13. Emrie

After speaking with Alpha Riggs, Mateo, Mathan and Alistair about what had happened, we determined that although we had another piece of the puzzle, we were really no closer to identifying the person who was trying to kill me. But we did know, now, that he was a shifter of probably massive power, and that he did, indeed, want to kill me.

I was not thrilled with this information. It brought up feelings that I thought I'd worked through in relation to my parents' deaths. For a week or two, I mourned them all over again.

I was angry.

They hadn't been killed in a senseless accident. No, this was worse. They'd been murdered by someone in a jealous rage who couldn't leave my mother alone, and by extension her family. The fact that they were gone from this life because of a terrible shifter and his psycho issues both infuriated and saddened me. There was nothing to be done for my parents anymore. They were long gone. But I was determined to bring their murderer to justice.

And since we didn't know who he was—he could literally be anyone—life continued as normal.

Before I knew it, the annual Valentine Fair Ball came around again. The fair was from ten to eight tomorrow, and the fairgrounds and the surrounding streets were getting blocked off for it. The ball was going to be held at King Draven and Consort Mia's home this year.

And this year, I had a Valentine.

Roarke and I were sharing a room since we'd been partially bonded. We hadn't completed the bond yet, but both Roarke and his grumpy dragon had refused to let me sleep alone, so we were one-bedding it in cute romcom style.

I slept so much better with him beside me, and I think he did too, but it had made for some interesting dynamics at first. Being in each other's space all the time, keeping the bathroom door locked when it was in use—found that one out the hard way—and a million other little things that new couples had to get used to.

Eventually, I knew, when our bonding was complete, I would grow comfortable with keeping the doors open while I was showering and getting ready. Those were things, from what I'd heard from other couples, that just came more naturally after you were intimate for a bit. I wasn't so sure. I was shy by nature, and because my curvy body could make even normal clothes look really revealing, I was pretty modest as well. Roarke, not so much. Maybe it was just because of his age.

I had kept hoping the shyness would go away, but the last several nights I'd worn sweats to bed and woke up a sweating mess because my mate was a literal, fire breathing furnace. I'd been miserable at night, and my bear was really grumpy with me and didn't understand what the big deal was with wearing my normal night time attire.

Which was the reason why I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror, looking at the cute tank and ruffled cotton shorts sleep-set I was wearing in horror. I'm showing too much skin, I said, trying to pull the shorts down a little so they covered more thigh, but to no avail. They weren't nearly long enough. And all of my pajamas were like this, they only came to upper or mid thigh. I mean, I was a bear! It got hot at night!

My bear snorted at my thoughts. Lovely. Which I knew to mean she thought we looked lovely.

I sighed. Well, at least my bear wasn't short of confidence. That was more an Emrie problem.

Go. Prove to be good mate.

I pulled my long hair over one shoulder and made a face at myself in the mirror before I straightened my shoulders and marched out of the bathroom like I was a soldier going to war.

Roarke was sitting up in bed reading a book, and I melted at how good he looked. He looked up when I stepped out of the bathroom, saw what I was wearing, and his eyes turned red. It reminded me adorably of those cartoons where they ate something hot and their eyes turned pink or red and steam started coming out of their ears. Roarke was unbelievably good for my self-esteem.

"Wow, those pajamas look beautiful on you," he said, with feeling.

I fidgeted with the ruffle of my shorts, and cleared my throat. "Thank you." Then when he kept staring, I waved at him awkwardly like a dork, and dove into the bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. I could hear the ump in my head yelling, "Safe!"

Roarke chuckled at my awkwardness as he put his book on the side table, and turned toward me, pulling me into his arms.

"Am I too hot for you, mo chroì?" he murmured.

I snorted at his arrogance. Typical dragon. But then I had to, at least admit to myself, that it was true.

"You look beautiful." He nosed my neck, and kissed it, making me shudder. "But then, you looked beautiful in sweats, too."

