His voice was low and well-measured. There was something about it, but Amelia couldn’t tell what. It just sounded… unnatural. She chased the conflicting thoughts away and approached the table. She was aware of his eyes on her and she felt just as exposed as she had felt during the interview with Seth. She sat down and tried to relax against the backrest. The food had already been brought.
“I hope I’m not late,” she said.
“Not at all. I asked the servants to bring everything we need before you came. I don’t want anyone to disturb us.”
Amelia smiled and hoped he didn’t see how nervous and downright scared she was. “What if he wants more after dinner?” She asked herself. “What then? Am I ready?” She bit the inside of her lip. “Dear God, I’m not ready.” She tried to distract herself by focusing on him. If only she could find him attractive enough, then everything would be easier.
His physique was not what gave Blake Sylfur that Alpha air he needed to rule over his clan when the time came. It was something more subtle, something in his attitude and gestures. Amelia could tell he was tall, but he was more on the lithe, athletic side than on the muscular, bulky side. If she were to compare Blake’s and Seth’s body-built, then Seth was probably twice the size of Blake. However, there was a strength to him, both physical and spiritual, which made Amelia feel safe in his presence. Almost comfortable. She decided then and there that this man would never hurt her. Yes, he was scrutinizing her and studying every inch of her body, but not in a hungry, lustful way. His straight eyebrows were slightly furrowed and his thin lips were pursed, as if he was entirely absorbed in something, as if he was weighing some mysterious possibilities. Amelia had no idea whether it had anything to do with her. Then, he smiled and reached for his glass of red wine.
“Welcome to Clan Sylfur, my bride. Let’s drink to us.”
Amelia smiled as their glasses made a soft clink. “To us.” What else could she do? She was sure there were women who found Blake attractive, but she wasn’t one of them and there was nothing she could do about it. She liked big, burly men with wide shoulders, bulky chests, and rock hard abs. She liked rough, calloused hands that would squeeze and rub her curves just right, and Blake had none of that. His hands were rather small and smooth, the hands of someone who had spent years and years reading, researching, and writing. Seth, on the other hand… Seth had it all. She took a sip of wine and moaned as the rich liquid made its way down her throat. “Mmm… delicious.” She’d need alcohol to make it through the night. A lot of alcohol.
Blake grabbed his fork and knife, a sign that it was okay to start eating. “So, tell me: what do you think of Ekviknuna? Do you like it here? How is your room? Have you met any of the clan members?”
Amelia chewed on her piece of roasted potato, swallowed, then answered carefully. Small talk. She could do small talk. “Oh, I love it! I thought it would be difficult for me to get used to the new time zone, but it was quite easy. I’ve met your father, but I guess you already know that.”
“He told me all about it.”
He smiled again and Amelia decided she liked his smile. It was nice and friendly. Maybe they could at least be friends. “I also met your uncles. Aaron and Elena, of course, and many people at the docks. They’ve all been great!”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Yes, I already feel like home here.” She didn’t. “The room is nice and cozy…” She hesitated. “I didn’t expect to have a room of my own, so…”
Blake took another sip of wine and cleared his throat. “Yes, about that… I thought it would be better for us to have separate rooms until, you know, we get used to each other.”
Amelia didn’t mind but although she felt nothing for him, she still wondered why he hadn’t made any efforts to… well, know her better until now.
“I should have been the one to welcome you and show you around town, but I was busy. I hope you understand. I don’t want you to feel offended, but…”
“Not at all,” she whispered.
“… preparing to become the main Inari of Clan Sylfur is everything to me and my father. I know Seth told you a bit about the situation. I asked him to.”
“He didn’t tell me much…” The conversation was getting interesting. Also, she was starting to make an idea about what kind of man Blake was, and she couldn’t complain about her discoveries. He was wise, focused, and determined. She liked that.
“Yes, there is so much more you need to know.” He looked straight into her eyes, as if he was trying to read into her soul.
Amelia shuddered when Blake leaned forward and covered her hand with his. His fingers were long, bony, and as cold as ice. He squeezed her hand gently.
“Seth couldn’t have made a better choice. I knew I could trust him to find me the best fox-bride the boarding schools had to offer. Amelia, we have so many things to talk about and so much to do. All I ask of you is to be patient a while longer. I’m sorry it took me so long to find some time to see you. Please believe me when I tell you that you are important to me and this wait was necessary.”
“Why was it necessary?” Her brown eyes bore into his, begging for some answers she knew she wouldn’t get. Not today.
“I had to be sure.”
“Sure about what?”
“That you are the one.”
“You mean your mate? You had to be sure that I’m your mate?” Could this be any more confusing?
Blake let go of her hand and smiled. “Let’s eat. Salmon isn’t as good if it’s cold.”
She cocked a thin, perfectly arched eyebrow, but didn’t press on. He’d give her all the answers in his own time. Fox-shifters were so fussy and difficult. It was a good thing that being raised to become a shifter-bride had worked out for her and she had never felt any desire to rebel against the very much condemnable system. She was better off here, in the heart of Alaska, married to this strange, yet friendly and easy-going guy, than somewhere in London, trying to make it after having spent most of her life in a filthy orphanage. If Miss Delacroix hadn’t bought her from the orphanage and brought her to Alma Venus, she wouldn’t have known so many foreign languages now, she wouldn’t have read the classics, or even been able to use a fork and a knife properly, like a true lady. What would she have done to earn her bread? Worked in a fast food restaurant? Washed dishes? No. The peace treaty between humans and shape-shifters sucked on many levels, especially when it came to the clause about shifter-brides, but it had worked for her. So, she ate her dinner and talked about nothing in particular with her husband. It was quite clear he wouldn’t want her to spend the night with him, and that helped her relax.
***