Shadows of Fire (The Shadow Realms, Book 1) by Brenda Davies (free e books to read .TXT) 📕

He clasped her hand and stilled it againsthis chest before kissing her head and her cheek. She warmed to thetender gesture and lifted her mouth to his.

When Brokk was better, he would leave, andshe might never see him again. Until then, she planned to enjoyevery second of what little time they had together.

She started to melt into him again when hepulled away and kissed the tip of her nose.

“Rest,” he commanded and tipped his head backto rest it against the headboard.

She tilted her head up to take in the vastexpanse of his chest and dark ciphers. She traced his markingsbefore her hand fell onto his stomach and her eyes closed again.Another clap of thunder caused them to fly open once more.

If he fell asleep and the thunder caused himto dream of the war again, what would happen?

CHAPTER 48

When her lashes fluttered open to tickle his chestagain, Cole realized what was keeping her awake… fear. He groundhis teeth together as self-hatred swelled within him. The lastthing he wanted was for her to be nervous around him, but hecouldn’t blame her for being wary.

“Go to sleep, Lexi. I’ll stay awake,” hepromised.

“I’m not that tired,” she murmured.

“Yes, you are. Get some rest, and I’ll keepwatch.”

“That’s not fair,” she protested.

“You’re safe with me, and I’m going to makesure you stay that way. Rest.”

He ran his fingers through her thick, silkenhair and let it cascade across his chest as he marveled at thedifferent shades of red within the striking color. When he glidedhis fingers down her back, he delighted in the small shiver itelicited from her.

“You have to rest too,” she said.

“I’m fine,” he said.

He let her hair fall, settled a hand on herass, and gave it a small squeeze. His cock stirred again, but hisconcern for her shoved aside his growing lust. She was notready for what he desired to do to her again.

• • •

Lexi rested her hands on his chest and started torise. She hated leaving the security of his arms, but she couldn’tstay here if it meant he spent the rest of the night sitting up,awake, in the dark.

His bright blue eyes met hers as his handreturned to her hair. He brushed it away from her temple beforecupping her nape.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

Lexi thrilled at his words as he kissed heragain and pulled away. She almost moaned in disappointment butmanaged to stifle it.

“And you’re extremely handsome.” The wordswere out of her mouth before she realized she was about to saythem. She hated the blush burning across her cheeks.

He grinned at her. “I’m glad you think so.Now, are you going to sleep or not?”

“I should return to my room. You need tosleep.”

His arms locked around her, and he pulled herfirmly against his chest. “No. I want you to stay with me far morethan I want to sleep.”

“But—”

“I want you to stay here… unless you’d preferto go.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Then relax and stay here with me. I promiseyou’ll be safe.”

“I know I will.”

And she did know that. Despite whathappened earlier, she trusted him not to hurt her again.

• • •

Cole held her firmly against his chest as she restedher head on him once more. Her thick lashes tickled his skin as hereyes closed. This time, they didn’t open again.

He held her close as he listened to the rain.A dull throbbing in his jaw drew his attention to it. He rubbed itabsently as he recalled the blow that propelled him out of hisnightmare. He smiled; his mate packed one hell of a punch.

Her body relaxed against him, and herbreathing slowed as sleep claimed her. Even after what happenedearlier, she trusted him, and he would do whatever it took to makesure he earned her trust.

He might never sleep again, but it would beworth it if it meant he got to hold her every night. Because, if hehad his way, she would be in his bed every night for the rest ofeternity.

CHAPTER 49

Lexi spent most of the next morning walking aroundin a haze of euphoria. She finally understood what someone meantwhen they said they were walking on cloud nine as she turned thehorses loose and cleaned the stalls.

She fully expected that cloud to burstsometime soon, but for now, she was content to ride it.

When she returned to the house, she showeredand changed before going to the kitchen to make her breakfast.Thankfully, Sahira was nowhere around.

She couldn’t handle her aunt’s questionsright now, and she knew they would come as she couldn’t get rid ofthe stupid grin on her face.

After eating her breakfast, she went to thelibrary and settled on her chair to read. Her gaze kept travelingto the fireplace. She’d done a good job at shoving Orin out of hermind, but after last night, she couldn’t deny the guilt nagging ather.

Orin was a complete asshole, but she didn’twant to see anything bad happen to him. However, after last night,she couldn’t help but feel guilty over harboring him beneath herhome. Cole and Brokk were hunting him, and she knew where hewas.

Not for much longer. The first chance shegot, she was going to get him out of her tunnels, and she didn’tcare if he wanted to go or not. He didn’t have a choiceanymore.

Or maybe she’d get lucky and he’d find hisway out. He was probably pretty pissed she hadn’t returned yet.Until she got the chance to kick him out, she would have to dealwith her guilt over keeping this from Cole.

She did so by ignoring it.

Almost an hour passed before Cole entered theroom, closed the doors behind him, and strode toward her. It wasthe first time he’d shut them, and it would draw attention to them,but she didn’t care as he prowled toward her in his too-smallclothes and bare feet.

There was something almost feral about him ashe approached. Her heart picked up, and her skin prickled as herbody responded to the hunger he emanated.

He stopped before her and, with tender care,slid his arms under her and lifted her from the chair. He settledher on his lap as he sat on the chair. The intimate, possessivegesture surprised her.

She didn’t