Shadow

Idonia Torbet

We reached Caesting in no time. Master and Madam Hoye greet us outside with their ten pups: seven girls and three boys. Stable boys take the reigns of the horses to take them off to feed, water, and wash them.

"Iddy," Madam Hoye comes up to me and gives me a big hug. "You've grown so much."

"And you look as young as ever," I say to her before nodding my head to Master Hoye.

"How is your father?" he shakes my hand.

"Stubborn and old," I tell him before we both laugh. "May I introduce you to Khanel Raedwulf Dolph and his Viker; Rikki Helvig and Danal Ohlson."

"Khanel Raedwulf Dolph," Master Hoye bows and his family copies him. "You are welcome to my daughters to find your mate among them."

I cough, looking over his daughters before turning to Rae. He looks at me and smiles his warm, bright, smile. "Actually, Master Hoye, Idonia here is my mate. That is why she is traveling with me."

"My apologies, Khanelea," Master Hoye then bows to me. The daughters all give me an evil look before turning their heads down. "I did not mean to offend."

"No offense taken. We are traveling to the dark north of the Isle to go hunting."

"A noble activity," the Madam smiles at us both. "Well, we shall celebrate with a feast. For now, let me show you to your rooms for the eve."

"That would be lovely, however," I look up at Rae with a light smile. "I would like to show the Khanel your gardens."

"Of course," she gives me a small nod before I take Rae's hand. The Hoyes' gardens are my favorite place in all of Theris. The Madam takes care of them herself, tending to every plant and tree. Even in this cold season, the gardens still thrive.

After more formalities, I lead Rae out to the gardens. He takes in the flowers and herbs that are growing all around. His eyes travel over the magical land before landing on me. Our hands wrap around one another before he pulls me close to him. No words are shared between us as he leans down to gently kiss me.

"Iddy," he smirks at me, causing me to push him away.

"I don't know why she calls me that, she always has and she is the only one," I sigh in the most irritating way I can manage. Rae chuckles at me before kissing me once more. "And her daughters."

"I'm glad I met you before I had to socialize with the seven Hoye daughters."

I laugh at him, "I would be too. Though all seven gave me a nasty look when you declared me as your mate."

"You need not worry about seven rich brats, you are a Khanelea," his hands cup my cheeks. "And a Khanelea backs down to no one."

"Except you," I raise my eyebrows at him.

"I doubt you'd ever let me control you," he pecks my nose. "And I would never try."

"Good," I turn my nose up at him. "Do you like the gardens?"

"They are quite lovely," he looks around once more before his eyes land on mine. "However, you are lovelier."

"It is still all strange, thinking of having Viker, being your Khanelea. It's all still terrifying."

"But you are strong, and you will always have me by your side." I take one deep breath, his scent filling my lungs. He pulls me into his chest where I wrap my arms around him. "And we do need to speak about Danal."

"What do you mean?" I ask him, tilting my head to the side as I look up at him.

"What did he say to you?" he asks me. I step back, turning away from him. My arms fold in front of me, showing my desire to not speak about this.

Danal obviously doesn't like me, and I've been dealing with him the way I deal with all the males who haven't liked me in the past.

I ignore him.

Like my brothers and father, I just need to prove myself to him.

"Nothing," I let out another sigh, this one not in relief but in stress.

"He makes you uncomfortable and the way he speaks to you isn't okay," he grabs my arms, bringing my back to his chest. "I want to speak with him, but I want you there."

"It's fine, Rae," I beg him silently to drop it. "Sometimes males just have problems with me. I'm not exactly the typical female and with everything that's happened, I'm surprised Rikki doesn't hate me as well."

"The opposite, in fact, Rikki loves you and admires you so much."

"It's crazy, almost like he's my mate and--"

"Hold off there," he pulls me closer, growling lowly in my ear. "I am your mate, not Rikki."

"I know," I let out a sly smile. When I try to pull away, he grips me tighter, his lips landing softly on my neck. Shivers run up and down my body as his canines graze over my skin. Another growl rumbles up from his chest.

"Say it."

"You are my Khanel," I sigh, teasing him with a small laugh.

His growl turns dark as his teeth dig into my skin. My gasp encourages him to press deeper, "I am your mate."

"Of course, my Khanel." A purr forms from inside my throat as I squirm, pressing my ass into him.

"Rae!" I jump away from him as I heard Rikki's voice. "The Master and Madam want us in to clean up for dinner."

"I hate him," Rae gnarls on his teeth as the Viker appears around the corner.

"Be nice," I remind him, walking towards Rikki. I place my hand on his shoulder, "Thank you, Rikki."

"No problem, Khanelea," he smiles at me, causing Rae to run up to me and grab my hand. I lead him back inside where a servant waited for us. Then we are lead up to our room where a large, steaming hot bath was waiting.

Immediately I start to take off my fur cloak, boots, and socks. Rae watches me with a smirk before propositioning me, "Are we bathing together?"

"Well there is only one bath, don't most mates bathe together?"

"My parents never did, though they never spent a lot of time together. Do yours?"

"As far as I know." I unbuckle the waist belt, slipping off the wrist-length overcoat. Then I remove my dark blue overdress, leaving me in my white shift. When I look up, I see that Rae has disregarded his cloak, tunic, and leg wrapping. He removed his boots and socks before smirking at me.

I walk over to him and untie his white undershirt before pulling it from being tucked in his pants. The shirt rises until I can grab his hemline and pull his shirt over his head. His hands rest on my hips as he stands. The new view of him shirtless has my beast running crazy.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"It's not like we're mating," I remind him, looking from his chiseled chest to his burning eyes.

"No, I guess it's not."