XLII

His cold nose pressed against my back, breathing in deep against my first staking mark. I hadn’t been shocked when he found me, but he had surprised me when he begged entrance to my mind. No one had ever seen into the most inner workings of my thoughts, much less the emotions I always kept hidden.

I granted it. I needed the support, to lean on someone else and let them carry me through my sea of turmoil.

That wasn’t what he sought, though. He dragged me through everything I always focused so intently on, away from the traumas I clung to, and straight to my safe place, as if he knew that was where I needed to be. His own shock, seeing my truth, was enough to shock sense back into me, as well. With every ounce of power I had, I rebuilt my walls, protecting my secrets.

It was too late. I knew he knew. My whole life, golden eyes had been my safety. The rare times I sunk deep into my thoughts, needing the quiet from the loud and overbearing war constantly raging in my mind, golden ey