Ella’s eyes grow heavy-lidded once I finish, and she lies down on her side. “You can sleep, Ella. We will take care of you.”
She gives me a faint smile. “Thank you, Finn. Thank you, Cash.” She yawns. “I’m so glad I met you. I would have been dead if—”
Cash puts a finger softly to her lips. “Shhh. Do not think on it, Ella,” he murmurs. “You are safe now. We will protect you.”
He looks at me and stands. “I am going downstairs to secure the tower. I will return shortly.”
I nod in acknowledgment and turn my attention back to Ella.
“You can lie down if you want,” she whispers, as her cheeks redden yet again.
I’m definitely not going to argue or protest. I can think of nothing I want more than to lie next to Ella and bathe myself in her scent. I’ve heard that the bond between a female and her guards is strong, but I thought it would not be so until after she sealed it. It seems I was wrong.
Something dark and primal stirs within me as I stare down at her smaller form. I would live for her; I would die for her. I would sacrifice everything. And I feel as if I’m the happiest of males simply because I am hers. Has a guard ever been paired with a more perfect female?
I think not.
I clench my jaw in frustration, for I understand what is already happening. It is known as the great temptation, according to the Elders who trained us. To be so intimately linked to a female, as her guard, is to bind one’s soul to hers.
The Elders warned each of us: me, Cash, Nyx, Kai, and Devon. They told us we would be tempted to claim her as ours but that such a thing could never be. She is the Chosen One—the one foretold of in the ancient prophecy. She is fated to marry the prince. To unite our two kingdoms as they used to be before the great war and the divide that followed.
My father told Cash and me that we were blessed to be chosen as her guards, but I did not understand at the time. I stare down at her delicate form as she sleeps. She is completely captivating with her silken golden hair spread out on the pillow beneath her, long lashes fanned across soft pink cheeks, and her perfect lips partially open in a small o.
Yes, I would gladly sacrifice my life for Ella.
I lie beside her. Allowing me to lie this close to her so soon... she must feel the pull of the bond, even if she does not recognize it for what it is. Instinctively, she moves closer to me as if seeking warmth and protection. Unable to resist, I carefully drape my arm over her and hold her closer against my chest.
Her eyelids flutter and open. A pink bloom spreads across her cheeks. “I don’t normally sleep with strange men.”
Something about her words fills me with a fierce possessiveness.
She is mine to guard and protect. I would never allow another male this close to her—besides my bond brothers, of course. My thoughts turn to the prince, but I force myself to focus on something else, refusing to think about how she is fated to be his. I don’t want to ruin this perfect moment by imagining her in his arms as his mate.
“Is this all right?” The last thing I want to do is cause her any discomfort.
She smiles again, and I am completely enchanted. “Yes,” she breathes. “I... I trust you. And Cash. I don’t know how to explain it.” She reaches across and touches my cheek as her blue eyes search mine in wonder. “Even though we just met, I feel... connected to you somehow. Does that make sense?”
Unable to help myself, I lean forward and place a soft kiss on her forehead. “I feel the same. And the more time we spend together, the stronger our bond as your guards will become. Soon, you may even be able to sense our thought speech without even having to try. It will simply come naturally.” I pause. “At least… that is how it is with a shifter female and her guards. So, I believe it will be the same for you as well.”
She softly bites her lower lip. I reach out and brush her hair back from her face. “We will take care of you, Ella. You are safe with us. My vow.”
I’m pleased when she nestles against me closing her eyes.
I hold her close, relishing the feel of her in my arms.
When Cash returns, he lies down behind her. His gaze searches mine a moment, as if asking permission. We share everything, he and I. We always have since we were young, but it is different with Ella. Never once did either of us imagine sharing a closeness like this with the same female.
We knew as her guards we would protect her, but I can see in his eyes that, like me, he did not realize how strong this pull to her would become. I can sense his deep longing to hold her close, for his desire echoes my own. I nod, and he moves closer to her, draping his arm across her as well.
She releases a soft sigh of contentment between us, and my heart fills with happiness at the knowledge that she already feels so comfortable with us both. This is good. Perhaps she will accept the rest of her guards as quickly as she seems to have accepted us.
The sooner, the better, for danger is coming.
That wolf shifter was only the first. Soon, I suspect there will be more. She will need all of us to protect her when that happens. For not all wish to see the prophecy come to pass. They see Ella as a threat and will do anything to keep
