Page 42 of Crimson Mate
Valor rolls her eyes. “Please don't act like we haven't been discussing this foryears.”
“Discussed,” he says. “Not decided. Your immortal life cannot be determined because Gabriel needs to run some fucking tests.”
“I would just like to take a moment to point out that I did notevercontemplate asking her to volunteer?—”
Lachlan silences him with a look, and though Gabriel is almost as old, and is likely as highly trained as Lachlan, he dips his head in respect.
It's amazing to watch the dynamics of the king’s inner circle, of this tight-knit family that's been formed for centuries. It's something I've always dreamed of, but never gotten close enough to touch. Never allowed myself to even think about it after having my world turned upside down.
“You know what's going to happen sooner or later,” Valor says, much softer to her mate, and I do my best to draw Zachariah’s attention away, at least so we can give the impression that we're not hearing every single thing they're saying right now.
Valor smooths her hands over Lachlan’s chest, and he immediately draws her closer. “You can't decide like this, love,” he says, smoothing a thumb over her cheek.
It's certainly endearing how the bonded mates talk to each other, even if they disagree. Even if they fight. The others have told me as much, about the mating process, but I've tried my best to not let myself even think about it.
“Thanks for keeping us updated,” Alek says to Gabriel, nodding toward him before leaving the room.
Gabriel goes back to his research, and Lachlan and Valor are still arguing as they head out the door. Me and Zachariah follow a respectable distance behind them, a comfortable silence settling between us.
“Are the rookie assassins still searching?” I ask after we've made it back to the informal dining area, dropping in for a quick snack.
“Yes,” Zachariah answers, handing me a plate of food he gathered so quickly I didn’t even think to beat him to it. All of my favorites are there, and I take a quick bite as he makes his own plate and we sit down.
“The places haven't been touched,” he says. “And Ajax and Grace wrapped up their location and are heading to Olivia's family estate to check on them since she and Ransom can't. We're getting spread pretty thin, which I don't particularly like, with only Dagon, myself, and Saint here. Talon and Cassandra are still on their location, and Lachlan of course is here, but even Benedict and Jocelyn are out searching and watching places for us. Part of me wonders if that's what Conrad wants. It's certainly what Samuel would want if he was working with him, especially since he knows how powerful we are together.”
“It's a possibility,” I say after taking another bite. “But part of me still believes Conrad is too self-centered to have such a strategic plan. There are a few times we’ve ran into each other,so he's well aware that I'm hunting him. But the bastard always slips away, and I’m starting to think he gets off on it. He taunts me whenever I get close to capturing him, throwing our past in my face before he eludes me.”
Zachariah chuckles softly, and my eyes flare.
“What could possibly be funny?”
“Nothing,” he quickly says, reeling it in. “I just can't help it. I love your passion, and the fierce female you've grown into. You've always been irresistible, but I daresay I'm downrightaddictedto you now. You might as well be a deity made for me to worship.”
I roll my eyes. “And in another life, you’re meant to be a poet spouting sonnets to make all the females melt.”
“There's only been one female, and it’s you.”
My heart expands with that declaration, and I'm finding it harder and harder to remember why I'm trying to protect myself from him.
“What are we going to do now?” I ask, mainly speaking to the mystery of the artifacts and Conrad’s basic motivation in general, but partly referring to me and him.
The more time I spend with him, the more I know it's going to hurt when I need to inevitably leave, or when he inevitably chooses a mission, his king, or his brothers over me.
“We can go on a hunt,” he says. “After we eat, if you'd like. But after that, if you'll allow me, I would love to take you on a proper date.”
A flush dances over my cheeks and I can't hold back my smile. “Seriously? You want to take me on an actual date?”
“Yes,” he says. “As much as I enjoy you tugging me into different rooms throughout the king's residence to devour each other, I'd love to take you somewhere where it's just you and me, having fun like the old days.”
I take another bite of my food, the pumpkin muffin doing little to hide my intrigue.
“How does that sound to you?” he asks, his eyes worried.
Does he really not realize the power he holds over me?
“I’ll allow it.”
CHAPTER 15