Lincolns POV
If this man doesn't stop talking soon I might walk away in the middle of the conversation. It's ridiculous to be this anxious to see her after only a few hours but I can't stop myself. I've had to actively force myself to listen through this whole counsel. Cam had to kick me under the table several times after someone asked a question and I was staring off into space.
I watch longingly as Vic leaves the room, wishing I could go with him, I know he's going straight to them.
"My beloved would love to host you and your entourage for dinner," the man says, drawing my attention back to him.
"That's very kind of her," I tell him while extending my hand to him, "please, coordinate the details with my Beta, Cameron."
We shake hands and I quickly dismiss myself before someone else has the chance to come to start up a conversation.
I'm the Alpha King and a wolf on vampire property, I know I need to be calm and walk but I'm antsy to get back to her. I awkwardly walk-jog toward the special room that was set up for her to wait in. I can feel the vampire guards anxiety as I try to remain calm and professional while also hurrying.
I can smell her as soon as I reach the building and my wolf relaxes instantly.
Walk.
Walk.
Walk.
I have to remind myself like a child.
The moment I open the door my eyes find her, across the room and outside in the garden. Her eyes meet mine instantly like she was already waiting for me. A slight blush and a shy smile bloom on her face.
"You got away from Lord Myron," Vic laughs but I don't have time to respond. I knew I missed her and that my wolf was anxious to get back to her but now that I'm here, now that I see her, the need has taken on a new level of desperation.
"Hi, Cora, it's good to see you," I ignore Vic completely. I need to get Jo out of here but I don't want to be rude to his sister.
"You too, I was just telling Jo about the crystal caves. You should take her to see them!"
I always knew I liked this girl. She is definitely Vic's little sister but I have never appreciated their slightly pushy approach to relationships more than I do right now. She's observant and wise beyond her years.
I look at Jo who has a knowing smile on her face. When she nods her head, gesturing that she would accept the invitation. I immediately stretch my hand out to her, craving the feeling of her skin against mine.
When her smooth skin slides against mine I relax, finally.
"Do you remember how to get there? I would be happy to take you," Vic starts to stand before Maggie swats at him.
"Leave them alone Victor," she chuckles.
"I'll have the guards give you some room," he wiggles his brows and I feel Jo tense. I don't care enough to respond. I pull her away while Maggie swats at him again.
Once we're out of earshot a small, contented sigh slips past her lips, like she's as relieved as I am to be together once again.
"How was your meeting?" her voice is so soft. I turn to see why and notice that she's eyeing the nearby guards. I'm so used to traveling between kingdoms that I don't even notice guards or protective details anymore.
"They aren't listening," I squeeze her small hand, "it's a lot to get used to but eventually you forget that they're there."
"I don't like being followed around," she's still practically whispering.
"If it makes you feel better we do it to our guests too, not with physical guards but Luke has the most high tech security set up I've ever seen."
Her breath catches, "has he seen... I mean, does he watch us?"
"If you're concerned that he was watching us in the lake, I'm sure he saw that we were there, yes, but he wouldn't have been sitting and watching us."
Her cheeks redden, "I guess I still like that more than people actually standing there staring at us."
When we reach the small entrance to the underground caverns I nod to the guards before pushing the small wooden door open.
"Watch your step in here, let me walk in front of you just in case."
I move myself to the steps in front of her.
"In case of what?"
No sooner have the words left her mouth, she trips and stumbles into my back. The steep, narrow staircase is dimly lit and the steps are uneven. She yelps and grips the back of my shirt tightly.
"In case of that," I chuckle, "are you alright?"
She mumbles quietly under her breath about not being "that clumsy."
She holds onto my shoulder the rest of the way down the steps, the long tunnel like staircase taking us deep under the earth. When we reach the bottom the low bluish light reflects off of the water making the room look almost turquoise. The long, wooden dock-like structure stretches out over the water beneath thousands of hanging crystals
I turn quickly to watch her seeing everything. I remember the first time I came here, I was in awe, I recognize that on her face now. Her lips are slightly parted and her eyes are focused upward, taking in the unusual beauty of the caverns.
"This is incredible!" Her voice is breathless and full of wonder. I can't tear my eyes away from the softness of her face.
"It is," I take her hand and we walk further down the dock.
"The water is so clear and blue," she muses mostly to herself as we walk to the end of the dock, "the crystal looks like salt formations. This is amazing..."
We stand silently, her head on my chest. My heart actually aches at this feeling, standing here, alone with her. I never expected to have someone to do something like this with. She might not be my fated mate but she right now, far below the ground bathed in bluish light, she is everything.
I press a kiss to the top of her head and she smiles up at me.
"Thank you for bringing me here," the soft lilt of her voice sounds emotional. I pull back to look at her face and her eyes are brimmed with tears.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I promise. I don't know why I feel emotional, I just... thank you for showing me this."
"There are so many things I want to show you, if you'll let me," I tilt her face back and bring my lips to hers, stopping just short of a kiss.
"Anything, everything," she closes the almost nonexistent gap between our mouths, kissing me, returning the same fire that I feel blooming under my skin.
I lift her into my arms and settle her body between mine and the railing of the dock, holding her up against me. I need to get her out of here before I can't control myself.
"Take me to your room," she breathes against my lips and my body springs into action before my mind can even process the words, carrying her across the dock and up the long flight of stairs.
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