Page 41 of Knight’s Salvation

“Laz said he sits on the building across from yours. Doesn’t move till sun up.”

Mia grabbed for the back of the couch, even though she was already sitting down. “What? But why would he do that?”

They looked at each other again, and Meredith shrugged. “We think he’s your mate.”

She liked both woman a lot, and she had no idea why Zenon would watch her place all night. Guilt, maybe? But they were wrong, and she was surprised at how much that reality hurt. “Zenon doesn’t even like me. He definitely doesn’t want me.”

More looks were exchanged and Eve moved to sit beside her. “Zenon keeps to himself. There’s a lot about him that’s a mystery. But I get the feeling he doesn’t trust easily, and he doesn’t think he deserves to be loved, not even by his brothers. You need to give him time. He needs to come to terms with what’s happening between you both, because right now he’s fighting it.”

God, didn’t they see? Zenon didn’t feel that way about her and never would. “There’s nothing between us.” But as she said the words she knew they didn’t ring true. Something happened when they were together. She couldn’t explain it or put it into words. But she’d seen these females with their mates and had heard the stories of the instant heat that flared between them, even if they resisted at first.

That wasn’t how it was for her and Zenon. Well, not for him at least.

They weren’t mates. It was impossible.

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do…but you’re wrong.” She stood, suddenly desperate to get out of that apartment. “Sorry…I, ah, have to get going.”

“Okay,” Eve said gently. “But if you need someone to talk to—”

“I won’t. Not about this.” It was rude, but she couldn’t talk about Zenon, not with anyone. It hurt too much.

Meredith gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “Those males are arrogant, stubborn, and more often than not, complete pains in the ass, but once you have their love, their loyalty, you have it for eternity. They’re worth whatever crap they drag you through to get there. I promise you that.”

That sounded wonderful, too good, and her cue to get the heck out of there before she started crying. Her feelings for Zenon were extreme for the short time she’d known him. They made no sense, considering his constant rejection and violent mood swings. The last thing she needed was false hope.

They said their goodbyes and she left Eve’s apartment, heading to the elevator. But a thud from the opposite end of the hall stopped her in her tracks. Several dull sounds followed, and she was sure she heard a groan.

She started back the way she’d come, and knew exactly where she was going before she turned to the left where the hall branched off into a T.

Zenon stood—well, stood was too generous a word, more like sagged against the wall. His big body shook so bad he was having trouble getting his door open. Mia took a step forward, but before she could reach him, he shoved it open and fell through, landing hard on the floor.

“Oh my God.” She rushed over.

Zenon lay there, arms wrapped around himself, shaking and groaning.

“Zenon?” She crouched down beside him. His yellow eyes darted toward her then slid shut. He didn’t speak, but his teeth were gritted so hard she didn’t know if he was able. “Hang on, I’ll go get help.” His hand shot out and gripped her wrist like a vise then he shook his head.

“Something’s wrong. You need help.” His grip tightened and he shook his head again. Pain shot up her arm and she winced. He let her go instantly and groaned like whatever was hurting him just upped the ante. “Has this happened before?”

He gave a jerky nod.

“Will it pass on its own?”

Another nod. Then his gaze moved back to the door. He wanted her to leave. Like hell. He’d just have to get over his problem with her, for now at least, because if he wasn’t letting her get help he was stuck with her. “Can you move?”

He shook his head.

His body continued to shake, and she didn’t know if it was from pain, or if he was cold, or both. “I’d like to put my hand on your forehead. Is that okay?”

His gaze locked on hers, but he didn’t give her a yes or no this time, like he wasn’t sure of the answer himself. She lifted her hand slowly so he saw it coming and placed the back of her fingers on his skin. “You’re freezing.”

He groaned again then stiffened. Agony lined his face and his skin drained of color. She didn’t know if painkillers worked on his kind, but she had to do something. “Hang on.” She got to her feet and ran to his bedroom.

His spicy scent was stronger in there. His perfectly made bed sat in the middle of the large room, and on the wall above it a pair of wicked looking axes, their handles crossed over one another, were fixed there. The only other pieces of furniture were a dresser and a small bedside table. There were clothes scattered around the floor, and a pair of worn boots sat against the wall, and that was all. She went to the en suite and checked out the medicine cabinet. There was a decent stash of first-aid supplies, but no pain relief. Great.

She couldn’t do anything for his pain, but she could at least try to warm him up. Grabbing his pillow and comforter from the bed, she hurried back to the living room. He hadn’t moved. His condition seemed worse if anything.

“Let’s try and get you warmed up.” She kept talking as she laid it over him, babbling like a crazy person. She didn’t know what was wrong with him, but whatever it was was bad enough that he couldn’t speak or move.