Page 191 of A Warrior's Fate

But as she locked her legs around him, then as he positioned himself and gazed down at her, they paused.

A pulse down the bond was a reminder of all they had to lose. What it felt like they’d almost lost.

For a moment, Isla had clearly seen the storm behind Kai’s eyes, going on in his mind. And she realized—

She’d thought about what it would mean to her and everyone else if he’d lost the challenge…but how did he feel?

What did it mean to him if he left them? If he left her?

Judging by the brief flash of sadness, fear, and desperation in his gaze, she’d gotten somewhat of an answer. He wouldn’t vocalize it though. She knew he didn’t want her to know or didn’t want to address it himself.

He’d made love to her after that, held her stare the entire time as he moved in her, hitting all the spots that made her warm and dizzy. The only time he left her eyes, he was worshiping her with his mouth, telling her amidst kisses how beautiful she was, how much he loved her, how lucky he was to find her. It was nothing short of overwhelming, and she’d teared up as it all washed over her, the sheer intensity of the bond becoming near-tangible between them. He’d kissed those away too.

Now they were flushed, their hair mussed, bodies bare and thoroughly worked over as they sat on the carpet on the floor of the study, bathed in colors pouring through the window from the sunlight. And though hell lingered outside the large oak door, though it loomed above their heads, they were okay.

They would be okay.

Isla quivered and let out another sigh, squirming as tension built at the base of her spine. “Ameera thought it was strange that you let me go, given the way most newly mated men are. I thought you’d already gotten sick of me.”

Kai chuckled, continuing his ministrations on her neck, her other breast, between her legs. “I’d fuck you every minute of every day if I could.”

Isla bit back a whine.

She’d let him.

“When this is over,” Kai continued. “All over—we’re going away. Just you and me.”

“Can we do that?” Her question left in a breath as he worked his fingers lower, to her core, ready for him all over again. As she moved, bucking forward, he tightened his hold, keeping her in place. She wrapped her arms around his, feeling the tense muscles, digging her nails lightly into his skin.

“For a couple of days,” Kai answered her question easily. As if this were just a normal, everyday conversation. “We have Ezekiel, the council. We won’t leave the pack. We just won’t be in Mavec.”

Isla had to moan now as he slid a finger inside her. Just one. Not deep enough. She wanted more, but this—now this was a game. Of focus. Of composure.

Her toes curled as she took a stabilizing breath, keeping her attention off how he curled it upwards. “Where would we go?”

“The Vierra.”

“Where’s that?”

A second finger. Isla whimpered.

Kai laughed against her skin, leaving her just a little colder as he lifted his head. “It’s a small stretch of land next to Ifera. We could consider it one of our pack territories, but it’s very small. Secluded. Gorgeous. We have a cottage there. Great for alone time.”

Finally, he plunged his fingers deeper, harder, and Isla gasped. She dug her nails further into his arm, arching her back with a curse. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep up her ruse. All her focus eddied to how he moved, how incredible it felt.

Distraction, distraction.

She twisted her head from where she’d thrown it back against him to gaze at his face. So, so handsome. All of him so hers. Claimed by the mark on his neck, the healing scratches down his back. She wanted to kiss him. Needed to. But she resisted.

More conversation.

“Maybe we can go for my birthday.”

Kai lofted a brow, cocking his head and smirking. He could feel it. How close she was to coming undone. “That’s soon, isn’t it?”

Isla’s heart was going to beat out of her chest. “A little after the Equinox.”

“Did you celebrate that in Io? The Equinox.”

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