Chapter 38

Amelia

My heart pounds with every step Nickolas takes back to the castle. Thoughts race through my mind, consumed by the uncertainty of what awaits us upon our return. Will he truly take me tonight? And more importantly, do I want him to?

Yes, there’s an undeniable craving and desire for my mate’s touch coursing through every fiber of my being. But I can’t say I’m entirely ready to fulfill that desire. The burning heat in my bones has lessened merely by having him close to me, his presence alone enough to soothe the heat.

Snuggled against his chest, I find solace in the familiar scent that emanates from him, the scent that both calms the raging fire within me and sets my heart racing with anticipation. With each steady beat of his heart beneath my ear, I find myself torn between longing for his touch and the hesitance to surrender to it completely.

I feel his gaze lingering on me, a weighty presence that I can’t ignore. When I finally summon the courag