Page 45 of Bitten

Caelian pouted a bit. “Tonight then?”

He frowned. “Tonight?”

“Tonight… you won’t be the one guarding me. And I’ll be all alone in this bed. Unless you want me not to be alone.”

Kane knew it was a bad idea. He fought the need—as well as the whispered voice within telling him to sink his fangs into the elf’s neck and feed. A voice he’d only heard once before in the last twenty years when it had made the same whisperings about Ralnur.

Ralnur.

Why did the hunger he felt for Caelian feel like a slight to the warlock?

He needed to understand what in the hell was going on. Tonight he could go in search of answers.

Or he could sate a little of the need he felt in the elf’s bed.

“I have something I have to do tonight,” Kane answered, knowing it was too dangerous to do the latter. No mates. None.

Caelian’s face fell, and he backed away. “Of course. I’ll likely be too tired after a day of researching anyway.”

Kane hated that look on Caelian’s face, but it couldn’t be helped.

Soon, he guarded Caelian on the city streets, moving through morning traffic and a mass of bodies moving to and fro. They made it to the archive—with a glare for Hoefsra, the librarian. And then Cannon arrived moments later, ready to take over.

Caelian eyed Cannon before turning to him. He opened his mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing.

He held Kane’s stare for a moment, the weight of things left unsaid hanging in the air.

There was much he wanted to say, too.

But one word might cause a million others to fall out behind it.

After checking in with Cannon, he left the library and Caelian behind and headed back to the castle. Each step away was harder than the last. As he approached Theis’ office to check in, he nearly ran into the king, escorted by Noah and Eilam.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Kane murmured, stepping back and bowing. His mind had been on his pair of mates. So much so that he hadn’t been paying attention.

“I’m actually glad to see you,” the king said. “I have a job for you.”

Kane lifted his head. He hadn’t slept—not that he needed much—but he might not be in the best condition for duty. But how did one tell a king no? “A job, sire?”

“We’re moving my uncle to the castle today,” the king stated. “And since you were the hero of the day who took him from that terrible nest—I thought it fitting that you would be the one to escort him on his journey home.”

Ralnur?

“Home, sire?”

“He’ll have a room much like the one he’s in now at the hospital—but here he’ll be surrounded by friends and family. A room that’s warded and protected, of course.”

From one prison to another. “It would be an honor to escort your uncle home.”

The king smiled. “I’ll be awaiting him here. Bring him in due haste.”

“We shall, my love,” Eilam said before kissing the king.

Noah did the same before leading Kane with them.

“Let’s go over the plan of attack,” Noah said as the trio walked down the hall.

* * * *

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