“So, more are coming?” I already knew the answer, I think it is more of a confirmation to myself than an actual question for Ryder. "I'll need to prepare Taryn."
That is when I feel her, without even looking I know she is behind me. The way Ryder is looking past me confirms my love has arrived.
"I must say I see what the initial appeal was." He smirks and I feel protective though I already know that he'd never harm her.
Turning my body enough to reach back to her, I pulled Taryn close to my side. "Meet my old friend Ryder," looking at her, seeing her eyes widened with a skeptical interest in him. "Ryder this is Taryn."
The two of them take a moment to observe one another. Neither saying a word. I wondered what he must be thinking and unknowing of her abilities makes me extremely curious. He has no idea of her gift.
Ryder is confident. I guess you could refer to him as intimidating, though I do not fear him. His height matches my own and our size is equivalent but he is much paler and more porcelain looking them me. He hates when I refer to him as a China doll, pisses him off and takes his once caramel colored eyes and changes them to a deep red, almost black, in an instant.
My girl is awaiting his first move.
"It's lovely to meet you," Ryder finally says, taking a step forward. “I've heard so much about you already."
"Heard of me, from who?"
"It would be easier to tell you who I haven’t heard about you from, as you are the talk of all our people." Taryn's brows furrowed. “You are the angel that Merick has found to restore life. You are the Goddess who will bear the gifted one. That makes you the most precious one of all."
Taryn doesn’t look convinced, but forces a smile.
“Why don’t we move this inside,” pulling Taryn closer I motion for Ryder to pass. “You’ve managed to terrify my woman enough already.” With a chuckle he moves toward the door and I lean in closer to Taryn, whispering near her ear. “Is there something I need to know?”
She looks at me, her brows drawn up with confusion.
“Thought?”
That is when it registers and she places her hands on my stomach, arching upward to kiss my jaw. “Just that he admires you, respects you more so now that you’ve managed to land yourself such a gem.” It’s my turn to wrinkle up my brows which only makes her laugh. “Come on,” she pokes my ribs and I place my hand over hers. “We have company, and it would be rude of us to ignore him.”
Taryn fell asleep hours ago after a big meal prepared for us by our guest, Ryder. I will give it to the man, he can cook, even though he doesn’t eat. After our stomachs were full, Taryn curled up on the couch and within seconds she was snoring lightly. Sitting on the opposite end of the couch I got lost watching her sleep until I heard a low chuckle.
“You are completely gone,” Ryder grins wide. “That woman has got you under her spell.”
I could tell him that one day he’d know. One day he’d find his mate and he would feel the pull just as I did. But I wasn’t sure it was the same for him and his people as it was for shifters. For us it’s almost as though our mate is the carrier of the other half of our souls and when they are found we become whole once again. Without them we are only half of what we were truly meant to be.
“Let’s move to my office,” I begin to stand and he does the same. ”I don’t want to wake her.” I’m also not sure if our thoughts can invade her dreams and after her recent nightmares, I prefer her to sleep peacefully.
Once we are safely tucked away in my office I ask one of the many questions that I couldn’t ask while in the presence of Taryn. “How far has the word spread? What’s coming our way? And how soon?”
“I heard it in Paris, but Rasa was in Italy when she found out. I think we both know that the chances of the information getting into the hands of those we’d prefer to steer clear from is pretty likely. That could only mean one thing.”
“They’re all coming,” my blood runs cold. “They’ll be showing up, lingering in the shadows, and verifying the truth behind the rumors for themselves.”
“Darkness will loom,” Ryder sat in the wingback chair and lifted his tumbler to his lips. “It’s up to us to build a perimeter. Keep her safe, and the child.”
I know he’s right but suddenly the only thing I can think of is about those that destroyed the lives of my ancestors. The ones that killed my mother. I’d already lost so much. The idea of losing Taryn and my unborn child is crippling. Suddenly I understand how my father felt. How he’d been changed, practically destroyed, after losing his love. The coldness that he’d developed, the desperation to end those that caused him pain. It all makes sense.
“More are coming, and soon.” I stop pacing and turn to Ryder. He is watching me, with a knowing look. “I’ve already sent confirmation, my clan will arrive soon. We’ll keep them safe Merick. Nothing and no one will hurt them.”
I want to believe him, more than anything I want to believe that I will be able to live a life full of happiness, and all our people will be able to rebuild without fear of an attack, but I know we can’t, not yet. I nod, but I know without a doubt Ryder understands my fear. He too lost people once before. He understands the way things can be taken from you in the blink of an eye.
Hours later, long after Ryder had left
