Page 298 of Hunters and Prey

“I’m not sure. Work probably,” she told him. “There is always something that needs to be done.”

“Is my company unwanted?” he asked, moving forward ever so slightly.

Roman somehow put himself close enough to her that her slightest movement would create contact between the two of them. But he didn’t touch her himself outside of protocol. Chiara found it fascinating that he was willing to be so patient – to let her make the first move when she was comfortable.

“Your company is not bothersome when I don’t need to work,” she admitted, reaching out again. She couldn’t help herself. If he didn’t want her to touch his wing he would move or say something. “But I don’t think you should stay up all night if you have duties to attend to tomorrow. Health studies state one should get at least four hours of sleep a night.”

Her knuckles brushed against the membrane first. Chiara was sure to be careful and as gentle as possible. Roman shivered at her touch, but still didn’t pull away.

“That leaves four hours for me to fill then, based on that data,” he told her.

Chiara couldn’t help her smile as she touched the frame of bones, the cold metal of his armor a shock against the soft warmth of his wings. “What would we do for four hours?”

His hand came up then and Roman’s thumb brushed against her bottom lip so softly, so briefly she barely had time to register the touch before it was gone. Chiara blinked and realized…she didn’t hate that.

“What would you like to do?” Roman asked.

She narrowed her eyes and looked up at him. “Is that a sexual suggestion?”

He laughed – hard. “It can be if you like. But no, I meant it in earnest.”

Chiara tapped the talon at the apex of his wing, delighted to see the blood well on her finger. It was sharp.

Roman hissed and took her hand in his, then stuck her finger in his mouth to suck the blood. “Why would you do that?” he demanded.

Chiara snatched her hand back and glared. “That’s not necessary. I’m not some delicate creature.” She took the portable medpack that she always kept with her out of her pocket. A little spray and the wound was completely gone.

Roman grabbed her hand again and brought it close to his face to inspect it. “That truly is remarkable. We’ve nothing like that here.”

Chiara let him keep her hand this time, studying the male before her.

Yes, he was her mate, but he was also a victim of her people and the Neprijat. Even if things didn’t work out between them, Chiara felt the urge to do something for him. Not just for the Drakesthai…but for him.

“Aside from curing your sterility, what would you choose to have fixed?” she asked. “One medical solution and it can be anything.”

Roman’s blue eyes bore into her and Chiara wondered if he could see her thoughts through whatever tiny bond that was starting to form between them by proximity alone. “I want to know that my Drakesthai comrades are of their own mind. I don’t ever want to have to kill one again for the unfortunate fact they were taken by a Neprijat consciousness. I want a way to prevent anyone else from being taken. Can you do that?”

The words were full of so much emotion Chiara felt tears fill her eyes. So many emotions. This was part of the reason why she avoided people. She was sensitive to them. And she felt them as if they were her own.

“I don’t know if I can, but I will try,” she told him. “Would you mind showing me the gifts you brought?”

Before she could react Roman pressed a kiss to her lips. It was quick and chaste. Little more than the traditional kiss of greeting, but it was full of hope and gratitude. “Of course, velika. I’ll take you wherever you would like to go.”

And for once Chiara knew what was intended by a phrase like that. She stared up at Roman as she let those words and their meaning sink in.

He truly would take her anywhere if she asked.

“Let’s start with this,” she murmured. “Then we will see.”

Roman grinned at that and offered her his arm again in the proper Draga protocol. “Of course. Follow me, lady.”

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