Beyond(27)

“I know,” I reply. “But it’s the first time Dad hasn’t been here to deal with it. He’d make me stay in my room when it happened so I don’t even know the protocol for something like this.”

“There is no protocol,” Jase says. “Let Dane handle it the best way he sees fit. You chose him for a reason Olivia. The man knows his shit.”

“Olivia,” I hear Dane call my name. Turning to his voice, I see him storming towards me. “What are you doing here? I told you to stay in your room.”

I ignore Jase’s sniggering.

“I want to be involved with what’s going to happen to these people,” I tell him, my back straight. “Are we going into lockdown?”

Dane nods. “Yes, no one will leave their rooms until tomorrow morning. I’m going to take these men to the dungeon. Before you complain, they will be fed and looked after. They just need to be kept away from everyone else until I know their true intentions.”

I hold my hands up. “No arguments here. Dungeon sounds good to me.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re not going to argue with my methods?”

“Why would I? I agree with them. Everyone’s safety comes first.”

He tilts his head to the side. “Why did I ever not want to marry you?”

I shrug, feeling amused. “You didn’t know any better. But it’s okay, as long as you know now.”

He bends his head and kisses me. “Go and tell everyone about the lockdown. I’ll meet you in bed later.”

I nod and go towards the women’s rooms, planning to start there.

I only hope the men we bring into these walls were good men.





I wake when Dane’s warm body hits the sheets. “Everything okay?”

“They’re in the dungeon. Weren’t aggressive or anything, just wary.”

“How did they know about us?” I ask him. “Or did they just come across the castle?”

“People talk. Apparently people know there is a safe haven away from the disaster that is our world, they just don’t know where to find it. I think it was pure luck these men came across the castle. They saw smoke and knew people were here.”

I let that sink in, then ask, “Will you still be going away for supplies? With the men here?”

“Do you want me to stay?” he asks quietly. “They will be in the dungeon for a week. The men will feed them and take care of them. You don’t even have to see them. You’re safe Olivia.”

“I know,” I whisper. “We can manage fine while you’re on a hunt. Will Tegan be going with you to forage for berries and herbs?”

Sliding his arm under my neck, he brings me closer to him. I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat.

“Why, are you jealous?” he asks, sounding amused.

“No,” I reply, a little too forcefully.

“I’ve never touched her before, and I would never do that to you. I take the vows you said to Lars very seriously.”

I pinch his nipple.

“Ouch!”

“You deserved that,” I tell him smugly.

He rolls me under him, his heavy body pressing into mine. “I’m many things but a cheater isn’t one of them, okay? Besides, I only have eyes to you. No other woman makes me hard anymore,” he says, grinding his hardness against me. “You feel that? All for you baby.”

“Dane,” I breathe. “I want you.”

“I want you too,” he says, lifting my nightdress up. “No panties. Hmmm.”

I help him pull down his pants, spread my legs and urge him into me.

“Yes,” I whisper as he slides inside me.

How did I ever live without this?





“Dane,” I say, sleepy and sated after our lovemaking.

“Yes, beautiful,” he replies gently.

“Where did you go, before our wedding?”

The fingers that were running up my arm still. “Do you remember what happened five years ago?”

I nod. “Sure. The virus spread from country to country. They couldn’t contain it anymore. I remember a loud blast, like the world was coming to an end. Chaos. Everyone was losing it. Looting, breaking things. Running, hiding. Killing. My dad protected me. Made sure we got out safely.”

“Right,” he murmurs. “A lot of us escaped the city and came out here, where there were grasslands and fields. We came to live like we would have in old times, where we could hide, and live off the land in peace. Unfortunately, not everyone wanted that. I came across a man, Dravid, his name was. I’d met a girl and we were travelling together. She was alone and I was protecting her. This was before I met Gina.”

I kiss his arm, silently asking him to continue.