I sighed at his kiss and his words, trying to remind myself for the umpteenth time why we wanted to wait to complete the bond. For myself, it was because I wanted to take our time with this next part. For Roarke, he'd said he wanted the opportunity to woo me as a romantic partner. As his mate.

Of course it'd made me love him even more. A mate that was respectful? That gave you time to adjust? That wanted to woo you?

Umm, sign me up!

"Thank you. I apologize in advance if you wake up to me wrapped around you again like an anaconda."

He laughed, and his eyes went molten. "But it's such a wonderful way to wake up."

I could feel my cheeks burn. "I guess I'm a restless sleeper," I whispered, fidgeting with the blanket.

Roarke kissed the tip of my nose. "There's no better way to wake up then with you in my arms." He chuckled. "Even if you are a bed hog."

It was true. I think I slept like a starfish most of the night, and I tended to wander all around the bed. When I'd slept alone, I frequently used to wake up facing a different direction than the direction I'd gone to bed in, with my head where my feet had been. Or I'd wake up half off the bed. Now, I usually woke up wrapped around Roarke. Which, admittedly, was not the worst way to wake up.

Roarke ran his fingers through my hair, and I sighed in bliss, closing my eyes. I loved it when he played with my hair. "We have a hot date tomorrow."

He hummed in agreement, and I opened my eyes and melted a little more at the happiness in his expression. Roarke had a resting grump face, so his happy expression was a big deal. I kissed his chin. "I'm really happy to go with you this year." I'd taken a date the year before, and I'd been miserable the whole time.

The Valentine Fair, as anyone might imagine, was an absolute mecca for couples in love. There were dozens of cupids and other paranormals selling all kinds of things in booths, as well as food, a few rides, and live entertainment. It was a lot of fun, unless you were there with a terrible date. Then, it was no fun at all. All through the fair last year I'd kept wishing I'd gone with Roarke. He'd asked me to go as friends, but I'd thought it would be too hard to go with him to something so completely about love and try to hide my deepening feelings for him. I had probably been right, but I shouldn't have tried to take a random date either. I should have just gone by myself, or, better yet, with my Clan.

I would have had a lot more fun.

Roarke and I were going together this year, but my Clan had glomped themselves onto our date and were going with us. And I couldn't be mad, because they still had a hard time letting me out of their sight since the sleep tainting attack. And with Mateo as my bodyguard when Roarke was away, the other guys had stepped up too, and had decided I needed more protection. So, I got a Clan of bears who were making me claustrophobic, a bear that was grumbling about her Clan, and a dragon mate that kept stealing me away from my Clan because they weren't giving us very much space.

Mateo kept giving me looks, like he knew I wanted to say something. Alpha Riggs did too. But I was determined to be a good sport about it and keep things in perspective. After all, how many people had as much love and support as I did? And if I had to repeat that to myself fifty times a day I would. Just, for reasons.

"I'm happy to be going this year with you as well—and your Clan." He chuckled and I winced.

"Sorry. I know they've been a little...enthusiastic."

He smoothed the lines in my forehead and smirked. "Not at all. I'm a big dragon. I can handle eight dates at once."

I laughed and poked him in the stomach, then hid my face in his chest with a groan. "They're so out of control right now. I can't believe they're crashing our date."

"Well, at least I'll get to dance with you at the ball, and I might even win you a stuffed bear tomorrow at one of the games." His voice rumbled against my cheek as he lowered his head to rest on top of mine. "And you promised to go on the Ferris wheel with me, and they can't crash that; there's not enough room."

I made a face he couldn't see. "Are you sure you want to go on the Ferris wheel? We can go on the love boats instead?"

He chuckled, rubbing my back with soothing motions. "We'll go on those as well. I plan on kissing you from one end of the fair to the other." He found my hand and squeezed it gently. "I'll protect you," he whispered.

I fell asleep to the rhythm of his breaths, the soothing motion of his hand rubbing my back, and dreams of Roarke kissing me on the Ferris wheel.