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A small, sad smile curled my lips. “Yes, that, but I feel like I’m just waiting for something. Or just wasting time. I can never be sure which. Do you ever feel that way?”
“I think everyone has felt that way at one point in their life,” he said.
“When did you?” I challenged.
He blew out a sharp breath, leaning forward in his chair even as his thumb stroked the back of my hand.
“Maybe right now,” he answered. “Can I speak freely without you asking too many questions?”
It was better than nothing, I decided. And I thought he figured I was smart enough to know that he was being secretive about something he couldn’t say.
I nodded.
“I feel like I’m a crossroads, being pulled in two different directions, by two entirely different places. I was raised with a purpose. There is a comfort in that. A familiarity. But I am also curious. About many things. Places, people, history. In choosing one, I cannot have the other. In choosing the other…I fear it will cost me more than I’m willing to pay. I don’t want to turn my back on my duty, to my family, to mypeople.”
Lorik squeezed my hand, giving me a slight smile.
“I think we are in similar positions, Marion,” he told me. “Don’t you think?”
“Yes, just without the legacy aspect, I suppose,” I murmured, noticing that he was trying to lighten the mood. It had settled too deep, and after the weight of the day, it was beginning to feel too heavy.
“We should figure it out together.”
My breath nearly whooshed out of my lungs at the pronouncement.
“I’m being serious,” he said, eyeing me, that smile having never left. “Are we in agreement?”
“I’ve always heard you shouldn’t make bargains with an Allavari. Because you’ll likely lose more than you think,” I said, if only to buy time.
His teeth flashed, the tips of his fangs poking into his bottom lip, making me remember the wound between my thighs where he’d bitten me as I’d orgasmed.
“Good thing I’m part Kylorr and the berserker in me would keep to its honor,” he replied, as quick as ever.
I laughed. It felt good, like a release…when I’d already had a couple tonight, I remembered with heated cheeks. Lorik looked at me over the rim of his cup as he sipped on his tea.
“Can’t argue with that,” I finally said. Almost shyly, I added, “All right, it’s a deal.”
“Good,” Lorik replied, the word sharp and clear. His gaze studied my face, those eyes observing at his leisure. “Thank you for telling me about Aysia.”
I nodded, observing him just like he was observing me.
“You have a beautiful soul, Marion,” he murmured. He’d said something like that before, and it still made my heart leap. “You would make anyone very happy.”
“Thank you,” I said, trying to fight the flustered beam that threatened to break out over my face. It was like I was swinging on emotions with him…but he made me feel safe.Heard.I felt like he did truly want to know everything about me because he cared about me. Because he knew that maybe one day, we would bemoreto one another.
“Too bad I’m a greedy bastard and I want you all to myself. The others can wait in line,” he deadpanned.
The laugh that sounded was louder than the first.
“Stop,” I whispered.
“No,” he answered, a small smile playing over his lips as he watched me. I had the impression he was drinking me in.Reallylooking at me. “Are you sore from earlier?”
“No,” I said softly. Iwas, actually, a little sore, but I wouldn’t admit it because I wanted him again too.
“Good,” he rasped, standing from the table, rounding toward me with that commanding body. “Now that I have you, I intend to take complete advantage.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, quirking a brow.
