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“Gage means the world to me, but I can’t be with anyone right now.” Admitting it out loud was a knife to my heart when my body begged me to goddamn kiss him already.
I pushed myself out of his arms. “I’m not sure what you expect from me. You have a pride to lead, you’re probably already promised to several lionesses, and I have a messed-up life I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. Well, okay, I lie. I’d force it on the dick who hexed me.”
Shadows danced under his gaze, and he leaned against the tree, one knee bent and his hands deep into the pockets of his pants.
I lowered my eyes and turned to the fiery glow in the distance with people running about, and Gage laughing at something Kahlo had said. Didn’t take him long to get chummy.
I shouldn’t be attracted to Reed or Kahlo after just meeting them. And especially when my heart drummed for Gage. Heavens, what was happening to me?
“Return tomorrow night,” he said.
I somehow suspected females didn’t saynoto him often.
“Kahlo will take you to the collector’s place.”
“Thanks. But what’s the deal between you two?”
He stared at me first. Had he seen me gawk at his friend? “A few years ago, three rogue lions challenged me for my position when I was alone in the forest. By lion law, I either accepted a duel or stepped aside as pride leader.”
“Shit odds. Fuck that.” My response flew from my mouth. Craven assholes.
He lifted an arm and his shirt to reveal a healed wound from his pit to his waist. I winced and reached out to touch the injury that had healed over. Now all that remained was a bumpy scar beneath my fingers. But up close, I noticed the cuts on his arms were restored.
“I finished those fuckers, but they left me so injured I was on death’s door. Kahlo found me. He didn’t need to save me, but he took me in and cared for me. Ever since, we’ve been like brothers. We’re both coming of age to find a mate to lead alongside us. Without a mate by my twenty-fifth birthday, I must relegate my position as pride leader to the lion shifter from my pride who can win in a battle against me. And that’s only a few months away.”
Okay, that was a lot to digest, yet funny how my attention homed in on both the shifters being single and needing a partner. So what was wrong with their surrounding females? Did none of them excite them? Or did they consider them too much like family to ever see them as romantic partners? Perhaps they preferred to bring fresh blood into the pride.
It shouldn’t have been my focus, especially when I wasn’t in the market. It scared me to go there for so many reasons, like why the hell were they interested in me, a woman who talked to herself? It came down to the gargoyle that posed a danger to them if they tried to battle it. Now, if by some miracle, Kahlo’s suggestion about the collector having the dragon dagger proved valid, all bets were off.
More than one man at the same time?
“Not at the same time. I don’t party that way.”
“You talking to me?” Reed asked.
My cheeks flushed, and I looked away. “Shall we return?”
He strolled forward. “Why do you talk to yourself out loud that way? I’m not judging. I want to understand.”
“Being a captive since I was young did something inside me. I only had myself to talk to, and one day, the voice inside my skull responded. I didn’t question it—well aware it might be me. But for the longest time she kept me company.” Admitting the truth should have left me self-conscious, but it didn’t. I had gone way past caring what others said about me when I yearned for freedom so bad, I’d do anything.
“Gage’s right. It’s cute and gives me insight into your thoughts.”
I bumped into his arm. “I see. Well, sure hope you share your thoughts too. Only fair this goes both ways.” I flipped my hand in the air between us.
“I’ve shared a lot with you already. But there’s so much more you’re missing out on.”
“Really?” I nudged his side again, and that time he stumbled sideways in an exaggerated way. “Let me guess… like kissing you.”
You’re doing it again. Flirting.
Of course, because I had zero control, I’d gone against my word to keep a distance. But that seemed easier when there had been a physical barrier between us.
“Elliana, you can’t handle these lips on you again.” His mouth twitched upward, dimpling his cheeks. “Another taste and you’ll never let me go.”
I chuckled and spotted Gage’s watching me from up ahead. “You make big promises, Lion-Man.”
“And I get what I want.”
