a pang momentarily overrode his panic.
I . . . I . . .
Why couldn’t Mirceo complete the thought? I . . .
Desire him? Not news. Want him for all time? Again, not news. Need him? Obviously.
Easing out of Caspion’s embrace, he traced to his feet. As he dragged on his pants, Mirceo struggled to marshal his scattered thoughts. Maybe he truly hadn’t been ready to promise his entire future. Had he made a deal with the devil to get what he wanted? And now that devil would collect on his soul?
But if he suffered from commitment doubts, then why was his heart telling him to stay close to Caspion? Shouldn’t he be running away? And why hadn’t he experienced anything like this during his other encounters with the demon?
Mirceo traced to one of the draped windows, peeking out. The orange hunter’s moon hung low, setting over the grounds. The sun would soon rise.
As he stared, he felt as if he’d missed something he should have noticed—the feeling akin to that frustrating sense when a word is on the tip of one’s tongue but can’t be called forth. He began to pace beside the bed. What am I forgetting . . . ?
In time, Caspion stirred. The demon woke with a smile, blinking open those blue eyes. With his first look at Mirceo, his breathtaking smile faded. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, vampire.”
“What?”
He sat up, raking tousled blond hair off his forehead. “You know what. You’ve already checked out.”
“I haven’t said a word.” Sweat beaded his forehead and upper lip. Mirceo didn’t sweat unless he exerted himself during sex.
“You don’t have to; your wild-eyed expression is saying everything.”
Saying what? Explain it to me! Make me understand.
Caspion rose to snatch his clothes off the floor. “Knew this would happen.”
Even now the sight of that physique had Mirceo hardening. What wouldn’t I have promised to possess him? “What does my expression say?”
Caspion grated, “It’s—been—swell.” He stabbed his legs into his pants.
“You’re putting words in my mouth.”
“I knew you’d do this!” His instincts must be going crazy. Just as a demon would need to claim his fated one, he wouldn’t tolerate losing a marked mate. Yet Caspion was clearly trying not to lose his temper. “I knew. But you convinced me to take a chance.”
“Since we are mated, I thought I wouldn’t feel this . . . this . . .”
“Regret?”
“Not regret.” Mirceo examined his emotions. “I don’t feel any regret.”
“You never regretted your conquests. Just the mornings after. Damn you, I told you to take time. To be certain.”
“I know.”
“You promised me eternity, and you didn’t even make it eight fucking hours! You told me things would be different with me, with your mate.”
“It is different. My anxiety is stronger than it’s ever been.” Why am I provoking him?
“You prick.” Caspion inhaled a deep breath, making another valiant attempt to control his rising anger. “Look, I understand this is a lot to process. What happened between us was mind-boggling. We’re both emotionally raw and charged up right now. But we have something here. Don’t throw it all away.”
The calmer Caspion managed to remain, the more agitated Mirceo grew. “Throw it all away? Is that on the table?” Make this feeling stop!
“You want it to be?”
“No. No!”
“Last night spooked the hell out of me too, and I’m in a place in my life where this is perfect timing. For you, the timing couldn’t be worse. But if you can trust me, we will make it work.”
That pain in Mirceo’s arm wouldn’t let up. He scowled down at it.
“Are you even listening to me?” Caspion demanded. “What occurred between the time you fell asleep and the time you woke up?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you: I don’t know! Maybe . . . maybe I should go away for a couple of days and get my mind in order—”
“No. You made a decision; abide by it. If you leave here this morning, then you leave for good.”
Leave for good. Leave Caspion. Mirceo’s alarm ratcheted up even more.
The demon narrowed his eyes. “You dreamed a memory of mine, didn’t you? I can guess which one.” His face flushed, even as his eyes filled with bitterness.
Mirceo wanted to say, Your memories have nothing to do with what I’m experiencing. But that might be a lie. When he thought of how those demons had mistreated his young mate, his insanity only seemed to peak.
“No denial. So you have dreamed my memories. And you’re saying they aren’t affecting you?”
“They are.