Page 24 of Chaos Tempted

Wyn looks away, easily accepting my reasoning. “I can understand that. I felt exactly the same way.”

“Well, now you can spend all the time you like here. Eldrin has no singular claim over you anymore.” Overcome with my love for Wyn, I cross the room and pin her body against a bookcase, my length pressing against her. Tangling my hands in her long golden-brown hair, I tilt her head up to look me in the eye. I tower over her and my passionate gaze lingers over her face, then down to her cleavage. “But I’m not afraid of showing you how I feel now.”

Wyn’s pulse races with my uncharacteristic intensity. She sucks in a breath. I sense through our bond that she’s thinking abouthowI will demonstrate that I’m not afraid to show affection anymore.

She presses her body to mine in response. “Maybe we can strip away our clothes, and you can read me naughty stories?”

I raise an eyebrow. “You’ve read those books?”

“I found some in Jaden’s library.” Wyn blushes.

I chuckle. “I love that you still blush after all we have already done with each other.”

Wyn frowns, feeling self-conscious. “Well, it’s still all so new… to me.”

“I hope it will always feel new and exciting to be with us.” I trail kisses from her mouth down her neck, and she moans. “But I’m sure soon we will teach you all the delicious things in those naughty books and more. And with your imagination, I’m sure you can make up some of your own.”

Wyn holds onto my sides as if she’s afraid I will float away or her knees might buckle.

I groan with my desire to pleasure her, but pull away just a bit. “As much as I would like to get caught up in your body, we need to make sure our emotions don’t overwhelm you through our mate bond.”

Wyn gives a little pout, but nods in agreement. “Do you think the episode with Twyla will happen again?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps not.” I stroke her arm. “But I am concerned about your link with her and its depth. I’m not accusing Twyla of malicious intent. However, that doesn’t mean someone couldn’t or wouldn’t use her against us.”

“Like my father?” Wyn steps away from me, sensing my unspoken conclusion. “You think he would use Twyla for her link?”

“Heisa king. We already know that he will do anything to protect his people. He had made hard decisions in the past, such as when he gave you up.” I give her a comforting embrace, then pull a book from a shelf. “Whatever the reason or situation we are in, you need to reinforce your psychic boundaries. And I will help you.”

12

OVERHEARD

ELDRIN

After our meeting with Areth kingdom delegates, Jaden and I walk down the hallway toward my wing when Jaden stops me with a gesture.

I know it to be a signal to keep quiet. Jaden must sense something and nods to a nearby door that leads to my father’s meeting chambers.

Jaden sniffs the air. Then, he presses his pointed ear to the door, using his enhanced hearing to listen to what’s happening on the other side.

I take a step back, and I glance down the corridors to keep an eye on the hallway, ensuring no one catches us spying. After a few minutes, even I can hear the shuffle of someone rising to their feet inside the meeting chamber.

Jaden darts away from the door. I follow Jaden, hurrying down the wide halls. I don’t ask what my advisor has heard,knowing he will wait for a secure location to discuss his eavesdropping.

Once we are in my section of the castle, Jaden heads for Oakes’ suite. I ask the guards to step away from the door for momentary privacy.

After a quick knock, Oakes calls for us to enter.

Before we have even closed the door behind us, Wyn runs up to Jaden and asks, “What is it?”

Jaden looks at me and back at Oakes and Wyn.

My heart pounds in my chest, sensing that Jaden is shaken by what he heard.

Then I realize Wyn has easily read our fear. I worry again about how much she is endangered by her connection to us. However, I remind myself that it’s better to have our connection than not.

“Jaden?” Wyn glances at me when Jaden says nothing. She seems to lose focus for a moment, as if the emotions she feels are too much.

---