“You’re wonderful,” she whispered against his neck, kissing it lightly as she loosened her hold on him. When he pulled back to look down at her with a grin that spoke of total satisfaction and male pride, she couldn’t help but smile tenderly at him. “I probably shouldn’t have told you that.”
Sebastian looked down at her with a shocked expression on his face. He slipped his fingers through her hair at her temples and held her still to look down at her with such fierceness, she thought for a moment that she had offended him.
“Why should you not tell me that?” he questioned her.
“Because you will be insufferable from now on,” she told him, laughing as she reached up to touch his cheek lightly and gently trace his jaw with a loving caress.
“In what way, Lexi?” he asked her, sincerely confused.
She looked up at him silently, smiling. “You’ll be walking around camp strutting that you have pleasured your woman,” she teased.
“A man should be proud that he gave pleasure to his life mate,” he told her, his eyes sparkling mischievously.
“Yes, he should, and you have,” she whispered, touching his lips lightly with her index finger. “Have I pleased you, Sebastian?”
She couldn’t help the small flutter of worry that was taking up space within her chest. She did her best to keep the uncertainty from her voice, but she didn’t think she was completely successful. Her eyes remained focused on his lips, unable to stare into his golden eyes for fear that her insecurity would be evident.
“Lexi,” he whispered. “Look at me.”
She hesitated a moment then raised her eyes to look up into his. Her worries were eased at once when she saw the feelings he held for her displayed within his golden orbs. There was satisfaction, happiness, and love reflecting back at her.
“You please me more than I could have ever hoped for, my lady,” he whispered very seriously. “Not only with your body but also with your soul.”
Lexi’s eyes widened with wonder as she looked up at Sebastian. She knew his words were true. Her ability to see the truth in a person’s soul through their eyes had never failed her. Sebastian’s eyes told her what she needed to know without a doubt.
She gasped suddenly, reaching up to frame his face with her hands. “Sebastian,” she whispered, concerned.
“What is it, my love?” he questioned, more than a little concerned by the panic in her voice.
“Your eyes!”
“My eyes?”
“They have specs of violet within the golden color,” she told him worriedly. “Is that okay? I mean, have I somehow affected you or your magic? I don’t want to lessen your power.”
He sighed softly, easing forward to kiss her forehead lightly before leaning back and smiling down at her. “Your concern for me is touching but unnecessary, Lexi. You have affected me, yes. But it is in the best possible way,” he whispered, leaning down to claim her lips in a gentle kiss. “It is only fair, my love.”
“What do you mean?” she whispered against his mouth, confused. The violet in his eyes mesmerized her. She couldn’t help but be drawn to the beauty of the combination of the colors—the unique joining of him and her.
“Since you now have a part of me deep within you, I now have a part of you within me,” he explained patiently.
“Have my eyes changed, too?” she asked with wonder.
“No, Lexi,” he told her, smiling.
“Oh.”
“Does this sadden you?”
“Yeah. It kind of does,” Lexi admitted. “I like your eyes.”
Sebastian could not help but smile at his life mate’s admission. Her desire to have him be a part of her spoke volumes to him.
“Mayhap our children will have the blessing of both of our colors,” he offered, loving the soft blush that came to her cheeks.
“I would like that,” she whispered finally.
“I would, as well, my lady.”
Lexi nearly melted at the sincerity in Sebastian’s voice. Her mother had been correct. She had told all of them that when they met the man who was meant to be theirs, they would know, and they would know it with every fiber of their being.
“My seed has claimed you as my life mate. Our bonding has now been completed,” Sebastian continued, unaware of Lexi’s internal musings. “You will no longer feel pain when we are apart. Nor will I.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek tenderly then pulled back to search her eyes almost desperately. “We belong to each other now. There is no going back. The proof is the change in my eyes and the change that has occurred within your body to accept me as your mate.”
“How has my body changed?” she whispered, unsure if she should be afraid.
“By sharing my body and my soul with you, I have also shared my magic. With each joining, our connection will grow and strengthen as will the gifts that we possess. Your body has adapted so that you will be receptive to both.”
“I don’t feel any different,” Lexi began.
“Think on it, Lexi,” Sebastian told her gently. “Close your eyes and center yourself. Seek the differences within you.”
Lexi closed her eyes and took deep, even breaths as she tried to center herself. She pictured herself floating, searching out the warmth that seemed to be glowing within her. She followed the path of that warmth and realized that there had indeed been a change within her. The golden glow of magic that Sebastian had shared with her was pulsing with controlled power deep within her soul.
“I feel your magic,” she whispered, never opening her eyes.
“It is your magic now, my love,” Sebastian told her, his voice quiet.
He kissed her temple and hummed softly against the warmth of her skin. He fanned the power within her to accept even more of his magic. He needed her to be powerful so that she would be able to protect herself and their children.
