Page 77 of Magic & Secrets
“You are the most gorgeous creature on the planet.”
Stroking his head, I smiled at how relaxed he was right now. “Our youngling could be remarkable. Or just ordinary. There’s no way to know, but I refuse to believe it would be a monster.”
“Is a youngling what you crave?” he asked.
“I’ve never considered it an option. During my training, no one even suggested such a thing. However, Mali made it seem possible.”
“If we have a youngling, I will build it a room in our home.”
“And I will help you.”
Roque grinned. “Do you know how to build?”
“No, do you?”
“No, but I think I will make a respectable builder. I will make a good father, too. In fact, I like the idea of being the first Bane Shifter to create a child.”
“Well, you took several days to get started on mating. One or both of your packmates might have already been first.”
“No,” Roque insisted before shrugging his wide shoulders. “Well, maybe Koda, who can be very reasonable under most circumstances. Delta, though, is more stubborn than I am.”
“And Mina is more stubborn than the two of you combined. We’ll definitely beat Mina and Delta to parenthood.”
Roque leaned back on the bed and laughed. “I feel invigorated. Even in this place with danger outside the door, I breathe differently now.”
Leaning forward, I pressed my lips against his before kissing along his jaw and whispering in his ear, “Mali will never let us leave. We’ll need to sneak out of the city.”
“Should we go now?” Roque murmured while holding me against him.
“They might be expecting that,” I whispered. “We should attend their feast and play along. I sense Mali wants to speak to the Gathering before he makes a move. Most of the Elven Empire has no idea about the Gathering. Mali must be careful. We’ll use his fear to give us a chance to plan our escape.”
“You’re so very smart.”
“Back at the Citadel, I never knew the answers. Being with you has cleared the chaos from my mind.”
“I knew this would happen when we met,” Roque bluffed with great flair. “That’s why I insisted you were my mate.”
“Oh, yes, you were very insistent, but I couldn’t be convinced,” I said, playing along with his teasing. “I was foolish to think I could deny this face.”
Roque grinned when I patted his jaw. His smile faded when I got on my knees and bent backward until I flipped over so my feet rested on the mattress.
“I feel unleashed,” I said and sprang off the mattress.
Roque rolled off the bed, resting on his hands and knees. He watched me like a predator on the hunt. I prowled back and forth, smiling as his eyes shone silver.
“Think you can catch me?” I mocked while bouncing from one foot to the other. “How fast are you, old timer?”
Roque growled at my taunt, even while radiating a heat capable of making my toes curl.
“Faster than you, youngling,” he murmured and leapt toward me.
I dodged his massive body and slid under his arm. Running up the wall, I jumped over him.
“Where was all this ability when we met?” Roque mocked as he turned around and prowled closer.
“I was unaccustomed to your naked body. I’m no longer as distracted,” I lied and backflipped onto the bed when he grabbed for me. “You’re holding back.”
“I’ve never hunted someone for fun. I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
