Not that the idea wasn’t appealing.
He ran into Rhys halfway to the kitchens. The other man backed away for a moment, then seeing Malachi’s expression, relaxed.
“I was wondering whether you were going to hit me or not,” he said. “But you’ve obviously found another way of marking your territory.”
Malachi grunted and crossed his arms. “If she’d been more complimentary about you, I’d be more offended.”
“I’m letting that pass since you’re in a postcoital haze.”
“Ava is my reshon.”
Rhys was speechless for a few moments, instinctive rebellion evident in his eyes. But finally he said, “Of course she is. I probably knew that before you did, you idiot. Does she know what it means?”
“Not completely. She’s smart. She’ll figure it out.”
Rhys fell silent again. “She’s not had an easy time of things, brother. Her relationships, from what I can tell, have been… difficult. She may fight it.”
Malachi’s lips curled. “She won’t win.”
“If you expect me to bet against fate, you’re wrong.” A shadow of sorrow passed over Rhys’s face. Then the expression cleared and his acerbic wit resurfaced. “Heaven, you’re going to be more insufferable than Damien when Sari agrees to see him. I swear, you even look taller.”
“I feel taller.”
For the first time, Malachi understood why mated Irin were on the front lines in all battles and held the highest positions. Union with his mate had given him the kind of energy even magic couldn’t accomplish. He felt stronger. Sharper. The afterglow of Ava’s touch made him feel as if he could take on a hundred Grigori and win without a scratch.
“Mated Irin,” Rhys muttered. “You’re an insufferable lot.” He started back in the direction of the library. “I’ll see you later. Next month, maybe.”
“I want to take her away from here. The research, all the questions… It’s been tiring.”
“Don’t make excuses,” Rhys called back. “You’re being selfish with the pretty girl.” A hint of wicked humor came back. “Besides, these beds… I can only imagine the frustration.”
“Don’t imagine.” He glared. “Even though you’re right.”
His friend laughed. “Take her to Kuşadası. No one is using the house there. It’s not fancy, but it’s private. You can blend in with the tourists. She might like the beach.”
Malachi frowned, thinking of the crowded tourist port where the Irin kept a small safe house. “It’s too busy.”
“Not as busy as Istanbul. And she’ll be with you. The voices will be more controllable for her now, but other senses will waken. It might be a good idea to ease her into things before you go back to Istanbul. Otherwise, it’ll affect both of you now.”
“Maybe.” He finally conceded, “Yes, that is a good idea.”
“I have lots of them. Now go find some food for the woman. She’s going to be starving.”
With that, the scribe turned and left. Malachi watched him go, a spear of sorrow piercing through his own joy. He wanted his friend to find the same happiness. Wanted it for his people. They had lived in isolation for too long.
Gathering up some water, bread, and apricots, Malachi returned to his room to find Ava sitting up in bed, a thin blanket wrapped around her. Her eyes were still sleepy, but they brightened when she saw him walk in.
“Hey.”
“Hello.” He smiled. “How do you feel?”
“Amazingly rested. Oooh.” Her eyes settled on the bottle of water. “For me?”
“Yes.” He opened it and handed it to her, then set the basket of fruit on the small table beside his bed. He sat on the edge while she emptied half the bottle in one gulp. “Make sure you eat, too. Your body will be recharging for some time.”
“Mmmm.” She smiled. “I’m not going to complain about your workouts.”
“I’m glad.” He leaned over and kissed her lips, taking lazy pleasure in drawing a satisfied sigh from his mate.
“Oh, you’re so good at—” There was a rustle in the hallway outside the room, and Ava’s eyes widened in shock. “There’s someone close.”
He frowned. “There are more bedrooms past mine, but I’m sure—”
“I didn’t hear them.” He heard her pulse pick up, and she clutched the blanket around her. “I didn’t hear their voices, Malachi. What’s wrong with me?”
Suddenly understanding, he said, “Nothing.” He took care to smooth a tendril of hair away from her face and kissed away the frown between her eyebrows. “There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re not hearing them because we made love.”
“So… sex with you…”
“When we’re together, I draw away much of your energy. It’s the reason Irin can’t be with human women. The energy we draw during sex is too much. But you…”
“I have more than average.”
“Far more. For you, your energy becomes balanced. It makes both of us stronger. But since our relationship is new, I expect you may not hear voices for some hours, even days. I know older couples have more control over it, but until we become more accustomed to…” Suddenly wary, he asked, “Are you all right? I didn’t think to warn you about this.”
As much as the voices had tormented Ava, they were still one of her senses. He couldn’t imagine what it would feel like if part of his hearing suddenly dropped out. Would he feel vulnerable? Broken? He shouldn’t have worried. A glorious smile spread over her face and Ava fell back into the pillows on the bed.
“Best. Afterglow. Ever.”
Chuckling, Malachi stripped off his shirt and lay beside her, still craving contact with her skin. He absently wrote on her back as she curled into his body again.
“What are you writing on me?”
“Property of Malachi.”
“Haha. Seriously, what is it?”
Well, it wasn’t as if he’d lied. “Mostly charms to help you sleep. For good dreams.”
“I had the wildest dreams last night. So vivid.”
“Really?” His lips curled in satisfaction. She was already dream-walking with him. Soon, she’d know what it meant.
“Mmhmm. I don’t really remember what they were, but they were good.”
“I’m glad.” He paused. “What would you say about going to the sea, canım? There is a house near the shore that we use for a retreat. It’s safe.”
“No Grigori?”
“No Grigori.”
“No endless questions?”
“Only you and I would be there.”
“Does it have bigger beds?” She wiggled against him, trying to stay on the mattress.
“Most definitely.”
Chapter Fourteen
Kuşadası was a busy port town home to cruise ships, tourists, and more cruise ships. Ava smiled as she and Malachi held hands, walking down the pedestrian walkway leading to the smaller marina where sailboats moored and nightclubs flourished. It could have been any number of port cities along the Mediterranean. Turkey. Greece. Spain. There was an odd kind of familiarity that was soothing, despite the crowds.
She squeezed his hand and smiled at the family with the sleepy toddler who was nodding off in his stroller. An older couple passed by, holding hands, the woman smiling at Ava after she’d glanced up at Malachi’s striking figure. The sun had set and the humid heat of the day had given way to a soothing breeze that wrapped around her, twisting her skirt around her ankles and lifting pieces of her hair. Malachi leaned down and captured one curl that brushed in her face, stopping to tuck it behind her ear and steal a kiss.
“Are you having fun?” he asked quietly. “Do you want to go back to the house for dinner? There’s food there. And you spent all day on the beach.”