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Twenty-year-old Peacian empath Belle Benner has been waiting two years for her soul-bound mate to claim her and when she finally meets him, she discovers he’s the last person she ever expected him to be. Her mate is a warrior healer from within the enemy’s ranks, a man she must release if she wishes to accept the greatest challenge she’ll ever undertake, that of bringing their world’s warring to an end.
***
I backed up a little farther into Faith’s palace bedroom.
Nicolas caught my movement, lifted his chin and cast me a look through the open doors.
“Hey.” I lifted a wobbly hand.
“You’re her.” Still looking at me, he growled low at Faith standing next to him, “Why did you bring her here?”
“I had a vision and saw that the two of you needed to talk. Ask Belle all about it. I’m going to leave you two alone so you can chat.” Faith patted his back then shimmered and disappeared.
Oh boy. I hadn’t wanted to talk to Nicolas on my own. I should have told Faith to remain so she could help me get through this first meeting. “I, ah...” My tongue got stuck.
“You have a dimple each side of your mouth and a mole above your left eyebrow.” With his intense blue gaze drilling into me, he stepped through the doors, his belted sword swaying at his side. “I saw you on Earth last week with Faith and Silvie before one of the others in your group ’ported you away. Faith told me back then that you’re a protector and an empath, one in the know about hers and Davio Loveria’s bond, just as I am too.”
“That’s right, and you’re Nicolas, her healer and knight in shining armor.” I dragged in a deep breath and let it slowly back out. “That was meant as a compliment, in case it didn’t quite come out that way.”
“I’m no knight, but I am a healer.” Frowning, he crossed to me and halted in front. “This is a surprise to find you here. What’s your last name, Belle?”
“Benner. What’s yours?” My heartbeat raced at his sudden closeness. This was the moment I’d been waiting two years for, only I’d never once imagined our first meeting would occur in quite this way, or on Dralion soil.
“Vegara.” He slowly stepped around me, circling around fully then halting again in front. Carefully, he lifted one hand and gently touched his palm to my cheek, until a warm heat radiated out from him and seeped into me.
“There’s no need to check me over.”
“I’m running a quick scan and assessing you for any injuries.” He trailed his hand down my neck, over one shoulder then lowering to a crouch, swept both his hands down my sides, all the way to my feet.
“Are there any injuries I should know about?” Heat flushed through me, both from his healer’s touch and the fact that my mate stood so incredibly close.
“You’re all clear. No immediate injuries or life-threatening illnesses that I can see.” He rose back to his full, towering height and hovered a hand right over my heart concealed by the soft ruffles of my pink swing top.
“Is my ticker all good?”
“Your heart’s beating a little faster than it should.”
“That’s because you’re standing in front of me and I never thought this moment would ever come. It’s been more than two years since I came of age and now I’m twenty and finally meeting the one man I’d always hoped would be mine. I can’t believe you’re now taken.”
“Fake taken.” He lowered his hands back to his sides. “I can’t believe you’re now standing in front of me either, not here where only danger could assail you. Faith better have had a damn good reason for bringing you here. Dralion isn’t the place for any Peacian to be.”
***
