Braving the Elements (Darkness #2)(16)

Eyes on my face, he continued, “But I’m the leader of this clan; all decisions go through me. I’m responsible for every single member’s life, wellbeing, and prosperity. At first, you were nothing more than an intriguing nuisance with strange and puzzling human traits. You’ve come up against our human stigma first hand. I admit, it darkened my thoughts.”

I scrubbed my palm against my jeans. “And now?”

His eyes bore into mine. A decision rumbled around in his head. The pause lengthened, the approaching night muffling the sounds of day, muting the light.

“I…” Something clicked into place. His face hardened. “I’m still a leader, and I have obligations. I need to take on a mate. To stabilize my role, give my clan another means to resolve problems, and continue my line through the offspring of my chosen. As I’ve said a few times, I don’t take pets, whether my own race or yours.”

“You’re a one woman kind of guy? I find that hard to believe in this place…” My eyes started to sting and I had no idea why.

“I prefer the solidarity of one mate, yes. Although that’s not the norm, no.

You’re right. Not for me until lately, and I certainly can’t expect that from my future mate.” His jaw clenched.

“I don’t understand why you need someone with a mate title to have a few kids. Charles explained it like you guys were good with just creating kids randomly.”

“Charles is young. He’s flippant in his execution of our customs. My children may not carry my genetics, but through a union, they’d be born to my mantle. I’d provide for them as my own. Regardless, the clan needs a pair. A steady, stable pair. It’s how it’s always been. Similar to your kings and queens, arranged mating is not unusual. Many factors go into the choice.

Reproduction is one, yes. As is ability to lead, politics, magical power, lineage as it concerns magical power…”

“Darla is your chosen.” My heart filled with lead and squished down into my shoes. I knew that, but I needed to hear it from his mouth, once and for all.

Stefan stared at me, his face unreadable. “She is the most acceptable candidate.”

That was a professional answer.

“When does this happen?”

“I should’ve made the decision before now. It needs to be formalized soon. The Regional needs to approve of my final choice. He’s scheduled to visit in a few months’ time.”

I shook my head as my eyes trained on a spot of dirt next to my shoe.

“How does that concern me? Why can’t you just be nice? Friendly?”

“You were a distraction. A pleasant one, but not one I could allow to take my attention away from my clan. Now that you’re an asset, you are under my protection. Your prosperity and overall comfort are my responsibility. I now treat you no differently than anyone else under my care. Except for this discussion. And for my checking up on you… Sometimes.”

Not as professional.

“And except Darla,” I muttered sulkily, wishing I’d just shut up for once.

“I treat you no differently than anyone else under my care.”

I glanced up, startled. His hand was out, directing me in front of him.

“Please, walk with me.”

I trudged forward, my lingering sulkiness immature, but not something I could help. Somewhere deep inside me, I knew I belonged with him. My body tried to merge with him as its other half. Being near him, next to him, touching him, sent me into an unexplainable euphoria. I’d felt it that night on the street, even having never seen his face before that moment. To now hear that that door was closed, that I couldn’t even have him as a strictly sexual situation—even though that would only satisfy part of the hunger—was like a punch to the gut. It ripped at me.

“I realize that, in your situation, it seems impossible to ever make this your home.” His footsteps were light even though his body’s size was just shy of daunting. “But when you have more training under your belt, and can protect yourself reasonably, we can let you out of your cage.”

A glance told me that he did, in fact, joke. I blinked at his smile, the effect pushing out an inner light within him that rendered me speechless.

His gaze drifted to mine, his smile losing focus.

I blurted, “I didn’t think you had a sense of humor.”

His gaze got more acute. “Officially, I don’t.”

“Do you ever get to let your hair down?”

“Can’t. Too short.”

“Ah. Now I see why you don’t joke. Lack of material.”

His lips tugged upward a little more. Then drooped again. “I don’t have a lot of time that’s my own. My race is one of bred hunters. I maintain my position through calculating threat and violence. If I’m challenged, I must meet that challenge and disable my opponent.”

“Like a lion in charge of a pride?”

“Exactly. It doesn’t leave a lot of room for laughter.”

“People think a laughing man is a weak man?”

“Not weak, per se, but not alert. Not serious. They peg him as vulnerable.”

“Then I better get good at what I do so I can tell some jokes. I’ll be ready with a wallop so you can laugh at my sparkling wit.”

“You better get good at what you do, and find some sparkling wit. Uphill climb in your future.”