Page 53 of Fae's Mate
I need to get out of the bath, or I will spend all day in his chambers with him.
I clamber out of the tub, ignoring Taylen’s heated gaze, and wrap myself in a towel. I scamper into the next room and hurriedly dry myself off. As I drop the towel and search for my clothes, Taylen appears in the doorway, a towel wrapped obscenely low on his hips.
For fuck’s sake.
I turn my back to him and locate my dress in a heap with his clothes at the end of the bed. I wriggle into the soft layers of apricot tulle, and stuff my arms into the sleeves, reaching behind me to tug on the laces.
Warm hands take hold of mine.
“Allow me.”
Taylen’s fingers replace mine and move deftly up the lacings, drawing the dress closed perfectly around me. Even through the fabric, his touch brands me. When the dress is secured, I turn to face him, and find his heated gaze assessing me.
“Perfect,” he whispers, his finger tipping my chin, as he dips his head to kiss me. His lips are soft and gentle, despite the longing I saw in his eyes. I rest my hands on his hips as he sighs, and leans in to whisper, “Don’t be too long, my beautiful mate, I need to explore just how sensitive these new fae ears of yours are,” and then henibbleson the tip, causing my knees to buckle.
A whimper escapes me and he chuckles. Right now, I want nothing more that to rip that towel off him, and have my way with him again, but Ihaveto speak to the others.
His thumb and finger still hold my chin as he pulls away slightly to look down at me again.
“Come and find me in my study when you are through speaking with the humans.”
I nod, only because I can’t remember how to speak.
“I’ll have Cook bring us up something to eat. I’m certain we have missed breakfast.”
“Okay,” I manage, mesmerised by his swirling russet eyes.
“Thank you, Seki,” he whispers, his tone turning serious. I don’t think it has anything to do with meeting him in the study, so I frown.
“Thank you for agreeing to stay, for accepting me as your mate.”
His reverent words crack my heart. “Taylen, you don’t need to thank me for—”
“I do. You have made me happier than I ever thought possible, and you have… you have given me hope.”
My heart could burst. I take his face in my hands, even as his thumb rubs along my chin and pull him into a kiss. My lips surge against his as I squeeze my eyes shut, tears rolling down my cheeks. When the kiss ends, he rests his forehead against mine.
“You make me happier than I ever thought possible, too. I’m just sorry it took me so long. As soon as I decided, I knew it was right.”
“It doesn’t matter how long it took. All that matters now is that you are mine.”
“I’m yours,” I whisper, unable to hide the swell of affection I feel for my mate.
I lean back, beaming up at him, and find his chestnut eyes glistening. Seriousness forgotten, the air turns into something more… content. Filled with the sensation of wholeness, of completion, I lean in to kiss him one last time.
“I won’t be long,” I promise as I pull away.
If I don’t leave now, I never will. I don’t look back as I leave his room, because I know if I do, and I see him standing there in that towel, my resolve will dissolve, and I’ll rush back to him. So, I keep walking. One foot in front of the other.
I listen to the soft thump of my silk slippers on the hardwood as I meander through the corridors. Adjusting my still damp hair, I try to tuck in my ears. I will reveal them to the others when the time is right, even though my hair tickles against the tips and makes me tingle. That’s going to take some getting used to.
I figure Alana is going to be the easiest person to speak to, so I head for the library. She’s bound to be there.
I pause in the doorway because although Alana is exactly where I thought she’d be; she isn’t alone.Allthe others are with her, and they look up at me in unison.
“Seki!” Alana squeals and rises from her seat, racing towards me. “Where have you been? We’ve been worried! You weren’t at breakfast, then you weren’t in your room!”
“I’m fine, I was with Ta— The High Lord.”
