Chapter 11 Tessa
ELEVEN
TESSA
Tessa's wakefulness surfaced slowly, like swimming up from the depths of a warm ocean.
The first thing she noticed was the intoxicating smell surrounding her—crisp pine mixed with something distinctly masculine and wild.
Her eyes fluttered open to find herself nestled in the most luxurious bed she'd ever experienced, wrapped in furs so soft they felt like clouds against her skin.
Oh, that's right, I'm in Kaidan's bed.
She was still in his private chambers, breathing in the scent that clung to his pillows and sheets.
Heat flooded her cheeks as memories of her dreams rushed back—fantasies where she'd imagined being in this exact spot, but under completely different circumstances.
In those dreams, she hadn't been injured or unconscious.
In those dreams, Kaidan had been doing far more than simply rescuing her from a fire.
Stop it, Tessa. You're a professional scientist.
But lying here, surrounded by his scent and the warm cocoon of his bedding, she felt anything but professional.
Her body hummed with awareness despite her injuries, and she had to force herself to focus on the dull throb in her left ankle and the sting of her burned palm to ground herself in reality.
She couldn't stay here. This was completely inappropriate, no matter how safe and cherished it made her feel.
What would his people think if they discovered their king had brought a human woman to his private chambers?
Elora had made it clear that most shifters barely tolerated the human presence in Frosthaven, and this would only fuel their resentment.
Carefully, Tessa pushed herself out of the bed, biting back a wince as pain shot through her sprained ankle.
The thick Persian rug beneath her bare feet felt warm as she stood up and tested her weight distribution.
She could walk, albeit with a limp, which meant she could get herself to a proper guest room and stop imposing on Kaidan's hospitality.
She was halfway to the doors when they swung open, revealing Kaidan's tall frame filling the doorway.
He'd changed from his fire-damaged clothes into dark jeans and a charcoal sweater that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders.
His piercing blue eyes immediately zeroed in on her standing position, and his expression shifted from concern to something that looked suspiciously like alpha male irritation.
"You shouldn't be out of bed yet," he said, his voice carrying that commanding tone she was beginning to recognize as his default setting. "You need to rest."
"I'm fine," she insisted, straightening her spine despite the way her ankle protested. "I'm feeling much better actually. The smoke inhalation wasn't that severe."
He stepped into the room, and she noticed the predatory grace in his movements, and the way he seemed to fill the space around him with raw masculine energy. "Tessa—"
"Really, I appreciate everything you've done, but I feel strange staying here.
" The words tumbled out in a rush. "I don't want to create friction between you and your people.
Elora mentioned that most shifters aren't exactly thrilled about humans being in Frosthaven, and having me here, in your private chambers.
.." She gestured helplessly at the intimate setting surrounding them.
Something dangerous flashed in Kaidan's eyes, and his jaw tightened.
"My people's opinions about humans are about to change," he said, his voice deepening to a growl that sent shivers down her spine.
"I'm having a long conversation with my council tomorrow morning, and I'll be making it crystal clear to my staff that both you and Eli are welcome here and will be treated with respect while you remain under my protection. "
The fierce protectiveness in his tone made her heart race, but she forced herself to stay practical. "That's very generous, but—"
"There are no buts." He moved closer, and she caught a fresh wave of his scent—pine and something wild that made her pulse quicken. "You were nearly killed tonight because of clan politics I should have handled more decisively. You're staying here where I can keep you safe from now on."
She'd learned enough about Kaidan over the past few days to recognize the futility of arguing when he used that particular tone. His stubbornness was legendary, and she was beginning to understand how he'd managed to rule four fractious clans for seven years.
"Fine," she conceded, then added, "Can you show me to a guest room at least? I don't want to keep invading your private space."
Kaidan stepped even closer, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact.
The heat radiating from his body made her acutely aware of how thin her thermal shirt was and how the fabric clung to her curves.
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes with an intensity that made her breath hitch.
"I'm the one who brought you to my bed," he said, his voice rough with an emotion she couldn't quite identify. "And I don't regret it."
The underlying meaning in his words hit her like a lightning bolt. The way he was looking at her right now, the possessive edge to his voice, and the fact that he'd chosen his private chambers instead of any of the guest rooms in what was clearly a massive palace—none of it was coincidental.
Heat pooled low in her body as the magnetic pull she'd felt since their first meeting intensified tenfold.
Standing this close to him, breathing in his intoxicating scent, feeling the raw power emanating from his massive frame, she could barely think straight.
Every instinct urged her to step closer, to discover what would happen if she rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.
Instead, she forced her feet to move, slipping past him toward the doors before she did something completely scandalous. "I need... I need some space," she managed, her voice embarrassingly breathless.
But even as she fled his chambers, her skin still tingled from their proximity, and she couldn't help but feel that she was running from something inevitable.
Tessa hobbled down the corridor as quickly as her injured ankle would allow, her bare feet silent against the polished stone floors.
