Page 51 of Come for Me
Why haven’t I met her before? How come I didn’t know he has a sister? What did Dax tell her about me? Did Dax tell her about me, or did Sam?
River apologizes for not coming to see me first. She was taking a nap until she heard Sam throwing a tantrum. River tells me she has been traveling across the world, learning cuss words in every language, trying all the cuisine... in more ways than one. River cut her trip short when she received word that Dax found his mate; she always wanted a sister.
River is extroverted, bubbly, and free of obligation. Our conversation leads us to the room housing most of my belongings. The traditional, vintage interior contrasts against the natural wood features, and I gasp at the view before me. Gold and emerald decorate the walls.
But it’s not the royal decor or the window’s breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains that surprise me. My collection of watercolor paints, brushes, and palettes are displayed across the art table, assembled into my very own studio in the castle. My well-loved easel was positioned by the window, basked in the perfect lighting the room had to offer.
My heart melts as I think it was designed to make me feel at home.Did Dax do this for me?
The familiar smell of leather and spice wafts into my nose again, and I turn and see Dax in the doorway. As River continues talking, I instinctively move to examine the blank canvases propped behind the easel, keeping my back to Dax and Sam.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you,” a she-wolf coos, and I whip my head toward the sultry tone quicker than I would have preferred.
Her hand drapes over Sam’s shoulder, and my wolf settles, returning to River’s stories. The she-wolf pulls Sam away as they scurry off for “stress relief.”
He mutters to Dax with a sly grin and winks on the way out.
River rolls her eyes at Sam’s playboy tendencies. She chuckles. “Some things never change. Do you have some time for me to show you around? I can tell you some stories about Dax.”
I turn away, processing her comment, still acknowledging Dax, who continues watching us. Hanging on every word, I try to learn more of River and Dax’s life growing up in the castle. It’s not likehe’soffering up any details. Might as well use her chattiness to my advantage.
The more I know about my enemy, the better.
I nod.
River’s eyes light up as she leans closer to me, linking her arm in mine, eager to spill all the tea on her older brother. She ushers me out into the hall, gaining space between us and his super hearing. River giggles, looking back at Dax after she whispers to me about the voice-cracking stage of his life.
Dax mutters something, and we bust out laughing like gossiping teenagers.
I think I found my ally.
River leads us past many of the corridors I’ve already explored, pointing out her favorite things. We peruse the kitchen, dining room, library, pack offices, and she points out the various gardens, some of which I note to return to for painting, along with the many waterfalls and landscapes.
She boasts about the stories of her childhood home creating the perfect setup for the ultimate pretend play with her friends, as well as the mischief the grounds allowed her to get into as a teenager, causing Dax’s nose to wrinkle.
Dax speaks to me through the mindlink while River talks, likely to distract himself from River’s coming-of-age stories.
Although Dax doesn’t reminisce stories of his own, Dax can recall every legend and battle, explain the function and protocol of each safety feature, and point out details in architecture most would miss.
His words register in my brain like they are my own inner thoughts, a tour guide narrating from inside me. Normally, I would ignore the tour guide and just enjoy the view, but with Dax, I am hanging on his every word.
If he were a demon, he could command me and coax me to do anything with his gruff purr echoing in my mind. Dax communicates through the mindlink with such clarity and passion. His memory recall and attention to detail speaks of his intelligence, making him even sexier.
River’s squeal pulls me out of my trance, and she insists we take a trip to some of her favorite places in the world and use my creative license to decorate her bedroom with the views.
I suppress a smile.What else did Dax tell her about me?
“Neither of you will be leaving the castle grounds anytime soon, especially without guards. There’s been an increase in attacks nearby,” Dax says, reminding me I’m not just his mate but that I’m his prisoner.
I don’t know when orifI can ever go home. No one knows when the attacks will stop.
That must be what was bothering Dax when I found him in his study. I’ve heard whispers about the attacks, but our pack never saw any.
Dax leads us back into the castle and into the king’s suite in silence and requests River allow him and me some privacy.
River raises her eyebrows and smacks her teeth, smirking. “Try not to break the bed. It’s an antique. Very expensive.”
And with that, she’s out the door.
