Rafael started to wander, lost in thought.
He had told himself promised himself that he would handle this calmly. That he wouldn't let fear dictate his actions.
But it was difficult not to be afraid when Julian's power seemed to ripple outward, touching him without warning, without consent.
Raphael pushed back from the desk and stood, pacing the length of the room. His wounds from the challenge were nearly healed, his body strong, resilient.
Yet this this was something else entirely. This wasn't a blade or claws or brute force he could meet head-on.
This was his mate, unraveling under a power neither of them fully understood.
And gods help him, Raphael knew he would endure any cost if it meant Julian stayed safe. That was the problem.
If Julian was drawing from him taking without realizing then Raphael would never stop him. Not even if it killed him.
The thought chilled him.
He pressed a hand flat against his chest, breathing slowly until the strange heaviness eased.
