fight Zane too hard.
With his mind at ease, Malik took Willow to bed and made love to her again. The vines crept over the windowsill once more and bound them together, creating a wild paradise on her soft cotton sheets. This time, he slowed things down and worked every part of her body, taking from more than one vein and giving her the opportunity to pierce him as many times as she wanted as well.
Maybe because she, too, felt that their time together would be limited, she took advantage of his suggestion and bit him in at least five different places until he shook with need. He had to admit he’d never spent such an erotic night with a woman in his life. He supposed they’d both been so bereft of meaningful relationships that something hungry had been released.
Near dawn, Malik held her in his arms, but felt her disquiet.
“Something’s bothering me,” she murmured.
“You mean about us? About being together?”
Smiling, she lifted up off his chest just enough to meet his gaze. “No, not at all. I’ve never been so content. I just feel as though I missed something, or I didn’t read Axton or the charm right. Something.”
He patted her shoulder. “I have no doubt you always feel this way.”
At that, she sighed deeply and collapsed on his chest. “You’re right. I’m worried most of the time.”
“Well, you don’t have to be right now. I’m here.”
At dawn, he fell asleep with his arms still holding her close and wishing he could stay there forever.
When he woke up hours later, however, Willow was no longer in bed and panic hit him hard. Willow?
I’m fine. I’m making oatmeal. What’s with the stress?
He took a deep breath. Sweet Goddess, he was on edge. You weren’t in bed with me. I got worried.
He felt her silence and thought something was off about that. Are you sure you’re all right?
Just a headache, but I’m working on it.
A headache? He thought this odd since most powerful fae had tremendous self-healing abilities. Of course, they’d both been under the gun.
Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. It’s almost full-dark.
