Page 158 of A Soul to Embrace

His goal had grown to be much bigger than himself, now involving her and her happiness. Who would she become when she had free rein to just simply be herself, with people to immerse herself in and teach her other interesting things?

She must have taken his silence as a rejection, because her shoulders dropped in defeat. “Okay,” she conceded, before subtly shifting her skull in his direction. “But this means I can come with you?”

“Yes,” he said, hating the way guilt nipped at him.

“Then I will do as you ask of me.”

He lifted his face to the sky, realising the sun had faded over the mountain and they were left in the shade.So, that’s it then.This was the path he was taking: the safer, political path... that allowed her to stay by his side.

Doubt and worry riddled beneath the surface, but it was something. He peeked at her, hoping he wasn’t making the wrong decision by agreeing to bring her – and just persisting with her in general.

Yet, as he looked upon Zylah, he had to fight the urge to fucking smile in triumph. He was getting both the things he currently wanted.

He reached towards her until he’d grasped the side of her waist furthest from him. Then he forcibly dragged her closer until she was between his thighs with her back to his chest. He curled his legs around her backside while wrapping his arms around her midsection to hold her.

Oh, the naughty things I’m going to do to this female,he thought with humour, scraping his fangs down her shoulder blade just so she would shiver.

I also can’t wait to show her Nyl’theria.

It was a beautiful realm in the daytime, and even more mesmerising at night. He could imagine her awe and curiosity as he showed it to her.

His eyes gleamed in delight.I bet she’ll be cute.

“I like you in this dress,” he offered, wanting to defuse the tension between them now that a decision hadfinallybeen made. He plonked his chin on her shoulder. “Red suits you.”

She let out an annoyed huff, but he noticed her orbs flicker with reddish pink in embarrassment in his periphery.

Zylah better be ready for him, because she’d just given him the opening to do whatever he wanted with her. And if that was to compliment her until she squirmed, and give her affection, then so be it.

A devious, quiet chuckle rumbled from his chest as he lightly bit the muscle of her shoulder in fondness.

Zylah looked down as her left foot was lifted, and she had to grip one of Jabez’s horns for balance. He slipped the shoe strapping over her toes before wrapping the rest up. He did the same to the other foot, and she had to stop herself from kicking him when his fingers accidentally tickled her sole.

Despite him doing something nice for her, since she was sure she could do this on her own, his expression was firm and hard in comparison to how they’d woken up.

By the dark smudges underneath the inner corners of his eyes, she didn’t think he’d slept much.

She’d woken up snuggling him as his nails lightly brushed through the fur of her neck. When she’d peeked up at him without moving, he’d been staring off into nothingness, appearing to think deeply.

He always thought deeply.

What went on behind those eyes of his was a mystery, and after the last few days, she knew it was more complicated than she could ever fathom. The more she learned of him, his past, the hidden parts of his personality, the less she seemed tounderstand.

Yet, when he noticed she was awake, he’d given her a small smile and let her lie there for as long as she wanted. With her pointed snout buried against the side of his bare chest, she’d soaked up his warmth, his bergamot-and-sandalwood scent, the strength in his muscles, and the softness of his brown skin.

When he was lying down, he was more docile. He always let her touch his handsome face when the longing struck her.

A short time after they’d woken, he left to hunt. Then he took them to the small lake to wash.

They were leaving Earth.

As thrilled as she was about being able to go with him, Zylah was nervous. She had no idea what was in this other distant realm, and the hardness in his features told her he was wary. The fact he felt this way, and was taking them there, just made her wonder what they’d be coming up against.

He lacked his cloak, and from their earlier discussion, she knew he intended to leave without it. He didn’t want to wear something that was grabbable, choosing to take only a bag of food.

Jabez stood and offered his hand out to her. “Are you ready?”

She nodded and tentatively placed her palm in his.

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