Chapter 160
~ ROWAN
Nyssa slept peacefully, her lashes fanning her cheeks and the curve of her spine and ass on full display for me.
I’d been up for hours; I’d worked out, showered and made breakfast but she hadn’t stirred once, not that I blamed her. She barely got a few minutes of rest after the first time before I was on her again, bending her over every surface of the house until we were both hoarse and unable to move.
We fell asleep sometime in the early hours of the morning, and had it not been for my internal clock, I would’ve been passed out next to her.
Brushing her hair out of her face, I let my finger trail down to her throat. “Nyssa, wake up p>
She groaned, mumbling something incoherent as she continued to snore softly.
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her. She looked so fucking peaceful, like an angel without a care in the world.
“Baby, it’s almost eleven,” I told her softly. Her brows furrowed, forming a crease at her forehead.
Without thinking, I reached over, smoothing out the skin underneath my palm. I saw her lips quirk, just for a second.
“There’s breakfast,” I offered and that was what had her opening one eye, almost tentatively.
“Is there bacon p>
I hummed. “Whipped cream and pancakes p>
She sat up with a groan, stretching her arms over her head. She must have forgotten that she was fucking naked because that little action pushed her tits right into my face and just like that, my mouth dried and I was hard as rock.
She frowned when she noticed my expression. “I know that look, and I would like to get actual food inside of me before you begin acting like a Neanderthal p>
I laughed loud, the sound bursting from me at once. “I haven’t done anything p>
“Yet,” she added with a knowing look. “Next thing I’ll know, you’re pinning me to the damn bed p>
“Don’t give me any ideas p>
She was out of the bed in a second, tugging the sheets with her and draping them over her body, hiding herself from view.
If she thought that would make me less eager to grab her and put her through the mattress then she was wrong. She could be wearing a fucking garbage bag and I’d still want her.
“I want to eat, Rowan,” she repeated, a bit ore forceful with her words.
With a sigh, I pulled my eyes away from her and dragged myself to my feet. “Luckily for you, we do have to be back at the palace soon. I have work I’ve left unattended p>
She still eyed me warily, walking slowly away from me as she shot me a warning look.
She forgot all about it the moment she stepped out of the room and smelled the breakfast. She rushed into the kitchen, setting herself atop the counter as she grabbed a plate of food and shoved a forkful into her mouth.
I leaned against the door watching her, marveling at how carefree and happy she looked, how relaxed and at ease she appeared. We could never do this at the palace, and I realized then that I fucking hated it.
I hated the palace more in that moment than I ever did in my entire life. I hated the restrictions it came with and I knew without a doubt that it wasn’t the place I wanted to spend my mated life with her.
“What?” she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Is there something on my face? I am eating weirdly p>
I shook my head. “You’re fucking perfect p>
She rolled her eyes playfully, a small smile tugging at her lips. “No one is perfect p>
“You are p>
I wasn’t trying to lie to her, she truly was perfect in my eyes. I could not think of anyone more beautiful or amazing.
“Do we have to go back?” she asked after a few minutes, voice quiet.
“Unfortunately, yes p>
She sighed, staring at the house wistfully. “We can always come back here, right p>
“Of course,” I assured her, and I saw her shoulders sag in relief. “You can come here anytime you want, it is yours after all p>
She scoffed. “I thought you were joking about that part p>
“I wasn’t, not about that… not about anything, I want to be your mate, Nyssa p>
Her lips curved, a small smile gracing her features and although it didn’t quite meet her eyes, it was good enough… for now.
The air in the palace just felt different. It came with its onslaught of stress and worry, and with a mountain of fucking paperwork.
Nyssa and I were separated immediately we got into the palace, I was rushed into a review with Jeremiah and the sentinels, while Nyssa went to find Aria. I hated that we didn’t get a proper chance to talk about being mated and what it would entail. I had no idea if she wanted a large mating ceremony or a small one. I got too… distracted yesterday to ask p>
I was still in a meeting when my phone buzzed in my pocket. As soon as I saw Nyssa’s name, I halted the meeting, bringing it to my ears.
“Is everything alright?” I asked, instantly fearing the worst.
Nyssa never called, not unless something was wrong, and I hated that I couldn’t feel her myself to confirm.
“I’m fine, I promise,” she assured me. “I just… can I tell Aria p>
“Tell Aria what p>
“That… you know… we’re… I agreed to be mated.” She stumbled over her words and I could picture the red sheen of embarrassment that coated her neck and cheeks as she spoke. “I don’t know if you want p>
“Let me stop you right there,” I cut her off. “When it comes to you, I always want. If it were up to me, we’d be mated tonight p>
“Rowan p>
“The answer is yes, little wolf, you can tell my sister. Hell, you can tell the whole damn world. I want everyone to know p>