Page 15 of Bite the Power
"Sure," she said, reaching for her parka. "Why not?"
The simple words sent satisfaction coursing through him. She was coming to his palace, his personal territory. His bear practically purred with contentment.
Kaidan led her outside to where his snowmobile waited, its sleek black frame designed for both speed and navigating Frosthaven's most treacherous terrain. He helped her settle onto the seat behind him, his hands lingering at her waist longer than necessary.
"Hold on tight," he murmured, his voice roughened.
The moment Tessa's arms wrapped around his waist, Kaidan nearly forgot how to breathe. Her body pressed against his back, her warmth seeping through the layers of winter gear to reach his skin. The mate bond sang with satisfaction and every cell in his body recognized her touch.
Breathe,he commanded himself, but his hands trembled slightly as he gripped the handlebars.
The urge to turn around and capture her mouth with his was almost overwhelming. He wanted to taste her, claim her, make it clear to every shifter in the territory that she was his.
Instead, he gunned the engine and shot forward across the snow, taking the most direct route to his palace. Behind them, he could hear Elora's snowmobile following at a discrete distance.
The three-mile journey passed in a blur of sensation—Tessa's arms tightening around him as they navigated sharp turns, her soft gasp when they crested a particularly steep ridge, and the way she leaned into him when the wind picked up. By the time his palace came into view, Kaidan felt drunk on her proximity.
This was what he'd been missing his entire life. This connection, this perfect sense of completion.
The palace rose before them like something carved from winter itself—massive walls of pale stone and ice that caught the dying sunlight and reflected it back in crystalline patterns. Towers stretched toward the darkening sky, their peaks crowned with ancient banners that snapped in the Arctic wind.
Kaidan brought the snowmobile to a stop in the courtyard and reluctantly climbed off, immediately missing Tessa's warmth against his back. He turned to help her down, his hands settling at her waist as she steadied herself on the snow.
"Your palace is incredible," Tessa breathed, her green eyes wide as she took in the imposing beauty. "The architecture is unlike anything I've ever seen."
Pride expanded in Kaidan's chest at her obvious admiration. "It's been the seat of power in Frosthaven for over two centuries. My family has ruled from here for thirty years."
The palace represented everything he was, everything he'd inherited, and everything he was responsible for protecting. Seeing Tessa appreciate its grandeur felt like she was accepting a part of him.
Someday,his bear whispered hopefully,this could be her home too.
The thought should have terrified him. Instead, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
Kaidan guided Tessa through the towering entrance doors, their ancient wood carved with intricate scenes of polar bears and Arctic landscapes. The warmth hit them immediately—a welcome contrast to the biting cold outside.
"This is extraordinary," Tessa breathed as she took in the soaring ceilings and tapestries that depicted centuries of shifter history.
Kaidan moved behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders to help ease off her parka. The simple act sent electricity racing through his veins, and he had to force himself to step back once the heavy coat was free.
"The great hall dates back to the original settlement," he said, hanging her parka on an ornate hook. "My ancestors believed in creating beauty even in the harshest environments."
Elora appeared behind them, shaking snow from her blonde hair. "Someone's showing off, I see."
"Tell the kitchen staff to set an extra plate for dinner," Kaidan commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "And inform them we'll be eating in an hour."
Elora's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Of course, Your Majesty. Anything else your special guest requires?"
The emphasis on 'special' wasn't lost on him, but Kaidan chose to ignore his sister's baiting. "That will be all."
He turned back to Tessa, who was studying a massive painting of his grandfather leading a hunt across frozen seas. "Would you like to see more of the palace?"
"I'd love to." Her enthusiasm made his bear purr with satisfaction.
He led her through corridors lined with portraits of past kings and queens, pointing out architectural details and sharing stories of their reign. With each room they explored, he watched her face light up with genuine interest.
"The craftsmanship is incredible," Tessa said, running her fingers along the carved banister of the main staircase. "How do you maintain everything in these temperatures?"
"Centuries of practice and a deep respect for what came before us." He paused at a window overlooking the courtyard. "Tradition matters here. It's what keeps us strong."
