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More importantly, did he expect her to?
Kaien had responsibilities here in Solaris that he couldn’t—and likely, wouldn’t—give up. Would she ask it of him? Was she to demand that he follow her path, or would she be forced to follow his?
Pulse sounding in her ears, she barely registered when Kaien’s hand gently caressed her cheek and lifted her gaze to his. But what caught her attention was the tenderness that radiated from his actions.
Pure, unadulterated concern splashed across his features, but moreover, shefeltit in the mating bond. Not concern that she’d run, but that Blair felt like she was becoming trapped.
She panted soundlessly, focusing on how Kaien’s presence was a calming beacon of stoicism and strength where he crouched next to her. The warmth of his hand continued to lightly caress her chin, undemanding and soft.
“Blair, I won’t trap you here.” His words were low, soothing. “You’re not caged, not cornered. You’re not chained to this place simply because I own a home here. I never want you to think that.”
His eyebrows pulled together in disgust as if he’d hated the mere notion of it. Continuing, his expression softened to one of understanding and compassion. “We’re not tied to this place; we can go anywhere in the world. If you want to wander, I’ll follow you. If you want to put roots in the ground and live here, I’ll support you. Hell, Blair, if you want to explore the world and be back in our bed by sun-up, I’ll join you. Where you go, I’ll follow.
“Don’t think that you’re trapped here purely because I’m Nina’s second.” Kaien shook his head subtly as Blair’s eyes misted at his words, the depth of her emotions spilling onto her cheeks. “Remmus is more than up for the job if we want to explore the world. The only thing I won’t allow is that you do it without me.”
Blair searched his eyes for any sign of duplicity, needing to know the truth in his words. Finding none and sensing his utter commitment to the words he’d spoken so reverently, she threw her arms around his neck. Now, inundated with the depth of his love for her, she needed his closeness.
Whispering in his ear, Blair spoke the words she never thought she’d utter: “I love you, Kaien.”
Her mate’s strong arms enveloped her frame only seconds later, the warmth and purity of his love soaring through their mating bond with a ferocity that left her breathless. “You’re everything to me, Blair.”
Blair would never forget it.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“I’vedecidedIlikecalling this junkyard home,” Blair proclaimed into the space between them only four days later.
After several days of reacquainting herself with clan territory and sleeping in the warm comforts of their now-shared bedroom, the vampire had begun to make herself at home.Kaien frowned up at his mate to where she lorded above him, her hands defiantly fisting on her hips.
“Is that so?” A pause for dramatic effect before he raised an eyebrow in contention. “And just what about our junkyard do you like?”
“That it’sourjunkyard.”
The vampire sprawled herself across his lap, stretching like a cat before she linked her hands around the back of his neck. Blair looked around the stark living room with an inquisitive, but mischievous, eye.
“However, I think I should like to make it a little lessbachelorand a bit moreBlair.”
Swallowing his possessive growl at her closeness, he barely refrained from ensnaring her lips in a demanding kiss. Kaien deliberately ran his forefinger down her neck, the touch soft and seductive. When he earned a shiver from his mate, he smirked.
“And just what does ‘a bit more Blair’ entail?”
“Lime green and hot pink.”
One blink. Two. All joviality dropped from Kaien’s features, a quizzical expression forming lines on his forehead. For all the time they’d spent together, he honestly couldn’t tell if she was being serious or not.
The entirety of Kaien’s home had been done in white, black, and navy blue, the tasteful furnishings one step away from modern contemporary. He hadn’t ever had an intentional design style and bought only necessities where it suited him. But put together, the space was clearly masculine.
Clearing his throat, Kaien asked, “What now?”
Blair met his eyes with a deadpanned look, one blonde eyebrow raising in question. “Lime green and hot pink. Everywhere. Curtains, comforters, cabinetry. All of it. The black and navy has to go.”
Kaien’s mouth dropped open, then closed, then dropped open again. A strangled sound emitted from his chest, not sure how to react to his new mate or question her design decisions.
Fortunately, she didn’t hold him in limbo for too long.
Riotous laughter exploded from her lithe frame seconds later, breaking the stalwart silence she’d force him into. “You’re a hoot, lumberjack. You should have seen your face!”
Relief rushed through him, barely holding back the urge to clasp at his chest by her theatrics. “Hilarious, vampire.”
