In the distance, I could hear the sound of crickets. It was the only sound that perforated the otherwise silent night. My eyes had somehow grown accustomed to the noise and I could discern the silhouette of the trees in the garden, dancing softly to the wind. Different thoughts filled my head as I twisted the twig caught between my fingers.
Sleep hadn’t come to me tonight and so I grabbed my shawl and made my way here. Fear sank in my stomach. In a day, my mating ceremony was to be held and as hard as I tried, I couldn't stop the warning voice in my head that something could go terribly wrong. It was an intuitive thought that I didn't like but it was still one I had to consider.
My mind whirled, scrutinizing everything I knew about the people who surrounded Callan. I had no idea who even was his ally, somehow it seemed everyone was out to get him for one reason or the other. My uncle’s presence didn't make it any better, he was a catastrophe waiting to happen.
It was futile trying to talk to Silviuvand I wouldn't be doing that. He and my father were on Alexander’s side regardless of what had and was to happen, they wanted me mated to the brute. The feelings of betrayal cut deep through my insides, it was the most painful feeling ever, and when I felt a tear pool at the corner of my eye, I let it slip down.
Behind me, I caught the sound of leaves crunching beneath the feet of another and I remained still, tightly held together.
His scent hit me almost at once and I released the air I didn't know I had been holding but when his hands touched the back of my neck, my stomach fluttered, a feeling of ecstasy spreading through every nerve of my body.
“Why are you out here?” he whispered, burying his face in the crook of my neck. The vibration of his voice when he spoke caused my face to heat up, and untoward thoughts sprang up in my mind.
I shut my eyes to them. “I could ask you the same,” I said softly. The feeling of him nuzzling against my neck hazed my thoughts.
“You,” he whispered.
“I couldn't sleep,” I sighed.
He got up and immediately, I missed the warmth of him on my neck. He settled himself next to me on the bench and turned so he was facing me. “What kept you up?”
I shrugged. “Everything. I fear for what is to come and I just…” I took in a breath. “I can't help but fear for the future.”
His gaze remained on me steadily and it discomforted me when he remained silent for the next few seconds.
“I’m scared too,” he divulged and when I looked up at him sharply, he let out a laugh.
It was music to my ears, his laughter was filled with genuine humor and it came out heartily, ringing through the night. I watched him with a small smile on my face.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, the hint of his lingering humor displayed in his voice.
“You do not laugh enough, it’s pleasing to hear it when you do.”
This elicited another laugh and my smile widened as I watched him throw his head back, chuckling. He was the most beautiful man I’d ever set eyes on.
Finally, he halted his laugh. “Maybe I’ve never had a reason to.”
I extended my hand, touching his face, and slowly caressing his forehead. “You might begin to grow frown lines if you maintain a scowl on your face all the time.”
I felt him stiffen against my touch and it hit me that I might be overstepping. We might be getting mated but I didn't know so much about him and especially if he was a person who didn't appreciate the physicality.
I pulled away and one of his hands shot forward, grabbing mine by the wrist.
“Don’t,” he said, a plea in his eyes.
I nodded and began to stroke my thumb on his cheeks. I watch him shut his eyes at the gentle movement of my finger, his breath catching. “What are you scared of?” I asked, reverting to his earlier admission.
“So much, Sophia. You have no idea.” He opened his eyes so suddenly, his gaze startlingly intense, it caused me to freeze. “But the very thing that terrifies the shit out of me is one day waking up and realizing none of this is real,” He paused. “Realizing that you are not.”
I let out a shaky laugh, the fire behind his words scorching me. “I am,” I assured him. “And I am here and I will be for a long while.”
He shook his head, his hand taking mine in his and he rested them on his thighs, his gaze remaining on them. I followed his eyes and stared at how perfectly our hands fitted, fingers intertwined with each other.
“I lied,” he whispered. “The very thing I fear most are these feelings, Sophia. I fear that I might overwhelm you with them, I fear it has taken control of me, it's maddening, obsessive, and controlling and I fear for the things I could be pushed to do because of them.”
“Callan…”
“You have no idea how restricting I try to be.”
Finally, he dragged his eyes from my hand to look at me but somehow, I felt as though his gaze saw beyond the conventional me that was seated in front of him. I could almost swear he had a clear glimpse of my insides, of my heart pumping faster, of the blood that coursed through my veins, the thoughts that plagued my mind, and the very feelings he spoke about, the maddening type that he also elicited in me.
“I wish to embed myself inside you. This is an obsession, Sophia. This is beyond me, beyond love.” He shut his eyes. “This is me worshiping you.”
And at once, I was plunged into a cacophony of emotions. Heat settled at my stomach, twisting it into knots.
“Look at me,” I said, and promptly, his eyes opened. The blue of his eyes completely darkened.
“How should I convey it to you?” I asked. “that you are the very air I breathe? That my stomach sinks at the thought of you? That my heart leaps at the sound of your voice and that I belong to you? In body and soul.”
His hand reached, his large palm settling on my neck.
“May I?”
Slowly, my eyes widened with realization. My tongue suddenly felt heavy resting on the roof of my mouth, so all I could do was nod.
He leaned forward, his mouth at the space between my neck and shoulder. I clenched my hands in anticipation, my fingers digging into the inside of my palm and I stiffened when I felt his mouth on my skin.
His teeth grazed me before softly with a tenderness that almost moved me to tears, I felt him bite me, and immediately a thousand and one different emotions flooded me.
I had been marked.