In the Service of the King (Vampire Warrior Kings 1)

She wouldn’t have to give it up? Would long-distance course work even be possible? Would her program allow it? And, what might be in his records, documents surely no one had ever studied before? Questions fired through her brain and energized her with the idea there might be a way to have both, do both. “Kael. Thank you. Even if that can’t work out, just the fact you inquired about it, entertained the possibility.” She grasped the skin over her heart. “It means so much.”

“I’m pleased you are happy.” He tucked a thick strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture so full of caring. “So, does this mean…”

Only one other concern held her back from an enthusiastic acceptance. He said the mating bond pleased him, but would it ever be more than that? Would he ever love her? Could she ever replace the love he must’ve felt for Meara? A warm fullness in her chest told her she was falling for him, maybe had fallen for him already—after all, she’d had years of imagining them together. Having met him, she now knew that his beauty, his gentleness, his fierceness, his playfulness, his power—they comprised the real man, not just fantasy. But she wanted him to want her for her, to ask her to be his. She rubbed her hands together and studied the stunning, intricate markings. She wanted it to be more than just some…mystical…biology that drew them together.

Kael let out a deep sigh and gently moved her off his lap. He rose and cleared the tray from the bed. Then he turned to her. “This is a lot to take in. And I’m sure the pressure of the deadline is difficult. I will prepare an apartment for you. Anything you need will be provided—“

“Wait. What? Why?” She scooted herself until she was sitting on the edge. Though she was entirely comfortable being nude in front of him, the air was chilly against her tired body. She pulled the robes up over her lap again and tucked them under her arms to cover her chest.

“I need you to be close until you’ve made your decision. I cannot send the woman who may be my mate out into the world unprotected. But I don’t wish to pressure you any more than necessary, so I will give you your own—“

“I can’t be with you?” Shayla didn’t know the protocol. No part of her training had covered this amazing possibility. But didn’t the mark mean they were to be together?

Kael’s mouth dropped open and his eyes flared. His cock stirred the silk of his robe “What are you asking, Shayla?”

She shook her head and pushed off the bed, then situated the robes around her shoulders. Kael hummed at the sight and the sound connected with every nerve in her body. “I guess—” she inhaled a bolstering breath “—well, I’m…not asking anything.”

“I do not understand.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Please, dear heart, do not torment me.”

Shayla smiled and held up her hand. “Is this just…chemistry? Biology?”

Kael frowned down at the pattern on his palm, then looked back to her eyes. He studied her for a long moment, then sank down to one knee and grasped her marked hand in his.

“Our mating is chemistry and biology. My body, my blood, needs you on a fundamental level. You. Your body brings me peace, comfort. Your blood restores my immortality and humanity. But I wanted you before this, Shayla. I brought you back because I knew, even then.” He held their joined hands to his heart. “You are more beautiful than my eyes can take in. Your eyes enchant me and hold me to you. You are brave and fierce and strong and bright and these are just the things I’ve learned in the few hours we’ve been able to share. I want to know more.”

Shayla bit down on her lip, trying to restrain the tears and joyous sob that threatened. Kael reached up and pulled her lip from her teeth with his thumb. He arched an eyebrow and she couldn’t hold in the laugh-cry that escaped.

“Be mine, love. Please.”

Love. Her heart exploded in her chest. “Yours? Forever?”

His smile was beatific. “If we’re lucky.”

She closed her eyes against his magnificent image and breathed deeply. Life flowed through her, and she knew at once it had led her to this moment, this man, this love. “Yes, Kael. My answer is yes.”

Chapter Eight

Kael paced his sleeping chamber, his bare feet sinking into the plush emerald carpet. He smiled. That was where the differences with the previous night ended. He could hardly believe only twenty-four hours had passed since he’d walked the length of this room cursing the Night of the Proffering.

Tonight, it was nerves that had him wearing a path into the thick pile. He and Shayla would be mated this night, in a little less than an hour. Anticipation threatened to explode him apart.