Page 98 of Wicked Allure
“I’m sure she was scared when the guards showed up and removed her from the military post. She didn’t know what was happening, but have no worries, she’s been safe here. Alima helped get her settled in while she waited for you to return home.”
For the first time since she’d discovered her mate had been taken, she faltered. Her pulse pounded in her ears. All of the rage that had been inside her dissipated, and in its place was a raw ache and need.
“My Tomesha? She’s here?” Dru whispered.
“She’s waiting for you in your quarters?—”
Dru didn’t wait for permission to leave. She was already moving. She had to get to her mate. She had to see for herself that Tomesha was here and unharmed. She tore open the door and raced through the corridors.
Every instinct, every ounce of control she’d once had, dissolved into something primal.
She was going to take her mate, claim her, and keep her by her side forever.
The fire crackled softly. The air in the castle was quite chilly. It may be fall here in Crystal Cove, but it was much cooler than what she was used to during this time of year. The shutters on the windows had been raised not too long ago, allowing Tomesha to view the landscape that surrounded the castle.
But for now, she waited.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers twisting the edge of the blanket she hadn’t realized she’d been clutching. The last day and a half had been a whirlwind of emotions. When the registry guards had taken her from the vampire military post, she’d thought she’d never see Dru again. Imagine her surprise when she’d learned that her destination was Dru’s home.
Tomesha chuckled. Of course her vampire had been right. They’d been matched in the draft. The only reason they’d taken Tomesha to Crystal Cove was because Dru’s home address was here. They hadn’t known she was already with her mate.
Her smile slowly faded. She hadn’t heard much word about Dru. The only thing she’d been informed of was that she was completing her mission. Tomesha wasn’t sure what was going on, but she’d been experiencing emotions she was sure weren’t hers. The amount of pain, anger, and rage that had filled her, she knew it wasn’t her.
It had to be Dru.
When she’d arrived at the castle, she’d met with Princess Lethia’s mate, Alima. Tomesha had only ever seen the woman on television. She was just as beautiful in person as she was on the small screen. Alima had helped make sure Tomesha was comfortable and settled in while they waited for Dru to arrive. She’d shared with Tomesha that she and Lethia were able to sense each other, too.
Now she was worried. She hadn’t felt anything from Dru in a while. She’d been assured that Dru was alive and well. Every sound, every echo of footsteps, every howl of the wind sent her pulse racing.
Dru was alive.
She kept reminding herself of that, but until she saw her, until she got to hold her in her arms, would she finally believe it?
Then suddenly, a pulse in her chest. A hot electric thrum that made her heart rate skyrocket. Was that Dru? Was she okay?
“Dru?” she whispered. Would her vampire hear her?
The door slammed open with such force that Tomesha whipped around at the commotion.
Dru stood staring at her with hunger and need in her eyes. Her auburn hair was pulled back away from her face, her bright-blue eyes wide as they took her in. For a moment, neither of them moved. Tomesha could barely breathe. She was completely elated and relieved that Dru was there.
“Dru,” Tomesha repeated, only this time louder.
In the blink of an eye, Dru was across the room. Tomesha barely had time to rise before she was swept up into Dru’s strong arms. Her feet left the floor as Dru held her close. She wrapped her arms around Dru’s neck. The scent of the outdoors and an aroma that was Dru filled her nostrils. She breathed in deep, memorizing the smell of her vampire.
“I thought I’d lost you,” Dru rasped. She set Tomesha down and buried her face in the curve of Tomesha’s neck.
Tomesha pulled back and rested her hands on Dru’s face in order for her to stare her in the eye.
“I knew without a doubt wherever they’d have taken me, you would have come for me,” Tomesha said softly. Tears blurred her vision, and she took in the tortured look that radiated from Dru’s eyes. “I felt you. Somehow I felt all of your emotions. When I thought I wouldn’t see you again, I felt you here.” Tomesha touched the area above her heart.
Dru’s eyes softened, and she gazed down where Tomesha’s hand rested.
“It really is the bond between mates. I could feel you, too. I sensed when you were afraid?—”
“And I sensed all the anger and rage you held,” Tomesha whispered. She cupped Dru’s face and studied her. All of which she felt from Dru wasn’t normal. No one should have that much built up in them. Even Tomesha had felt as if she wanted to do bodily harm to someone.
“It was because I thought they were taking you from me,” Dru replied. She reached up and took Tomesha’s hands in hers. “When I heard you’d been taken due to the matching system, I almost lost it.”
