why Kynar remained in the area. He had to know he wouldn’t be able to free Laed much less get to the crystal, even if she still had it. Meanness and viciousness ran through their veins, but she’d never thought them stupid.
When she was with Colm or Linc, she forgot to ask about that. Still, she doubted the conversation would get far. She had brought up Laed a couple of times. They became growly and tense. They assured her that he wouldn’t escape, but she never managed to get very far in the conversation. She knew they would protect her. That wasn’t in question.
“Hi, Tynan, it hasn’t started raining, I hope.” She could smell the moisture in the air. When she’d peeked out earlier, she’d noticed the dark clouds hanging low in the sky.
“Not yet. It will soon. I was just waiting for you and for Colm.” He returned her smile and straightened away from the wall.
“Colm? Is he walking with us?” She felt her spirits lift a little more. She’d love to spend some time with him.
“I don’t know. He told me to wait for him to get here before we went walking.” Tyson smiled.
She frowned. It was a little strange, but she brushed it aside. Whatever the reason, she wanted him with her. She waited, expecting him to come through the doors any moment. She couldn’t stand still. She fidgeted. Her hands brushed over her green skirt and straightened her shirt.
As time passed, she began pacing, first across the hallway and then down the length of it and back. Periodically, she’d lean against the wall and stare at the door. What is taking him so long?
When the door finally opened, she’d once again taken a rest against the wall. Her eyes narrowed and she watched it swing wide. Annoyance simmered through her at the delay. It was probably going to start raining and then they’d find a reason to keep her inside. She’d get cold, the rain would limit vision or some other plausible impediment. They’d always be overprotective, but now she’d almost reached her limit. She needed these small tastes of freedom. The continued confinement made her ready to bolt.
Colm strode into the hallway and stopped midstep. His eyes swung to her and locked. She saw them shift to tiron gold. Stunned, she straightened against the wall. A predator watched her and she didn’t dare make any sudden moves. What had happened?
“Into the gathering room. Now.” Colm’s voice rumbled low and rough and so close to a growl that she blinked at him for a moment. “Now, woman!”
She moved. Without a word, she walked to the gathering room. With every step, she felt as if she was about to be pounced upon and taken to the ground. Pushing the door open, she stepped into the room.
Colm’s body pressed forward, suddenly crowding her into the dimly lit room. At that moment, his scent surrounded her. The deep, spicy essence hit her with the force of a physical blow. Mate! The door slammed shut. Colm’s hands clasped on her arms and guided her to the closest wall. Although she’d known the herbs were fading from her system, she’d thought it would take another day or two to be gone completely.
One of his hands left her arm and swept her hair to the right side, bringing the mass over her shoulder and baring her neck and left shoulder. With each breath she took, his scent seemed to wash through her. Hunger flared low in her belly and slick moisture began to ease from her pussy. It surprised her. He had barely touched her, but already her body began to ignite with desire.
“Finally, I can smell you.” Colm growled the words against her neck. His teeth scraped across her neck. “Unbutton your shirt or it’s going to get torn.”
She didn’t care about the shirt, but knew she’d need something to wear after he finished with the claiming. Her fingers fumbled on the oval fastenings, but managed to push the last one through the hole before he took matters into his own hands. He pulled the shirt down her arms and tossed it.
She didn’t see which direction it went before his hands firmly turned her to face the wall. At the moment, she didn’t care. Her heart thudded against her chest as excitement tore through her body. She pressed her hands against the wall to brace herself. Slick moisture eased out of her cunt onto her thighs.
His hands shook and, at times,