Carefully easing from her body, he took his place by her side and gathered her within his embrace as he concentrated on his magic. He pictured its golden glow and guided it into her body, smiling when he saw the violet color of the magic already there. He directed his magic to join with hers and was pleased to see the way they glowed brighter with the shared strength.
“You’re doing something,” she accused him, feeling the surge of power within her.
“Yes, my love. I am strengthening your magic. You need to have the additional power to protect yourself, our children, and our people. It will increase over time. I am certain that you will be a strong wielder of magic within our world.”
Lexi felt at once both overwhelmed and proud. Sebastian had faith in her strength. His belief in her was something that she knew was going to be a part of her future with this amazing man.
“I’m not sure how to wield this magic that you’ve given me, Sebastian,” she told him honestly.
“I will give you instruction,” Sebastian promised. “I believe it will take very little training to help you channel your power, Lexi. It is something that is innate within you.” He eased back to look down at her and smiled at the happiness he saw within her beautiful violet eyes. “I believe that you will be able to overpower me with very little effort, my queen.”
Lexi couldn’t help but laugh. The thought that she could best Sebastian in anything was absolutely ludicrous. She knew he was just being sweet, but his words of support and encouragement were exactly what she needed.
“You doubt my words, but they are true, Lexi.”
Lexi didn’t answer. She gave herself over to the warmth and the strength of Sebastian’s embrace. She felt calm and happy. For the first time in a very long time, she was able to trust in the strength and protection of a man. Her man. It was a good feeling.
“You make me feel things I’ve never felt before,” she told him quietly, leaning forward and resting her face in the crook of his neck.
“Is that good?”
“It’s very good.”
“I am pleased.”
He kissed the top of her head, breathi
ng in the clean scent of her hair and knowing that it was a scent that he would always crave, just as he craved her touch. He could not prevent the soft hum of pleasure that escaped him as her hands caressed his back.
“I thank you for your tenderness,” he told her quietly.
Lexi could only smile as she leaned closer to kiss the underside of his chin. Easing back, she scooted her body up his to rest across his strong chest. Looking down into his eyes, she was able to use her gift to see into his soul. It wasn’t that she needed to search out his feelings or his character, she was already fully aware of the goodness of this man and the way that he felt. It was as if the heavens wanted her to understand something very important.
She saw his loneliness and his isolation. Being king had created a distance between him and the people he watched over. He was regarded so highly by every one of them that he served so willingly, but it had caused a separation that she could clearly see. Although he was well-respected and honored as both a man and a king, Sebastian had not been touched with love or tenderness. His caring heart had been starving for that tenderness.
Reaching up, she carded her fingers through his long hair, massaging his temples with the pads of her thumbs as she did so. She felt his arms surround her and laughed softly as he caressed her back in small circles before he hugged her to him with utmost care.
“I hope you won’t mind,” she whispered.
“Mind what, Lexi?” He was genuinely confused by her words.
“I…”
“What, my love?”
He touched her cheek lightly, worried by the way Lexi was holding back. He could not help the slow smile that came to his lips as he realized that she was hesitant to tell him that she wanted and needed to touch him.
“Tell me what is in your heart, Lexi,” he encouraged her.
“Touching you makes me feel good,” she explained, doing her best to put into words what she was feeling. “I need the connection to you, Sebastian.”
Sebastian nodded, understanding that Lexi’s need to touch him had nothing to do with the bonding urgency to touch. This was a far deeper need that came from her loving nature and caring heart.
“I know. I can see into your soul,” he told her.
“I’ve always been a person who has needed to hug and show my affection,” Lexi explained, running the back of her index finger of her right hand across the dark stubble on Sebastian’s left cheek. “I love hugging my niece Hanna. She’s a sweetheart.”
“She is,” Sebastian agreed, thinking about the little princes and princesses that Lexi would gift him with, and knowing that she was going to be a loving mother to every child that they would create together.
“Even though I’ve trained with my sisters and have taught them to be strong and capable warriors, I’ve also enjoyed many quiet nights with them brushing their hair or playing with them.” She hesitated just a bit, smiling at the memories of those special times with her younger sisters. “My mother and father were always very warm and loving with us and with each other. We grew up hugging each other a lot. I remember cuddling within my mother’s arms. My father was the same. I want that to be the same way with us.”
“It will be, my love,” Sebastian told her, meaning it with all of his being.
She eased forward and kissed his cheek tenderly, rubbing her face against the scruff on his face and humming softly. “I can’t help but want to show you how much you mean to me by touching and hugging you whenever you’re close to me,” she whispered. “I promise I’ll be discreet.”
“Lexi, why would you think you need to make that promise?” he asked her, gently cradling her face between his hands and holding her firmly so that he could look into her beautiful eyes. “I do not want you to be discreet. I want you to be open and honest with your affection, as I will be with mine for you.” Searching her face for any sign of distress, he saw none and was relieved.
“It’s a deal,” Lexi whispered, kissing his lips lightly.
“It is a deal,” Sebastian agreed, hugging her tightly when she moved to rest upon his chest. He loved the way she cuddled into his body and held him.
