Braving the Elements (Darkness #2)(34)

I took a deep breath. On one hand, it was a little unbelievable that Stefan would care for me that much. As Charles said, based on his peoples’ culture, this was way huger than marriage. That gave me a dramatic pause.

On the other hand, he just cut off my ability to find someone else within this species. When he got mated, I would have a giant, permanent road block to my moving on. I couldn’t get pissed at him and breakup because I’d still be tagged as his. I’d be cast off and alone, it would be him or nobody.

“Humans can’t tell, right? This is just limited to your race?” I inquired to Charles as we neared the main house. I slowed for obvious reasons. Yes, I needed food, but I got suddenly worried how people would perceive me. Something told me I’d get more stares than usual.

“No, humans wouldn’t know. If it goes pear shaped with him, you can always snag a human.”

That helped lessen the blockage in my chest. Realistically, he was my other half. Being together last night felt so instinctive. I wouldn’t get that with someone else. Anyone else. Still, fail-safes were good.

Then something occurred to me.

“If I want to cause him no end of grief, and possible death, all I have to do is seduce someone?”

Charles thought about it a second. "Huh. Yeah. I guess you kind of have the upper hand on that one. If anyone would touch you. He’s the top of the food chain, so…"

"They're men. Men are dumb when they get turned on."

"Good point. Please don't try to seduce me."

"Why? Afraid you'll give in?"

"Obviously. Thank the gods you're not a vindictive bitch."

"That you know of."

"Oh no, I've catalogued your bitch side. You are an explosive, wild, unpredictable bitch, but if I avoid the triggers, I'm good."

"You still manage to surprise me."

"As long as I don't turn you on, I don't care."

We entered the dining hall. Five steps in and people started to notice the difference in me. Wide eyes turned to stare, sticking to me as if I was a ghost. By the time I had breakfast on my plate, the whole place was silent.

“This is awkward,” Charles whispered, his head down.

“Yes, Charles, this is awkward. Thank you for pointing it out.”

A gasp went around the fifty or so spectators. I glanced up to find Stefan entering the room, three people at his back. Face stern, his eyes locked on me, his body heading over in a calm, measured pace. People’s eyes darted back and forth between us, ample entertainment.

When he reached me, he put his hand on my cheek. Then, surprising me, leaned down to kiss my lips. “Good evening, beautiful. I felt your embarrassment, so I figured you were here. I’m trying to lessen the…discomfiture.”

“Not helping,” Charles muttered, making himself as small as possible. He wouldn’t look at Stefan.

“Did you come to me last night with the intention to mark me?” I asked quietly, allowing Stefan to lead me to a table in the middle of the dining hall. He was openly staking his claim, which helped cement that the mark had to do with his feelings for me, and not his professional interest.

“No, I did not. I wasn’t thinking at all, actually. Nothing had been planned out. We can talk about it more later, though, without prying ears and judgment. I try to keep personal business behind closed doors. For now, I want to enjoy eating with you. Sitting with you. What’s your first class today?”

“Elements. Then weaponry—I’m getting a sword today. Most of the class is terrified. Then charms and spells. Why don’t you have to chant when you do a charm?”

“More advanced and powerful magic users can will the magic without having to form it with words.” He shook his head, his eyes never looking away from my face. The world could be on fire, but as he sat there, speaking with me, he wouldn’t have noticed. I had his sole attention. “You have the weekend off from charms and spells. Go back Monday. I’m sending someone to shadow Darla.”

“Ordinarily I would say ‘butt out,’ but in light of this mark thing you gave me, I think I’ll nod to that. I don’t feel like dying today.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. My job has always been to protect you.”

“Yeah, okay, that gives me a soft spot and all, but this is a little heavy for morning chatter.”

“Evening chatter, I think you mean.” His dark eyes sparkled, but in his role, he didn’t show humor, so he kept his face impassive.

“Right. Okay, I’m off. Thanks for strangely sitting at the table, staring at me and not eating, but I gotta go.”

He shook his head, a smile almost breaking free that time. “I’ll see you in the morning. Unless you need something. Call me or come to me anytime for any reason.”

“So, if I called you up, pulled you out of a meeting, and asked that you provide me with a teddy bear as big as my body with a black and gold bowtie around its neck—you know, symbolizing our combined power—you would comply?”

He stared at me a minute, still ignoring the world around him, probably trying to process the strange woman he’d tied himself to. Finally he said, “My duty, in that case, would be to ensure your mental welfare hadn’t taken a shit.”

“Potty mouth!” I glanced around us, noticing that people had restarted their daily lives, but constantly glanced at us, wondering what would happen next. “Can I touch you?”