Page 29 of Hunter

“Let’s all go inside where it's warmer,” Hunter suggested briskly, aware that his mate was becoming colder by the second now that he was no longer protecting her with his warmth.

Zoey couldn’t stop lookingaround at her surroundings after they entered the castle through a door that then went directly through the huge stone kitchen and then into a grand hall with a cavernous roof stretched up to the rafters above. There were several suits of armor attached to the stone walls. There was also a log fire burning in a fireplace large enough for a man, several men, to stand up in.

The aesthetic was like something from the medieval or Viking times. Probably because that was the time when the three Drake brothers had been born. Or more accurately, Zoey reminded herself, hatched from their dragon eggs. Which… No, she was still trying to absorb that information. Best to concentrate on her surroundings for the moment.

There were no paintings on the stone walls, but Zoey’s attention was immediately caught and held by the huge carved panels, one the length of each of the four walls. They were easily six feet tall by fifteen feet wide, with intricate carvings of different battles depicted in each of them.

It was the style of the carving, one that Zoey recognized, that held her attention as she slowly moved from wall to wall studying each of the panels.

“Oh. My. God.” She finally stood back from the last panel before slowly turning. “You’re Ranulf,” she breathed in absolute awe.

He looked uncomfortable. “I already told you that is my name.”

Zoey slowly shook her head, her gaze moving instinctively back toward the carved panels. “I’m talking about the Ranulf whose identity everyone in the art world has been speculating about for years now. Decades. Centuries, probably,” she pondered, now that she was aware of the longevity of the Drake brothers’ lives. “Your carvings are amazing. I studied them in books and the real deal in galleries and museums during my first year at university.”

Ranulf looked alarmed. “They have a book of my carvings?”

“Books,” she corrected. “Many, many books. All of them fascinating.” She gave a dazed shake of her head. “I can’t believe I’m now standing in the same room with you and looking at these incredible carvings the rest of the world has never had, nor will ever have, the privilege of seeing.”

“Thank you,” Ranulf accepted gruffly, obviously uncomfortable with her effusive praise.

Zoey’s gaze moved to the chessboard set up on a square wooden table beside the fireplace. Each piece had been individually crafted. As had the two huge chairs, purposefully placed either side of the table.

She didn’t need to ask to know that Ranulf had carved those too.

All the furniture in the room, four huge chairs in total, and obviously all purposefully designed to accommodate the size of the Drake brothers, along with the dining table and chairs at the other end of the room, were just as ornately carved, many of them with woodland creatures.

Ranulf’s talent, along with the mystery of who he was, meant that a single piece of this furniture could be sold for a seven-figure number. Each of the panels on the walls for double, possibly triple, that amount.

“I feel so privileged to be allowed to see these and to meet you,” Zoey told a still slightly blushing Ranulf. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He nodded awkwardly before his expression turned to one of humor when he looked at Hunter. “I think that’s probably as much admiration from you toward me that my brother can tolerate.”

Zoey looked at Hunter, easily able to see the heavy scowl on his brow and the tightness of his jaw. He wasn’t exactly growling right now, but there was definitely a displeased rumble going on in that huge chest. His eyes had that fire in their depths.

“Calm down,” Zoey teased. “I was just paying homage where homage is due. Ranulf is a legend in the art world.”

“As he should be,” Hunter agreed gruffly.

She turned fully to look at Hunter. “Does this mean I’ll still be able to carry on with my painting when we’re mated? I’m not in Ranulf’s league, but it is something I enjoy doing.” She eyed him curiously when she saw the fire flare in the depths of his dark eyes. “I said when,” she realized, a blush warming her cheeks.

Hunter’s eyes glowed. “You did.”

“Are Belle and Lachlan here?” she prompted to divert attention from the sudden longing she felt—inappropriately, when they were talking to his brother!—to begin their mating right now. That feeling had been steadily increasing since they left Cornwall.

“They aren’t in the castle, but they are still somewhere close,” Ranulf answered her cautiously.

Zoey studied him for several moments before assuring him, “Hunter already told me the two of them are true mates.”

Ranulf nodded. “As are you and Hunter.”

She tilted her head to the side as she studied him further. “Why did you say that so forcefully?”

“Because—”

“Don’t,” Hunter cut his brother off. “IfZoey decides to become my beloved true mate, then she will do so without any pressure from anyone else, including me.”

“But—”

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