Thirty Nights Forgotten

Chapter 24: A Simple Question

Addy’s POV

I spent the entire day yesterday recovering in my room. Although I had hoped that Elijah would come to visit me to talk things through, he never showed up.

Is he staying away from me because he doesn’t want to cause me more pain? He said he knew how to fix this, so why hasn’t he done anything?

Fatigue is still gripping my body, but it’s not as intense as yesterday. I’m sure after that searing pain I experienced the other night, it’s going to take my body some time to recover.

I wonder if I felt this sick all the time in my former life?

But today, I’m determined to get out of bed and find Elijah. We need to talk, especially since I can’t stop thinking about that hot, steamy kiss we shared.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to do it again — so long as we could do it without risking that agony I experienced.

After eating the breakfast tray that Sayah prepared, I pick out a low-cut dress from the closet. That should certainly get Elijah’s attention.

The study is the first place I go to find him, but even after checking the library, he’s nowhere to be found. Racking my brain for anywhere else he might be, I check the balcony where we had dinner under the stars.

As soon as I see his tall, muscular figure gazing solemnly out over the garden, my heart skips a beat with excitement.

“There you are,” I say, stepping up beside him. “What are you thinking about?”

“Annabelle?”

He stares down at me with a mixture of surprise and awe, and I notice his eyes wander down to my exposed cleavage. It takes everything I have to suppress my smirk of triumph.

“I thought you were avoiding me,” he says, composing himself to lean casually against the balcony. “Are you playing coy to tease me?”

“Actually, I believe you are the one avoiding me. I wouldn’t dare tease an alpha king.”

A small chuckle escapes his lips as he studies me with that intense gaze of his. But there’s a hint of amusement there as well. I thought I’d be nervous in his presence, but it’s quite the opposite – I feel really comfortable with him right now.

Perhaps I’ve been staring at him a moment too long, though, since the atmosphere between us begins to shift.

“I’ve missed this,” he says, his voice lowering an octave.

“Missed what?”

“Our banter. That’s the Annabelle I remember.”

The smile that’s teasing his lips begins to fade as a wistful nostalgia takes over.

“When I thought I’d lost you forever, the day you perished, I thought I would die from the pain. The death of one’s mate is the worst, most excruciating pain one can feel, much more so than a mate’s betrayal.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine.”

“I wish you could see the borderlands of the north,” he sighs, turning his gaze out toward the garden once again. “Our pack is named for the Ice Moon, which illuminates the snowy mountain peaks beneath the stary sky. It’s truly a beautiful sight to behold, but those mountains that were supposed to protect the realm against invaders failed us that night. Even though that place is where I lost my mate, I still miss it from time to time.”

“But you didn’t lose me. I’m right here.”

Instinctively, I slip my hand into his and squeeze it gently. All I can do is reassure him that I’m here now so that we can move forward. Together.

“I wanted to ask you something,” I say suddenly, glancing up at him.

“Of course. Anything.”

“It’s about my mate mark. You said it was glowing red the other night when we…you know.”

With a guarded expression, he nods his head slowly, trying to assess what I’m about to ask.

“Did you give me this mate mark before I died?”

It’s subtle, but I can feel him tense up beside me. He opens his mouth to speak but decides against it, deliberating over my question.

His reaction confuses me. After all, it’s a simple yes or no question.

A few tense moments pass between us as I wait for him to answer, and with a labored swallow, he finally meets my gaze.

“Your mark looks…different than the one I gave you all those years ago,” he says slowly. “Perhaps that’s why we were unable to finish what we started the other evening.”

My cheeks start burning red at his words, but I need to push through the embarrassment if we’re going to fix whatever is broken between us.

“Why would it be different?”

“You have returned from the dead in this human body, Annabelle. I have no idea what magic has made this possible, so I don’t have all the answers to your questions.”

“But you said the other night that you know how to fix this,” I press.

“Yes, I think I do, my darling. I think I need to mark over it with a new mark.”

“A new mark?” I ask, taken aback. “Um…can I think about it?”

His head c***s to the side as his gaze narrows suspiciously at me.

“What is there to think about?”

“Nothing, I just…it sounds like it hurts a lot. I’m, uh, not sure if I’m ready to go through that much pain again.”

The excuse sounds lame as I say it aloud, but he seems satisfied with my answer.

I’m not sure why I’m so nervous about his proposal. Honestly, it seems like the best solution, but there’s something about the entire thing that makes me uneasy.

“No, child. It is not a tattoo. It is a mate mark, given by a werewolf to his fated mate.”

“Elijah gave this to me?”

“I don’t believe he did. What if I told you that your mate is actually Nicholas of the House of Ourey – and not King Elijah?”

That old woman got into my head! I’m letting her words come between Elijah and me.

But what if there’s a bit of truth in them? In fact, it might explain the strange mate mark that he doesn’t recognize…

“It’s alright, Annabelle,” says Elijah, cutting through my thoughts. “I understand your hesitation. But rest assured, I will make the marking experience a most pleasurable one.”

He gives me a sly smile as he winks mischievously at me. Again, I feel my cheeks burning at his bold flirtations, but I have to admit that they stir something inside of me.

Leaning in closer to me, he closes his eyes and inhales my scent, stopping just inches in front of my face.

“You make it incredibly difficult to remain patient,” he says in a low voice.

I close my eyes, waiting for him to kiss me. Desire begins pooling in my lower abdomen, and even though I’m anxious to avoid the pain that happened the other night, I still want him to touch me.

But instead, I feel him pull back, making my eyes flutter open in confusion.

“Perhaps I should take my leave,” he smirks, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

I can’t help the pout that forms on my lips, which only makes him chuckle.

“Patience works both ways, Annabelle. I’ll let you come to me when you’re ready, but in the meantime, I won’t just let you have your way with me.”

With one last glance, he turns around and heads inside, leaving me a little hot and bothered on the balcony – alone.

***

That night, as I lie in bed, I stare blankly up at the ceiling. My thoughts are consumed with Elijah, and I can’t figure out why I’m so hesitant to let him mark me.

Why would that old woman say those things to me? Why would she put doubt in my head to make me wonder if Elijah isn’t actually my fated mate?

What would she have to gain?

You know the answer to that, says a voice in the back of my head. She wants to drive a wedge between you and Elijah. He clearly didn’t trust her, so why should you? She’s from the House of Ourey, which makes her Elijah’s enemy.

That’s right. Nicholas is my enemy – not my mate.

Grabbing my robe, I fling it on over my nightdress and walk with determined purpose out of my room. My steps lead me to King Elijah’s bedroom, and without any more hesitation, I knock sharply on the door.

When it opens, Elijah’s bare chest greets me at eye level. My eyes briefly flick downward to see his cotton pajama pants before lifting to meet his gaze.

“What brings you to my bedchambers so late at night, Annabelle?”

He casually leans against the doorframe, appraising me with a mischievous expression.

“I’m ready,” I say with resolve. “I want you to mark me.”