Adare turned and led the way up the three long wooden steps, across the snowy porch, to a keypad near the door. He typed in a code, the lock audibly snicked, and he turned the knob. “You can shower, but you have to eat something afterward. Is this why you’re so thin? You’ve stopped eating?”

If he made her feel any more unattractive, she’d just kick him in the knee. “Of course not. I haven’t lost much weight.” Which wasn’t true. Whatever was happening with her, the fading of her mating mark had had several side effects, including nausea. The last Realm doctor had said she might end up in a coma eventually. So she had to take the virus from the queen and negate the bond. It was a risk, but it was also her only option. “Stop bossing me around.”

He leaned to the side and flicked several light switches, illuminating a great room with stone fireplace, southwestern themed furniture, and a wide entryway to a dark tiled room with a stainless steel refrigerator.

Benny crowded in behind them. “Adare’s rooms are to the left, mine the right, and the guest area is through the kitchen toward the rear of the house, Jacki. I’ll get supper started with whatever we might have on hand. Everyone else take showers, get clean, and prepare for a culinary masterpiece.” He flicked a switch by the fireplace as he walked toward the kitchen, and logs ignited instantly.

Grace looked around and gasped. Her photographs, ones she’d taken through the years and sold through an intermediary in Florida, adorned the walls. The black and white shot above the mantle had been taken in the aftermath of one of the Seven’s headquarters being blown up, which used to happen with frequency. Rain poured onto the damaged mountain, giving a sense of finality along with longing. “Adare—”

“This way.” He grasped her arm and led her to an entry hall before the fireplace. “Jacki? We’ll catch up in a few,” he called back.

“Can’t wait,” the shifter returned.

Grace stumbled down the short hallway to double doors that Adare opened to reveal a suite with bedroom, office alcove to the right, sitting room to the left, and another door that must lead to a master bath. The bed must’ve been specially ordered. Far larger than king-sized, it was topped by a photograph she’d taken of the lake edging Realm headquarters, right when fall turned to winter and the water shone silver with mystery.

The rest of the room was utilitarian with a dark blue bedspread and no personal objects, save for a smaller photograph above the desk that she’d shot of a fledgling deer near the lake. Why did he have her photographs decorating his lair? Her heart warmed.

“Your lair seems more like a retreat,” she murmured, her eyes scratchy.