“Hmm?” When she’d been alone, it had been hard to relax enough to fall asleep. Apparently her own instincts were only too happy to trust in her male companion to keep her safe during the night, no matter how much her rational side muttered about him being a stranger.

“Tomorrow we will arrive at the city where my contact is located. It is a place with many demons, and they may notice me—and you, by extension. If we are approached, you will have to act as my mate.”

The thought of clinging to Kain’s arm and fawning over him like a lovesick schoolgirl made her giggle, halfway gone on sleep as she was. “Mmhmm.”

“If we are not approached… There are laws for Lords passing through another's territory, such as first presenting oneself to the local ruler before going about one’s business in his Area. We do not have that option because any Lord will know that you are not my mate, as they have never attended your auction. If we are not approached, there is every chance we are instead being observed, which may result in an attack. I want you to understand how dangerous this is before you agree to it.”

Selma knew she probably should ask him questions, but she was so tired, and deep in her core she knew the man whose subtle scent had her head spinning would protect her from anything and everyone. There was no true danger while he was present.

A low thump followed by a muttered cursing made her startle back from the brink of sleep—and when she saw the reason for it, she couldn’t help but crack a half-smile. He’d evidently stubbed his toe against the bed frame while sliding his jeans off, and there was something endearingly human about such a clumsy act.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine,” he growled, tossing his jeans over one of the chairs and letting his T-shirt follow.

Selma drew in a small breath and hurriedly bit her lip to quell the sound so she didn’t alert him to her attention. He was built. Sure, she had some hazy memories from last night about his ridiculously muscled torso, but she’d written off her intense attraction to his physical appearance as a result of the ring.

Now though, as he moved around the room in only his boxers to turn off the few lamps, letting the lights from the parking lot illuminate him through the flimsy curtains… Yeah, there was no denying he was very handsome in his human disguise. His thighs were thick as tree trunks, his biceps almost as wide, and his chest and back spanned more than a yard across, narrowing to a tight, but thickly muscled waist. He was the epitome of male strength.