Lexi sighed with relief. She knew that she had to keep up a measure of decorum that befitted the royal station she would now be a part of, but she was going to be a loving wife. She didn’t know any other way to be.
“Hey, you said you could see into my soul,” she said suddenly, remembering his declaration. “What did you mean?”
“With the completion of our bonding, changes have occurred in both your body and mine,” he explained. “You have gleaned my magic, and I now share your gift.”
Lexi was stunned. Altavesta was truly a magical world.
“We will help each other learn these new gifts which we will use to help and protect,” he told her quietly.
“That’s really good,” Lexi whispered.
“It is.”
They remained quiet, content to stay within each other’s embrace. Lexi knew that their time together playing hooky from their responsibilities couldn’t last for much longer. Sebastian had duties. So did she. For now, though, it was wonderful to have these stolen moments of tenderness.
“I don’t want to leave your arms,” she whispered.
Sebastian hugged her to him. “I don’t want you to leave my arms,” he told her quietly, rubbing his thumb lazily across her shoulder.
“We have to get back to the camp,” she told him with a sigh, knowing their time together in their own little world was coming to an end.
“We will stay here as long as we want to,” Sebastian told her firmly. “Our bonding is of utmost importance.”
“Yes, it is,” Lexi agreed, smiling against his chest and kissing it lightly. It was then that Lexi saw the violet and amber light that surrounded them. “Sebastian, do you see the energy that’s surrounding us?”
“Yes, my love,” he whispered. “My joy at this joining cannot be hidden. This energy is part of my gift. It is now part of yours. It offers protection and healing.”
“You mean this energy will be seen around us from now on?” she asked, gasping in horror at the thought.
Sebastian nuzzled against the side of her neck. “Does this worry you, my lady?” he teased.
“Hell, yeah!” she couldn’t help but blurt out. “Everyone will know we have...” She stopped, sitting up and looking down at him, unable to keep the blush from her cheeks. She was completely embarrassed.
“Have what?” he asked, sitting up to face her.
“Have completed the bonding,” she finally stammered out in a whisper.
Sebastian laughed softly and lay back onto the blanket, pulling her atop him and hugging her to him tightly. Lexi pulled back and looked down at him, a little miffed that he found this all so amusing.
Despite her irritation, she couldn’t help but be pleased that Sebastian was enjoying himself. She had seen that he hadn’t had much joy or relaxation in his life. How could he? He had the weight of his world, and countless other worlds, on his shoulders.
“Stop laughing,” she told him after a moment, tugging at the hair. “I’ll be so embarrassed. They’ll all look at us and know.”
Sebastian stopped laughing to look at her and was taken by the sweetness of her. He reached out to touch her cheek gently.
“My men will recognize my joy at finally finding my life mate,” he told her seriously. “They will know that we are one as it was destined to be, and they will offer silent prayers that one day they will be lucky enough to be the recipient of the same destiny.”
“But, the magic,” Lexi argued.
“This shield of magic can only be seen by you and by me,” he told her honestly. “I have placed it there because we are vulnerable at this moment. It is very important that you remain safe and protected.”
“What about you?”
“I am always protected, as well, my love,” Sebastian told her gently, loving the immediate and honest concern that she had for him. “You will now be able
to see the magic that others possess, and will soon be able to wield magic with great power and precision. It will grow over time as you hone your skills. I will help you in this. Do not worry.”
He ran the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip, needing to ease her worry. He did not like the way she tugged at her lip with her teeth when she was upset.
“No one will be able to see the shield around you. They will not be aware that it is there unless you tell them that it is or allow it to be revealed to them.”
“Will I have control over the shield?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Why does that matter?”
“I won’t need it when I’m with family or with your warriors.”
Sebastian thought a moment. He was not pleased that she would remove the shield, but he understood that she felt it would make her feel as if she did not trust those that she loved.
“Why do you feel fear?” Sebastian asked her softly, touching her cheek gently.
“I am not feeling fear,” she told him at once.
“What is it that you are feeling, Lexi? I know that you are worried about something,” he told her honestly. “Your gift is beginning to manifest itself within me. I can see into your soul through your beautiful eyes, and I can see that you are unsettled.”
“I am. A little,” Lexi admitted.
“I also see happiness and caring. You feel this for me.” His voice was quiet but sure as he spoke to her calmly. “And I am truly thankful for the sharing of your gift so I can know this.”
“You won’t have to look into my eyes to see my feelings for you, Sebastian,” she told him honestly. “I’ll show you.”
“Will you also tell me?”
“I will,” she promised, gently tracing a path from his shoulder to his waist with her fingertips.
“Thank you for your vow.”
“So you have my gift,” she whispered after a moment. “Do I have yours?”
“I would think so,” he answered her honestly. “We will have to do some training so that you will have control over it.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
Alexa's Warrior Mate (Guardian Warrior Mates, Prophecy of Salvation Book 1) Page 20