Chapter 21
Once they dried off, they got dressed and headed back to the castle.
“Seth?” Petra said softly, once they were back in the car.
“Mm?” He was watching the road, his body relaxed as he drove.
“Earlier, you said you’re a mercenary. That you lead a team.” She looked over at him. “Tell me about that. About your life before this.”
Seth’s expression became more guarded. “Are you sure you want to know? My job isn’t always pretty.”
“I want to know everything about you,” Petra said simply.
He seemed to think about it for a few seconds, then nodded. “All right. But fair warning—my life hasn’t exactly been conventional.”
“I thought mine was, but no longer.” She chuckled. “Not since inheriting a castle and learning that magic is real. I think I can handle hearing about your mercenary work.”
That got a smile from him. “Fair point.” He shifted slightly, getting more comfortable in his seat as they sped along.
“I’ve been running an elite mercenary company for a few decades.
Shifters age a lot slower than regular folk, so I’m a bit older than I look.
I started in military special operations, then went private when I wanted more control over which missions I took.
I built a team of people I trust, made up of like-minded shifters with skills that complement each other. ”
“Like Pax and Ari?”
“Yes. Them, and others. We take jobs all over the world. Sometimes it’s security work, like protecting high-value targets.
Sometimes it’s more specialized.” He paused, choosing his words carefully.
“We fight the kind of threats that normal military and law enforcement can’t handle.
Magical threats, mostly. Rogue mages, dark covens, occasionally we fight demons if someone’s been stupid enough to summon them. ”
“That sounds incredibly dangerous,” Petra said quietly.
“It can be. But it’s also necessary. There are a lot of bad people out there using magic for terrible purposes.
Someone has to stop them.” Seth’s jaw tightened.
“I’ve seen what happens when dark magic goes unchecked.
The kind of damage it does. I’d rather put myself in harm’s way, knowing I have the skills, firepower and backup that others lack, than let innocent people suffer. ”
Petra marveled at him. He was really something. He was a man of principle, which was something she really admired.
“That’s very noble,” she finally managed to reply, though her feelings were much bigger than the simple words.
“It’s practical,” Seth shrugged. “Though I’ll admit it feels more personal now, since I met you.”
“Since you met me?” she repeated, confused.
“This job started as just another mission. Monitor the castle, gather intelligence on the new owner, report back to Sam and Mark, who are paying my fees.” Seth’s hand moved to cup her face.
“Then you arrived, and everything changed. Suddenly it wasn’t just about stopping the Venifucus.
It was about keeping you safe and making sure you survived all this upheaval.
Somewhere along the way, that became the most important part of the mission.
You became the most important being in my world. ”
Petra felt tears prick her eyes. “Seth…”
“I’m not usually good with words,” he continued, looking straight ahead as he drove them through the dark night. “I’m more a man of action, but I need you to know that what just happened was earth shattering and life changing.”
“For me too,” Petra whispered.
He turned into the castle entrance then, and they were precluded from saying anything more as he rolled down the window to chat with the man at the gate and receive an update.
A few minutes later, they were through the gate and driving up to the castle entrance, where Anna was waiting with her planner and a fist full of color-coding pens. Real life, it seemed, had resumed.
They ate dinner with Anna, Judy and Katje, then Judy took Petra aside for another lesson in magic.
This one was less draining, and they used the great hall of the castle rather than go outside in the dark.
Judy had been busy while Petra and Seth were out and had cleared away the residue of evil very thoroughly throughout the rooms they were currently using.
She promised to do the rest of the place as time allowed, but had decided to focus on the areas that were in use first for practical reasons.
Petra agreed with her strategy and settled down for a short but intense session of magic lessons.
By the time they were done, she was tired and it was time for bed.
Seth met her at the massive arched door of the great hall and escorted her up to her room, making sure all was secure before leaving her there to check in with his team.
It was their room now, she realized. He’d moved a few of his things into the large suite while she’d been busy, including a bit of his wardrobe.
She smiled when she saw his shirts hanging in the giant closet next to her things.
She was so tired, she decided to just get ready for bed. Seth could wake her up when he got back, if he was so inclined.
