Page 129 of Silent Jay

Despite my unease with the situation, the way he saidmymate made my toes curl in my shoes and my clit pulse.

Guilty and horny, impressive emotional range.

“…who’s valued greatly by fire, water, and earth.” He lowered his voice to a threatening growl. “She will be treated with respect and care.”

Unease replaced my horny guilt. Lux said it was a bad idea to come back here. How bad of an idea was it, exactly?

“She’s your mate. We will treat her exactly as such.” Sky responded lightly. “The other elements have no control here, as you know. I’ll have food sent up immediately, within the restrictions, of course.”

“If Ogden isn’t here within the hour, I’m taking her to him,” Lux growled.

“You can try.” Sky laughed.

Lux punched the wall and ended the conversation. He glared at the call box once before holding me tighter and whisking me down another flight of stairs. The artificial lights dimmed the blanket of stars twinkling through more floor-to-ceiling windows. A massive round stone pillar filled the center of both rooms. Before I could get a good look around, Lux pushed a button, and a doorway opened up, revealing a bathroom.

“I’m sorry to lock you in here, but I need to secure my space.” He frowned. “I’ve been away too long. I don’t have facts, and I don’t know who will give me honest ones. I don’t trust my… Leberecht to give us the two days.”

He reached out and ran his hands down my arms. The trembling in his fingers eased before he kissed my palms, only to jerk back in confusion and clasp his junk, eyes squeezed tight in pain. After taking more than a few steadying breaths, he peered at me. “Did kissing you just shock me?”

I blinked once.

Lux ground his teeth together. “I’ll figure this out later.”

With a gesture, the wind whipped around the room, stealing dust from surfaces and forming a ball of dark brown and gray, which he flung out the door.

“I’ll draw you a bath. It’s just a little half bath, so you shouldn’t be able to slide down. But it will keep you warm.” He grinned. “The sisters always said a bath and a glass of wine could fix the world.”

Well, he learned something at the temple, at least.

I’d kill to have control over my neck, but I didn’t. Lux propped me up next to the sink to turn the water on. He picked up a dark bottle and squirted it into the steaming water. The scent of shea butter and lemongrass filled the small room.

“I’m undressing you now.” His gaze heated. “If I do anything to make you uncomfortable, curl your fingers, and I’ll stop.”

I blinked once.

Unlike Tyson, Lux stripped me quickly and efficiently, giving my limp body as much modesty as he possibly could.

Golden heart.

The warm water enveloped my skin, making it sting. I must be colder than I realized. He carefully positioned my limbs and head. With a thin line of soap bubbles distorting my figure, Lux scanned me from head to toe and smiled softly. A blush he hopefully attributed to the hot water heated my cheeks.

“I had no plans to find my mate, much less fall head over heels for her at first sight.”

I rolled my eyes and then did a mental happy dance that I could.

“No.” He smiled and cupped my cheek. “No, don’t roll your eyes. It’s true. You’re quick as a storm. Even not speaking, I can tell you’re just as fierce. You were so good with Aria.”

My heart fell. There it was.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Lux pulled away from me and hurried out of the room only to return with a tablet in a case that let it stand up. He placed it on the toilet. “Do you like Lord of the Rings?”

I blinked once.

He smiled. “I knew you had good taste.” With the tablet balanced on the toilet lid, he stood. “I’ll check on you soon.”

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