My eyes fell on the mark on my neck and I remembered what it was I'd been doing before I started daydreaming. I can't let the others see my neck, which seemed to be getting darker by the minute. Not until I had some answers myself as to how it got there. So I did my best to conceal it with some makeup. That only hid it to some extent but it would have to do for now. Pulling my hair forward did the rest and I looked myself over one last time before leaving the bathroom. I suddenly felt more rested than I had in days, weeks even, and was looking forward to spending another lovely Sunday afternoon with my sisters before school started again in the morning. How odd the mind is. It can go from the sordid thoughts I'd been having as I stood before the mirror. Thoughts that were incendiary at best, and now to something as innocent as school the next day. I took birdie downstairs with me leaving Patrick in his cage since the two of them couldn't seem to get along. I'll

I let part of my mind idle there, keeping an eye on her, while with the other part of my consciousness I thought of the best course of action. Every once in a while she would spike and I'd feel that shit. I could see that damn egg just floating around in there, teasing me, egging me on, pun intended. "I'll be back!" I threw my white silk napkin down on the table and got up to leave with all eyes on me. They'd been quiet all throughout dinner for obvious reasons but now I could feel their angst on the rise again. Just to fuck with them I turned at the door with a smile. "If I don't make it, if the fairy does me in, I leave Vespasian as my heir." I walked away laughing at the pandemonium that statement left behind as I took to the sky heading to her place. I'd used the time at the table to map out a plan in my head. Thankfully our mating ritual isn't as long and drawn out as the humans'. Their courting shit can go on for months, sometimes years. That's one of the

I evaded his touch when he reached his hand out towards my cheek and heard his deep sigh. "We don't have a lot of time sweetheart. I wanted to give you more time, at least another few days, but things have changed." "If we wait any longer it'll only get worst." I was already shaking my head before he could finish his sentence. "I know how this works and I don't have to...""Do you really think I'd let you get away from me?" The way he said those words just as his fingers caressed my cheek made me uneasy, but not in the way that you'd think when facing danger. I got to my feet, which caused him to step back out of the way to give me room. I was trying to avoid feeling at a disadvantage with him towering over me but it was the wrong move. No sooner had I gotten to my feet than he was there, invading my space again. When he clasped my nape and pulled me towards him I felt panic rise like a tidal wave inside me. He really isn't planning to give me any more time is

I was halfway home when she left her room and headed outside. I didn't turn back but instead opened my inner eye to watch her as she floated atop the water. The turmoil in her mind was like needles pricking against my senses and I did my best to ignore. Since it was still night I stayed out on the balcony and let the cooling night breeze keep me calm as I studied her. I had no intentions of taking even a drop of the cognac I'd poured myself when I walked inside my bedroom to turn the stereo on low just for some background noise to drown out my own thoughts. I wouldn't risk drinking this close to our mating. Not because I'm afraid that I might hurt her. What I told her was the truth, I'd rather cut off my own arm than hurt her. But it could mean the difference between me preparing her well enough to take me, or going half ass and fucking her raw. I have no doubt that I have enough self- control not to kill her when we fuck. She might be bruised, battered and sore

What the hell is she doing now? Damn! We're not even married yet and she's already giving me fits. 'Can I sleep Natalia?' I'd followed her in my half sleep state to the town limits since her frantic shit had awakened me at just before noon. I wasn't too worried since I knew her every move and I knew by now that the mark I'd left on her would do its job. Though I hadn't intentionally marked her that night, I was beginning to see it as the best move I could've made. Providence had stepped in where my dumb ass had almost dropped the ball. Now she can run as fast as she wants to, she just can't go too far. I watched as she checked in at the front desk of the cute little boutique hotel and sighed before settling down in the bed again. I still have a few hours left before I have to go hunt her down and I have a feeling that after tonight my peace and quiet will come to a sudden end. My eyes were at half-mast when she dragged herself up the short flight of stairs to th