“What was that?” Trik’s brow drew together. “I promise, Cassie, I wasn’t listening but that was a really strong emotion, and you basically just screamed it at me. You thought I might not want you?”

Cassie tried to lay her forehead against his shoulder but he rolled her again until they were both on their sides and then raised her chin to look at him.

“The way I acted while on Rapture, Trik, it was awful and it’s so embarrassing. The way I danced. Crap, I didn’t even know I had those moves in me.”

“Wanna show me?” Trik asked with a wink.

She laughed. “I’m being serious.”

“A’maelamin, listen to me,” he waited until she was once again looking at his eyes. “Did you sleep with multiple men, together, or individually?”

Cassie gasped, repulsed by what he was suggesting. “What? NO! Nothing like that.”

“Okay, so let me put it like this, even if you had, I would still want you. But all you’re telling me you did was some sexy dancing.”

She stared at him, searching for any little crack in his armor of nonchalance. “So you’re not disgusted with me?”

Trik laughed. “Baby, I could roll you in tar and cover you in feathers and then drizzle slime all over you and still I would not be disgusted with you.”

“Okay, that’s a little disturbing.” She smiled at his description.

“I never claimed to be anything less.”

She laughed and for that brief moment she felt a tiny amount of peace. “Thank you, Trik,” she told him seriously.

“Awe, beautiful Cassie, there is nothing to thank me for. In fact, you should probably skewer me because even in your vulnerable state, I still desire to corrupt you in the most delicious of ways.”

She blushed and when he pressed his palm to her cheek and closed his eyes she was confused. Suddenly her mind was filled with thoughts and she gasped as she realized that these were definitely not her thoughts.

The desire she felt for Trik was not even a spark compared to the yearning that he had for her. She felt her body heat from the tips of her toes to the top of her head and she wondered how he could walk around with that much going on inside of him. Finally, he pulled his hand away and he was breathing hard and Cassie realized, much to her surprise, so was she.

“Whoa,” she murmured.

Trik’s lips quirked up in a crooked smile. “I would say that was worthy of more than a whoa.”

“How? I mean, whoa,” Cassie stumbled and tried to keep her words and voice steady.

Trik chuckled. “Let’s go to sleep, love. We can talk more about all of that after we are married, which needs to happen very, very soon.”

“You want me to sleep after you just showed me…,” she was cut off by his lips pressing to hers. She started to respond, but then quickly pulled back. “Um, okay, no kissing until after we’ve slept.”

“Now you’re feeling just a taste of the need I feel for you.” He tucked her close against him and kissed her forehead.

Cassie snuggled into him and relished the safety she felt in his arms. “I love you, Trik,” she whispered.

“Oh, Baby,” he crooned to her, causing her to smile, “I love you too.”

She pressed her face to his chest and absorbed his heat, breathed in his scent, and began to drift off to sleep.

“What about that book you have, Lisa?” Elora asked as they all sat gathered in their living room, a room that normally appeared to be average to large in size but that had now been dwarfed because of the two tall warriors which occupied it.

Lisa’s eyes shot over to Elora and then quickly back to Cush and Rin. “Um,” she began.

“Mom?” Elora prompted.

“Yes, well you see that book…it well…,” Lisa stumbled over her words as she twisted her hands in her lap nervously.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Oakley finally asked. “What book is Elora talking about?”

“Okay, based on your shady behavior,” Elora interrupted, “I’m going to guess that you think tweedledee and tweedledumb over here are going to hog tie you or something when they find out about your book. I assure you they are not.” She turned and looked at Cush and Rin. “Are you, boys?” She nearly laughed when Rin gave a quick shake of his head as if he were scared of her, a little human. Cush shook his head, albeit, with less enthusiasm. “See? So, Lisa, tell me why that book freaks you out so much and this time tell me the truth.”

Lisa let out a resigned sigh and sat back into the chair. She crossed her legs and chewed on her bottom lip for several seconds before she began to speak. “That book, as I told you before, is the Book of the Elves.” She paused and looked over at the two warriors. Sure enough, their eyes were as wide as dinner plates. She nodded at them in acknowledgement. “My mate gave it to me to hide.” There were several moments of silence before Elora finally spoke up.

“Whoa, whoa, wait a second,” she said as she waved her hands at her mom. “I’m sorry but I could have sworn that you just said that your mate, not husband, but mate.”

Lisa gave Elora one of her looks and Elora held her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll shut up until you’re done, but I want it noted that I’m not happy.”

Oakley rolled his eyes. “When did she become such a drama queen?”

Lisa chuckled. “Since the world went to hell in a hand basket, a new side of your sister has emerged. I kind of like it; she’s all spunky. It’s cute.”