Jesse stood, resting a hand on my shoulder which made my skin prickle. I almost grabbed her and pulled her into my lap, but instead clenched my hands to fists as she smiled at Rake and leaned across the table to squeeze his arm.
“I’m so glad you’re safe and here and… I’m just glad, Rake. Let’s go for a walk or something when you have time, okay? I want to do like Cazz said and have you show me how my brothers are acting with you, and how they’re saying these things, in case there’s anything you’ve missed or I can help interpret.”
Rake got to his feet because he was old-fashioned like that. Maya loved it and always muttered criticism at me when he did it and I didn’t.
But I was distracted from t
~ CASIMIR ~I snorted. “What has happened is that I am learning who I can trust. And I trust you, Rake. I also trust my mate. Both of you are the only ones who know about this entire picture. Now, don’t distract me and get off the subject,” I said hurriedly. “I’m telling you, you have a male on your team who is well intended, but has concerns about you. Be careful what you let him see. If he misinterprets it and comes running with claims of your betrayal… I shudder to think what could happen.”Rake flapped his hand. “He’ll be fine. I’ll talk to him, let him ask his questions, explain what he’s seeing so he knows how to watch for my heart in it. Leave it to me.”“I will. I just wanted you to be aware.”
~ JESSE ~I found Reeca in one of the side tunnels we often passed on the way to the Den. She was surprised to hear from me, but beckoned me into her cave when I reached her.It was small and simple, and I loved it, because the furnishings and the way she decorated seemed much softer than I would have picked as her taste.“Are you busy?” I asked her quickly when she invited me in.“No. I have a meeting this afternoon with the healers, but I’m free until then. What’s going on?” she asked me, somewhat warily, tucking that white stripe of hair behind her ear.“I just wanted to prepare you—and give you a last chance to bow out. I’ve just left a conversation with Rake and Ca
~ JESSE ~I wasn’t going to fight that, and laughed a little as he growled and shoved the door closed behind me, then lifted me up and started carrying me towards the bed.For a moment I was just going to go with it—I wanted him too. And it was still thrilling and reassuring every time we reunited and he wanted me. But I also knew we had to leave for dinner soon, and he was probably going to be talking to the Council tonight. So I needed to convince him now.He dropped me on the bed, then straightened, his eyes raking down my body as he began to strip off his shirt. “I don’t have much time,” he muttered. “Get your clothes off.”I laughed and pushed up onto my knees, reaching for his shirt and smiling. “I want you to
~ JESSE ~I went still and Cazz dusted one more kiss on my neck, then straightened, one hand still under my chin to meet my eyes, his expression grim.I stared at him, trying to understand how his tone and touch could be so at odds with his words.“Cazz—”His thumb tightened on my chin and his eyes flashed. “Hear me, Jesse. I said no. And I’m not discussing it further,” he said, the words clipped.All the hope and excitement I’d felt about how we were connecting and how he was listening just crumbled. My stomach sank as I held his gaze, examined him in the bond, and realized there was absolutely
~ JESSE ~I got my shit together and made myself go to dinner. The wolves were already perceiving and scenting everything that happened between us, I didn’t want to have to face questions about why the Queen was absent—and pouting. So a few minutes after Cazz left I put my big girl pants on and made myself follow him to the dining room. But I wasn’t happy about it.Cazz was already seated, and many of the others were already there scattered at seats around the long dining table that could sit twenty, but would only have about a dozen tonight. The food hadn’t come yet, so some of them hadn’t taken seats and were standing near the table, talking.When I walked in, Cazz was sitting at the head of the table, one elbow on the arm of his chair, his temple resting on his fist. The moment I stepped
~ JESSE ~By Tuesday morning with Maya, I was waging internal war. She was so focused on my mental defenses and preparing me to “manifest” this power she said was hibernating inside me, she refused to even hear me talk about questioning Cazz’s decision about my help.And then when I was walking back to the Palace and considering whether to just go find Cazz and push my point, Rake nudged again.‘It’s a no, Jess. He’s determined that it’s too risky. I’m sorry. But you and I will have a conversation tomorrow. I’ve told him that I really want your input and advice. After the Selection tonight things will calm down a little for me, so we’ll get together after you see Maya tomorrow, okay?’I blinked.
~ CASIMIR ~When I realized I had been pacing my rooms for twenty minutes, I shook my head and made myself stop.She was my mate. She loved me. And I loved her. She was preparing for her first true duty as Queen, and I was nervous like a puppy at his first Rite. It was stupid.She still welcomed me every night, and falling into her arms was the highlight of my day. She was going to be beautiful—in the dress I arranged for her.It was time to put this tension aside and just be together.So, taking both a metaphorical, and briefly, a literal grip on my balls, I strode out of the room and towards her chambers, nodding to acknowledge a
~ CASIMIR ~I reached for her skirts and she pulled her head back out of the kiss, so I started on her neck again, but she was gasping.“Don’t wrinkle the dress—please, Cazz.”With a guttural growl, I picked her up, dress and all and started carrying her out of the closet towards the bed. Her hands clawed at my hair and she sucked on my neck as I carried her over to the bed, then dropped her ass onto the edge of it.She gave a little squeak of dissatisfaction, but her eyes gleamed as I descended on her, taking her mouth with mine, and her hips in my hands.When I felt the jolt of her need in the bond, I chuckled breathlessly, then grasped her hips and flipped her over, dropping quickly to grab the h