THE SIGMA'S MATE

CHAPTER 15 - A LIFE FOR A NIGHT

Alaric tells Kaye that he will summon her after he has taken me to see his personal healer. I hope he doesn't neglect to include me in this discussion considering that it's about me. Alaric ends up carrying me when my breathing proves difficult and agonizing. I start clutching at my chest. He lifts me up with such ease, making me feel like I weigh nothing. What I would do for the bravery to use this opportunity to stick my nose against his neck and allow my lips to taste his flesh as I inhale his glorious scent. Made especially for me, to entice me. However, each drawn breath is like fire spreading into my lungs instead of air. The shard of ice might not have penetrated my flesh but the impact certainly did it's only damage. Basileum. That's what the assassin had called me after his fire failed to burn me into little more than ash. Now Kaye seems to understand something about my obvious invincibility too. Though clearly the fine print would say invincibility only against the actual elements, not pertaining to punches and the likes. Only half useful it seems. I won't get pierced through or burnt to ashes, instead the impact will break every bone in my body. Through the pain I still feel the acceleration of being held in his strong arms. My hands are pressed against my chest as we continue to wherever this healer may be. I am too scared to find out what wrapping them around his neck will induce in terms of pain after. I take note of the unfamiliar hallways and mark corners that we take. We reach a large landing with five elevators sitting side by side and a grand staircase at our backs. Once inside the contraption, Alaric gently places me on my unsteady feet. I lean back against the glass showing the inner workings of the elevator, trying to catch my breath.

"She's definitely broken your ribs. Probably more than one." Alaric mutters matter of factly.

It fans the flames of rage. She was trying to do more than just break some ribs.

"She tried to kill me." I practically growl. Not super flattering for a princess but I feel justified.

He doesn't say anything to that and that stupid mask hides all the secrets of his emotions. I want to just snatch it off his face. I already know the beauty that lies beneath. There is no reason for him to hide from me.

As the silence in the elevator lengthens, I lose my patience, "Are you going to do something about it?" I demand to know. "Or will everyone know that they can take a shot at me without consequences?"

His stance has stiffened, my words affecting him more than he would like. Still, I'm greeted with silence.

"I see. So you don't care that I was almost murdered. Because she's sworn an oath and I'm just an inconvenience for you."

His jaw clenches, "You are wrong." He says through firmly pressed lips. "You are under my protection and I will handle my people." He snarls, giving me only a side view of his profile.

He doesn't turn when he speaks to me. He barely speaks… he is so disinterested that he might as well plunge his claws through my chest and rip out my heart.

"I don't think so." I say stubbornly. "I think you would have appreciated her getting rid of me."

He swings around. My breath catches in my throat as he cages me against the cold glass. My heart is slamming in my chest adding to the pain that I already feel. But I ignore it as his scent scatters my thoughts. I'm trapped between his arms, imprisoned as his hand pressed up against the glass. I love it. A rush of pure joy runs through me as he closes the distance with a pained look in his eyes.

"You kill my restraint. You just don't stop until you get a reaction, do you? Is that it? You want to rile me up? You want to get under my skin?" He demands, his warm breath on my face, his angry grimace turning his lips.

"I want justice." I say, lifting my chin.

He chuckles and it's a sweet sound for my ears despite the fact that I know it means nothing good.

"What is your definition of justice, Lyra? Should I chain her up or execute her?" He inquires with a challenge evident in his voice.

I press the tip of my nail into his chest, wincing slightly from the quick movement, "She almost killed me. Are you hearing me?" I demand.

He hmms in his throat and the sound makes my cheeks burn, "How very like your brothers you are. But you are not dead are you?"

"Not from a lack of trying." I say pointedly.

He stares into my eyes, searching. I wonder what he is searching for? Does he think that I will back down? Does he think that he can intimidate me?

"I can go back there and rip her throat out if that is the justice that you are after or…" He leans closer, "I can compensate for your troubles and deal with her in my own manner."

My eyes widen. What kind of compensation could possibly make up for someone trying to kill me? And what is his version of punishment? A slap on the wrist. A verbal beat down. He sees the questions that I do not speak in my eyes.

"I can give you a night with me." He says daringly.

Oh, he might pretend that he doesn't want to kiss me but if I can feel the bond purring in my veins at his proximity, so can he. He is a liar if he says he doesn't want me as much as I want him. Daringly, my fingers find the mask held in place to hide his features from the world. I try to take it off, only to hear Alaric chuckle at my failing attempts.

"After recent events, I had Mikayla cast a spell that allows only me to remove the mask." He tells me, taking the mask off with ease.

Mikayla. I'd bet good money that it's the same witch that accompanied him to my rescue. I'm almost certain that is her name! She is always around, always close by. The thought has my eyes narrowing and my wolf howling in dismay. I stare at his face, so very close that I would simply have to lift my chin a little high to reach his lips. He is insanely handsome - handsome beyond any other male I have ever laid eyes on. I cast all thoughts of other women from my mind. I trace the high cheekbones with the tips of my fingers, slowly moving to his jawline and ending over his lips. My fingers tingle as a shiver of want has me taking a painfully deep breath. He closes his eyes, feeling the intensity of the sparks flying between us. He groans as I slide my finger across his bottom lip. His body is pressed against mine, his hips pinning me in place. I feel his members growing stiff between us as it rests against my stomach. This is how we should always be. Close. Because he belongs to me. I can barely breathe with the excitement coursing through my veins, like fire.

"What do you want, Lyra?" He whispers above my face, his warm breath touching my cheek.

My name sounds so good leaving his tongue. "You." I answer, my voice sounding breathy and not at all confident. Getting repeatedly regretted does that to a person.

He doesn't waste a second. He bends his head to capture my full lips. They are soft, just as soft as his kiss. I haven't wanted all this time simply for a delicate touch. No. I want more. I lift my arms to wrap around his neck, only to be rudely reminded that I am still very much injured. My face distorts as pain makes itself evidently known. I found myself hating that blonde b***h Sayla even more. I turn my face, breaking the kiss as I swallow shallow breaths.

"I would prefer the compensation when I can at least enjoy it." I mutter, pouting.

"Fine." He says, drawing himself back, "It doesn't change anything between us, Lyra. Remember that."

His words are a bitter reminder of how weak he thinks I am. How unworthy. I want to remind him that I am royalty. That I am powerful in different ways. But Alaric wouldn't care for all that. That's half the reason I'm here after all.