Chapter 4

Danielle's eyes are round with wonder as she looks around my home. I'm torn between wanting to show her everything and not wanting to overwhelm her. She lets me lead her through the front door, her luscious lips slightly parted.

I clear my throat. "It has been a while since I was last here. We have been camping at the caves, waiting for the gate to open again. I apologize if it is not up to your standards or your liking. I am happy to change anything you want." I want her to love it. I want her to be at home here, to be at home with me.

"It's lovely," she replies, her gaze finding mine.

Pleasure threads through me, and I thank the stars above and below for sending my mate at last, and that it is one as kind and bright as Danielle. My throat closes up, emotion welling in me. I cannot seem to stop touching her, even after carrying her all this way. Her hand is small and delicate compared to mine, but there is a strength in her, in these hands, that calls to me.

I want her to want me as much as I need her, have needed her for a century or more. I close my eyes, trying to remember how long it's been since the Starbound women, the women of my people, fled this realm. Fled for safety. Everything about that day is sharp in my mind, the cries of women as they ran through the gate, the copper tang of blood in my mouth. The weight of the sword in my hand.

What I cannot remember, and not for lack of trying, is how long ago that was. The days and nights have bled together, run together like my mother's dye in the water. We are all like this, all the remaining men, the last of our houses. I open my eyes, a muscle ticking in my jaw.

Something is wrong in Vraya, has been wrong in my world for a long, long time.

My nostrils flare. Even now, in my home, my sweet Danielle is not as safe as I would wish.

"What's wrong?" she asks. She pulls away, hugging her arms around her. A brass starlamp rattles on a table as she steps into it.

I steady the lamp and make myself smile at her. It is not hard to smile, not when she is a being out of my wildest fantasies. Her long, dark hair tangles across her shoulders, wild from our journey, her inquisitive gaze on mine. I sniff delicately, scenting her spice-kissed skin, her heightened emotions. Speed and agility and heightened senses are the legacy of my house, but I do not like what I sense. My mate is still afraid, and that will not do.

"I want you to be at home here," I answer, and it's not quite a lie, though not the whole truth. All I've wanted for so long is right in front of me, and it takes all of my self-control to not claim her lips, to not press her soft, curved body against mine and show her what we could have.

"It's very nice

"What do you like to eat?" I make myself ask instead.

"Oh, I'm easy," she says, turning her attention to the small starlight lamp. She's fascinated by the small magics of my home, and hope unfurls in my chest as she traces a finger across the contours of the light.

"Easy," I repeat. I must focus, I must not be distracted by her fingers. Proving to her that I will be a good mate, that I can take care of her, is everything now. Gaining her trust is everything.

Her eyes lock with mine, and she pushes at her tumble of hair. "Ah, I mean, I'll eat whatever you have. I won't be difficult." Her voice is tight, and I frown, wondering what has upset her.

"Are you sure? I am more than happy to make you anything you desire." I want to be what she desires. I clench my fists to keep from touching her again, afraid of making her skittish.

"I'm sure, thanks." She tugs at a tapestry hanging from the wall, an old one depicting scenes of Avleim in its prime, when the Starbound still ruled there.

"I will bring some things up from the cellar. Make yourself at home." It's yours, too, I want to say, but stop myself, knowing that she needs time. She is brave and smart, my mate, but she is already overwhelmed with the day's events. My Danielle does not seem to understand what we are to each other.

Yet.

I step away, towards the cellar entrance.

"Oh, I can come with you," she says quickly, that note of earnest curiosity back in her voice. Would she sound so curious during our first lovemaking? What will she sound like when I make her mine?

I grit my teeth, trying to banish the thoughts, even as I grow hard at them. Now is not the time. I might have waited a century or more for my mate, for the Starbound women of our people to return, but I will not ruin my chance at making my Danielle feel safe, at letting her come to me on her own.

"You seem tense," she says, taking a step back. "I don't have to go; I can stay here." Her fear scent intensifies, and I force my features to relax. My entire body is on overdrive right now, excited and overworked because of her. In my home.

Mate, my mate. My senses are screaming, and I work to quiet them, taking her hand gently in mine again. I trace my finger against her palm, watching her reaction.

