Page 25 of Bite the Power
"You're at my palace, in my private chambers." The words came out more possessive than he'd intended, but he couldn't bring himself to care. "You're safe now."
Her gaze swept across the masculine furnishings—the massive stone fireplace, the weapons mounted on the walls, and the thick furs covering his bed—and her cheeks flushed pink. "I didn't mean to cause all this fuss. Really, I'm fine?—"
"This is in no way your fault," he said, his tone sharper than he'd expected. "Someone set out to harm you and Eli tonight, and they crossed a line I will not tolerate. I'm calling an emergency council session first thing tomorrow morning."
She reached out tentatively, her uninjured hand covering his where it rested on the bed. The simple touch sent tingles through his body. "Thank you for saving me. I thought... I thought I was going to die back there."
Something primal and possessive surged through him at her words.Never. Not while I draw breath.
"I would never let anything happen to you," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You're staying here at the palace from now on."
"You really don't need to house me?—"
"You're under my protection now." The alpha authority in his tone brooked no argument. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."
He watched her struggle with the urge to argue, her independent nature warring with exhaustion and shock. The fight went out of her shoulders as a cough wracked her body, reminding him of how close he'd come to losing her forever.
"I'm going to take care of you," he murmured, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face.
For the rest of your life, if you'll let me.
Her eyes grew heavy again. "Thank you," she whispered, giving him a smile that made his chest ache with tenderness.
Every single instinct screamed at him to crawl into his bed beside her, to wrap her in his arms and never let go. Instead, he forced himself to stand. "Get some rest. I'll check on you in a bit."
Leaving her felt like tearing away part of himself, but duty called. He found Bjorn and Elora waiting in his office, their faces grim with concern.
"How is she?" Elora asked immediately.
"Burned hand, sprained ankle, and smoke inhalation. But she'll recover." Kaidan moved to the windows, staring out at the distant glow where the research station still smoldered. "This was Magnus. I'm certain of it."
Bjorn crossed his arms. "You don't have proof he sent that rogue shifter to torch the place. The council won't move against him on suspicion alone."
"Then we'll get proof." Kaidan's hands clenched into fists. "I will not let him threaten what's mine again."
Elora raised her eyebrows. "What's yours? That's interesting phrasing, brother."
The weight of their expectant stares finally broke through his resolve. "Tessa is my fated mate."
Neither of them looked particularly surprised. Bjorn actually snorted. "About time you admitted it out loud. You've been stalking her like a lovesick bear for three whole days."
"That obvious, huh?" Kaidan asked dryly.
"To anyone with eyes," Elora confirmed. "The question is, what are you going to do about it? The clans aren't exactly going to throw a celebration party for their king's human mate."
Kaidan's jaw set in the stubborn line his sister knew well. "They'll accept it because I'm their king, and they'll obey me whether they like it or not."
ELEVEN
TESSA
Tessa's wakefulness surfaced slowly, like swimming up from the depths of a warm ocean. The first thing she noticed was the intoxicating smell surrounding her—crisp pine mixed with something distinctly masculine and wild. Her eyes fluttered open to find herself nestled in the most luxurious bed she'd ever experienced, wrapped in furs so soft they felt like clouds against her skin.
Oh, that's right, I'm in Kaidan's bed.
She was still in his private chambers, breathing in the scent that clung to his pillows and sheets. Heat flooded her cheeks as memories of her dreams rushed back—fantasies where she'd imagined being in this exact spot, but under completely different circumstances. In those dreams, she hadn't been injured or unconscious. In those dreams, Kaidan had been doing far more than simply rescuing her from a fire.
Stop it, Tessa. You're a professional scientist.