Seth closed the bedroom door quietly behind himself, his enhanced hearing picking up the soft, steady rhythm of Petra’s breathing before he even turned around. She was already in bed, curled on her side facing the window, the moonlight painting silver stripes across the covers.
He’d spent the last hour doing a final security sweep with Pax and Ari, checking the perimeter sensors and reviewing tomorrow’s schedule.
Necessary work, but every minute away from Petra had felt like an hour.
The new mating bond hummed in his soul, a warm constant awareness of her presence that was both comforting and maddening.
Now, finally, he could give in to the pull.
Seth stripped off his shirt and boots, leaving them on the chair near the door. His jeans followed, and he padded across the plush carpet in just his boxer briefs. The bed dipped slightly as he slid under the covers, immediately seeking her warmth.
Petra stirred, rolling toward him with a sleepy sound that went straight to his cock. Her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep, and she smiled when she focused on his face.
“You came,” she murmured, her voice soft and drowsy.
“Not yet, but we will,” he joked, a fire in his gaze that heated her blood.
He felt satisfaction ride him as she went from sleep to aroused in no time flat when Seth gathered her closer, fitting her body against his.
Through the thin fabric of her nightgown, he could feel every curve. “Did you think I’d stay away?”
“No.” She nuzzled into his chest, one hand coming up to rest over his heart. “I can feel you now, in my heart. Through the new bond. It woke me up when you entered the room.”
Seth stilled. “Does it bother you? I know it’s not something non-magical folk are used to, and I’ve heard that sometimes the constant awareness can be overwhelming at first.”
“It’s not overwhelming.” Petra tilted her head back to look at him, her eyes clearer now, more alert. “It’s reassuring. Like having a piece of you with me even when you’re not physically here.”
Relief flooded through him. He’d heard that some mates struggled with the bond initially, feeling invaded or exposed. But Petra, his brave, adaptable Petra, had already accepted it as naturally as she accepted everything else about this new world she’d been thrust into.
“I’m glad,” he said, bending to kiss her softly.
“Because it goes both ways. I can feel you too. Your emotions, your general wellbeing. Not your thoughts,” he added quickly, seeing a flicker of concern in her eyes.
“The bond doesn’t work like that. But I’ll know when you’re happy, or scared, or…
” he kissed her again, deeper this time, “…aroused.”
Petra’s cheeks flushed pink even in the dim light. “Can you feel that now?”
“Getting there.” Seth’s hand slid down her side, bunching the nightgown as he went. “Though I don’t need the bond to tell me what you want. Your body speaks pretty clearly to me.”
She shivered as his fingers traced the bare skin of her thigh. “Does it?”
“Mm-hmm.” He rolled them so she was beneath him, settling between her thighs.
The nightgown had ridden up, leaving only her underwear as a barrier between them.
“Elevated heart rate. Quickened breathing. And if I touch you here…” his fingers skimmed over the damp fabric between her legs, “…I’ll find you’re already wet for me. ”
Petra gasped, her hips lifting instinctively into his touch. “Seth,” she practically moaned.
“I love when you say my name like that.” He circled her clit through the fabric, watching her face as pleasure flickered across it. “Like a prayer, or a plea.”
“It’s a plea.” Her fingers dug into his shoulders. “I want you. I know we just had sex at the cabin, but I can’t seem to help it. I want you again”
“The mating bond intensifies desire, especially in the beginning, they say.” Seth slipped his fingers under the elastic of her underwear, finding her slick heat.
“Our bodies want to cement the connection. It’ll settle down eventually, but for now…
” he pushed two fingers inside her, groaning at how ready she was, “…we’re probably going to want each other constantly. ”
“That doesn’t sound so terrible,” Petra managed, then moaned as he curled his fingers, finding that spot that made her back arch.
“Not terrible at all.” Seth withdrew his hand, ignoring her sound of protest, and tugged her nightgown up and over her head. Her underwear followed, leaving her bare beneath him. “Beautiful. You’re so damn beautiful, Petra.”
She reached for his boxer briefs, pushing them down his hips with determined hands. “You’re not so bad yourself.”