“You can still use it, right?” She peeled away the gore-wet strands stuck to her neck. “I mean, I don’t want to take away something you need.”
“I’m good.” Nik couldn’t stop his smile. “And you didn’t. But I can’t call it any longer, if that’s what you mean. Only you can now. It will always come to you once summoned, and it’s deadly. It’s why the hellhound bled so much. In you go—” He removed her towel and tossed it aside. Then he adjusted the water temp before nudging her under the steaming spray. From the corner rack, he took his shampoo and started soaping her hair, and the cascading water drenched him, too.
“Nik,” she sputtered. “I can wash myself.”
“Why, when I can do it even better?” He was sure she rolled her eyes, but he couldn’t tell with all the soapiness. His mouth curved in amusement when something fundamental struck him. Shit. He had no idea how she’d feel about it.
“There’s one more thing, Shadow,” he said softly. “With us soul-joining, it means you will take on my lifespan.”
She opened one eye and peered at him. Her smile widened. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” This girl, she brought more smiles to him than he ever believed possible. “But if one of us does die, the other will follow.”
She swiped the water from her face. “Why would I want to live without you?”
“Me, too, Starshine. Me, too,” he said quietly.
After the water ran clear, he squeezed more of his shower gel onto a washcloth and scrubbed her free of the hellhound’s blood. Satisfied he got all the gore off her, he tossed the washcloth aside, cupped her face, and kissed her, needing to dispel the lingering fear still entrenched in him at how close he’d come to losing her.
She moaned, slicked her tongue over his. Her hands stroked his back. “Nik,” she said against his mouth, tugging at his t-shirt. “Maybe you should undress first, hmm?”
Nik sighed and glanced down at himself, his cock a throbbing ache, trapped in his wet jeans. Fuck. “Right.”
He stepped out of the stall, water flowing down, and grabbed the back neck of his t-shirt, pulled it off, and his stomach twinged. Then he saw the reason for his pain. Three deep gashes marred his abs. His irritation surged. And that brought his mind back to the situation. Damn fucking scourge.
“You’re bleeding.” Shadow hastily shut off the faucet and hurried out. “Let me see to that.”
“I’ll heal.” He grabbed a clean towel, wrapped it around her, and handed her one for her wet hair, then turned her to the bedroom. “Go and dress. I won’t be long.”
She didn’t move, clutching the towel to her chest, her wet hair dripping water down her face. “We’re leaving here, aren’t we?”
Hell, he hated disappointing her. More, he didn’t want to worry her with what he suspected about the damn hellhound—about it targeting her—probably sensing the energy of the vile souls she fed on. So, he merely said, “While this monastery is warded against supernatural evil, the surrounding area isn’t. I won’t be able to concentrate while I’m out on patrol with the hellhound already marking the area.”
“Lore will be here. And I can fight.”
True, the angel could perhaps keep her safe, and yeah, she was one little badass mortal as she enjoyed reminding him, but Shadow had no idea how deeply entrenched in his soul she already was. He wouldn’t risk even a scratch on her.
However, he knew better than to say this out loud. “I know. But I need to meet with the other warriors. This creature on the loose is bad news. I’ll have to check in with Race first, then we’ll leave.”
“Will we ever come back here?”
“This is my—our home. Once we’ve dealt with the hellhound, then caught the ones behind the trafficking of the women and children in both realms, we will.”
“Which means it won’t be any time soon.”
“We do have our quiet moments,” he teased, pulling off his wet boots, then unzipping and dragging off his clammy jeans. “It’s not all doom and gloom.” Naked, he stalked back into the shower, turned on the faucets. The rush of water stinging his wounds as he shampooed his buzzed hair.
“Nik?”
At Shadow’s hesitant tone, he swiped the suds from his face, grimacing at the burn in his eye. “Yeah?”
She rubbed her arms, then shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just happy I have you.”
“Me, too, agápi.”
She smiled and shut the stall door before trailing out to the bedroom.
Nik swiped the water from his face, staring at the shut door. The ancient goddess’ voice from eons ago drifted to him after he’d sworn his fealty to her and chosen his dagger from the many she’d offered… “Your dagger is an embodiment of your one weakness and your ultimate strength. When it fails to return to you, you have found your salvation.”
He’d had no idea what she’d meant then or cared. Now he finally understood.
Shadow was both his weakness and his strength. His salvation.
And his very heart.
Chapter 20
Dusk had started to descend over the Guardians’ estate as Nik ushered Shadow through the silent rec room. He sensed the warriors gathered in the Arc’s study. Before leaving Romania, he’d group texted them to wait for him. This was too important to put off until morning.
They stepped out into the silent corridor. “C’mon, I’ll show you to our quarters.”
“It’s okay.” She stopped. “Go to your meeting. I’ll find it.”
He frowned. “Shadow, you’re my mate. I’m not gonna abandon you on our first night here, leave you in the damn corridor.”
A smile curved her tempting mouth. “You aren’t. And I’m okay, really. Besides, I can hear the warriors’ impatient pacing.”
“They’ll wait.”
“Nik, go.” She patted his chest. “Fill them in about the demon dog. It’s more important. I’ll be fine. Just give me directions to your quarters so I can take these up.” She took the shopping bags and her backpack he held, then lifted on her toes, hooked her one around his neck, and still couldn’t reach him. When he stared at her, she arched an eyebrow.
This female. Growling, he met her halfway and their lips collided. She dropped the bags and anchored onto him with her hands around his neck. Her mouth open, their tongues connected. Nik sucked and licked inside her mouth, again and again, unable to get enough of her. She moaned, and unbridled desire shot through his bloodstream, theós! But his mate was addictive. A drug to him. His cock throbbed with vengeance. Distant, feminine laughter broke through the heated haze—
Groaning, Nik stepped back. “Damn, this wasn’t wise…” He pressed a hand to his aching dick. “You’re too distracting, my mate.”
Her chest heaving, eyes dark with passion, she compressed her kiss-swollen lips as if hiding her smile and gathered the fallen packages. “Now I know you’ll come and find me before heading out on patrol.”
A low rumble escaped him. “You’re cold, Starshine.”