He cups my face. “I think it means you’re my fated mate.”
CHAPTER 25
AMELIA
I thinkit means you’re my fated mate.
Tristan’s words keep repeating in my head. I hold his gaze as the sounds of the camp waking up surrounds us.
“You always expected to mate with a highborn fae female,” I say. “I know that’s why you didn’t steal me away from my parents’ house that morning. Because you believed that surely you were just physically attracted to me and nothing more, particularly given how rare it is for a fae to be fated to a full-blooded human.”
His expression becomes anguished. “If I’d followed my instincts and stole away with you that morning, you wouldn’t have endured so much pain at Lord Nevel’s hands. Gods, I am sorry, Amelia.”
I feel a smile pulling at my lips. “You’re sorry you didn’t kidnap me sooner? Please don’t be. You could’ve never known what would happen. Besides, if you interfered with my impending marriage to a rich lord who lived in Sorsston near my family, I’m not sure I would’ve ever forgiven you.”
He exhales slowly. “I am glad he’s dead and I hope his demise brings you some measure of peace, sweet human.”
“Well, I’m not sorry he’s dead, and yes, I do feel a strange, almost guilty sense of relief, and peace, just knowing he’s gone.” Perhaps Tristan is right that sometimes it’s better to take matters of vengeance into your own hands, rather than leave a wicked person’s fate up to the gods.
I’m not sure if you realize this, he says down the bond that links our minds,but it’s highly unusual that we’re able to communicate via our minds before we’ve consummated our mating union. I can’t help but wonder if it’s related to your abilities to bypass my wards. There is something very special about you, sweet human.
I flush at his praise, even though I don’t believe there’s anything that remarkable about me. I mean, so I can bypass the wards of highborn fae. It’s a power that I’m not certain will ever be useful, particularly if Tristan keeps soldiers guarding the tent to prevent my escape.
My heart skips a beat. He believes I’m his fated mate, and I can’t deny that I share his belief. If we can discern one another’s thoughts and feelings, as well as speak mind-to-mind with ease, surely it means we’re mates.
I’m also fiercely drawn to him, and the prospect of ever parting with him makes my heart seize with pain. I know he feels the same way about me, and he detected the strength of the attraction between us long before I felt it.
I just remembered a story I heard as a child, he says through the bond,and I want to test something.
Another test?I ask. Why can’t I sense his exact thoughts at this moment? Is he blocking me out?
Yes, sweet human, I’m hiding a few thoughts from you right now, but I promise I don’t have bad intentions. Get dressed. I must take you into the forest.
The forest? Confusion sweeps through me. After just coming to terms with the fact that we’re fated mates, I expected he would want to take me to bed and consummate the mating bond. I glance at the rumpled covers on the bed, and I suppose he’s reluctant because I just had a nightmare about Lord Nevel, and the bastard’s head is resting in a grain sack right outside the tent.
I grab a fresh gown, and for the first time since I’ve been Tristan’s captive, I select one of the beautiful gowns he gifted me, the dark purple dress I’ve had my eye on for a while. I take the gown and a pair of slippers and change in the bathing area with the curtain pulled shut.
I almost laugh at what I’m doing. We’re mates, and we’ll likely join our bodies as one soon. Oh, and last night he saw me naked from the waist down as he watched me stroke myself to a climax, a release he’d guided me toward. Yet I’m changing behind a curtain.
After I emerge into the open area of the tent, I notice Tristan holding back a grin. “Stop reading my thoughts! I don’t need you listening in when I’m contemplating my own ridiculousness.”
“There is nothing ridiculous about you, sweet human.” His eyes gleam with warmth. “You are intelligent, skilled, exceptionally beautiful, and you possess one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever encountered. You are the most astounding female I’ve ever known, among fae and humans and orcs.”
His compliment makes my face heat.Well, shall we venture into the forest?I ask through the tether.
He nods.Yes, Amelia. I am anxious to discover whether my theory about you holds any truth.
Theory about me? Now you’ve really piqued my curiosity,I say down the bond.Are you sure you can’t tell me ahead of time why we’re headed into the forest?Also, are you going to teach me how I can block you from sensing my thoughts and emotions?
He smiles as he guides me toward the tent flap. “I’m sure I can’t tell you ahead of time. And yes, if you really want me to teach you how to block me from sensing your thoughts and emotions, I can, however it’s my hope that you won’t do it often.”
“Fair enough.”
We emerge from the tent into the early morning light. As I turn to face Tristan, my eyes snag on the bloodied grain sack that rests on the ground, and I take a quick step back as my stomach clenches.
Tristan rapidly guides me away from the bag that contains my former husband’s head, and he calls out for a soldier to dispose of the sack and the contents within. The soldier rushes past us to comply, and I breathe a sigh of relief knowing the sack will be gone when we return.
I’m sorry that you found the sack so unsettling, sweet human. I just wanted you to know beyond a doubt that the godsblasted male is dead.
