Page 37 of Fated Unkindness
I know it could be him worrying about his brother and sister, but my gut is telling me it's more than that. Whatever is bothering him is something more. Having him hold me last night, feeling his body warm against mine… I don’t think I have slept so soundly—in, well—in a very long while.
Dax’s chest rises on a deep inhale as he wakes up, and I roll in his arms to face him. Having been awake with my thoughts for what feels like hours already, I was eager to start the day. The comfortable bed keeps me cocooned in his embrace, and I bury my nose into the crook of his neck, inhaling the cedar and smoky whiskey that is Dax. My eyes flutter open, and a lazy smile spreads across my face when I find him looking down at me. His eyes are heavy with sleep, and he dips his chin, pressing a slow kiss to my lips.
“Good morning, beautiful mate,” His voice is gravelly and rough, making my toes curl.
“Morning. Do you want to talk about what's been worrying you since you and Maki spoke last night?” Something akin to regret flashes across his face, but he fixes a grin in place, making me unsure if I even saw what I thought I saw there.
There is a light tap on the bed chamber door, and Naza’s voice comes from the other side, interrupting ouralmost-conversation.
“Coffee and pastries were brought up and are waiting in the antechamber when you are ready. Maki will meet you at the infirmary shortly. I've also left some clean clothing if you need it.” Dax moves to grab his discarded clothing from the chair nearby, covering his wide tattooed chest and everything else that was on display. Blush warms my cheeks as I watch.
By the time Dax opens the door, Naza is gone, with only a tray left on a small table by the sitting area. He brings the plate of goodies into the bed chamber. I dress in the clean training gear that Naza provided, strapping my dagger to my thigh. Dax comes to stand before me; he kneels, his eyes smoldering as he looks up at me. His hands wrap around my ankle, bringing it to rest on his knee, and I brace myself on his shoulders. He straps a small blade into my boot, then does the same with the other foot.
“I’d like to speak with my cousin for a moment before we all head to the infirmary. Do you mind waiting for me to return? It will only be a moment.” Again? My brows furrow as he rises to his feet cupping my jaw with his hand, the rough skin of his palm scrapes across my cheek and I lean into the roughness that is Dax.
“I don't mind. I will continue to prepare for the day.” He leaves me with a press of his lips on my cheek, but as he walks away I can't help but feel that he is keeping something from me. Hurt begins to build in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Trust seems hard for me after learning about Cano betraying me. Betraying all of us. Not to mention the mystery that has always surrounded my family's death.
I step in front of a long dressing mirror in the corner of the room. The black training breeches are rough on my skin and tighter than I normally would like, but at least they are clean,so I'm grateful for what I've been given. The boots, however, are a huge upgrade from the death stilts that Maki had me wear to dinner. I tuck the gray sleeveless tunic into my waistband and fix a pleat in my hair, bringing it over my shoulder. With Loema being closer to the Creale Sea, it is warm in the day, even on a fall morning. My sun-kissed skin already glows from the warmth, a rose tint painting my cheeks. Dax walks in as I leave the on-suite. His lips twitch into a lopsided smile, displaying that adorable dimple of his.
“Stunning as always,” he says as he reaches for me and lowers his lips to mine. Kissing Dax has become something so natural that I don’t even have a second thought about it anymore. It's happened so fast that it’s still bizarre when I think about it.
“What's on your mind?” He notices my withdrawal as I recall him not wanting to talk to Maki in my presence.
“It's—I just, I'm worried about Trent and the others. I'm worried about the future. The unknown. I know it's silly to worry about things I can't change, but I do. I worry, Dax. I've lost so much, I don’t want that for you, any of you. Also… I’m still wondering what you and Maki discussed. I can sense emotions, Dax, whether I try or not sometimes, and the emotions I felt from you last night… They—they have me worried.” I throw it all out there. His eyebrows raise as he brushes his thumb across my jaw and to my lip, which I now have trapped in my teeth. He pulls it free. A coy smile raises the corners of his mouth.
He presses his hand to my lower back, bringing our bodies even closer together, and traps my pouting lip under his thumb as his palm cups the side of my face. I try to turn my head, but he fixes it in place with his large hand, forcing my gaze to be on him.
“Biting thatlip again,” His smirk turns smoldering, but it vanishes just as quickly as it appeared, his brow pinching and his jaw ticks. Then he does something I didn't expect. He slides down my body, dropping to his knees. He presses his head into the plane just below my breasts.
