Page 28 of Blood on the Ice

I nod, guiding him to my nest in the back living area. “Good choice. I think it’ll be easier if we need to get you to the bathroom.”

His eyes widen. “Hell, no. I can do that myself if necessary.”

“Lucas, it’s not like I haven’t seen you?—”

“No way.” His voice is a low growl, and it makes my body light up like a candle.

Rolling my eyes, I finally maneuver him to the couch where I’ve been sleeping, and he drops onto it with a groan of relief. That, too, makes my lady bits sing and I bite my lip. Should Zuzanne’s information be accurate, the situation will deteriorate. Our issue is even more significant, but his survival is crucial. “Fine, but you’re not walking there on your own.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says with a weak salute.

I sigh as I look at him, sprawled in my only personal space in this entire museum, to my douchebag ex. Honestly, I’m shocked. I acquiesced to Zuzanne and Iggy’s suggestion for him to come back here. I’m already a popular gossip topic and so is he—people finding out he’s staying here wouldn’t be good. Frowning, I pull out my phone and quickly text Professor Shadwell about the ‘meeting’ we’re all supposed to attend this evening. Carting Lucas back and forth isn’t the smartest plan, and we may have to change the venue to my place. Luckily, the back porch hereis massive and has a nice built-in firepit, so if the temperature changes, we won’t freeze.

Also, I’d prefer all those people not to realize what a ridiculous mess I’m being forced to live in.

“What are you doing?”

Walking around the end of the couch, I smile at the handsome man. “I’m asking Zuzanne to get our co-conspirators to meet here tonight, rather than trying to sneak you to Slade and Iggy’s place. I think we’re better off with fewer witnesses, don’t you?”

He lets out a slow breath, closing his eyes. “Probably. However, I understand your reluctance to have others present.”

I shrug. “We’ll meet in the back. Don’t worry about it, Lucas.”

“But I do!” His vehemence shocks me and I meet his gaze in confusion. “There’s this thing in the pit of my gut—not the sickness, but a feeling that Ihaveto protect you. It’s making my bear lose his damn mind. All my thoughts during practice revolved around finding you and removing that expression from your face after last night.”

A shiver runs down my spine and heat floods my veins. Des pops out, bobbing her head back and forth as she slips from under my hair, and I can feel my wings burning at my back. The emotions his words are evoking have completely shattered my long perfected control. If I doubted what Zuzanne told me earlier, this would have convinced me immediately. Her assessment of what happened between Lucas and me was spot on—but how do I tell him?

He’s far too young and we’re both in complicated situations.

“You know why I came to that building?” Lucas whispers. “I wanted to see the prof, too. My bear is telling me things I wanted to ask her about, and then there you were. Is that because you know?”

“Lucas, I?—”

“Don’t think, Morgana. Just tell me what you feel.”

Whirling around, I give him my back as I try to plan the right words. I know what he means, but it makes everythingsomuch harder. It’s not in my nature to force people into paying for my mistakes and if he’s tied to me by the fucking Fates, he’s definitely going to have a target on his back. Nothing about this is fair—not to either of us. We missed the chance to explore and make deliberate choices.

By the decree of the Universe, Lucas Wolfberg and I are mated.

“I know what happened,Lucas. Zuzanne and I spoke about it. But… it can’t be.” Turning around to face him, I look at him pleadingly. “I have so many enemies because of my choices. You have a bright future both in hockey and because of who you are. Having people know you’re attached to me will be like a giant stone around your neck.”

His smile is bright for the first time since he arrived at the office. “Fuck those haters. I’ve got enough money and good looks to charm anyone I please. Plus, I can promise once Nana wraps herhead around this, she’ll slit throats if people come for either of us—literally and figuratively.”

Frowning, I shake my head. “Your grandmother willnotwant you mated to a convicted criminal.”

“I bet you a shiny hundred that she says it’s better than a bubble headed bimbo like my father.” He snorts and shakes his head. “Nana’s tough, but she’s always had my back despite my parents constantly fucking off to Hades knows where.”

Scrubbing my hand over my face, I give in and drop on the couch to sit next to his legs. “I don’t know. There will be a scandal if I’m suddenly tied down to one person again. The trial wasn’t that long ago and people have already vilified me.”

He shrugs and grins broadly as he stacks his hands behind his head. This conversation seems to distract him from the poison, and I’m glad about that. “So date the stuffy magic dude and his roomie. No way they aren’t interested in you if they invited you over to their house.”

I blink at him. “What?”

“I’m not shy, nor do I have self-esteem issues, Morgana.” Lucas shifts as he meets my eyes with a serious expression. “Poly families are pretty common where I’m from and if you think we need to keep our mating a secret until the heat dies down, I’m fine with you dating them.”

“But what about… you?”

“Uh, no fucking thanks. I hit the lottery. I’m not interested in jumping back into the shallow end of the pool.” He pauses and thinks for a minute. “Though I could be convinced to experiment. I like new experiences.”

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