Page 229 of Interion

“I like you naughty and uninhibited like this.” His voice made my toes curl as something hot spread through my lower belly. Kiara raised her head, sniffing the air, and stared at us once again in disapproval. “But enough flirting, before Serguei breaks down the door again,” Zion announced, still conversing mentally with her. “Let’s go to my room—that’s where your gift is.”

He stood up with me in his arms, and I clung to his shoulders.

“You’re not going to transport us?” I asked, amused, as he climbed the first step of the stairs.

“And miss the chance to feel you in my arms?” His smile was triumphant. “No way. I get so little time with you—I’m not giving up a single moment.”

I smiled at him and he smiled back. Simple as that. Simple and magical, just as love promised to be. I studied that perfect face: the straight, strong nose, the slightly slanted eyes with dark, full lashes, his thick eyebrow cut by a scar, and finally, that wide, soft mouth that stirred all my impure thoughts.

“What is it?” he asked, pushing the door open with his foot. I must have looked like a maniac, devouring him with my eyes.

“Nothing.” I relaxed in his arms.

“Nothing of what kind?” He narrowed his eyes at me.

“Nothing of the ‘I like what I see’ kind,” I murmured in his ear. He smiled at me and then laid me on the bed, lying down beside me.

“Even the dark, scarred side?” he asked, opening his arms for me to nestle into. His eyes shone like the ocean reflecting sunlight.

“Every side, from every angle. I like everything I see, no exceptions.” I snuggled even closer to him, then remembered what we’d come here to do. “Hey! What about my present?”

He kissed my temple and removed the wet towel from my hair, leaving it on the nightstand beside the bed.

“I promise I’ll give it to you soon. Let me hold you just a little longer.” He squeezed me tighter, pulling me close. I buried my nose in his shirt, breathed him in, and closed my eyes.

“Just a little longer.”

We knew it was a lie.

Chapter 57

The next day I woke up alone, wrapped in Zion's sheets. The sound of running water told me he was in the shower. I went to my own room to get ready, eager to see the gift we'd forgotten about last night. When I returned to his room, I found Zion leaning against the glass window. He wore his combat gear and sipped from a black coffee cup that matched the matte black watch on his wrist. I walked over with a smile, and his ocean-blue eyes sparkled. As soon as I got close enough, Zion wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed my forehead.

“Good morning.”

I lifted my gaze to his face and kissed the corner of his perfectly sculpted jaw. He smelled of aftershave—something woody.

“Good morning, General.”

“The gift is right behind you.”

His eyes were fixed on the bed, so I followed his gaze. Laid out on it was an outfit that looked like it was made from the same material as his military uniform. There was also a bow and arrows with a distinctive look—sleek and modern, built to last.

“Oh my Gods!” I exclaimed, moving closer to examine it. The bow was black with gold detailing, but it wasn't rustic like the academy bows. This one was modern, made from a different material—something stronger and far more expensive. “Is it for me?”

“Yes, it's your gift for the test. You chose the bow, so I thought I'd buy you one. It's made with Vinturian technology but styled after Drute models.” Zion studied my expression, but I could only focus on my gift. It was beautiful, gleaming like black onyx with intricate gold trim. “Pick it up, feel the weight. It's yours.”

I held it in my hands, marveling at it. The bow was foldable, with two pulleys on the sides that let it compact to half its size. I held it closed and pressed the mechanism in the center—the limbs snapped open so fast I flinched. When extended, it revealed a completely different design, and despite its size, it was twice as light as the academy bows. The string was different too—thicker and more flexible.

“It's durable—made of metal and serun threads. The thread count is high enough that metal elementals can't manipulate it. The arrows are more flexible and won't break as easily. But as you can see, there are only ten—the number allowed in the test.”

I held the weapon, hypnotized. I drew back the string, then ran my fingers along the textured surface. The ends weren't rounded—they were pointed. You could kill someone with this.

“It's perfect, Zion,” I exclaimed, ecstatic. I didn't like fighting or bladed weapons. But a bow? In that moment, I realized I was in love with them, and this one might just be the best gift in the world. Conflicting feelings tightened in my chest, but I was so happy I ignored the discomfort.

“When you finish the test, we can put it on display in the living room, since you won't be using it anymore.”

I frowned immediately. The bow was so beautiful I was tempted to go outside and practice right then. I doubted I'd set it aside after the test. I turned to Zion, flashing my biggest smile.