“Would you like to share?” he requested when she did not go on.

She continued to mutter when she said, “I don’t know.”

“I do,” he stated firmly.

She hesitated, took in his expression, then bit her lip.

“Elena,” he warned.

“There are tales of yore. Tales of lovers,” she began, but said no more.

“Yes?” he prompted yet again.

“True love, destined for one another,” she whispered.

He grew solid.

She carried on.

“In those days, before it was known the magic a unicorn possessed, that it could be had by taking their horns. Before the unicorns learned to evade our kind. That if two lovers who were destined for one another found each other, they would know this for their unicorn mates would find them. Then man and woman, stallion and mare would be bound together in love and magic. And if the woman should perish, so would the mare, so the stallion and male could have the other close in their mourning. And, er…vice versa.”

When he made no reply, she rushed to fill the silence.

“This does not mean what you had with your —”

“It is not surprising, Elena,” he stated gruffly. “We are destined for the other.”

She peered up at him hesitantly.

To take the hesitance out of her gaze, he bent and touched his mouth to hers and then murmured, “I have received many gifts tonight.”

She smiled a smile of blinding beauty.

He allowed himself a moment to enjoy it before he tugged on her hand to get them moving again.

When they arrived, they saw the fire was banked, the campsite deserted, and Cassius thanked the gods for this as he led Elena to their tent.

They were curled together under their blanket when Mac called out, “About bloody time,” which was followed by Jasmine’s husky laughter, a loud giggle from Rose and an annoyed shout from Ian of “You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut, could you?”

Mac chose not to reply.

“Bloody hell,” Cassius muttered.

Elena did naught but laugh softly and cuddle closer.

When no more came from any of the others, Cassius relaxed.

“You see?” Elena asked confusingly.

“See what?”

“You were tense, waiting for someone to say something else, when you don’t care. You think I care. And only when you knew it would be all right for me did you find calm.”

He was incorrect.

She had not grown fond of him.

It was much more.

A great deal more.

And Cassius could not deny having this from her was warming.

He did not give her that knowledge.

He curled her closer and murmured, “Be quiet and go to sleep, princess.”

“Can we have more sex in the morning?” she requested.

If she talked about it further with that eagerness, she’d get it right then.

“Yes,” he answered. “Now quiet.”

“All right, sweetheart,” she muttered contentedly and burrowed closer.

Cassius did not think he would find sleep with ease.