Page 73 of Protected By the Elf Prince

But they also lingered on the fact that I finally had my fated mate in my home.

He was here with me.

In the shower. Naked.

My body throbbed at that thought.

I ignored it and dressed quickly before stepping back out into the hallway.

Only to stop.

Landon stood there. Freshly showered. His hair was damp, and he was wearing the clothes I had provided.

And he was staring at me.

The air shifted, but neither of us moved. For a moment, we simply looked at each other.

Then I cleared my throat. “You should eat.”

His gaze remained fixed on me, and he said nothing.

I tried again. “We should go to the kitchen.”

Landon crossed the distance between us with a quick stride, and before I could think, his mouth was on mine. The kiss stole every coherent thought from my head, but I managed to kiss him back.

The mating mark warmed, along with my chest.

When we finally pulled apart, neither of us moved far.

Landon’s breathing was uneven, and mine was not much better.

“I knew you’d come,” he said again.

Was this him showing his appreciation?

I closed my eyes briefly. “My beloved⁠—”

“I did. When I was in that warehouse”—his fingers tightened slightly against my shirt—“I knew you’d come.”

The certainty in his words threatened to destroy me. I gently took his chin between my fingers. “I will always come for you.”

Landon laughed softly and a little shakily. “I know.” His soft eyes rose to mine, and everything else disappeared as he added, “I’ve never believed in someone as much as I believe in you.”

For one terrible moment, I forgot how to breathe as so many emotions tangled together—joy, hope, disbelief.

Landon smiled in a way that had me thinking he could see every emotion crossing my face.

He shrugged. “That probably sounds crazy.”

“No.” The word came out rougher than intended. “No, it does not.”

His gaze softened further.

Gods, I loved this man.

Landon lowered his hands to rest them at my waist. “I also realized something while I was in that warehouse.”

My ears rang from how fast my pulse raced. “What was it?” I asked quietly.