Niklaus's eyes glowed in the darkened bedroom. His breathing had become ragged. Sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Niklaus?" Freya repeated, alarmed by his appearance. "What's wrong with you?"
His muscular body was tense beneath his t-shirt. "I don't know." His voice was deeper than usual. It was husky with something primal. "I feel hot."
Freya sat up and moved away until her back pressed against the headboard. "It was the soup," she realized. "Your mother put something in it."
A low laugh escaped him as he moved closer. "Always so smart, aren't you, Freya?" He reached out and ran his fingers along her bare leg where his shirt had ridden up. "My brilliant mate."
She slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me. We're not mates anymore, remember? I rejected you."
"Did you?" He l
