Warrior (Relentless #4)(123)

Our days took on a routine after that. We did physical training in the mornings, and after lunch we focused on improving her control over her power. With each day that passed, her combat moves grew more precise and she seemed less tired at the end of our workouts.

It was her progress with her Fae power that impressed me the most. I didn’t know if her power was growing stronger or if she was getting better at wielding it, but it was clear where her real strength lay. I was torn between wanting to see what she could do against a real threat and hoping she never had to use it to protect herself again.

Although Sara and I spent our mornings and afternoons together, we never talked about anything besides her training. And we didn’t see each other outside of training, except in passing. It was like a wall had been erected between us and we grew further apart each day.

My mother called every other day to see how I was doing. Every time we talked, she reminded me the strongest matings usually started out rocky and that Sara would come around if I continued to be patient. I appreciated her advice, and I didn’t press Sara, but it felt like Sara was slowly slipping away from me.

It was clear Sara wasn’t happy either. When I saw her with her friends, her smiles weren’t as bright and she didn’t laugh. I hoped Nate’s upcoming visit would cheer her up. I even considered inviting Roland and Peter here to spend time with her. I’d do whatever it took to make her happy.

On Saturday evening, I left the security center, and I was headed for the dining hall when I heard laughter ahead of me. I slowed my approach and watched Sara and Chris walk through the main hall, their arms laden with shopping bags. Chris carried a bucket of cat litter in one hand and a piece of cat furniture in the other. He said something to Sara, and she grinned at him, looking happy for the first time in a week.

I waited for them to go up the stairs to her room before I continued on to the dining hall. I was glad to find it almost empty because I wasn’t in the mood for company. I grabbed a plate of food and sat alone, trying not to think about how it should have been me to take Sara to town. It should have been me to make her smile like that.

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize someone had entered the dining hall until I heard a sound on the other side of the room. I groaned inwardly when I recognized Celine, who was taking several bottles of Perrier from one of the glass refrigerators. I hadn’t talked to her since I got back last weekend, and I assumed she was keeping a polite distance like everyone else.

I didn’t think she had spotted me yet, but she would as soon as she turned around. And then…

“Nikolas, why are you sitting in here alone?”

I sighed and put on a smile. “Got caught up in work. You know how it is.”

She was quiet for a moment before she walked over to my table. For once, the sultry expression was gone, replaced by one of concern.

“I heard what happened. How are you?”

“I’m good. Thanks for asking.”

“Do you mind if I join you?” she asked almost demurely.

I waved a hand at the chair across from me. “Not at all.”

She set her bottles down on the table and sat with her hands on her lap. This reserved Celine was one I hadn’t seen before, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“I feel I should apologize to you.”

I gave her a puzzled look. “Why?”

Her brows drew together delicately. “If I’d known you were bonded, I would not have pursued you since you came home.”

I started to speak, but she held up a hand.

“Please, let me finish. You know I’ve been attracted to you since our week in New York. I’ve never exactly hidden my desire to resume a relationship with you.”

I smiled, unsure how to respond.

“But had I known you were bonded, I wouldn’t have come on so strong. You’ve been very gracious about my advances, and I want to apologize for any discomfort I caused you.”

“You don’t have to apologize. You couldn’t have known, and this hasn’t exactly been a normal bonding.”

Celine reached across the table Then she seemed to think better of it and withdrew her hand. “Are you okay? Forgive me for intruding, but you don’t look happy.”

“No one ever said bonding was easy.”

“I suppose not, but I don’t think you’re supposed to be miserable either.”

I shrugged. “I’m more worried about her happiness. This hasn’t been easy on her.”

Celine’s mouth pursed. “She is unusually young to be bonded. Perhaps too young to deal with this.”

I nodded absently because I had worried about the same thing more than once in the last week.

She stood and picked up her bottles of water. “I do care about you, Nikolas, and I only want you to be happy.”

“Thank you. I wish the same for you.”

Her flirty smile was back as she walked away. “I’m suffering a disappointment at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll rebound in no time.”

“I’m sure you will,” I called after her.





Chapter 23





“I think that’s all of them.” Tristan tossed a stack of papers down on the coffee table and rolled his shoulders. “I remember when I used to get five to ten reports a week. I get twice that many every day now.”