“There’s nothing to understand, wildflower. It’s war.”

“A quest for revenge,” I murmured, trailing my fingers over the spines of all his stolen books. His silence confirmed. “But when does it end?”

“When he says it does.”

He being his tyrannical king. Dade.

“Then what will you do?”

His lack of instant response gave me pause, and I spun to find him watching me with his arms crossed over that impressive chest. His features gave nothing away, not unless he wished them to. A trained beast indeed. “If I’m still breathing, I’ll continue to serve as legion commander to my king.”

“Still breathing?” I asked in sudden and sickening horror. “Why do such a thing?” Unsure why, I felt compelled to know. “Surely, you do not enjoy it.”

“Serving Dade and protecting my people?”

“No,” I said, taking my time to cross the room. “Hunting and hurting your own ilk.”

His expression remained emotionless. “They’re golden fae.” The word golden was said as though it were cursed.

“Fae all the same.”

“Are you uncomfortable staying in a hunter’s home, wildflower?” I blinked, halting when he advanced, a glint darkening his eye. “Because I’m not forcing you to.”

Shocked, I stilled painfully. “Do you now wish for me to leave?”

“No.” His veneer cracked, his jaw rotating. “You know I don’t want that.”

“To simply cease asking you questions you do not like, then?”

His forehead creased as he declared earnestly, “You can ask me whatever you want.”

“Then define uncomfortable for me,” I said, my lips wriggling into a smile when he stopped right before me.

“Your heart races,” the wolf said, so low it was nearly a graveled rasp. “Whenever I get too close.”

“Does it?” I whispered, though we both knew I was well aware.

He hummed, his fingers collecting my own and pulling me to his chest. “It’s flying…” Warm breath singed my temple and stirred my hair as he murmured, “or stopping entirely.”

“What’s it doing right now?” I asked, even after I’d felt it stop beating.

His fingers released mine to skim down my side. I shivered. “It’s waiting to see what I’ll do to you.” His lips moved down to my cheek, where he whispered heatedly with a smile in his voice, “Breathe, wildflower.”

I did, and a tiny noise escaped with the rush of air, my knees quaking.

A low chuckle lingered with his rapid exit, tendrils of shadow mixing with my panted breaths.

The wolf didn’t return until well after midnight.

He climbed into bed carefully until he realized that I wasn’t sleeping.

He asked no questions. He simply pulled me close, his fingers smoothing down my back and over my hair. The last thing I remembered was my breath evening against his chest as my tears dried upon my cheeks.