"I'll do the same for him someday."
"He has access to your house?"
"All the guys from the Eta Unit do. Now, you and Avery."
"I seem to be getting access all over the place."
Declan looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"Magnus gave me access to Level One, including the infirmary, the gardens, the communications hub, the lab, his quarters, the guest quarters, and the Council quarters."
Declan whistled. "Look at my mate being all important."
"He is probably going to add you to all that as well considering that your brother will be staying here a little bit longer, and you have accepted an advisory role."
"He's only here for the trial," Declan countered.
"Whatever you say." Kari knew better than argue. Declan was too stubborn when it came to his older brother.
She looked over at the bed; it was huge. She walked closer and looked at the frame. "Did you do this?"
Declan nodded. "It took me about a decade."
"Declan, this is all hand carved."
He shrugged blushing. "It was something to do."
She walked over to the bed, taking in every detail. "How big was the tree that this came from?" she asked. She couldn't find any fittings. The pieces were not joined together; there were no screws, nails, or glue. The entire bed frame was one solid piece. "Declan, this is beautiful," she whispered. This kind of attention to detail and loving care spoke volumes about his character.
"Thanks, it's a hobby."
She shook her head and stood. "No, Declan, this is art. It is so beautiful, I am afraid to touch it."
"I wanted something special for my mate."
"And yet you brought other women here?"
He shrugged. "I never had sex with them in the bed," he stopped and looked up at the ceiling as if counting. "No not in the bed. Against the bed, one under the bed, one on the nightstand, in the closet, on the bathroom floor, in front of the fireplace..."
"Okay, I get the picture. If this is a custom made bed, where did Grant get the mattress?"
"After the bed was made I had a few extra made and put in storage. Every ten to fifteen years I replace them."
"How old is this one?"
His face became serious. "A couple months old."
"Good timing," she joked, but then stopped. The look on his face bordered on tragic. "What is it?"
"Did you dream before you came here?"
Kari looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"I had dreams before you got here. I could almost see a woman's face. She's screaming for me behind a locked door. I watch her burn to death through a small window."
"There is a fire?" She inhaled sharply, nodding. "I have had that dream. I thought it was just a nightmare. Are you the one I am calling out for?" He nodded. She went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "In my dreams, I knew that if whoever was on the other side of the door could just get to me, I would be okay. I just wanted to touch him one more time; that I would give anything to touch him one last time." Her voice broke, and he cupped her face with his large, warm hands.
He leaned down and kissed her gently. "You have me now."