She swallowed, not denying the fact she did find Styx arousing, if also brutal and savage. But the latter showed her that this male was serious about life, about protecting what he actually thought was his.
And that’s me.
“Where else would I go?” she said honestly.
He leaned in an inch closer. “I want you here because you want to be here, wife.”
What was she supposed to say to that? Was she brave enough, truthful enough, to admit that she wanted him in the most basic sense? Was Audrey sane enough to admit being a captive by this male, and saved by him on more than one occasion had her … feeling like she wanted to be with him? Was she insane for wanting this, for wanting him?
He could have hurt her at any turn, could have forced himself upon her a hundred times by now. But he hadn’t.
And I want him even more.
When she didn’t answer right way, because she really didn’t know how to say any of what was on her mind or what she felt, Styx rose and went to sit next to her. She didn’t tense, didn’t even feel that tightness in her body when he was near. She felt calm, comfortable, and the dark, masculine scent of him consumed her.
Styx had a finger under her chin and tipped her head back. She stared into his dark eyes.
“You are free, Audrey.”
She got a rush hearing him say her name again.
“You are mine.”
She licked her lips, feeling heat wash through her.
“If exploring is what you want, then I’ll be by your side as you do it.”
And strangely enough, that was exactly what she wanted.
Chapter
Seven
Several days later
Audrey followed Styx through the cavern tunnel and to the opening of his home. Several days had passed since they’d had the discussion about her wanting to explore, and although she’d been ready to go the next day, a storm had come through, and it had been too dangerous to venture out. Styx also would only take her out during daylight hours, since he made sure to explain at night was when the really dangerous predators emerged.
She’d been more than okay with that.
Styx held his hand out and stopped, and she did the same. She was nervous, for whatever reason, but it wasn’t because she could have tried escaping again—which she had no intention of doing. It was because she was venturing off into the unknown, and anything that she couldn’t see, couldn’t rationalize, terrified her.
Styx turned and looked at her. “Come here, my female.”
She couldn’t help the tingle that raced up her spine at hearing him say that endearment. It seemed very primal and savage-like, calling her “my female,” but strangely, it made her feel all warm inside.
Audrey moved to stand in front of him, tipped her head back, and stared into his eyes. The sunlight came through the opening of the cave, washing him in light and shadows.
“You stay by me at all times.”
She nodded once.
“We go to the bushes and pick the berries, I’ll hunt for dinner, and we come back.”
She nodded once more.
“The forest is relatively safe during daylight hours, but I will not take any chances with you.”
Her heart started beating at the possession in his voice. And then he cupped the side of her face and leaned down to kiss her. It was a slow kiss, but over all too soon. Audrey even found herself leaning in for more, not able to help herself. When she opened her eyes, not realizing she’d closed them, it was to see a half-lidded expression on Styx’s face.
“I will not let anything happen to you.”
“I know,” she found herself saying.
He gave one brisk nod, grabbed her hand, and pulled her forward. They stopped at the edge of the cave opening, and she glanced down, seeing it wasn’t as far a drop as she’d expected, but still enough that she could break a bone, or even her neck. But the one and only time she’d come this close to being outside, it had been dark, and that creature had been coming after her.
“This way,” he said and pulled her toward the side. It was then she noticed the rocky path that descended. It was definitely dangerous and steep, but manageable. When they got to the ledge, Styx let go of her hand and starting moving down the path.
“You keep your back toward the mountain, hands flat on the rock, and don’t look down.”
“Okay,” she managed to say, although right now she was second guessing if this had been a good idea.
Styx stared at her for a second before reaching down and pulling out a rope in the bag he had hung over his shoulder. He tied the rope around his waist first, and then did the same to her waist.
“I won’t let you fall,” he said with determination.
“But if I fall you’ll go over, too.”
He shook his head. “No. I won’t let you fall,” he said again, and she felt herself relaxing and then nodding.
The farther they descended, the more she felt her body start to sweat, tremble, and fear take hold. It was hard not to look down, because with every step she took, pebbles would shift under her, being kicked off the side of the mountain.
Audrey was aware Styx was probably going much slower than he normally did, and that he kept looking at her. He also kept seeing if she was okay, if she needed to stop, and he reassured her she wouldn’t fall.
And as strange as it was, she believed him, even if she was scared shitless.
When they finally reached the bottom, she breathed out, not realizing she’d barely been breathing that entire time. Her hands shook, and her knees felt like they’d give out on her at any minute. Styx pulled her into the hardness of his chest, put a hand on the back of her head, and started whispering things to her in his strange, yet masculine and beautiful language.
“I told you I wouldn’t let you fall.”
She couldn’t help the smile that curved her mouth. “No, you didn’t let me fall. But you do that daily?” She looked up at his face. “You risk death going down that treacherous path?”
Styx ginned, and the break in his hardened exterior looked really good on him. “As time passes you, too, will be able to go down it with ease.” His expression became very serious. “But only with me.” He undid the rope from around their waists and held his hand out. She slipped hers into his much larger one.
How strange she was starting to feel at ease after such a short time. But Audrey knew about survival, maybe not in the way Styx did, but enough to know that it was hard trying to do it on her own. Yes, this man had taken her, scared the shit out of her by saying she would stay here with him, but as the days passed, she realized it wasn’t so bad. He wasn’t so bad. She also couldn’t hide how she felt anymore but wasn’t sure how she’d ever express it to him.
“Come,” he said and then started leading her through the forest. She took in everything, the sights and the sounds, even the smells surrounding them. The trees were massive, towering above them hundreds of feet, the thick canopy of leaves making a blanket. Despite it being morning, the sun had a hard time piercing through and reaching them on the ground.
After about a ten-minute walk, they reached a clearing with some beautiful blue bushes. She assumed they had the berries she’d be picking.