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The tight leash on my patience snaps in half, anger bubbling over.
“Do you think I want to be here anymore than you do, Mira? That I enjoy this-this puttering around when there are much bigger things at stake than your whims? I’m here because I need to be. Have to be.”
Her gaze meets mine defiantly, eyes narrowing.
“I don’t need this. You’re nothing to me. All of this,” she gestures wildly in my direction. “I’ll be perfectly happy to return to my boring little life!”
If I let myself respond, I know I’ll regret it. Instead, I stalk off towards the cabin with a low growl rumbling around my chest. Mira huffs as she follows me wordlessly. Another growl.
I reach the cabin, hoping she stays outside, but she follows me there too. Her heavy breath tells me she’s looking for an argument. She’s fuming, but I can’t lose control. Can’t lash out. I still need her.
“Don’t you understand walking away means to give me a minute? Maybe I don’t want to blow up or explode.”
I grab my clothes, throwing everything into my bag.
“What are you doing?” she demands, grabbing my arm as if to stop me. I shake off her hand without a glance in her direction.
“I am done. I’m taking you back to your ‘boring little life’. A few hundred more years will not matter when I find you in your next life. I did it once, and I can do it again. Maybe you won’t be such an insult to my pride next time.”
I slam my shoes into the bag, waiting for her to react. It’s a bluff, of course. This body won’t last longer than a human’s, and if I die without the bond… Without merging the Shards back into Dan’thiel…
My soul will be taken to the Underworld, devoured by the grim creatures that reside there. I’ll never ride the Great River of Souls again. I’ll be dead and truly gone.
Arms crossed across her chest, she huffs as she watches me move through the cabin, grabbing everything we brought. From the corner of my eye, her emotions dance plainly on her face, moving from anger and defiance to suspicion and hurt. I know it’s a grotesque manipulation, but at the moment, I don’t care.
Mira grabs my arm more softly this time, her anger gone.
“Stop. I’m sorry. I-This is taking a toll on me. I’m exhausted, but I do want to help you and Bobble. I would love to go to Illuemera, but… I’m scared. I’d be giving up everything I know, everything I’ve worked for, everyone I love.”
Listening to her stammered confession, my stomach lurches. It’s the first time she’s admitted she wants to go. The flood of relief instantly relaxes the tense muscles in my shoulders. Taking a deep breath, I release my anger on the exhale. Her eyes fill with tears. The truth of her fear is written on her face.
Before I can think, my instincts kick in. I must protect my fated mate. I pull her into a tight embrace. My arms swallow her as they wrap around her waist. Slowly, she lifts her arms to wrap around me, burying her face in my chest. Her scent fills my nose, stirring my desire again.
Entangled, we stand like that for only a minute until the Third rubs his dirty cat body against our legs. Mira immediately pulls out of my arms, bending down to pick up the needy cat. I glare as she hugs him, taking more comfort in that rodent than she does from me.
I clear my throat, breaking up their little love fest. The fire of anger is gone, but it’s been replaced with something else.
Something more feral.
Possessive.
“Rest. We’ll start early tomorrow before we have to leave.”
She simply nods and leaves the cabin as I stare at the shut door behind her. The way she nuzzles that cat drives me insane. I might have to snap his neck before this is over.
Later that night, as we dress for bed, there’s no banter, no arguments. The silence is comfortable, like a warm blanket wrapped around our shoulders. I sit on the edge of the sofa, leaning forward as I watch Mira brush her hair. When she lifts her arms, the t-shirt rises just enough to hint at her white cotton panties.
My cock stirs at the sight, heat pooling in my stiffening member. The repetitive sound of the brush pulling through her hair leaves me in a trance-like state. My eyes follow the movement of her hands, and the outline of her breasts underneath the t-shirt become apparent.
She turns, catching me staring at her like a child peers into a candy shop window. Ashamed, I break her gaze, shifting deeper into the couch. Mira climbs into her loft bed with Bobble under one arm. I roll my eyes, but the glare she shoots me sends a shiver down my spine.
My snarky comments die on my lips.
She lies on her side, facing me through the railing as the cat settles on the pillow behind her.
Does she finally want to talk?
I mirror her position as I settle on the sofa, waiting.
