“Once we got back here, I snarled and growled if anyone tried to approach you. Based on the information they had already received and on my actions, they assumed I had fully claimed you. No one got close enough to scent that I hadn’t actually done the deed. I allowed them to assume it. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly. I liked the idea of you as my mate and I didn’t think it would take long to claim you anyway. So…”

“So… all your people think we’re already mated, I mean, like, for real.”

He nodded.

“Tell them you lied. Set the record straight.”

“I’m their king. They need to be able to trust me. I don’t know why I did it, all I know is that it’s done. We are going to finish this so why cause unnecessary shit?”

“You’re never going to let me go, are you?” Her lip wobbled.

Torrent clenched his teeth for a moment or two. He wanted to go to her, to put his arms around her and reassure her but he refrained. What would he say? That she was wrong? That she was right? Fuck! This was one hell of a mess. “Let’s get to know one another. I concede that it’s not an ideal situation. I fucked up. I might be a king but I make mistakes. I honestly thought that you would be in my bed as soon as you healed.”

Candy laughed. “I actually completely believe you. You do realize that your arrogance and that oversized ego of yours is to blame, right?”

“Does your smile mean that you forgive me? That you’ll work on it.”

“You’ve been straight with me and I appreciate it. I…” She licked her lips and took in a breath which she held inside her for a beat or two. “I believe that you are attracted to me, that you see a future for us and that you want this to work. I guess it’s my turn to be honest.” She paused again, clearly struggling to find her words. “I am also attracted to you. Very much so. I also feel a pull to you, a bond, whatever you want to call it. I don’t understand it. It scares me. This whole situation is… different. I don’t know that it is enough to base a whole relationship on but I agree to giving it a try. It’s the best I can do.”