Page 39 of Shrine of Fire

“You seem to be hitting it off with Stefan okay.” Aki said, his inflection making his next statement more a question. “I hope he pleases you in bed.”

My cheeks grew warm, and I was glad he was on the other side of the room. “We haven’t bedded each other yet.”

“Why?” Aki turned to face me. “You clearly want him. Your bonds are still frayed. You should not torture yourself for no reason.”

“Thank you.” I stopped crocheting, putting the scratchy-soft yarn in my lap. “He’s a little…skittish around me. I don’t know if he wants…that…from me.”

“If the number of times he looks at your breasts is an indication, then he does,” Aki said, matter-of-factly.

“Oh.” I was at a loss for words. “I guess we’ll see what he decides then.”

“I wanted to tell you that I haven’t changed my mind.” Aki had stiffened up again as he spoke. “Despite my extreme desire for you—and Hashir—I have no interest in being a pack.”

I let out a small breath. I wasn’t sure what he was working up to, but I worried it was worse than what I already knew.

“I didn’t think you’d changed your mind in the two weeks we’ve known each other.”

The sex between us was amazing, but there were more things broken in Aki than I could fix, especially when he wouldn’t ever let me try.

“But I am coming with you, after saying we would have a fling and be done with it. And I don’t see the point in resisting bedding you, on the fear that you might want something more from me.”

Aki was looking at me defiantly now, like I was daring him to be wrong.

Like I would defy his wishes and fall in love with him, just to spite us both.

“I know I can’t change your mind.” I looked at him. “And I don’t want to be a pack either. I’m still not ready.”

“Ready or not, you’ll need pack bonds soon.” Aki arched an eyebrow.

“I’m not going to bond someone simply because it’s going to make it easier to control my magic.” I shrugged. “I won’t put myself through that again.”

“Alright.” Aki watched me like he didn’t quite believe my words.

Feeling a little impish, I looked up at him. “I’m glad you’ve decided to continue to bed me. It would be difficult, traveling in closer quarters with you and not being able to touch.”

A look of disbelief flashed over his face. “You just like it when I boss you around.”

“Very much so.”

“Good.” He grumbled. “Now, the last thing: I am going to create a ward around you.”

His face was hard, like he was waiting for me once again to refuse him.

Valens had done a ward on Zara while we traveled to the Sanctuary. It was delta magic, said to create a barrier around omega magic.

“It won’t be strong enough to completely resist that spirit, but it should provide you with some protection.”

“That would be wonderful.” I looked up from my project. “Thank you.”

He stalked over to me, and I wasn’t sure why he was feeling so defensive. It was simple magic.

“Just stay still.” Aki raised his hands and mumbled some words.

I felt magic curl around me, lazy like a cat. It didn’t catch though and created a barrier around me and the rest of the world.

“I’m rusty,” he said. “I haven’t transported omegas in years.”

So that’s why he was upset. It reminded him of different times.

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