Page 99 of The Stone Curse
What if I’d walked right into some kind of elaborate trap? No, he could have killed us while we were unconscious. There was no need for spinning a story unless he was trying to trick us and get us on side…The wrong side? Even if that was true, it hardly mattered if we went along with it and faked our belief in him. If it got us out of here safe and sound, then so be it.
We would have died in the barren lands if not for his intervention, which made me wonder how long we’d been unconscious. Orix would be going nuts by now. The academy, the council, they’d all realize something had gone wrong.
“Relax,” Ignus said. “You’ve gone all tense and thoughtful. I don’t plan to hurt you. We’re on the same side. You’ll learn to trust me.”
“So why did you try to kidnap me when we first met?”
“Kidnapis such a strong word. I’d call it extraction. Look, I was trying to save you from getting embroiled in whatever scheme the faction had set up.”
“You knew who I was, and who Romi was?”
“Yes.”
“You told me you could take me to him.”
“I did, and I could have…back then…” He stopped outside a door and turned to face me. “I’m sorry for all the pain you’ve been forced to endure. For all the uncertainty. I probably could have handled that first assignment better, but…believe me, Cameron, you’re in the right place now. We can keep you safe. You, Serath, and your friends.”
My pulse jumped. “You want us to stay?”
He pressed his lips together. “If it were up to me, I’dmakeyou stay, but the boss doesn’t believe in enforced alliances. Once he’s spoken to you all, you can make up your minds about whether you stay or go.” He pressed his palm to a panel by the door. “In the meantime, how about some quality time with yourmate.” The door beeped, and he pushed it open and stepped aside to let me in.
I probably should have checked to make sure Serath was indeed inside before barging in, but the tug inside my chest and the heat that followed told me he was close.
I stepped into the room furnished in soft beige and brown that housed a bed and a couple of sofas. Serath stood in the center of it, his hands fists at his sides and his face a mask of uncertainty and hope.
“Cameron…” His throat bobbed.
I made to cross the room, but Ignus grabbed my arm.
Serath growled low and menacing, and Ignus threw him a flat look.
“Calm down, big guy. I’m simply explaining the rules.”
Serath exhaled and pressed his lips together. “I can do that.”
“I’d feel better if I did it. Protocol and all.” Ignus released me and pointed at the ground where a yellow line bisected the room. “Your mate can’t cross that line. The bracelet we put on him stops him from doing so. It also stops him shifting.”
“What? Why? I thought you said he was clean. That the entity was gone?”
“I did, and as far as we know it is, but we need to run some more tests. Who knows what else the faction might have done to him?”
“He’s right,” Serath said. “It’s safer this way. If I start acting odd, you get across that line.” Then to Ignus, “And if you touch my mate again, I’ll tear off your hand, line or not.”
“Noted,” Ignus said with a concessionary smile. “Now, I shall leave you to it.” He stepped outside. “I’m sure you’re dying to be properly reunited. I’ll be back for you once the boss returns,” he said to me. “A few hours at least.” He winked. “Enjoy.”
He closed the door behind me, and I threw myself across the yellow line and into Serath’s arms.
He rained kisses on my face, finally finding my lips and lingering there. I sank into him, body melting against the hard planes of his torso, fingers sinking into his luscious locks. I kissed him until my lips were swollen and throbbing before coming up for air.
He nuzzled my throat, inhaling me. “You smell so good.” His voice was a delicious abrasion against my sensitized skin. I rubbed against him, gasping as sharp shocks of pleasure tightened my nipples. “We should talk…”
He nipped my earlobe, then kissed the spot beneath, sending a shiver down my neck. “Yes. We should.”
I found his lips again, sucking on the full bottom one before losing myself in my hunger for his mouth. He lifted me up and carried me to his bed, where I was enveloped in his scent. He hovered over me, eyes dark with desire and a tumult of emotions that echoed the swell and ebb of sensations inside me.
“I’ve dreamed about this moment so many times,” he said. “Being alone like this with you, with no fear, no barriers. Being able to be here with you…to feel this with you…it makes everything worthwhile.”
Everything he’d been through…the pain and goodness knows what else. Things his mind had forgotten to protect him from. Things that had happened to him while he protected his soul in the tethered place.
