Page 12 of Conquering the King of Storms

“And safe.” His words sounded like a vow. “You have my word that I’ll respect your wishes. We’ll be nothing more than friends.”

Gratitude and disappointment both swelled in my chest. Maybe Storm and I could reach an understanding after all, and actually just be friends.

But… at the same time, I wanted him to want me. To chase me. To tell me that he would win my heart, no matter what.

I couldn’t say that though, and didn’t know if I was ready for it. So I just said, “Thank you.”

“You owe me no thanks. In my world, your mate’s happiness and health are the first priority.”

Damn.

I was a really shitty mate, then, since I only ever woke him up when I absolutely had to.

“Should we head back?” He gestured in the opposite direction from where we were heading.

Oh.

Right.

I’d managed to forget about everyone else for a few minutes, somehow. That was… different.

“Is there anything I can do to make my world feel more like home for you?” Storm—dammit, it was going to be hard to start thinking of him as Sirus—asked.

Though I considered not saying it, hehadcome right out and asked. “Your magic likes to… touch me. When you’re insane.”

My face flushed when I realized how dirty that sounded.

Then again, itwaspretty damn dirty.

He didn’t reply immediately, so I hurried on with my explanation. “Not with your hands. It’s the wind; I’ll feel it stroke my neck, or slide down my thighs, or drag over my abdomen. And I hear it say things like, ‘Soon you’ll be in my arms, mate,’.” I lowered my voice to the deep timbre I heard on the wind.

It occurred to me as I did so that it was the same voice I’d been conversing with.

“I’m sorry,” Sirus said, his voice low. “The elements are alive, in their own ways. Wind is known for speaking, and touching.”

I frowned. “So it’s just the wind? Why does it call me mate, then?”

There was a pause before he admitted, “It’s not the wind as a whole; it’smywind. Carrying my unconscious wishes and thoughts to you.”

Oh, fuck.

“I’ve never seen Flame’s fire crawling all over Ivy,” I countered. “Or Quake’s land affecting Margo.”

“Each element interacts differently. Flame’s magic had to keep its distance until she became fae, but surely you’ve noticed the way it relaxes and claims Ivy now, wrapping around her at every opportunity.”

I hadn’t noticed that, actually. I tried not to stare much or obsess over their relationship, knowing it could make me feel like I was missing out.

And damn, I felt kind of stupid for that.

“What about earth?”

“I can’t be certain how Quake’s magic impacts Margo. The land is known for seeing and showing, but since he cannot see, I’m not confident it will be able to show her anything. If his blindness doesn’t impact the magic, she’ll be seeing his desires and fantasies.”

“And water?”

“Water hears and holds. Flood’s mate will feel more comfortable around him than any of you do around us, and will carry her words to his ears. He can’t hear otherwise, so it’ll be interesting to see whether or not the two of them get along.”

Damn.

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