Pain in the Ice by Arden Steele

Author:Arden Steele [Steele, Arden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PECCAVI PRESS
Published: 2022-09-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

They had finally made it onto the island, but even the cloudless blue skies and sun-glittered waters weren’t enough to brighten Thade’s mood. Walking away from his mate on the ship had been stupid and childish, and he’d regretted it almost immediately.

Worse, he didn’t even have a good defense for his actions. Every cell in his body knew Micah had been right, but he hadn’t wanted to hear it. So, he’d reacted like a fucking asshole. His behavior had been inexcusable, but he was lucky to have a mate who was both understanding and forgiving.

Thade wasn’t exactly a glass-half-full kind of guy. In fact, he held a pretty cynical view of people in general. Human or Otherling, he didn’t give them the benefit of the doubt. He didn’t try to look for the good in everyone. He rarely forgave, and he damn sure didn’t give second chances.

Yet, fate had blessed him with a mate who was all the things he wasn’t. In anyone else, Thade would find his unending optimism naïve at best, but with Micah, it was endearing, even charming. Micah was beautiful, inside and out, the light to his darkness, a salve to his soul, and he would burn the fucking world to the ground before he let anything happen to him.

A good deal of that protectiveness was instinct, an ingrained, indelible part of his nature, like the dragons of old who had jealously guarded their treasures. Only his treasure wasn’t gold or jewels. No, his prize was far more precious, which was why he’d go to any lengths to keep it safe. To keep Micah safe.

He wouldn’t survive it if something happened to his mate.

“Thade?”

Blinking, he looked up to find he had no idea where they were. “Hmm?”

“Are you listening to me?”

“I’m sorry, xarin, no.”

Instead of being upset, Micah grinned. “I was asking where you wanted to eat.”

After disembarking, Lettie and Akira had ventured off to replace her water-damaged cell phone. With communications restored, she had invited Micah and Thade to meet them for lunch at the local outdoor market.

“I’m really not that hungry.”

“You still need to eat,” Micah insisted. “Come on.” Keeping a firm grip on Thade’s hand, he backed away, pulling him along the narrow sidewalk. “You’ll feel better after we get some food in you.”

He really didn’t feel like eating, but as usual, his mate was probably right. “Lead the way.”

The market wasn’t the quaint affair Thade had expected. Beyond the customary fresh produce, there were merchants selling an array of goods, from organic bar soaps to handcrafted jewelry. It was also crowded as hell, with people standing shoulder to shoulder and yelling to be heard over one another.

“Lettie found a place,” Micah shouted, holding up his cell phone so Thade could see the screen. He pushed up on his tiptoes in an attempt to see over the throng of bodies. “I think it’s this way!”

Thade nodded and clutched his hand to ensure he didn’t lose him among the masses. They only had

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