“It was just a dream, Commander. He didn’t try to escape or set on fire or anything. I didn’t think it was worth bothering you.”

I take a long, deep breath and blow it out slowly. “The Fae walk dreams, Sergeant. And Prince Alexei is Fae-born.”

“I—I never thought.” He swallows and raises his chin. “With respect, Commander, surely the half breed should be in lockdown.”

I ignore the comment and stifle my desire to strangle the man. “You’re both dismissed. Take Jenson and Sanders with you. The kitchen is open. Get something to eat.”

“Yes, sir.” The two soldiers salute and leave in haste.

When I carefully open the bedroom door, the sight that greets my tired eyes steals away the dregs of my anger.

Michael laid out on the bed, naked and exquisite.

My chest warms. My groin aches. I grit my jaw, clenching muscles against the beast’s rush to the surface. The beast wants to ravage what is mine. Mark him. Own him. Mine. It takes every ounce of control to push the violent desires back beneath my worn barriers.

Goddess forgive me. Jumalatar, suojaa häntä. He’s so young, fragile, and I’m an old, tired monster. Yet I still want my precious Whisperer so badly the need burns my insides.

Not yet. Not when he seems at peace.

I step closer and lean against the wall at the side of the bed, stealing this moment to explore his beauty in peace. His permanent scowl softened by sleep. Full lips parted. Those fierce green eyes, always lit with belligerence, closed to the world and its horrors. And he glows—a faint light given off from the skin. Even now, when his Flame is low, there’s a hint of the power beneath.

His long, heavy breaths suggest he’s in a deep slumber, one arm thrown above his head, stretching his strong, broad chest. Furs wrap his shins as though he’s been battling an unseen foe. Otherwise, the pale, smooth skin of his long, muscled contours is on full display. Including his half-swollen cock, ready and begging for my touch.

My beautiful half breed. My Whisperer. Mine to protect, to hold. To pleasure.

What have you done to me, Michael? How did I fall so deep, so quickly? How did Alexei know that I would?

How could I not?

The only request the Flame Goddess ever made of me was “Protect the Whisperer.” I thought she meant all Whisperers. The rare Channelers are beloved to the Goddess. The only one who came close was Jasper, and I assumed he was my charge. When I lost him, the failure nearly broke me. Though the Goddess mark remains, I thought my service to her might be finished.

Now I’m not so sure.