Sorin's arms encircled Evelyn's waist as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She tasted of honey and smelled of spring flowers.
Evelyn stiffened when she felt Sorin's strong arms around her, panic caught in her throat as he leaned in to kiss her. 'This could not be happening!' She thought moments before his lips touched hers. Then in a rush of heat she melted into him, all thought and panic gone from her body.
The kiss was short and she picked her lips as he pulled back. He tasted of shadow and moonlight. It was intoxicating and Evelyn wanted more.
She leaned forward and answered his kiss with one of her own. Her cheeks grew warm as she pulled back from him and smiled wryly. As if she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
Sorin took her smile as an invitation to taste her sweet lips once more. He feasted on her lips like he hadn't eaten in days, begging permission for more.
Evelyn parted her lips in response and released a small moan and she ravished him just as savagely. The heat from his touch burned through her body and for just a moment Evelyn could feel a deeper connection between them. It was as if there was a glowing thread that connected them that allowed her a taste of his emotions as they entangled hers. It was so overwhelming that Evelyn thought she was losing her mind, but it faded almost as quickly as it had appeared.
Both Sorin and Evelyn were so absorbed in each other that they didn't hear the knock at the door or the click of handle as it was opened.
Nor did they notice the figure that stepped into the room to see them locked in an embrace.
It was only when Sorin hear someone loudly clear their throat that he pulled away from the kiss.
"My, my... I didn't think our dear Prince Sorin had the ability to blush." The male figure said with a laugh, a mischievous glint filled his eyes.
Sorin straightened his jacket as the crimson that had bloomed on his cheeks deepened.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit Cline?" Sorin asked, displeasure in his voice.
Cline raised his hands to show he meant no harm by his teasing remark. "I was told that you had returned and was merely checking to see if you had any need of me."
Cline was Sorin's cousin and most trusted friend and advisor. He was planning on reaching out to Cline once he had Evelyn settled but it seemed fate had other ideas.
"Actually I need to make sure the room beside mine is prepared for a guest. Once she is settled I have a few things to go over with you."
"And would that guest be the young human girl you were exchanging saliva with a moment ago?" Cine asked with an impish smile and a raised eyebrow.
"It would be." Sorin admitted as he hid his face in his hands. If Evelyn hadn't been there he might have used his fist to wipe that grin off his cousin's face.
"I will let the maids know that the room needs to be prepared as soon as possible. Be back in a bit." Cline winked at Evelyn as he slipped out the door.
The moment the door closed and the two of them were alone again Sorin heard a strange sound coming from behind him. He turned to see Evelyn with her hands over her mouth as she tried to stifle the eruption of laughter from leaving her lips.
When she had finally composed herself she settled her hands back in her lap and focused her shining emerald eyes on Sorin.
"So who was that amazing person that could frazzle you so much?"
Sorin coughed out a laugh. "That was Cline. He is a pain in the ass, and my closest friend."
Evelyn liked seeing this side of Sorin. It made him feel softer and less intimidating. She also had a good first impression of Cline. He was the first one that actually saw her as a person since she was taken to the beast lands. She hoped that she could trust him as much as Sorin seemed to.
While they waited for Cline to return Evelyn wanted to find out more about this bond that was growing between them. She slowly moved her hand and placed it on Sorin's.
"I felt it Sorin."
He turned to her with a look of confusion on his face.
Evelyn took a deep breath before she continued. She knew this discussion would be awkward but he needed to know.
"When we kissed..." Her cheeks went pink as she spoke. "I felt a connection like a thread that let me feel your emotions. It was only for a moment but it was there."
Sorin looked at her in wonder. He loved it when she blushed. It made her look even more beautiful than she already was.
"You felt the bond?"
She nodded in response.
"I am overjoyed that you are able to feel it but still it shouldn't be possible for a human to experience a mate bond."
"What does this mean then?"
"I'm not sure but I will figure out everything I can. Along with the books I have, there is a large library here with tomes dating back to before the village was built. There might be some information there we can use." Sorin assured her.
"Knock, knock, lovebirds." Sorin heard Cline from the other side of the door before he opened it.
Sorin quickly crossed the room and pulled Cline inside. "Do not say that out loud again!" Sorin growled at his cousin. "If anyone else had walked in on us Evelyn would be good as dead."
"Now now cousin I know how to be discreet. Besides I am unbothered by your human pet. She is quite a beauty..."
Cline suddenly doubled over in pain as Sorin punched him in the gut.
"You will keep your hands off her Cline." He growled. "Now shall we escort Evelyn to her room?" Sorin suggested with a smile.
Cline smoothed his clothes then opened the door. "As you wish Prince Sorin."
The walk through the hallways was quiet and a little awkward. Evelyn was just glad that they were also free of staff and anyone else that may be staying in the mountain palace. She was getting really tired of being stared at and looked down upon.
When they reached the room that Evelyn would be occupying for the foreseeable future Cline handed them the key to the door and was instructed to wait for Sorin in the hall.
"There are a few things I need to see to. I shouldn't be long but just in case keep the door locked and don't leave the room without me." Sorin instructed Evelyn. She nodded in response as she watched Sorin leave and close the door behind him.
Evelyn then immediately went over and locked the door. She was finally alone and even though it was still early she was also utterly exhausted.
Evelyn shuffled over to the large four poster bed and flopped onto the soft mattress. Moments later her breathing slowed as she drifted off to sleep.
Sorin headed back to his office with Cline right behind him. It was the safest place for them to talk about what had happened at the capitol.
Once the door was shut behind them and Sorin was sat at his desk Cline asked the question that had been on his mind since he initially walked in on him.
"So who is the girl?"
"I went to the main auction house while I was in the capitol." Sorin raked his hands through his hair. "Evelyn was one of the girls up for auction that day."
"I thought you always avoided that place on your visits."
"You would be correct. I am not in the habit of buying slaves but I had a feeling that I needed to be there that day."
Sorin let out a sigh. "Cline she is my fated mate." He finally admitted. "That is why I bought her and brought her here with me."
"She is what?!"