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“I’m still going to need more independence than most werewolf mates,” I managed to get out. A large part of me wanted to agree to anything he asked, just so he’d keep looking at me that way. But it was important to set the ground rules.
He tucked a curl behind my ear. “I can’t promise to always be reasonable when it comes to keeping you safe, but I promise I’ll try. I’ll learn. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re happy.”
I sighed, handing him back his shirt. So much for staying strong. I was weak when it came to this man.
“This has to be a partnership, Nathaniel. We work together. No more secrets.”
He’d already promised, but I had to be sure.
“A partnership…” He smiled. “We’ll be a team of two. You’ll see, Evie.”
I held out my hand. “Partners.”
He took it, squeezing gently. “Partners.”
* * *
Nathaniel
My wolf was morecontent than he’d ever been before.
I’d allowed him to come to the surface as my wound took the majority of my attention. He’d been determined that we would stay conscious, that we’d guard Evie no matter what.
As much as we tended to disagree, we would always be in agreement when it came to her safety.
My wound burned as it knit together. Evie still looked tormented each time she looked at it, which made me want to shake my head at her.
Didn’t she know I’d take a hundred of those bolts for her and still count myself lucky that I’d been the one to keep her safe?
“Okay.” Evie shoved the remainder of the pixie dust into her bag. “We’re packed, you’re no longer bleeding like a stuck pig, and we only have one more of the seelie king’s chambers of hell left before we’ll hit the dungeons.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I wish we hadn’t separated. I’m worried about Kyla.”
“I would know if she was hurt.”
“One day you’ll have to tell me how that works.”
I’d tell her anything she wanted.
Evie smiled up at me, and I held out my hand once more. Something warm unfurled in my chest when she took it. Her other hand was tucked down by her side, her knife held loosely, ready.
I’d seen how badly she’d wanted to use her powers in that chamber. The fact that she’d trusted me, had allowed me to protect her, made my chest puff out with pride.
We got to our feet, and I ignored the pain as my wound continued to burn. Evie gave me a look that told me she knew exactly what I was doing. But she let it go.
“We should probably talk about Albert,” she said, her mouth turning down.
My mood darkened. Hearing the mage’s name made my mind return to the look on Evie’s face when she told me how he’d been undermining us.
“He’s done damage, hasn’t he? With his little scheme. Paying a reporter to target you while simultaneously attempting to provoke a war was low, even for him.”
I merely smiled, and Evie’s eyes widened. “Why do you look so…” Her mouth fell open. “You didn’t.”
“Oh yes, I did.”
“You killed him?”
“He should have died months ago.”
She looked adorable with her mouth hanging open like that.
