Page 301 of Hunters and Prey

Roman’s arms dropped to his sides as he realized she was right. He couldn’t leave Anarr. Would she want to leave her system and home if she chose the bond? Could she manage that sort of drastic change, or even want to?

Then he realized he knew absolutely nothing about her life in Draga other than her work. Granted he’d known her for only a day but…

“Go,” his mother said with a dismissive wave. “I’ll excuse you from the evening meal, but bring her to dinner tomorrow.”

He bowed and muttered his agreement before leaving her study.

Roman’s long strides ate up the distance. Chiara was clear across the palace and he had no idea how to even broach a topic like this.

Would she even want to consider it?

For some reason he thought perhaps having more time to think on the matter would probably be preferable to her.

Warriors nodded, doctors flitted about on errands, mixing in with the servants. Never had he seen so many non-winged males, or so many females.

It was strange that it was in his home – a place that until recently had been rather quiet. Roman kind of preferred it this way.

Then he reached the west wing. She wasn’t eating dinner in the converted mess hall with the other physicians. Roman went straight to her claimed office and knocked on the door. When there wasn’t a response he panicked.

Slapping his hand against the door he selected his code on the gauntlet and overrode Chiara’s genetic lock. A clink and the door opened. Roman pushed it aside and strode into the room, looking everywhere as he tried to assess the situation.

But she was at her desk.

Roman stilled as he inspected the way she was hunched over, head on the desk. For a brief moment his heart stopped. Then her chest rose and fell. Chiara was alive – simply asleep. The relief that washed through him made his limbs shake.

She was alive.

Finding who had ratted them out…

He needed to find out who and whether they were alive or not and as quickly as possible. Having his mate in danger changed everything. Even if she denied him, Roman knew he would never be able to stop thinking about her.

That was just the way of it.

He glanced at the other door in the room and crossed over to it. Peeking inside he saw it was one of the guest bedrooms. Roman checked his gauntlet and the assignations that had been reported to him earlier that day.

It was definitely hers.

Should he leave her?

Then Chiara sighed and she just looked so uncomfortable lying like that. She needed real sleep. Not to wake up with aches and pains that could have been easily prevented. Roman smiled. She had limitations just like everyone else it seemed.

Roman eased his arms under her knees and lifted her up, careful of the desk and chair. He took a moment to readjust his arms so she could lay cradled against his chest. Then he waited another moment to see if she would wake.

But Chiara sighed and curled into him, pressing her face to his chest.

Something about the reaction…he didn’t know if the bond between them, as small as it was, told her she was safe, or if his scent did, but Roman was overwhelmed by the trust she gave him even in her sleep.

He went slowly around the furniture and the door frame as he carried her into her bedroom. A bit of sleep and she would feel better. He could talk to her in the morning at breakfast again. Or perhaps lunch.

Smiling, Roman realized he simply couldn’t stay away. He was already thinking of every moment he was free that she would allow him to see her. As long as he didn’t interfere with her work, she would spend time with him.

Seemed fair.

Gently he placed her on the bed, but as he stood her fingers dug into his shoulders and he felt that telltale prick of claws he’d only felt once before – from the queen during their sparring match.

“Chiara,” he murmured. “Let go, velika.”

She sighed in her sleep. “Don’t go.”

And damn him he was weak. He couldn’t deny her this. He couldn’t rip her hands from him to sleep alone.

So Roman pulled up the blanket and slid in next to her, kicking off his boots. “Let me get you comfortable,” he told her. Gently he removed her arms from around his neck so he could take off her shoes.

Chiara reached for him again and rolled into his arms. Roman didn’t know what to do as she pushed closer. He cleared his throat and brushed her hair back so it didn’t tickle his chin. “Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“Shut up and go to sleep,” she snapped.

He chuckled and laid his arm over her waist, holding her close. “As you wish, velika.”

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