“Don’t worry about me, Love.” He speaks into my body, so his voice is muffled, and his head tilts up, finding my eyes. His eyes are wide and showing a vulnerability I can't ignore, turning a molten copper, lit from behind, his power shining through. “You are kind and caring, so you will likely worry about many things that you cannot control, but one thing you need not worry about is me. I will always be there to support you from this day forward. I promise that to you.” I open my mouth to interrupt. He rubs his hands up and down the backs of my thighs. “Wait. Let me finish.” He's silent for a long moment, making sure I'm not going to refuse or thinking about what he’s going to say next. I'm not sure. “Only death can take me from you, and even then, I will wait until we are joined again. Our bond will ensure that. I will be yours, in life and in death, if you choose it.” His declaration sends the hum in my chest haywire, and the energy buzzing through my entire being makes my pulse quicken. My magic is begging to be released. I know that we need to complete the mating bond. The ritual practiced between mates completes the bond evermore, but with all that has been going on, I have not thought about it. Clearly, Dax had.
I feel a blush rise to my cheeks, but I refuse to be embarrassed by these emotions. I ease to my knees; both of us now facing each other.
“Thank you,” I say as I place each of my hands on either side of his face. The roughness of the hair growing there scratches and pokes at my fingers. He brings his hands to cover mine.
“Thank you for allowing me time to choose it. Thank you for understanding. I’m sure things would be different had my memories been intact.” I kiss his lips lightly. “Thank you for giving me that promise, Dax, but no matter the promise, I will always worry about those I care about. I will protect what I choose is mine, just as you will. And you are mine, Dax. I chose it.” My eyes well with unshed tears. I feel our bond in the depths of my soul. “There is no explaining how right it feels when I am with you. I have no doubt that you are the man meant for me in this life and beyond. I choose it, Dax. I choose this. You.” I press my forehead to his, and my breath catches as my magic pulses and Dax’s magic pulses in response.
When I open my eyes, I see that Dax’s wings have appeared at his back, and there is a light blue-black glowing magic surrounding his hands that has shifted to my hips. A similar moonlight iridescent white glow surrounds my own hands, which are just below his ears now.
Clasping our hands together between our bodies, our magic flickers before a clap of purple zaps us both. We each suck in a sharp breath, then the magic is no more. “What was that?” I pant.
“I'm honestly not sure…are you ok?” He asked, brushing his hand down my arm.
“I think so. Are you?”
“Seems that way.” He clasps his hand at my elbow as he stands, helping me to my feet too. He brushes his fingers along my cheekbone before tucking a stray hair behind my ear and leaning inslowly, and he presses his lips to mine. His lips linger on a pause, as if asking permission for more. I answer by parting my lips, inviting him in. He strokes his tongue across my bottom lip, exploring and achingly slow. It's both meaningful and deliberate, but then it turns into a blaze of passion that I feel deep in my chest. My pulse quickens as warmth spreads over me. A need that neither of us knew we had alive under our skin as our hearts opened to one another.
Chapter thirty-six
A knock at thedoor causes us to reluctantly pull apart. Our chests rise and fall rapidly as we breathe the same air. Dax’s lips curl up on one side before he moves to answer the door. His muscles flex as I place my hand on his arm, stopping him.
“Whatever today brings, just know that we are in this together, okay?”
“Okay,” he replies, leaning in and kissing my forehead. Naza stands at the door when Dax opens it.
“I hope your morning has been good and you slept well.” She smiles, her gaze flicking down to Dax’s swollen lips and then to mine, causing me to blush once again. “Maki has sent me to retrieve you. Itseems that Mr. Fornax-Ravendene has caused quite a fuss in the infirmary since waking moments ago. He only calmed when he was told you both would be coming to see him momentarily.”
“Leave it to Trent.” Dax chuckles. I'm just glad that he is awake and remembers both Dax and myself. I know the feeling of waking up not knowing where you are, and it is not fun. Especially when you don't remember anyone who has been in your life for a year. Naza leads us to the infirmary, and I hear Trent’s laugh even before the doors open, and it brings a smile to my face. Dax reaches over for my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. The bond mark on both of our arms is visible, so there will be no avoiding the conversation until later. I lift my chin and take a deep breath as we walk into the infirmary hand in hand.
