Page 50 of Needed in the Night
Thoughts of removing our sleepwear evaporated. “Oh, gods,” I groaned, snuggling deeply into the bedding, which felt as soft as clouds. “The bed is a dream.”
“Yes.” He climbed into the bed beside me and drew the covers over us both. “Much softer than I prefer, but I believe I am tired enough not to notice.” After a hesitation, he asked, “May I hold you while we sleep, Isla?”
“You’d better,” I grumbled. “I didn’t go through all this just to sleep by myself tonight.”
Chuckling, he drew me against his chest so he could tuck me under his chin. I burrowed my face against his hot skin and closed my eyes.
“Whatever comes, we will face it together,” he murmured, his chest rumbling in the way that turned my insides to warm honey. “And once we have rested, I will continue in my quest to find all the ways I may touch and taste you that will make you call my name.”
I liked the sound of both those promises.
Moments later, warm and secure in his arms, I slept.
CHAPTER 18
MIKAS
I woke in an instant,launched from a deep, contented sleep to wide awake and alert as if by primitive catapult. My hearts raced like I had been startled by a loud noise, but our room was silent except for the soft sound of the waterfall.
In the next breath, I knew what had roused me: the sharp, almost metallic scent of fear and pain—mymate’sfear and pain. Isla whimpered in her sleep, her body tense and shaking in my embrace. My hearts ached for her.
My years as a soldier had left me with a reconstructed right leg, intrusive flashbacks, and frequent nightmares. And though I had yet to hear Isla’s story of how she came to live on Fortusia, she had told me enough—and I had observed enough—to know she had suffered.
Almost miraculously, from the day Isla had first crossed my path, the frequency of both my nightmares and flashbacks had dwindled significantly. The mere presence of my true mate had granted me a reprieve from torments I had once thought wouldnever cease. Now, as she flinched and trembled in ways I knew all too well, I wished I could do the same for her.
A strange, shuddering feeling I did not recognize rose in my gut and rolled through my chest.
I had a moment to think that I should have felt concern over this strange sensation that could have been a medical emergency, but that thought vanished in a wave of warmth that rose and intensified until it reached my throat. The warmth felt good, and pure, and right. It felt like love itself, as little sense as that might have made if I tried to explain it to another.
I opened my mouth. A low, sweet, vibrant sound emerged I had never made before, and might have said I could not make if I had been asked. Its effect on Isla was instantaneous. She exhaled, her muscles loosened, and the scents of fear and pain faded.
I gazed at her in awe. I had cooed for my mate and eased her distress with the sound.
As a Fortusian, I had known I would have a way of soothing and even relieving any pain experienced by my true mate, butknowing ofsuch a wonder andexperiencingit were very different things indeed.
Experimentally, I cooed again. She sighed contentedly, murmured something unintelligible, and snuggled closer, her palm pressed to my chest over my pounding primary heart. Perhaps even in her sleep, she wanted to feel it beating. Perhaps it comforted her.
I had yearned with all my hearts to bring Isla the same peace in my soul that her presence gave me, and this was one way I could do that. I knew the science of true mates and our unique physiology, but in this moment none of the science seemed important. The way Isla comforted me, and I comforted her, was nothing less than miraculous.
The chronometer on the bedside table indicated I had slept forfive hours—more than enough to restore my energy and begin a new day. But as a human, Isla needed more sleep, especially after such a trying and emotional night. I was certainly content to hold her while she slept. In fact, I could not imagine doing anything else.
I lay awake for a long time, cradling Isla and not allowing myself to think about the uncertainty that surrounded us. A few more times she made little worried sounds as if her dreams had taken a dark turn. I cooed softly and she quieted, returning to peaceful sleep.
Once her scent lost all trace of fear or pain, I closed my eyes and nestled my nose against her hair. If another nightmare surfaced, she would not have to suffer it alone or for long. I would instinctually wake just as I would if physical danger threatened us.
I was made to care for Isla, to fight beside her, to make love to her. To ensure she was happy and safe. I had not truly understood how profoundly content that fact would make me until this moment.
Adrift in the wonder of her, I pressed my lips to her hair and dozed.
Isla was indeed exhaustedand slept soundly for several more hours.
Unfortunately, as much as my hearts and soul wanted to hold her until she woke, my body ached from lying on such a soft bed—especially my right leg.
When the discomfort became pain, I reluctantly gathered the bedding around Isla to form a warm and comforting nest and slipped out of bed, careful not to jostle her. She murmured and snuggled deeper into the blankets. Gods, what a vision she was with her rainbow hair fanning out over her pillow and a hint ofa smile on her lips. Perhaps her dream was pleasant. I hoped so, with all my hearts.
And to think only yesterday I had no inkling that when I opened my eyes this morning it would be to the sight of my mate sleeping in my arms.
Silently, I made my way down the stone steps to the glass-enclosed terrarium. While last night Isla’s eyes had lit up at the sight of the waterfall and pool, the heated stones had caught my attention. My setup in my apartment was inexpensive. These stones were the same level of luxury as the rest of the suite.
