Page 52 of The Prince's Mate

"I'm okay. You found me," I reminded him, and he sighed.

"Yeah, but for so long we couldn't. My dads couldn't find you, and Ro'Shassz couldn't either," he said, and I mulled that over.

"Andras must've made Dympna put up some kind of barrier," I said, and he tilted his head.

"The fae?" he asked, and I explained how Dympna had helped me take Andras out.

"Well, I'm glad they were there," he said, and I smiled as I pulled him close, smearing soap onto his chest in the process.

"Me too, Walker. Me too."

Walker

I didn't want to let Caelan go. I wanted to hold onto him for the rest of the day and maybe the rest of our lives. He'd been his badass self as usual and rescued himself before I ever showed up, but there were still any number of things that could've gone wrong.

What if Dympna had been helping Andras willingly? Or what if Andras had hurt Caelan worse before the fae ever showed up?

I knew there was no point in thinking of the what-ifs, but unfortunately, that was all I seemed to be capable of doing.

"I love you." Caelan's voice broke through my thoughts. My head shot up, eyes wide as I stared at him.

"So soaked in blood isn't the right time, but naked and soapy in the shower is?" I asked, and he grinned.

"It'sbetter," Caelan reasoned. "And I couldn't wait another moment to tell you."

I smiled, sliding my arms around his waist to hold him to me. "I love you too, Caelan. More than I ever thought I could."

Caelan smiled back at me and then let out a yawn that seemed to startle him.

"I just yawned," he said, and I chuckled.

"The day must be catching up to you," I said, and he shook his head.

"Walker, I don't yawn. I've never yawned since I became an Otherworlder," he said, and I blinked at him, confused.

"Could it be because you're hurt?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"I've been hurt worse before. Maybe..." he trailed off, and I squeezed him to pull him out of his thoughts.

"Maybe what?"

"Maybe it's because of our bond," he said, and I blinked. That was...possible.

"You mean like Dad got Da and Pops' humanity?" I questioned, and he nodded, his tail swishing softly.

"Yeah, I mean. You aren't exactly like the others, right? You still eat, you sleep more."

"So you might actually get to eat," I said excitedly, and he chuckled.

"You and food," he said with a shake of his head. "Either way, right now, I need a nap."

"A nap sounds good, " I decided, and we helped each other clean up. The wounds on Caelan's back and hips were all but healed, but I was still careful as I gently washed the area.

"I love you, Kitty," I said just because I could, and he smiled at me, leaning closer to rest his forehead against mine.

"I love you, too. Now let's get out of this water," he said, and I nodded. Turning off the shower, I grabbed a towel and wiped the water droplets off of him. My cock twitched at the sight of all that beautiful skin, at the sight of Caelan's naked form before me, but I was tired too, so I ignored my body's reaction and focused on taking care of my mate.

Once he was dried, he returned the favor, and then we headed into the bedroom. We'd only just climbed under the sheets whenRo'Shassz came slithering into the room. He climbed right onto the bed and curled up on the pillow above our heads without a word. I knew he was a little shaken by the events of the day too, so I let him be, and pulled Caelan close.

---