He purposefully left out the fact he hadn’t wanted to find his saatus, not after losing Melena. It seemed unduly cruel to declare his desire to maintain his sanity, along with the fear of upsetting the Goddess, were part of what pushed him to pursue the bond.

Evelyn’s lips curved upward. Like a moth to the flame, he couldn’t resist leaning down and brushing his mouth across her plush flesh. Her sweet exhalation fanned across his mouth.

His little mate pressed closer, her arms reaching up and clasping behind his neck. She tried to deepen the kiss and Marrok slowed it down.

“Touch me again,” she pleaded.

Marrok grinned. “Not tonight,moj draga.”

It took a second for his refusal to register with Evelyn. She pulled her face back enough to look at him. “You don’t want to?”

“Does this feel like I don’t want to touch you?” Marrok grabbed her hand and placed it upon the front of his trousers. She gently squeezed the evidence of his arousal. His demon teemed with glee and it was oh-so-tempting to allow her to explore.

She didn’t withdraw so he pulled her hand away, entwining their fingers. Any longer and she might learn how easily she could manipulate his body.

“Why did you stop me?”

“We will wait a little longer. Tonight, I want some time with my mate. I want to know you, Evelyn, and for you to know me.”

“You want to wait? For how long?” she asked. She hadn’t meant to sound so petulant.

“Slow is better. Trust me on this.”

He chuckled again at the look on her face. Marrok brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it lightly. “Let’s walk.”

Evelyn groaned. “Always with the walking. Look around, there’s no place to go.”

“You could lift the barrier.”

“It’s not the barrier holding me in the clearing. I’ve never been able to get past the tree line, even before I’d erected it.”

“Maybe things are different now. Try it.”

Evelyn looked past him, to the nearly invisible wall of power.It couldn’t hurt to try, she thought. She lowered the shield and took a step beyond its previous boundary. This was as far as she’d ever gotten.

Marrok squeezed her hand. “Go on. I’m right beside you.”

“Pick a path,” she suggested.

“You pick. This is your home, not mine.”

Evelyn led him to her favorite trail, waiting for the dreamworld to poof her back to the clearing. It didn’t. She took another step. Then another.

She laughed nervously. “It worked. I can’t believe I can get through now.”

Keeping stride with his mate, Marrok pulled her closer to his side, enjoying her warmth as they strolled the winding path. “I think you’ll come to find having a mate does have its benefits.”

Yes, it does, Marrok’s demon agreed.Soon, we’ll know them all.