Page 114 of A Trial of the Heart

“Oh no you don’t!” Idris scolded from across the room. “You have a minimum of one more hour with us. Then, andonlythen, can you whisk her away.”

“And I would ask that you wait to—” Adohan stopped as Idris stroked his chest with her fingertips. Her serene smile was unmistakable, reeling in the fact that she could stop Adohan from finishing his sentence with the mere power of her touch. “Well, then again, I do remember what it’s like to be in the frenzy of a new bond.”

“Frenzy?” I murmured to Daxton.

His lips curled in as his hand rested on the curve of my hip. “Some couples don’t leave their room for days or weeks on end when they first consummate their bond. The need,” he whispered in my ear, as my core tightened, “the desire… is all-consuming.”

His mouth moved to taste the nape of my neck as my eyes fluttered shut. I sighed as his tongue seductively caressed the skin where his mating mark would soon be.

“Exhibit A,” Gunnar teased, chuckling to himself.

Daxton pulled away and I sighed in protest to the loss of his attention. Gods, I didn’t know if I could wait the whole hour.

“It’s how Astro and Finn were made,” Idris said mockingly. “Careful, you two.”

My mind suddenly sobered as I grasped Daxton’s arm, the heart-stilling question written all over my face.

“I take the monthly aid, Spitfire, and this topic,” his silver-gray eyes slanted toward where Idris and Adohan were seated, “should be left for another time and place where outside ears are not listening in.” I nodded in agreement, placing the idea of children on a shelf to discuss at a different time.

Idris pouted and audibly scoffed. “Don’t blame me for wanting a playmate for our baby.”

“Just one?” Adohan mocked with raised brows. Idris shooed him playfully as he laughed.

“Hey!” Gunnar suddenly roared, drawing our attention. “Not fucking cool, Zola! I picked that one out for a reason.”

Zola smiled in victory, pouring her glass of wine to the brim with a triumphant look. “I win.” Gunnar strode over to where Z lounged like a queen on a throne, stretching out his empty glass for her to fill. “And why should I fill yours?” she asked with an arched brow.

“It’s for Sky. Mine is sitting empty and alone on the side table.”

“How fitting.”

Gunnar scowled, but Zola filled his glass, and he brought it over to Dax and me. “Here, Sky, but be careful, our wine is a bit stronger than the ones from your mainland.”

“I’m aware,” I answered, recalling the one glass I had on theOpal.

Gunnar glanced up toward Daxton and gave him a curt nod before slowly backing up and returning to his chair. I took a sip and leaned into Daxton’s chest, feeling a release of his magic dance across my skin, tantalizing my senses and sending a delicious chill over every inch of my body. My animal seemed to roll within me, flooding me with a surge of power that complemented Daxton’s perfectly. The effect made me move closer, my attention centering on only him.

“Nice trick,” I murmured so only he could hear.

“Whatever do you mean?” Daxton asked, pulling his arm around me and holding me tightly.

“All right. Tone down the pheromones, you two,” Adohan bellowed. “We all know she’s your mate regardless of the bond not being fully sealed. You don’t have to keep throwing your scent and magic around and claiming her like that, Dax.”

I tilted my head to the side, giving Daxton a questioning look. “Claiming me, huh? Is that what that is?”

“In a way.”

“Have you been doing this the whole time, and I just haven’t noticed?”

“Not exactly.”

“It’s instinct,” Adohan said. “He did it once in Crimson City when Astro and Finn first met you and then again during one of your training sessions. The Silver Meadows warriors were abuzz with whispers. Now though … I fear it will be constant bombardment on Daxton’s part until the bond is sealed.”

Daxton gave Adohan a look and cleared his throat in a low gruff of annoyance.

“Dax,” I said sweetly, drawing his immediate attention. “I don’t mind. I want the world to know you’re mine, and I’m yours.” He bent to softly kiss me,heat and desire lingering in his quieted movements. “I just wish—”

He tenderly cupped my face in his hand, looking into my eyes with such unquestionable love that I cursed myself for not sensing our bond sooner. “I’m yours, Spitfire. Forever.”

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