Chapter four

“Ouch!” Rose yelled as Sapphire pricked her for the seventh time today.

“I’m so sorry!” She said shakily.

“What is up with you today? I’m bleeding from a dozen different cuts already! And it’s just the first fitting.” She complained.

The dress was done. She had brought the exotic actress’s dream to life with this ball gown, but she wasn’t getting anywhere with this fitting. Thoughts of the barbarian on the loose plagued her mind and her hands shook as she worked, something that never ever happened!

“I’m so sorry Rose. I was so preoccupied but I promise it won’t happen again.”

Rose staggered away from the pin in her hand, shaking her head.

“No, I’m sore all over and I love you to bits but I’m beginning to see double meaning in the way you’re holding that pin. We’ll continue this tomorrow. I’m famished.”

She couldn’t do anything as Rose stepped out of the dress and patted her back.

“I hope you’re back to yourself tomorrow.” She said merrily and was on her way.

“Ughhh!” She threw herself on a chair, briefly falling into depression.

“Are you okay?” Veronika her apprentice offered her coffee. “You’ve been jumpy all day. You’re not owing dangerous people are you?”

She choked on her coffee with a laugh. “You unruly little girl, why would you even think of that?”

Nika scoffed. “Little girl? I’m sixteen! And my mum had that look when she owed loan sharks.”

“Your mother is the wife of one of the Forbes listed millionaires.” Sapphire said drily. “How did she end up owing loan sharks?”

“Don’t ask me, the woman does the oddest things for thrills.” The sulky teenager turned away. “Anyway, don’t go anywhere near loan sharks, those fuckers will chew you to the bone.”

“Babygirl is that concern I detect?“ Sapphire asked, grinning.

“As if!” Nika said and disappeared into the inner rooms and Sapphire laughed. She was sure the girl would rather cut her own tongue then admit she cared about anyone at all.

But alone, her stomach twisted on itself with worry again and reality set in. Time ticked thrice as fast as she wanted it to, bringing her closer to the dreaded hour. She’d be meeting him today.

..

This is the first and last time, she told herself. After today, she would ensure he went back through the barrier so she never had to worry about him again. She nodded and stepped into the diner to find the only occupant, him.

How was it possible to feel such strong emotions for someone she only ever met on three occasions? Her mate. She should have known, the goddess punished in the most innovative ways. Just the sight of him instantly put her on high alert and she slid into the opposite seat and glared at him.

“What are you still doing in the human realm?”

“I’m not leaving without you.” He said calmly and she wrung her hands under the table, shoving down her panic.

“You have wasted a trip then, and continue to waste your time.”

“Have I? You have had your fun playing at being human for three years and it’s time to face reality. Come home to me, Sapphire. My mate belongs nowhere else but by my side.”

Anger swept through her and she welcomed the strengthening emotion wholeheartedly.

“At your side? Did you just discover that I’m your mate?” She didn’t know, drunk and devastated and inexperienced as she was but he would have known definitely. “I left my old life behind for three years now and you didn’t look for me before. Why now?”

“I was wrong.” He said, his eyes intensely burning into hers. “I should have come for you immediately.”

She slammed a hand down on the table, livid.

“What makes you think I would have had you? She asked. “You killed my father and took over his pack! What the fuck makes you think I will ever stand at your side? I’d rather die!”

He suddenly took her hand, startling her and he held on when she tried to wrench it from him.

“I’m sorry about your father.” He said and she laughed like she was crazy.

“Sorry? Will sorry turn back time to that invasion? Will it bring my father back to life? You fought hard and long and earned your victory, you fucking barbarian. I don’t have anything else to say to you.”

She rose and he rose with her.

“Sapphire...”

“It’s too late.” She said. “If you have any decency you will pretend you never found me and leave me in peace.”

“I’m afraid I cannot do that.”

“But why?!” She cried. “It’s not hard. Tote your barbarian ass back through the barrier and enjoy being king of all the realm.”

...

He knew she didn’t want to come back with him but he was still surprised at her adamancy. This close to her with her scent invading his nostrils and tearing down his defences, he was this close to pulling her close and satisfying his craving of her taste. The mate bond was driving him crazy, making him hyper aware of her every breath but she was fighting it. She was fighting this pull between them so much her fists were clenched and colour was high on her cheeks. Why?

“I can’t do that.” He said. “You are my mate and I want you to rule the realm at my side.”

“I don’t want to!” She cried. “Ruling has never been my strongforth, are women scarce in your barbarian lands that you have to resort to chasing me across realms?”

“It’s you I want dammit!” He exploded.

Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly.

“I can have a thousand females lined up today with a snap of my fingers but that is not why I have crossed realms to find you. Allow me to do right by you, mate, take my hand.” He said and offered her his hand

It was true. All through these three years, dreams of her soft hands and her soft sighs tormented his dreams and made him miserable. Having her in front of him now, he knew it was a miracle he waited this long to claim her. And claim her he must.

“You pathologically liar! What is the real reason why you are here? You barbarians are famous for your dark twisted traps. Do you think me stupid enough to believe you finally fell for the tattered shadows of my memory and came to find me after so long?”

“Believe me-“

“I don’t!” She cried, backing away from him, her chest rising rapidly. “I don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth.”

“What are you afraid of?” He asked, advancing on her. Her pulse fluttered rapidly as her eyes dilated with fear and desire she fought. “Are you afraid you’ll remember how much you loved these barbarian hands teasing your body? How you begged me to fuck you?”

She gasped and colour climbed higher on her cheeks.

“How dare you?!”

“I’ve felt your passion before, Sapphire. Hell, when I close my eyes I can still taste your juices on my tongue and feel the ghosts of the scratches you left on my back. Can the humans ever satisfy your needs?”

She glared at him and her spine stiffened.

“These humans have welcomed me and helped me on my feet when I had no choice but to run. I am happy here and I will definitely have no problems finding satisfaction if you’re so dearly concerned.”

“Will you turn your back on your own people then?”

She laughed sardonically. “On my people? What people? Is it the barbarians? I would rather serve humans all my life than return home to serve you disgusting fucks.”

He sighed deeply and crossed his arms.

“Then you leave me no choice.”