in her room. Rynn was tucked into a glorious looking bed, which looked inviting. Thankfully, she opted for a room tonight instead of the gross bear rug.
“You’re going to stay with me?” she asked me, her voice shook and she looked slightly frantic.
I nodded. “When you wake up, I’ll be right beside you.” I avoided telling her the whole truth. I desperately wanted to spend some time with Kyden, and mentally kissed Briggs for giving her the sleeping pill that would allow me to leave her side for a little while. I sat down next to her and held her hand. “Just rest, Rynn.”
She smiled softly, then shut her eyes. Within minutes, she drifted away. I slowly removed my hand from hers and held my breath, hoping the movement didn’t wake her. When I laid her hand back down, I stayed a moment just to make sure she was fast asleep.
Moments later, I knew it was safe—she was dead to the world. I stood and headed over to Briggs, his gaze locked on Rynn. “So, she’s your mate?” I whispered.
He raised his gaze to mine and smiled. “I’d never thought I’d find her, and look, there she is.”
I hugged him and his arms came tight around me. “I’m so happy for you, Briggs. She is such a doll.” I leaned back to meet his eyes, which instantly went straight back to her.
“She is lovely,” he stated. Then, he looked back at me. “I cannot thank you enough for what you have done to help her.”
I laughed softly. “She is not hard to love, Briggs. To be honest, I think you’ll do the most to help her.”
His face darkened, the sound of his teeth grinding together was loud. “It grieves me to know how she has been mistreated.” Then, his expression changed to one of pure possession. “I will make this right—if it is my only job in life.”
I kissed his cheek, a little scruff burned my lips. “I know you will. She is lucky to have you.” He smiled softly at that. “Listen, I’ll be back.”
“Go on,” he said, nodded toward the door. “She’ll be out for a good eight hours.”
With one last look at Rynn sleeping soundly, I headed for the door, opened it, then shut it quietly behind me. My body pressed up against it as I leaned my head back on it. What a day. I gave myself a second just to take it all in, tried to sort through the millions of emotions filtering through me.
A scuffle down the hall dragged me from my thoughts. I lowered my head to find Kyden striding toward me looking about as damn delicious as I’d ever seen him. He wore his devilish grin that always sent desire flickering through my stomach as I sighed in complete bliss that he was all mine. “Is she alright?”
“She is.” I nodded. “Briggs is with her now.” I stepped away from the door and began to walk toward him.
Halfway down the hall, we collided and he whisked me off my feet, taking me into a kiss of a lifetime. His lips crushed mine in a way that was not appropriate for watchful eyes. My mouth parted as his tongue licked along my bottom lip to ask permission. When I granted his request, our mouths synchronized together in nothing less than a mind-blowing embrace. His body came tight against mine as he held me close to him, pressing his hand into my lower back. A hard, warm body and male musky scent…simply heaven.
When he pulled back, his hunger ruminated off him with such force that I melted into him. My desire matched his. I needed him, craved to touch him and to be stroked in return. To feel adored in the midst of all this misery.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said sheepishly.
My desire plummeted, annoyance heated my blood. “When will you quit with the surprises? You know I hate them.”
His brow arched, his grin playful. “Most enjoy the sense of romance.”
“Romance shomance.” I waved dismissingly. “I just want to hear good old facts before I get dragged off to something.”
He let out a loud sharp bark of laughter and took my hand. “Come on, Álainn.” He dragged me behind him as we headed down the hall.
Just as we passed the sitting room, Isla gave me a little wave. I was very glad she didn’t come after me. Earlier, she’d drilled me relentlessly while we played a thousand questions. When I offered to