Page 272 of Elemental Becoming

“I can hear him!” The grin stretching across my face feels impossible to contain. “Truly hear him.”

The words leave me in a rush. And deep down, beneath the excitement and disbelief, I know this changes everything.

Thane has been relentless all week now that I can hear his thoughts.

Slipping into my mind at the worst possible moments. Dropping wicked comments during training. Sending teasing observations when I’m struggling to concentrate. Interrupting my focus simply because he finds my reactions amusing. He takes full advantage, tormenting me with no shame, no hesitation, and absolutely no remorse.

You should wear that dress again.

I wonder if you’re thinking about last night.

You’re blushing. What’s on your mind, Amara, darling?

When you moan my name, you have no idea what it does to me.

He completely undoes me; he is infuriating and distracting in ways that feel utterly unfair.

Because he does it effortlessly, slipping into my thoughts whenever he damn well pleases. His control is precise and his barriers unshakable while mine still waver. He takes every opportunity to tease me whenever I struggle with my shields or forget them entirely.

Unlike me, he keeps his own barriers lowered. Just for me.

Especially during training. I’ll be sparring with Jarek or Garrick, dodging their relentless swings, and then, out of nowhere—

If you keep shifting your hips like that, I’m going to have a problem.

I nearly got a sword to the ribs that time.

Or I’ll be with Valen, grounding myself in my magics, focusing, trying to center my power, and suddenly, Thane’s voice drags through my mind like silk and heat.

You make the prettiest sounds when you fall apart for me.

I lost control of the wind that time and nearly knocked poor Valen off his feet.

Then there was the incident with Rowena and Sera.

I was sitting cross-legged on the plush rug in their quarters, a half-empty glass of wine in my hand and a warm buzz settling through me. Lyra was already flushed, dramatically recounting a particularly disastrous training session, while Rowena and Sera lounged across from us, sipping their own drinks.

His voice slid into my mind, dark and full of amusement.

You’re thinking about my hands on you, aren’t you?

I choked on my wine. Lyra smacked my back while I struggled to breathe, and Rowena and Sera stared at me inalarm. Everyone was so worried, none of them knowing that the Warlord was currently tormenting me through our bond.

And now it’s my turn.

Right now is the perfect time to give him a taste of his own medicine.

I know exactly where he is. Seated at the long oak table in the war room, surrounded by the council, buried beneath strategy discussions and military reports. Serious. Focused.

Until I decide otherwise.

Thankfully, Thane didn’t need me at today’s meeting. He insisted my training with Valen was more important.

A slow smile tugs at my lips. He has no idea what’s coming.

He probably doesn’t have his shields up. After all, we’re the only two people capable of speaking mind to mind. I stretch out lazily on the bed we share, settling in comfortably, eyes closed. Then I reach for the bond.

“Hi, Thane,”I croon.