Chapter 6

Memories sluice through my head in a cold, staggering rush. Despite their onslaught, Lana's hand anchors me to the present, to her. Her hand is delicate in mine, fragile, like the rest of her half-mortal body. Her power lies there, though, deep, latent, and drawing me like a moth to flame. My other hand presses against the crumbling fa?ade of my former home, and despite the fragments of past running through my head, I cannot quite remember what happened here.

"This is your home?" Her voice enchants me, and I circle my fingers around her wrist.

"It was," I say, turning to her. Her hair falls in loose waves around her face, a reddish blonde that highlights sky blue eyes. Her lips are pursed, full and soft, and I take a stuttering breath, holding myself back.

She doesn't want me like that. Not yet.

"How old is this place?"

"It was already old when I was born." The words creak out of me, as though rusty with disuse. They feel odd in my mouth, and I try to be grateful I'm remembering, and fail. Frustration wends through me. I turn back to estate, which formerly boasted sprawling gardens and burbling fountains. A staff. My family. An ache begins in my chest, and I rub my hand against it before pressing through the rotting wood door.

"When were you… how old are you?" Her voice stumbles over the question, and I drop her wrist to squeeze her hand. "Why can you talk now, but you couldn't before?"

My mate must trust me a little, to ask questions. The thought satisfies me, as does everything else about her. I am beyond lucky to have found her. Even now, as my heart yearns for a past I do not quite remember, her sweet, floral scent centers me. Focuses me on what I might enjoy in the future.

On her.

Growling low, I tug her into me, breathing in her hair, loving the feel of the curves of her soft body against mine. But she's tense, and she doesn't return the gesture.

"You're afraid." I release her, and she steps back.

"I don't want to be rude." Her pink lips are turned down in a frown. "But you keep hugging me and you're naked."

I cock my head at her. "Being afraid is not rude. You are afraid of nudity?"

"No, not the nudity." She makes a frustrated noise, her hand on a hip. "I mean, yes, obviously the nudity. I don't know you. I don't know why you keep calling me your mate. I still don't know where the hell I am and yeah, I am afraid for my sisters. And…"

"You're afraid of me." It's a statement. A fact. Even now, her fear scent curls from her. I inhale deeply, steadying myself.

"Maybe." She gives a little shrug, but it's tense. Fake. "You're very naked."

I snort out a laugh, amused by the ridiculousness of it. I can understand the rest. But of me?

"You think it's funny that I am afraid of you?"

"No, I don't."

"Then what are you laughing at?"

The humor slides from my face, as her eyes well with tears. She's upset. But brave, this woman. Even through her fear, she seeks answers. Pride grows in me. The universe chose well for me.

"Little Lana. I laughed because I know that you have nothing to fear from me, even if you do not. I would never hurt you, in mind or body. Men who hurt their mates are the worst sort of evil." I raise my chin, starting to reach for her.

She trembles, her lower lip quivering. Her lower lip, which is split. My eyes snag on the bruise darkening her cheek and comprehension dawns on me.

"You've been hurt by another man. When?" My muscles bunch, the words spitting out of me furious and fast.

She flinches, and I take a step back, willing my heart to stop racing. Everything in me screams to shift, to hunt the one who hurt my mate and rip him to shreds. My canines elongate, my claws sharpening in preparation.

The bitter smell of fear intensifies.

"I don't want to talk about it." Her gaze drops to the ground, her arms hugging around herself.

"Then I will talk for you." Stars above and below, but it feels good to speak. "I will answer what I can of your questions. But know this, Lana Kit, I will never hurt you. You are the one for me. It is fated by the starlight that runs through our veins, by dust and the universe. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, and happy, and there will be no screams of fear, only screams of pleasure." It's matter of fact, but the way her creamy cheeks pink tells me she's not used to this kind of talk.

Very well.

She may not be used to this kind of talk, but she will become used to me. To being treasured and loved. I growl in satisfaction at the faint scent of her arousal and the knowledge that I alone caused it. My Lana will come to me. I must be patient. I must answer her questions and show her she is treasured. I will find her sisters, even risk angering their mates, if that's what it takes.

I return to the task at hand, gazing around the ruined interior of my once family home: figuring out what happened between me sleeping in that cave, and whatever battle took place here.