I stepped back a couple paces, holding my hands to my own chest. "I'm so sorry..."
I looked around, trying to find an exit and darted for the back door when I found it. There was no softness in how me moved, and I was sure that I’d messed up. I had just become a threat. And I wasn’t about to stick around and feel what he did to people he saw as threats. I took off for the closest door.
My heart was racing, threatening to burst out of my chest. All at once, my mind spun out of control, yet everything slowed as I reached for the doorknob. But then everything came screeching halt.
For the first time, he used his speed around me to get the lead to stop me from leaving. I was convinced I had hurt him, and he was about to inflict some sort of punishment on me. Why wouldn’t he? I’d just overloaded his brain. And not only that, he knew that I was capable of doing it with just a simple touch.
"No. Don't you run out on me." He held his hands out toward me but cautious not to touch me.
I skidded to a stop, trying not to collide into him, holding my arms up to protect myself. “Please! I didn’t mean to.” I tried to calculate any possibility that I could borrow his speed and get around him without him catching me.
“Why are you afraid of me, Auri?” He stepped back, almost as if my reaction to him was a physical blow landing on him.
“But I hurt you. I took you to your knees. Are you not furious with me? Are you not about to retaliate?”
He reached out but recoiled when I flinched. “Retaliate?”
I tried unsuccessfully for the exit again as he stepped in my way. My heart was breaking, and the fear I thought I’d conquered rose up in my throat like an erupting volcano. “Yes. I’ve seen your temper. Your intolerance. I know how you swiftly handle those who upset you.”
“I would gladly get on my knees for you… without the flood of information. I do not break easily, but I would rather fight for you, not against you.”
“I hurt you, Kane.” My voice cracked.
A light chuckle escaped him. “Are you trying to convince me to punish you? Or are you convinced I will?”
I swallowed back a lump in my throat. “Neither.”
He raked a hand through his long, blond hair. “Auri, I was sure that we had grown a trust and respect between us. Do you trust that I know the difference between an accident and an attack?”
I stopped looking for way out and cautiously stood before him, assessing his posture to see if it matched the softness in his tone. “You don’t see me differently? In a bad way? You don’t want to destroy me knowing I can do that to you? Why would you get on your knees for me? Why would you fight for me?” My mind was reeling.
He opened his mouth and showed his fangs, his eyes a deep, blood red. The corner of his mouth twitched as he lit up both hands in flames. "I fucking know what it looks like to be feared, hated, and hunted. To be seen as a threat." He waved his hands and the fires went out. He covered his face for a moment before returning to normal. His piercing blue eyes returned to mine. "Why would I ever want to destroy you? I want to embrace you, in every way possible. I find it an asset that you have strengths that rival most. I do not see you as a threat.” He knelt and went to kiss my hand, staring up at me.
“Don’t.” I looked around to be sure nobody was walking by. “You don’t belong on your knees unless we are in the bedroom or you’re proposing marriage. Please. Get up.” I tugged on him. The look in his eyes sending waves of desire through me. “I love the idea of you like this but only when you’re pleasuring me.” I wanted to rush into his arms, but I was still nervous.
"Spoken like a true queen already." Rising to his feet, he reached out for my hands, but I flinched away. “You are a reader, not just a seer. A much rarer form of magic. Use your talents to read me now. Do I mean you harm?”
With one hand on his, I held my other arm and closed my eyes. I centered myself and let my energies reach out to his. It was so natural how his essence pulled mine in and entwined together. It felt like nothing I had ever felt before, like we had been searching for the other our entire existences.
There, in that moment, our energies synced. When I pulled back slightly, I didn’t know what part was mine and what was his. I was about to say something when Alret rounded the corner to the isle they were in.
A bit of surprise tugged at his smile. “Is malady planning on a long visit?”
Kane placed his hand on my waist and stood again. “I am planning on her staying. She has not decided yet. But perhaps with enticements such as this place, it may sway her.”
My smile grew as I looked up at Kane. “Perhaps.” I was still in awe, feeling completely connected to him, wanting so much to know if he had just felt what I had.
He kissed the top of my head before turning back to Alret. “See that my love is welcome to anything you would allow me access to any
