Page 38 of Black Wing and Shadows
Tears streaked my face—and his. The water cooled as he lifted me from the tub, carrying me into the bedroom with towels draped in his arms. He set me on the bed, wrapped one around me, and drew the other across his waist.
His eyes never left mine. My chest swelled until I thought it might break open. Gods, I already loved him.
I didn’t want this. I hadn’t asked for it. We barely knew each other, yet something in me had already fallen, sharp and deep, before I could stop it. The speed of it made my stomach twist. Love wasn’t supposed to hit like this, not so sudden, not so complete. And yet here I was, already lost. He climbed onto the bed and pulled me back into his lap, and I let him—because even as fear clawed at me, I couldn’t look away.
“Sooooo… we can talk to each other, in each other’s fucking heads?” I wanted to run as far away from the previous conversation as fast as I could.
"Yeah… I sort of suspected. My aunt and uncle were mates. Both were warriors. She told me bits and pieces. Watching them was almost sickening as a kid. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. They seemed to be always having a conversation no one else could hear, dancing with their eyes. Years later, she told me that mated couples have unique bonds. I thought maybe she was hinting at that, but I wasn’t sure. I guess some things about mates are kept secret."
“Ophelia says we should keep the mate part secret, that it can make us vulnerable.”
“We can do whatever you want, but do know, if someone puts your life in danger, theirs may cease to exist. The fear you felt after five years tells me that the fear you felt during was insurmountable, and…” He lost his words, as if he held back tears.
“I am okay. I am strong now, and I will never stop fighting for my life.” I looked up at him and smiled at him.
He placed his hand on my cheek, rubbing his thumb side to side, caressing my face, before leaning in and giving me a long, deep kiss.
“Please promise me that you won’t treat me or look at me differently.” I pleaded with him.
"Right now, all I see is the brave, beautiful female that fate put into my life. From what I heard, you didn’t need saving. Which, honestly, is perfect because I love a strong, fierce female."
He gripped me tighter, holding me like he never meant to let go. I knew what I shared was heavy, what we did before that. Everything tonight felt heavy. My dad only knew the full details of what had happened out there,something he learned while Lili and I were unconscious. It was the only time I was happy for his ability, happy that I wasn’t required to share it all out loud.
“I really rather not talk about it… beyond tonight. If that’s okay with you. I still have nightmares every now and again.”
“Anything you want. If you ever change your mind, I will sit with you however you need me to.”
I nodded. I was not sure if I would want to talk about this again. I wanted to change the topic, move so very far from anything heavy.
“What is your middle name?”
He let out a little laugh. “Zane.”
I furrowed my brow in confusion at him. “Wait, what?”
“Roarke Zane Braegon the second.” He flashed his little mischievous smile.
“Waitttttt… as in… the duke’s son?” My eyes widened. “Shit!”
“As in that guy… I mean, you’re the general’s daughter. I am the duke’s kid. It’s fantastic.”
My eyes were blinking at him. When they said his last name yesterday, it didn’t click, but the situation preoccupied me.
“So, is it a bad time to mention that I am the marquess, the first son in line?”
“Why are you here?” I blurted that out before I realized it even came out.
He tilted his head at me, giving me a smirk. “If that was the case, how would I have met you?”
“I mean, you don’t have to be?”
“Well, if my history lesson is correct, you don’t have to be either. As for me, I want to be here. I don’t want to be the duke now or ever. Also, no one knows I am his son. I checked in under my middle name. Of course, my father knows and respects my wishes to be here quietly.”
“But your last name?”
“If someone starts to put it together, I brush it off and change the subject. Although I am pretty certain most of the higher officers are aware of my presence here, they haven’t outed me.”
“Sooooo… don’t call you Roarke?”
