His eyes narrowed on her glowing skin, one brow arched.
His hand went to her neck and encircled it, his thumb stroking her wolf sigil, from where the glow originated.
Her hands wrapped around his wrist as they stared into each other’s eyes for a heated, scorching moment.
With a press of his lips, he pulled himself together with tremendous control, his face shuttering, his soul withdrawing from her, his lycan spirit glimmering from view.
He rose to his feet, not hiding his erection but not giving in to it either.
His gaze flamed over her nakedness, and then he gave her a slight smile of that beautiful, sensual mouth, turning to stride away.
‘Sleep well, Saba.’
‘You too, myŠar.’
He raised a hand to acknowledge her ragged whisper as he stalked off, mighty, striking, always enigmatic.
Saba fell back to her bed with a silent scream, then took a frayed breath at the stab of disappointment that went through her.
While he had taken to heights unimaginable, what she craved at this moment was more than a truce or the occasional orgasm.
Her heart ached for him to stay, yearning for his arms and legs to remain entwined around her, for a shared love and understanding, the chance to adore him, to soothe his soul’s battle scars.
It was not to be; he wasn’t ready for more, not yet.
He still didn’t trust her, but Saba sensed a sliver of hope growing, a tiny bridge of connection extending between them.
Even as her traitorous, impoverished, ravenous soul yearned for any morsel that he threw her way.
Chapter 20
SABA
When Saba woke the following day, sunlight streamed into her room, painting the walls in hues of pink and gold.
She breathed, chest lighter as though a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
The bridal chamber now felt less like a prison, and a sliver of faith floated in her heart regarding her husband.
She stepped out of her room and down the stairs with a smile.
Until she heard Mak’s timbre coming from the dining room.
It was rare that he ate with her, and her heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice.
Mak was conferring with his Signet brothers on a holo call via his oversized screen.
To her surprise, breakfast was laid out on a long mahogany table.
Saba hesitated, her pulse racing.
His eyes met hers, and he raised a hand to beckon her inside.
An electric current seemed to pass between them, making the hairs on her neck stand up.
She tamped down her surge of desire for him by returning his nod, forcing a serene smile as she stepped further into the room.
A flicker of emotion passed over his features before he returned his attention to the discussion at hand.
