Even though she couldn’t see her face, Helina knew she was staring right at her. The woman’s hand rested against her thigh and even from the distance Helina could see her brightly painted nails—red tips against the white fabric. A knock sounded sharply at the door. Helina gasped and spun around, knocking over her yogurt and feeling the contents spray against her feet.
Gaijryc.
She all but ran to the door and whipped it open. When she saw who stood on the other side her smile faltered and her heart rate spiked. The man standing in front of her was not Gaijryc, but he was a DarkShine. Helina knew right away who he was. She would never forget his face. Clutching the sheet tighter around her, she stared into his pale grey eyes that seemed to see right into her soul. His black flame tattoos snaked up the sides of his neck and knew she was standing before Ryce. Her heart beat an irregular rhythm and her palms became clammy. He inhaled deeply, his eyes closing and then snapping back open to spear her with an intensity that frightened her down to her marrow.
“I wanted to see what is occupying so much of Gaijryc’s time.”
He didn’t move any closer, just tilted his head and stared at her neck. She instinctively brought her hand to her throat, covering the twin puncture marks she knew Gaijryc had given her.
“I see he has claimed you. This should be interesting when he presents you to the council.” He watched her for a suspended moment before bending at the waist and turning to leave.
His body was no more than a blur as he raced away from her. Her hands were shaking as she shut the door. She made her way toward the couch, her appetite suddenly void. She sat there, the time moving so slowly, but her mind still thinking about Ryce. The door suddenly burst open, slamming against the wall with such force she felt it in the floorboards. She gasped and turned around, seeing Gaijryc standing in the doorway with an expression of such fury she actually feared him. He inhaled deeply, his eyes going red with his anger.
“Did he touch you?”
She wasn’t surprised that he had sensed Ryce. She was more surprised by the intensity of his actions and emotions. She shook her head furiously. He was in front of her in the next instant, his movements so fast she hadn’t even seen him move. His hands roamed over her body, his eyes following suit. He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to his hard frame.
“I hate leaving you.”
“Me too.” He ran his hands up and down her back, his mouth kissing the top of her head as he whispered endearments to her.
“I’ll kill him.”
“He didn’t do anything to me.”
“What did he say to you?”
“He knocked on the door and just stared at me. He said he wanted to see what had you so preoccupied.” He growled above her, the sound vibrating his whole chest. “He saw the mark on my neck and said something about you presenting me.” He sighed and she tried to pull away to look at him. He kept her close to his body, not letting her move even an inch. “Gaijryc, I can’t breathe.” He instantly let her go and cupped her face with both of his big hands. He kissed her firmly on the lips, her breath leaving her in a sigh.
“I can’t leave you alone any longer, not now that he knows where you are.”
“That was Ryce, wasn’t it?” Although he had never said his name, Helina had known. She wanted Gaijryc to affirm it, though.
“Yes. I don’t know how he knew about you, but now that he knows where you are I can’t risk something happening to you. I should have been more careful, should have taken better precautions where you were concerned.”
“Will he harm me?”
“He wouldn’t dare, but the fact that he came here and spoke with you without my presence is an insult.”
They held each other for what seemed like forever, his hands roaming her body in a soothing way and calming her further.
“I missed you.” His deep voice sent shock waves through her core, lighting her up and making her wet with desire.
“I missed you too.” She smiled as Gaijryc scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. That’s where they stayed that night, tangled with each other as he handfed her and made love to her. If this was how it would always be, Helina knew she would never want him to leave.
Gaijryc took the basement steps two at a time, his blood pumping fiercely through his veins as he thought about what could have happened. He should kill Ryce with his bare hands, rip open his throat open and feed off the blood that poured out. He pushed the doors open so forcefully that they slammed against the walls and cracked down the middle. All the males in the room stopped their fighting, their practice coming to a standstill as they looked with apprehension at their prince.