The palace walls seemed to pulse with ancient energy, and she could feel Kaidan's presence behind her like a physical weight pressing against her back.
She wanted to turn around and rush into his arms, but her logical mind knew that path led to dangerous territory.
She'd barely made it ten feet when a familiar voice called out to her.
"Tessa? What are you doing wandering the halls?"
Elora emerged from a side corridor, her blonde hair catching the warm light from the ornate sconces. She wore comfortable loungewear—soft leggings and an oversized sweatshirt that made her look younger and less intimidating somehow.
"Oh, hey there." Tessa paused, grateful for the excuse to rest her throbbing ankle. "I'm trying to find a guest room."
Elora's striking blue eyes—so similar to her brother's—flicked over Tessa's shoulder. A knowing smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she clearly spotted Kaidan behind Tessa.
"Alright, I'll bring you to your new room," Elora said, though her gaze remained fixed on Kaidan.
Tessa didn't need to turn around to know Kaidan was standing outside his chamber doors, probably wearing that intense expression she was beginning to recognize. She could practically feel his disapproval radiating through the air like heat from a furnace.
"Is he glaring at you for helping me?" Tessa asked under her breath as Elora linked their arms and began guiding her down the next corridor.
"Oh, absolutely." Elora's laugh held genuine amusement. "My brother doesn't appreciate interference when he's in full alpha protection mode. But he'll get over it."
They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, their footsteps echoing softly in the wide hallway lined with tapestries depicting Arctic landscapes and polar bear hunts.
The guest suite Elora led her to was only one corridor away from Kaidan's chambers—close enough that Tessa suspected this proximity wasn't coincidental.
"Here we are." Elora pushed open heavy wooden doors to reveal a beautiful suite with a sitting area, bedroom, and what looked like a luxurious bathroom beyond.
"I heard tonight was chaotic, but I'm glad my brother got there to save you in the nick of time.
I can't imagine what would have happened if. .."
"I'd probably be a pile of ash right now," Tessa finished, sinking onto the plush sofa with relief. The reality of how close she'd come to death was finally hitting her, and her hands trembled slightly.
Elora settled beside her, her expression growing serious. "Kaidan really does care about you, you know. More than he's ever cared about anyone."
The words sent a flutter of warmth through Tessa's chest, but confusion quickly followed. "Why does he care so much more about me than Eli? I mean, Eli's been here for five years, and I've only been here for three days."
Elora's gaze grew thoughtful, and she seemed to weigh her words carefully. "There's something you should know, but it's not my place to say. That conversation needs to happen between you and Kaidan."
Frustration bubbled up in Tessa like a pot about to boil over. "Everyone keeps dancing around this big secret and I'm apparently the only person in Frosthaven who doesn't know what it is."
"I understand your frustration, I really do." Elora reached over and squeezed Tessa's hand. "But some things need to come from the right person at the right time. Just... be patient with him. He's dealing with a lot right now."
Tessa wanted to press further, but the genuine concern in Elora's voice held her back. Instead, she nodded reluctantly.
"I'll have the staff bring you some soup and tea shortly," Elora continued, standing up. "And I'll grab some fresh clothes for you too. We're about the same size."
"That's very thoughtful, thank you." Tessa paused, then added, "I'd really like to go to the research station tomorrow to get some of my things. And I need to check on something important."
Elora's expression immediately grew concerned. "That's probably not a good idea until Bjorn and the clan can fix the damage and secure the area. It's really not safe to go there for a few days at least."
The trapped feeling that had been building in Tessa's chest intensified.
She was stuck here, in forced proximity with a man who made her pulse race and her rational thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind.
Every moment around Kaidan felt like standing too close to a bonfire—exhilarating and dangerous in equal measure.
As if responding to her inner turmoil, the wind outside the windows howled with renewed fury. A slight tremor shook the stone walls, and Tessa instinctively gripped the sofa cushions.
"The environmental anomalies are getting worse," she murmured, her scientific mind automatically analyzing the subtle vibrations.
"I need to get back to the research station soon.
I managed to save Eli's research files—they're in my field gear backpack.
Those files prove that Magnus has been sabotaging Eli's work for the past five years. "
Elora's eyes widened. "You have proof?"
"I think so. But I'm worried the backpack might have been destroyed in the fire." Tessa's frustration mounted. "Kaidan won't let me out of his sight long enough to check, and those files could be crucial evidence."
"My brother's protectiveness can be... intense," Elora said carefully. "But he has his reasons. I'll tell you what, I'll head over there first thing tomorrow morning and grab the backpack if it's still intact."
"Thank you for doing that. It would mean a lot," Tessa replied softly.
But as Elora finally left the guest suite, Tessa couldn't help but think about the mysterious reasons surrounding Kaidan's odd behavior.
She wanted to scream with frustration, but she took a deep breath instead.
She didn't know whether to be irritated by his overwhelming protectiveness or secretly thrilled that he seemed completely undone by her presence.