Page 85 of The Bonds of Nyx

Adrian’s sharp, heavy breaths filled my ears as the high slowly faded. The race of his heart mimicked my own.

“You were so good,” he murmured low in my ear. “So perfect.”

I tried to respond, but sleep tugged at the edges of my mind. In Adrian’s arms, I didn’t feel afraid of the darkness that threatened my nightmares. I felt safe enough to succumb to it and let the sound of his heart carry me into sleep.

32

ADRIAN

IVY’Seyes fluttered as she fell asleep. I was almost tempted to join her, but as someone upstairs stirred and the house creaked, I tensed.

Softness filled her features, washing away the stress that had lined her eyes the last few weeks. As her hair pooled around her like a halo, I couldn’t stop myself from running my fingers through the silky tresses. In sleep, she looked peaceful, safe, and unburdened with the knowledge of her future and everything awaiting her in Avalon.

Her naked body, soft to the touch, was reminiscent of the statues lining the palace dedicated to Nyx. The Goddess of Night, according to our ancestors, had been all soft edges and curves. As I stared down at my mate, I could see why the Goddess had chosen her to be the next Queen.

A gentle smile tipped Ivy’s lips, but she didn’t stir, even as I replaced our clothing. The bond purred in my chest, humming with a warmth that felt like a piece of me had finally returned to my soul. With Ivy so close, it seemed unimaginable to not have this part of me. How had I lived so long without her? How had I gone twenty-five years without this missing part of me?

A door on the second floor opened and closed, and I tensed again. Even though she was dressed, I didn’t want anyone stumbling across this moment or see Ivy like this.

Now I understood Elias better, and why he’d been so overprotective of her when they’d completed their bond. Thatinstinct to protect almost overwhelmed me, but I held it in as I stared down at her serene face.

Nothing mattered now. Only my mate did. Mybondedmate.

A smile touched my lips, and I could feel warmth touch my cheeks as I gathered her in my arms. As I held her close, I knew I would never be able to let her go.

Even my magic, which had never felt like a separate entity before the bond, now rose beneath my skin in agreeance. The strength of it should’ve startled me, but I took comfort in knowing I would have the means to protect my mate better now. With the increased power her bond gave me, I could build better wards and stronger charms to keep her safe.

I took the stairs slowly, careful not to wake her. If I knew anything about Ivy now after the last four weeks, it was that she’d be fighting me if she were awake. She’d pressure me to drop her so she could walk to the bedroom, and although I loved watching her stand up for herself, I also hated how she thought she needed to do so with me.

Was there still a part of her that didn’t trust me? I frowned as I glanced down at her, where her face was snuggled into the crook of my neck. After everything that’d happened, I knew there was a possibility of her still having some hesitations. I also had to hope, though, that we were together for the long haul now.

But she’d been hurt badly by one of her mates already. How deeply had that scarred? Ivy hadn’t known they were mates, so it wasn’t her fault. If anything, thatmystery mateshould have known. He should have been more aware.

And now her hurt was on him. Her distrust. That, I was sure of.

I hated knowing there were likely others out there who’d fed into her insecurities. If I ever found those assholes, they were dead.

I used a burst of magic to open the door to my room, careful not to startle Ivy, and gently lowered her to the bed. As I pulled away, she made a sound of discontent in the back of her throat, which made me smile.

“I’ll be back, Sweetheart,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.

She made another sound before curling up in the mussed covers. It had been difficult not joining her the last few nights, but I’d needed the time to think over everything, and she’d needed time with her sisters.

We were almost ready to leave for Avalon, and now a part of me didn’t want to take Ivy back. She was mated three times over, and her nightmares and magic should be settling now that she had those anchors. But I also didn’t want to take her home and see her thrown into the arms of other potential mates. She’d be pawed at as the new Queen, and with only Elias and I able to stand at her side, there wasn’t much we could do to guide her through it.

Each step away from Ivy made my heart ache, but I entered the bathroom with only a single backward glance. As she slept, I filled the deep tub in the corner of the room, adding a few salts to the steaming water as I did. Lavender and rose scents circled the deep porcelain and clung to the air as I returned to the bedroom.

Ivy blinked tiredly at me for a moment before pulling herself into a sitting position. “Oh my God, I fell asleep,” she grumbled, rubbing her eyes. “I am so sorry.”

I grinned and took her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “It’s alright, Sweetheart. You’re awake now, and I’ve filled the tub. Why don’t we have a bath?”

I waited anxiously for her response, and when she gave me a soft smile, I breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’d love to,” she said, smiling up at me. “I, um, am finding myself in need of a quick wash.” Her cheeks bloomed red, and I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling.

I leaned in closer and looked down at her lips. “Having an issue, Sweetheart?”

Ivy grumbled something aboutsticky cumunder her breath before pushing me away. I could barely contain my laugh as she undressed and stalked into the bathroom without looking back. I only managed to glimpse her issue before she disappeared, and I was pretty pleased with it.

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