Her breath hitches at the innocuous touch, and fierce pleasure runs through me. She is not unaffected by our bond, either.

Good.

"I did not mean to frighten you." My tone is low and even. "In the cellar I have salt fish, dried meat and fruit, and other things that keep well. I would very much like if you came with me and told me what appeals to you." I can't help myself, and I push her hand against my cheek. It is a simple pleasure, the soft skin of her hand against me. Her eyes are wide, and her breath comes in quick pants.

A victorious grin kicks the corners of my mouth up. Our mating bond is strong, the starlight in our blood calling to hers as fiercely as it calls to mine.

"I'll come," she says. Her dark eyes get even bigger. "I mean, yes, let's go pick out food, that's what I meant. I will go down on you. With you! Down to the cellar!" She's babbling, and I remove her hand from my face as her cheeks grow red and rosy.

"Good." I turn away from her, because I fear staring at her longer will make her even more uncomfortable.

I pull her behind me into a hallway, opening the heavy wood door to the cellar. The starlight lamp glows as we descend, the damp air of the cellar greeting us. She makes a small noise of surprise, and I glance over at her, delighted by the quick succession of expressions that dart across her face.

"How do they work, though?"

I shrug. "Magic, like I said. They're made from captured starlight, and they respond to the starlight in our blood, glowing for us."

"Starlight in our blood, huh?"

"You feel it, yes? All living things are made of stars, dust, and light. Our people, the Starbound, simply have more. Have learned how to use it."

"Ah," she says, and she cocks her head, stretching out her hands as thought she'll see the evidence there. Maybe she will.

The lamp bathes her in a soft glow, and my breath catches.

"Starlight becomes you," I say.

Danielle's gaze flicks to mine. Slowly, so slowly, I smooth her unruly mane. It's soft and pliant against my fingers, for all that it's tangled. There is a fire between us, a spark now, and if I fan the flames, it will consume us both. My fingers brush the pink of her ear, and she shudders, her eyes closing.

Satisfaction curls through me. "Come."

She follows me down the stairway, her footsteps light as she walks. Danielle makes a little sound of surprise, passing me and running back and forth between the stocked food. She reaches a hand up, picking a sprig off a hanging bundle of herbs and bringing it to her nose.

"It smells like lavender," she says, then pulls another sprig from another dried bundle. "This one's rosemary… and mint, and oregano, I think?" She looks at me for verification before hustling over to where the hard cheeses are stored in the coolest area.

"You have these plants where you come from?" This is good. Having familiar things will help her acclimate. Already, she looks as though she belongs, pawing through my larder.

"Yes, and this looks like cheddar. And swiss, maybe?"

"The one with holes is not swiss, no. It's Pelgarch, named for a mountainous region."

Her heart-shaped face tilts towards me. "Fascinating."

"Would you like that? To eat tonight?"

Her nose crinkles, her finger running around the rim of a barrel. "Honestly, I'm so hungry anything sounds good. I'll eat whatever you think will taste good together."

I grunt. Perhaps this is a test. Perhaps she wants me to show her my ability to provide in our home before she agrees to be mine. This must be it. I snatch a basket from the bottom of the stairs, filling it with meats and jars of various preserved items, my favorite selection of cheeses, as well as the ingredients for fresh bread.

She watches me all the while, her gaze avid and curious. I like her gaze. I like everything about her, from her perfect, round breasts to her small waist and thick bottom. I like the dark fall of her hair, the way she smells of spice and fire and sweat. I like her intelligence, and her quick smile, and her lips, lips that would feel so good against my…

I choke back a groan, adding a flagon of wine to my basket. It's heavy with food, too much for the two of us. But if my Danielle wants me to show her that I can make her a lavish feast out of only preserved food, I will make her the best feast. She will eat until she can eat no more, and then I will help her bathe, all the while convincing her to mate with me.

I smile to myself, beckoning to Danielle. "Come, little mate, it's time to go back upstairs. I will make the bread, and you can drink the wine and relax while I provide for you."

"Oh," she smooths her hair, nervous, I realize. "Okay."

She follows me up the stairs, and I cannot stop the grin on my face.

It is a good plan.

I will have my mate in my bed this night, I think.