Page 136 of Soulmateless
“I'm worried about you!”
I turn back to him, waiting for him to continue.
He sighs and dips his head. “I just want you to be okay. If you leave yourself vulnerable to a dreamscreecher, it will kill you. I don't want to find your body in pieces.” He nearly breathes out the last words, like he might start mourning me before I've died.
My body becomes rigid. When I was at my most vulnerable, she had saved my life. She wouldn't kill me. I trust her with my life.
I bring my hand to my neck. Things start to click. I would be vulnerable if I let her mark me. If I let her, that could be the evidence I need to show that they could get close without hurting anyone.
It would prove that they're not naturally violent.
With a final huff, I scowl at Glaide. “We'll see about that.” Then I storm away to the lake house where Ignatia is waiting.
???
“Ignatia…” I whisper as I walk into the kitchen, decorated with darkly stained wood counters and cabinets, with a matching island in the middle.
I catch a whiff of a smoky scent. “Is that steak?”
“Yes,” Ignatia whimpers.
I rush to her as she sucks air through her teeth. “Ignatia?”
She grins as she looks over my shoulder. “It's nothing! I swear!”
“Did you burn yourself?” I narrow my eyes.
“Well…” She shows me her finger, red and swollen. “I didn't mean to touch the stove, but lucky me I guess.”
“Wait…” I whisper. I take her hand, letting my eyes strain into glowing pink. Maybe I could heal it like I did before the fire.
After a minute of my eyes glowing, it’s still there. The burn doesn't go away.
This doesn't make sense. First the glowing flowers, and now the fact I can't heal a burn like I did that night.
“Why isn't it going away?” I scowl.
“It's okay,” She smiles before pulling her hand away. “I'll go wrap it up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You have bandages somewhere around here, right?”
I bring her a medical kit and she wraps up her hand before returning to the food. She turns the stove off, grabs a plate and scoops her food on there. “Made something from home.”
She sits beside me and slides over a plate., I take in the smoky savory smells of steak. Below it is a layer of sautéedcarrots and a layer of buttered mashed potatoes at the bottom. “Looks great.”
“It's called a warrior meal.” Ignatia puffs her chest proudly. “A meal fit for a warrior. Or a knight. Keeps the young ones strong, they say.”
I nod before taking a bite. The steak is seared perfectly and the carrots are a nice subtle flavor to pair with it. The garlicky buttered mash potatoes really set it off. “Uhmm…” I close my eyes to savor it “You’ll have to show me more of Somnia's culture. This is really good.”
“Just as long as you continue showing me Amara’s.” She chuckles before digging into hers.
We eat in silence as I think back to the marking. She said it will hurt, but how much? Will it be unbearable? But I'm supposed to like it. How does one get off on pain?
And now I'm actually going to do the thing that I've been criticized for. A monster fucker. A dreamscreecher fucker. I'm confirming the rumors true to myself. Is this wrong?
No. Ignatia is still human, just with shifting abilities. It's not like I want her mark just because of some kink. I really do love her. The shame is just coming from what I've been indoctrinated to feel.
