“If she was, I didn’t get to see her,” she said, her voice full of disappointment. She rose and turned, slipping her arms through the robe’s sleeves. “I didn’t see any of the gods while—”
I noticed as she felt the wave of awareness I did—one that reminded me of cedar and crisp morning air.
Kieran.
Poppy’s gaze shot toward the door and then swung back to me. “You can feel him again, can’t you?”
I nodded, sensing he wasn’t on our floor yet but was getting closer and moving fast. “It’s like there’s a…cord deep inside me. Similar to the bond. It ended when your Primalnotamkicked into place but returned after the Joining. And it’s growing stronger,” I told her, gathering the sides of her robe together. “There’s no taste of emotion, just a sense ofknowing. Woodsy. Like—”
“Cedar.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the sense of awareness amplified. I smiled at Poppy as I felt the woodsy mark brush against my mind.
She’s awake.
It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t respond.
The press of the mark got stronger.Is she…?
He didn’t need to finish the question for me to know what he was asking. I followed the pathway back to him.Yes.
Kieran had stopped moving, and I knew what he was waiting for. Permission. My eyes closed as I rested my forehead against Poppy’s. A part of me wanted to deny him entry, but as she placed her hand on my chest, I tasted the bubbles of her excitement. She wanted to see Kieran.
And I wouldn’t—couldn’t—prevent that.
Focusing on his mark, I pushed my thoughts outward.She’s waiting for you.
There was a pause, and then,Thank you.
Fuck. I severed the connection. Those two words were like a punch to the chest. Lifting my head, I found Poppy watching me.
“So, you can read emotions, sense what feels like thenotam, and summon the eather,” she said. “Have there been any other changes?”
“Since I know you prefer showing versus telling…”
Her brows arched as I focused on her. Clearing my mind, I let my senses stretch out to find her unique mark. It was earthy, warm, and all her.
What did I say was the prettiest part of you?
Poppy jerked back. “Did I just hear your voice in my head?”
I stood and took her hand. “If I was asking about your pussy, then yes.”
“Oh, my gods!” She smacked my chest.
Laughing, I tugged her closer. “Stand still.”
“How is that possible?” she demanded, staring up at me as I clasped the buttons of her robe.
“I think it’s because of yournotamwith the wolven.”
“Like it expanded to include you?” she asked. “And you can talk with Kieran that way, too? What about the other wolven?”
“So far, I’ve only been able to mind-link with Kieran.”
“Mind-link? I’ve never thought of calling it that.”
“That’s what it is, isn’t it?”
