by Stone, Leia
“It’s bad,” she said, wiping the moisture from her face. “I went to help grandpa at your coronation. He told me he needed to formally declare me as his heir before he died. I thought I’d sneak right back after we signed the heir declaration, but then I got thrust into an initiation obstacle course to prove myself worthy.” She blinked, offering me a watery smile. “I thought we’d be able to still speak through the bond. I’m so sorry, Rage. I’m so freaking sorry.” Her voice broke.
Her grandfather was dying? At least, her aunt was right about that. But she left … willingly.
“Heir declaration? Obstacle course?” What the hell was she talking about?
She exhaled, long and slow, then shook her head. Her gaze dropped, and she brushed her fingers over my lips. “I-I don’t want to talk about that place right now. Can we put that all on hold, please?” She took another breath. “I really want to talk about … us.”
As she spoke that last word, her fingers trailed down my neck and then my chest, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
I forced a swallow and dug my fingers into her hips, my entire body trembling. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I couldn’t keep my shit together. “I … I thought you were kidnapped, Nai. You … you left me. On my coronation day.” I swallowed hard again. “You did that willingly?”
I needed something more than an apology—I needed some way to make sense of…
“That hurt.”
A tear slid down her cheek.
It was like a dam had burst, and I couldn’t stop. “Why did it have to be right then? Why couldn’t you tell me? Why … you left without even a thought,” I growled.
Fresh tears trickled down her face, and she nodded. “I-I was scared you wouldn’t let me go,” she whispered. “My grandfather said we had a limited amount of time to record my name in the books—and I had to be there for it. He said if I don’t inherit his spirit magic, the one that lets him raise the dead, like Honor, it will go to Kian and the other high mage councilmen.”
The breath whooshed out of me as I thought of creepy-ass Kian having more power. “Yeah, we can’t let that happen…”
That would be worse than Declan 2.0. Way worse.
She sighed and ran her hand through her silky hair; black soot fell all around her. “I came back as soon as I could. I’ve barely slept since I left.” She punctuated her statement with a yawn. “Not that it looks like you’ve slept much, either.” She stared into my eyes, and more tears oozed from the corners of her eyes. “I was so worried you’d think I just left you.”
I reached up and brushed away her tears with the pad of my thumbs. “Dammit, woman.” I rested my forehead to hers and whispered the bitter truth. “You nearly broke me.”
Nai lifted her chin. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice breathy. “I love you, Rage. I love you so much.”
My lips parted as the air in the room charged with energy. Need coursed through me as my heart thundered wildly against my ribs.
“Nai.” I spoke her name—both a plea and a blessing—and I let my fingers dance over her satin skin, down her neck until my palm rested against her chest. Her heart thumped against my hand, and her breath quickened. Leaning forward, she sucked my bottom lip into her mouth, and I groaned, every single muscle in my body clenching with need.
“Rage…” she panted against my lips.
I walked her backward, closing the door as I boxed her in. Pressing my body to hers, I trailed kisses down her skin and then slowly dragged the tip of my tongue up her neck. She arched to give me better access as I scented her, and I slipped my hand under her shirt to caress her breast. “I love you, Nai,” I growled with a squeeze, and then I nipped at the sensitive spot just below her ear. “You are mine, mate.”
She moaned, melting into me as she raked her fingers down my back. “Yes,” she breathed and then slid her tongue into my mouth.
Our tongues tangled, stroking against one another while stoking the passion between us.
“We have to seal our bond,” she said.
I gripped her hips, grinding against her. Yes.
“Please?” she begged, writhing against me as she fumbled with my boxers.
Oh … hell yes.
I scooped my hands under her thighs and lifted Nai up, cupping her butt. Her body was soft where mine was hard, and I wanted nothing more than to be drunk on Nai.
We tumbled back onto the bed, and our kisses grew frantic. Nai’s shirt disappeared as did her pants. I stared down at her, her pale skin a stark contrast to the black silk sheets. Three articles of clothing were all that stood between us now—and we had all night to explore one another.
I lowered myself onto her, bracing my weight on my elbows, and then kissed her slowly.
“We need to seal it before they break it,” she breathed, again tugging on the waistband of my underwear.
Her words doused my passion, and I yanked back, my brow furrowed with confusion. “What?” I asked.
Her eyes were wide and frantic. She didn’t look lost in a haze of lust … she looked scared.
“What did you just say?” I repeated.
Her lower lip trembled. “The high mages heard how you called all of the shifters back to the island. They know you’ll be a strong leader, and some of them are worried you’ll be too strong. A threat.”
“Too strong?” I sat back on the bed and stared at her. “Too strong for what?”
She swallowed, her chest still heaving with each breath, but her fear was palpable. “They want total control. I think they had it with Declan—I’m sure they did—but you aren’t doing anything the way they think you should.”
“That’s their problem,” I snapped, irritated that the High Mage Council believed they should have any say in what happens on Shifter Island.
“Yes, but they said if I’m going to be going to school there, we can’t be bonded mates. That I’ll spy for you. I overheard them talking. If they break our mate bond before we seal it … it will be broken forever.”
I blinked, stunned as I finally understood her fear. I also processed her words about going to school there.
Over my dead body.
How dare they!
Those evil asshats.
A full-on howl ripped from my throat, and Nai scooted backward as my wolf rushed to the surface. My arms broke out into pelts of black fur, and I struggled to rein in my wolf.
Nai dropped her chin to her chest, her expression crumpled in defeat.
I looked my mate up and down and growled, forcing myself to stay human. “Oh, I will have you, Nai Crescent. All of you. But not because of their threat to our bond. They will not force this moment.”
She looked up at me with a sad smile. “If I go back and we’re not mated, then they may get their wish and break our bond forever.”
Unbridled rage coursed through my entire being. “Let. Them. Try.” Fire danced over my skin as my magic flared out of control with my emotions. “I’m the alpha king, and you are my fated mate. If they come between us, I’ll dismantle them, limb by limb, and use them for firewood before I burn their entire realm to the ground.”
She inched forward on her knees and then stroked my cheek. “Please, Rage? I can’t handle a world in which we aren’t mated.”
Her pain and fear pummeled my pride. I nodded, understanding her emotions, and yet I would not be their pawn. “Me neither.”
I stared at Nai, my heart aching for her. This wasn’t a time for rash decisions, nor was it a time for foolish stubbornness. If I defied Nai now, that would only play into their hands. No, my mate was more important to me than anything … anyone … or anytime. I wouldn’t let her go back unmated.
“Holy Mother Mage, Nai. You are irresistible…”
I took a deep breath and gently lay her down.
Tomorrow, I’d draw up a thousand different war plans for every possible situation the high mages could throw at us.
But tonight…
I’d make Nai mine.
And
I’d become hers.
Forever.
Buy Midnight Truth, Book Four here.
Read more from the authors
You can read more of Leia Stone’s books here.
You can read more of Raye Wagner’s books here.
