Page 82 of Craving Carla

“I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you,” I tell her, guilt washing over me.

Anora pulls back and shrugs. “It’s okay, Carla. I understand.” Her expression turns serious again. “But if I’m made of dark magic, then what about you? You were designed to be my protector. What does that make you?”

I pause, the question hitting me hard. I’ve never considered that my purpose might be darker than I imagined.

“Maybe—and I don’t know this for a fact—but maybe they’re masking your powers for good reason,” Anora continues. “And masking your powers also means masking your fated scent. They may not lift the veil until they’re certain you can control it, or—” she raises an eyebrow, “—Amari gets his shit together and proves he’s worthy of taking care of you. Maybe, just maybe, it’s not so much about them being overprotective.”

I nod, considering her words. The possibility that I might be harboring something darker than I know is unsettling.

Anora walks over to the crib and gently caresses her son. I smile when Yara suddenly appears, climbing in through the window. Her massive form moves with surprising grace as she positions herself near the crib.

“The last time I time traveled,” Anora says, watching her son sleep, “future Amir told me that I would always be fighting to keep the people I loved. I never truly realized the depths of that until now.” She looks up at me, her eyes glistening. “There’s always some force looking to take Solomon and Amir away, because they know losing them will make me self-destruct.”

Anora walks over to Yara and gently kisses one of her fangs. Yara bows to her, and a smile tugs at my lips. I’ve never seen Anora embrace my children this way. Could it be that change—and acceptance—is finally beginning to take root?

“Yara will stay with Solomon while he sleeps,” Anora says. “Someone must always stand guard for him.”

She leads me out of the room and down the long hallway toward the study. “I love the simplicity of this cabin,” she says, her voice lighter now. “It’s so much better than that annoying dark castle the vampire covens live in.”

I catch up with her, looking out of the set of windows that give a view of the palace at the edge of the island. “Amari doesn’t seem to like them so much.”

Anora looks back at me with a wicked grin. “Oh, he’s not wrong in his feelings, and in time, you’ll see why for yourself.”

We stop at the study and the double doors magically open. Anora gestures for me to reenter, but I pause in front of her.

She pulls me into another hug. “Please don’t be a stranger. It gets lonely here sometimes.”

“I won’t,” I promise. “I’d love to visit more. Get to know my cousin Solomon and spend more time with Yara and Kofi. I miss them.”

“I’ve got some duties to attend to as Queen of Wintermoon, so I’ll leave you here.” Anora looks to Amir, who grins at her, and I can see the love in his eyes. He truly adores her.

I bow my head to Anora, and she glares at me, giggling and shaking her head as she walks off. I sigh and walk into the study where Amari stands immediately, pulling me close and into a loving kiss.

His lips are cool against mine, but they warm quickly as the kiss deepens. His hand moves to the small of my back, pressing me against him as his tongue slides against mine. The taste of him—something sweet and dark, like chocolate with a hint ofspice—fills my senses. I lose myself in the kiss, forgetting where we are until Amir clears his throat pointedly.

I giggle and break away from Amari, looking over at Amir, who’s watching us with a mixture of amusement and impatience.

“Well, you didn’t bite my mate’s head off, so that’s a plus,” I say.

Amir grins at me, his golden eyes flashing.

Amari leans down, his lips brushing my ear. “Rain check on that date. There’s something else we should do today instead.”

I look up at him, trying to hide my disappointment. “O-okay? But what will we do instead?”

Amir looks to the window, a knowing grin spreading across his face.

“We’ll need to visit Damon’s library to see what we can find out about you. There has to be something in the scrolls. And while we’re there, we can meet Selene, Damon’s mate.”

I blush and nod. “I’m okay with that.”

“Amari’s determined to get to know your children a little better historically,” Amir says, walking over to the sofa and sitting down, his hands placed on his lap. “Maybe he’ll find answers as to why they won’t lift the veil on you.” He leans forward, his expression turning serious. “Something tells me it’s more than just their lack of trust. They’re protecting you from something, and it’s not Aya anymore. So who is it?”

“I don’t know,” I say, shaking my head. “The only supernatural I’ve ever hidden from is Aya.”

“Whatever happened to Aya?” Amari asks, and both Amir and I look at him with wicked grins.

I snort and say casually, “Oh, Aya’s stuck in limbo, running from my children. She’s their greatest hunt. My children won’t rest until they finally catch up with her.”

---