Page 54 of The Discovered
“Then that would be unfortunate, but irrelevant,” he sighed. “Your needs come first to me.”
I could take care of myself just fine. Well, most of the time.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me,” he warned.
I smiled, feigning innocence as I turned away from him. He pulled me close to his chest, biting at my ear. I giggled involuntarily at the tickling sensation.
“Go to sleep.”
“You aren’t exactly making that seem like the appealing choice, right now.”
“Good thing you don’t have a choice,” he growled.
I wanted to talk back again, but I also knew he was right. I needed far more rest after the day that felt like many days in one. I could already feel exhaustion rolling back over me like a thick cloud, and I couldn’t fight the security I felt in Daelon’s arms.
Or how safe I felt without any choices to make. So, I relaxed into him, and as I did, his body relaxed against mine.
Chapter16
The next time I awoke, bright rays of sunlight cast shapes on the wood flooring of Daelon’s bedroom. I’d managed to sleep dreamlessly the rest of the night, and for that, my body and mind were thankful.
When I rolled over to face Daelon, I found him wide awake, clothed, and staring at me as he leaned against the headboard. A book rested in his lap.
“Finally,” he murmured.
I narrowed my eyes, stifling a yawn. “Contrary to what human pop culture would have you believe, staring at me while I sleep is far more creepy than it is endearing.”
“I sensed you wake,” he said nonchalantly, shrugging. “But I’ll keep that in mind.”
His gaze was unwavering, his jaw set. His demeanor had shifted right back into its usual business-like, perfectly controlled self. It was striking how off-putting I used to find this because it felt like a challenge to my own independence. Now that I understood him better, I knew that it was something else entirely.
“Does it bother you that I’m so much more powerful than you?” I asked.
He laughed. “No.” He reached down to grasp my chin, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. “It only makes it all the more thrilling.”
I knew now that his tension was due to the lengths he went to protect me and conceal my power, and his façade of control was teeming with fear of losing me. Daelon wanted me to be my strongest, most powerful self. His dominance comforted me, and it quieted my indecisiveness, my doubts, and the overwhelming nature of my power.
It was also exciting.
He looked down at me still, moving his book from his lap without breaking his gaze. I watched something dangerous flash in his eyes, and I knew the suggestion of my power had excited him. Holding my breath, I braced as he climbed over me.
His dark hair was slightly tussled, falling lazily on his forehead. Stubble lined his sharp jaw. He regarded me hungrily, and I could tell he enjoyed when I didn’t know what was coming next.
In a swift movement, he grabbed my wrists and slid them up along the silk sheets until they were parallel with my head. “How powerful are you now, baby?” he teased. “Push me off.”
I hesitated. He did know that I could still send him flying through a wall, right?
I decided to go with my physical strength, which was abysmal compared to his. I struggled underneath his grasp, pushing all of my muscular force through my arms.
“You’re not trying your hardest, are you?” He cocked his head, drawing his brows in.
I scoffed. “That’s actually so rude,” I said, feigning offense. I stifled a giggle as he stared at me incredulously.
“Looks like physical training will be our next endeavor,” he muttered.
I glared at him indignantly. “Whatever. You know I could make a Daelon-sized hole in the wall if I really wanted to.”
“Then do it,” he growled, fighting back a smile as he bent his head down to kiss my neck. His weight was still holding me in place.
