Page 43 of The Lands Defying
“Binding myself to you.”
Our eyes lock, and once again, everything fades to just him and I. Our breathing is matched, the beat of his heart that I feel under my palm thumps with mine. And in this one little moment, I believe that maybe there could be anus.
A knock at the door has Darius turning with a growl. I breathe out a breath, shaking my hand out as tingles spread through my arm.
The door swings open, and by the scowl on his face, I know who it is.
“I’m coming, Josh,” I call out to him.
I place my mother’s letter into the drawer beside the bed, hesitating for a moment before closing it.
“Hey,” Josh says as I walk through the door.
Sarah’s at his side, and she gives me a small smile.
I lean up and press my cheek to his, hearing the rumbling warning behind me. “Ready?” I ask him.
He nods as I lead the way with Darius at my back, knowing the rumbling coming from him will slow eventually.
It always does.
Josh and Sarah are not even bothered by it anymore.
I roll my eyes, staying close enough to Darius to satisfy him as we make our way to the dining hall.
“How are you doing?” I ask Sarah. We haven’t spoken much since she came here. She is quiet anyway, but I need to make more of an effort when I can.
“I’m doing okay, adjusting.” She shrugs, moving closer to Josh for comfort. He puts an arm around her, holding her close and I smile at the pair.
“That’s good. Have you been out into the willows yet?” Some air would do her some good.
“Not yet, but I plan to.”
“Good.” I swing my arms as I walk. “You will see the lesia flowers I had spoken to you about one time in Eridian,” I tell her. “You will see how the color turns a darker blue at the edges of the petals, how their scent is so sweet.”
“Those are only for you,” Darius grumbles.
“And I can do what I want with them,” I reply, walking backwards to meet his eyes. “Beauty needs to be shared.”
“I don’t share you,” he says quietly, for my ears only.
I nearly trip over his words, his hand grabbing my arm to steady me. Our eyes lock once more, and the look in his makes my legs feel weak.
I can almost feel his want, his desire to keep me, feed me… fuck me.
Gods.
“Come on slow ass,” Josh shouts from the end of the hallway with Sarah.
I blink, not realizing how long Darius and I were at a standstill before I follow them.
Things are definitely different between Darius and I.
Runa purrs within me so forcefully, I can feel it bubble up my throat. I clear it, my brows furrowing.
That’s never happened before.
Darius stays behind me as we enter the hall. The Elites— as one, bow their heads for their Alpha at my back, but as I pass them, they also bow their heads to me.
