The room smelled different now. Not of blood or fear or sweat. Power had a scent, and it had settled in the corners of the estate.
I remained stretched across Shade's chest, arms hooked behind his neck, fingers digging into his hair. It was the only thing that seemed to calm him down right now, and by extension, the only thing keeping me from totally losing it myself. If I weren't doing this, he would be pacing about, overthinking everything. Instead, his breathing finally slowed. I kept pulling on it and running my fingers through it as he moaned and groaned softly.
The spot near his temple was still tender. It made both of us wince each time I passed over it. I leaned down and kissed his mark.
Cy sat across from us in one of the deep leather chairs. He wasn't brooding. Not exactly. H
