Her mouth fell open again. “You mean to tell me that there’s truly such a thing as changelings?”
“There was once upon a time,” he said, rising from the bed. “They were the days before DNA tests could be done.”
Putting the tray aside, she followed him into the walk-in closet. “Seriously?”
Selecting a fresh suit, Knox began to unbutton his shirt. “It didn’t happen very often. When it did, it mostly happened with cambions. As they’re half-human, their inner demons can sometimes lie dormant, making them more or less human. It was considered a kindness to let them be raised in the human world, where they would be fairly normal, than in the brutal world of demons, where they would be considered weak.”
Her response faded into the back of her mind as she watched his muscles fluidly bunching and rippling beneath all that sleek skin. No one had the right to look that good. Seriously. There was no fat whatsoever on that body. He was power and strength and exuded an alpha energy that gave her goosebumps. She just wanted to trace those abs with her tongue —
A low growl rumbled out of him. “You can’t look at me like that, baby. If I thought you could deal with just how hard I need to fuck you, I’d be in you right now.” Knox couldn’t give her soft and slow right then. Not when her fear-filled scream still haunted his mind and a fierce need still beat at him. “But later, when you’ve had time to properly recuperate, I’ll have you.”
“Fascinating,” she said dryly, irritated that he spoke like she was some delicate flower that needed careful handling. If she didn’t know he was still a little shaken after what happened, she’d give him a bucket load of shit for it. Today, she’d cut him some slack.
Taking a seat on the leather sofa in the center of the closet, she said, “Back to the changeling thing… I can understand why it might be considered a kindness for weak cambions, but it wasn’t a kindness to the human children.”
Knox slipped on a fresh shirt and began to button it. “Demons were only permitted to exchange the child for one who was so ill that there was no way they’d live.”
Well, that wasn’t so bad. “You said it isn’t done anymore, but Wyatt claims that the kid is one of us.”
“Yes. And I have every intention of finding out who dared to leave a changeling without my knowledge or permission.”
She pushed to her feet. “I want to come with you.”
He sighed. “Harper —”
“Nu-uh. I’m fully healed, I’ve had a decent sleep, and there’s too much going on in my head for me to relax. Also, this is no small situation.” Slyly, she asked, “Wouldn’t you rather have me with you, where you can see for yourself that I’m fine?”
He narrowed his eyes. “You play dirty.”
“Thanks.”
“I’d still rather you stayed here, within these four walls, where you’re safest.”
She frowned. “Whatever made you think I’d be staying inside these walls all day?”
He tensed. “You intend to go to work?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Maybe because you were attacked there yesterday.”
“If you think I’ll let anything or anyone taint my studio, you’re out of your mind. I will not be scared in my place of work.” It was her baby; she loved it. “It’s sweet – and undeniably irritating – that you want to wrap me up in cotton wool, but it will never happen. It’s not like it was the first time I was ever attacked. And if this is you trying to distract me from what we were talking about, it won’t work, Thorne.”
He ground his teeth. “I just want you safe.”
“I know that.” Moving to him, she deftly fastened his tie and smiled sweetly. “But, really, what safer place is there for me to be than at your side?”
His little sphinx always knew what buttons to push to get what she wanted, Knox thought with an exasperated sigh. His demon wanted to take her with it; wanted her where it could keep an eye on her. If the entity had its way, she would never leave its side.
The demon became very easily bored and had little patience for people. Harper was really the only thing that gave it a sense of contentment. It was totally charmed by her, found her company… fulfilling. She never failed to amuse and entertain it. When she was around, the demon was more passive and well-behaved.
Knox traced the tattoo-like collar of thorns on her neck with the tip of his finger. It was one of three brands of possession that his demon had left on her skin. He had to agree with Harper that, yes, putting a brand on her throat where it was so highly visible was the equivalent of an “All Rights Reserved” sign, but his demon wanted it to be clear that she was taken. Any demon who saw the brands on her flesh would know what they were; would understand that she was his and his alone.
Just as possessive, her demon had left two brands on him – one on his nape, and one across the back of his shoulders, making each seem more like an extension of the other. Both were tribal and masculine with thick, pointed curves and solid, black lines. Knox wouldn’t lie; it was a total turn-on for both him and his demon that they’d been branded by hers.
“Come on, Knox, you know nobody can keep me safe better than you can.”
She was right on that. “You’re very good at getting your way.”
Harper grinned. “I learned from the best.” Her mate was damn good at making things go his way. He could certainly talk her in circles at times. She’d had to learn fast how to keep up or he’d walk all over her – it was simply in his nature to forge ahead when he wanted something.
“I’ll help you get dressed.”
“I don’t need —”
“Just let me take care of you.”
Sensing that he needed that, she relented. “Okay.”
Harper’s demon rather liked how carefully and reverently he touched her as he stripped her naked and then dressed her in the blue jeans and black, long-sleeved shirt she chose. He even insisted on brushing her hair – something he did often, as if it soothed him somehow.
When they were both finally ready to leave, he took her hand and guided her down the curved staircase, along the wide hallway, and over to the marble foyer. There, he helped her slip into her jacket before guiding her outside and down the wide steps with a hand on her lower back.
Levi opened the rear door of the Bentley – one of several luxurious cars that Knox kept stored in the garage. Once Harper and Knox slid inside, Levi drove along the long, curved drive; passing the extensive, beautifully landscaped lawn and the security gatehouse.
The estate was bordered by high, brick walls that would have been plain had it not been for the ivy that trailed along them. At first, Harper had felt a little intimidated by the size of the estate. It was a far cry from the many homes she’d grown up in with her nomadic father. But now… well, now it felt like home.
The mansion was an expansive, lavish, beautiful piece of modern architecture, but it wasn’t excessively extravagant. Wasn’t showy or ostentatious. Instead, it possessed a warm elegance and the same undeniable charm as its owner.