We move from one area to another as I weave more intricate spells into the barrier. She is quiet as I work, but I hear her begin to hum softly behind me after a moment. Her voice is beautiful. I’ve heard her sing before in the gardens of her home, and so as she begins to sing a soft tune to herself, I do not interrupt.
Clouds begin gathering overhead. A loud crack of thunder startles us both, and I move to her side. “We should return to the cottage.”
She nods, and together we race back toward the clearing and the cottage in the center. I make certain she moves through the door first. She turns to me, and she appears miserable. Her entire body shaking, wet and cold.
I take her hand and guide her up the stairs to the bathroom. “You must get out of these clothes and get warm,” I tell her.
She nods, and I begin to draw her a warm bath. I make sure to keep my eyes averted from her nude form. As soon as she enters the tub, I go back into the bedroom and stoke the fire to make certain it remains burning to heat the room.
“Nyx?” she calls out, and I rush back to the bathroom.
“Yes?”
“Can you hand me the soap?”
I find the soap and give it to her, making sure not to look upon her as she bathes. I recall how Devon reminded me that humans are embarrassed by their nudity, and I do not wish to make her nervous.
When she is finished bathing, I leave the room so she may change, making sure to leave her a gown and soft robe.
As soon as she enters the bedroom, my jaw drops as my gaze travels over her body. She is more beautiful than any female I have ever seen. The strap of her sleep gown hangs off to one side, baring her shoulder.
The v of the gown dips between the valley of her breast, accentuating the softly rounded globes. Her nipples are easily outlined through the fabric. The two beaded tips straining against the silken material as if begging for my attention.
I am seated on the couch, and I’m surprised as she moves to my side and sits down. So close, her thigh is touching mine. I draw in a shaky breath as she curls one leg beneath her and leans against me.
My nostrils flare as I draw her delicate scent deep into my lungs. My mouth begins to water at the thought of tracing my tongue over her body and through her folds to taste her sweet nectar.
But she does not want me in this way; I do not think.
She sighs in contentment as she nestles into my side.
I wrap one arm around her, pulling her close. “Thank you, Nyx.”
“For what?”
“For taking such good care of me. I just want you to know that I appreciate all that you are doing to keep me safe.”
I turn to her. “We are your guards. We will always protect you, Ella.”
She smiles up at me, and it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
“Tell me about you, Nyx.”
I arch a brow. “What would you like to know?”
“Why do you and Devon seem to always be at odds with one another?”
A smile quirks my lips. It seems Ella is rather direct. I like that she gets right to the core of things. “We bicker, yes,” I explain, “but we do not hate each other.”
“But why do you play tricks on him, like you did with the fountain?”
He laughs softly. “I suppose it is our nature to be slightly adversarial with each other. Rabbit and Cat shifters do not normally mix.”
“Why is that?”
“Cats seem to be ... easily annoyed and often quick-tempered,” I explain. “Whereas my kind, we... in rabbit shifter litters there are often many children born. So we are very social creatures and often play tricks with each other. Especially our siblings. It is a... type of affection among us, I suppose.”
Her brow furrows. “Why are there so many children in rabbit shifter litters?”
A red flush creeps up my neck to my cheeks. I am loath to admit this to her because I fear her rejection. “Rabbits are known for their… stamina.”
Her mouth drifts open in shock.
With a heavy sigh, I continue. I do not wish to hold back anything about myself to her. If I want her to choose me, I have to be completely honest in who and what I am. “Our urge to mate is powerful compared to the other shifters,” I add. “I am uncertain why it is this way for us. It just is.” I pause. “I suppose it is part of my nature that I long for a large family with many kits.”
She gives me a curious look. “What do guards do about families if they do not bond to the person they protect?”
I’ve dreamed of Ella many times, and almost every dream ends with her in my arms as we make passionate love. I desire her to be my mate and to have a family with her.
I swallow thickly. I’m worried that her question may be hinting that she does not desire me and never will as she does Finn and Cash. “Most guards dedicate their entire lives to the one they protect.” I cup her chin and meet her gaze evenly. “I have already decided this is what I will do. I want only to guard you and be at your side, Ella. And I understand if you never take me as yours the way you have taken Cash and Finn. After all, as I said, many females do not want to mate a rabbit shifter.”
“It’s all right,” she whispers. “It’s just part of who you are. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
I lift my gaze to her. “Many shifter females refuse to mate a rabbit shifter because of it. They
