~ToveI wait only a moment until my feet are touching the fluffy snow outside the chalet before I'm running inside.Slamming the door closed, I lean against it, calming my breath.I half expect to hear a knock, or to feel the door being kicked down by the strange man with dual coloured eyes. Him running into me was obviously no accident...Rushing through the house, I ensure every door and window is locked. I'm assuming that man had magic, which makes this pointless, but I feel safer this way."Tove...You've returned."I turn around to see Keo lingering in the entry to the living room. He's home from his investigation into Vail's death, which couldn't be more of a relief.Any fear about being followed back here vanishes. No one would dare tempt an altercation with Keo."I went to groceries." I tell him. He frowns, looking down to my empty hands. I must have dropped them somewhere in my attempt to get away from the strange man.I quickly tuck my hands behind my back. "I mean, I got the

~ToveKeo stands beside me as I stare out across the swampy landscape."Here is where you are going to want to go,” he tells me, pointing down at the map.I squint, examining it closely. It’s imperative I get this right, otherwise I may end up in an unknown place with no hopes of getting back. Not to mention Wren is going to be with me, and if I screw this up, she won’t let to let me know.Today is the first time I’m going to be transporting her. She wants to see my powers for herself."What's there?" I ask warily."A waterfall. It will be a nice place for you to rest for a bit before you return.”I swallow tightly. This time there will be no Keo to bail me out of this goes poorly. I’m going to need to get Wren to the agreed upon place and back as soon as possible."So by bringing Wren, I'm encouraged to return as fast as I can so I don't have to be around her for too long,” I say, plastering a sardonic smile on my face. Wren’s insufferable nature will have me straining my magic to i

~ToveNerves flutter in my stomach as I shift back on the bed, settling against the headboard.Keo’s eyes are dark and intense as they follow my every move. He’s seated so casually, looking nothing like a man who is about to watch his mate touch herself for their enjoyment. Slowly, tauntingly, I draw my my fingers up my thighs, gently pulling back the edge of my nightdress. Tipping my leg to the side, I bear myself to him.He draws in a long breath, steadying himself.I refuse to be nervous. Keo is my mate, and by the tension that has suddenly come over him means he attracted to me, and right now, we both want this.Exhaling slowly, I begin touching myself, keeping my eyes pinned on Keo.His jaw tightens, a tense frown gathering between his brows. Knowing he is watching, doing nothing but admiring empowers me even more. He’s affected by me, and I love that.“I like that look on your face,” I breathe, enjoying the subtle pleasure that is starting to gather with each pass of my fingers

~ToveI wander down the stairs in the morning, a plan already formulated in my head.As much as I tried to avoid it, Relm's words have dug into my mind and stayed there. If Keo knows about the potential mass death of many people, then my trust of him has largely diminished.How could I be mated to someone like that?"Alright, so I think we can do a little more training today and we should be ready to start moving between realms," he tells me before I've even made it within close proximity of him.I yawn, rubbing my eyes. I spent most of last night panicking about what Relm has told me, and then coming up with my plan.Keo is good at reading me, so I have to be careful."Ah, I'm not feeling all that great today, Keo," I tell him, resting my hand over my forehead. I can't be sick enough that he wants to be home taking care of me, but it needs to be enough to get out of training with him today.He frowns, concern fluttering in his eyes. "What's wrong?""I have a terrible migraine, and I

~ToveKeo smooths my hair back, smiling down at me.“Promise you will come back and you'll feel better." It feels more like a cautious concern than an instruction."I promise. I think this is exactly what I need," I tell him, mustering a smile.Him and I decided that I need a break, just for a couple of days. He's going to take me somewhere and I'm going to try and relax, so when I come back, I'll feel more certain about him, and where we stand.Keo turns to my friend. "Take care of her, Mary."He picked her and brought her to Territory Two only moments ago. He understands how much Mary means to me, and that if I'm going to get my thoughts and feelings under control, I'm going to need her."Of course," she says, winding her fingers through mine. "We are going to have some fun. For once."Keo nods, looking solemn. "If anything happens, let me know. Okay?"After my attempt to escape, I can see he is wary about sending me off, but he is choosing to trust me. Still, it seems like it's goi