Ryllae lay on the cloak, her entire body bared as she waited for me. Her skin glowed a soft red, and her lips were parted as she panted. I pulled off my trousers, letting them join the rest of our clothes on the nearby pile.
Moving slowly up her body, I kissed every single part of her.
“I love you,” I whispered repeatedly.
She murmured, “I love you too.”
Capturing Ryllae’s mouth with a kiss, I fitted myself between her legs. Knowing what my mate had been through in the past, I didn’t want to push her. I remained there, our breaths coming heavy, as she licked her lips. She moaned my name, reaching up and grabbing my hips.
“Please,” she whispered. “I need you.”
That was the end of my restraint.
We fit together like two pieces of the same puzzle, as though we were always meant to be that way. The moment we came together, the weight of my soul felt lighter than it ever had before.
It was as though the world I had previously known was a dim, gray version of the one I saw now. Ryllae moved beneath me, our bodies joined as one, and together we reached our peaks.
When it was over, I held her against my chest. Our clothes lay haphazardly over us both, providing a barrier against the chill of the night air.
“You’re mine,” she whispered, traces of wonder edging her voice as her eyes closed, drifting off to sleep. “I never thought… I love you.”
Feeling the happiest I ever had in my entire life; I brushed my lips over my bonded mate’s forehead. “I love you, too.”
* * *
The next morning,we woke early. After bathing in the river—and engaging in some other activities that required more bathing afterward—Ryllae caught two fish. I roasted them over a fire as she wandered around the cave.
Tracing the mating mark on her arm, my mate studied the silver and red lines intently as she asked, “Do you think we’ll be able to get out of the mountain today?”
I glanced at the cave’s exit. We would have to go on foot. The river ended here, tapering off into a stream before disappearing through a small hole. Not that I minded. Watching Ryllae be sick in the rowboat had been horrible. I was eager not to repeat that experience.
“I hope so.” I pulled the fish off the fire, dousing the flames. The logs sizzled, a small stack of gray smoke filling the air as my mate joined me. The fish was delicious, and too soon, it was gone.
When we were dressed and our jugs of water were filled once more, I sat on the ground. “Will you keep watch, Dark One?”
She tilted her head. “You’re going to See what is to come.”
There was no question in her words—we were attuned to each other now. It was there it when we woke this morning. I couldn’t read her mind, but Ifelther intentions as though they were my own. It must have been the same for her.
“I am.”
Tugging on my magic, I allowed the silver planes to engulf me. They drew me in, pulling me away from my bonded mate as I entered the home of the future.
Only, the planes were not silver anymore. Not even a little bit. A black mist, as thick as ink, tainted nearly every path. Edged in darkness, an air of wrongness rose from them all.
Bending, I ran several through my hands, one after the other. Visions slammed into me. The others were alive, hiking through a tunnel in this gods-damned mountain. Nonna was still in her cottage, thank Kydona. The merfolk were in Coral City, awaiting our call.
In the north… my breath caught in my throat. Something was happening with the vampires. And then I ran my hands over yet another ribbon. This one was black and edged in flames. When I Saw what Xander’s sister had done, my head swam.
I needed to leave.
Dropping the ribbon, I flung myself back into my body and shook my head, drawing in a deep, shuddering breath.
Ryllae darted over, concern filling her eyes. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “What did you See?”
My throat trembled as I tried to reorient myself. Taking Ryllae’s hand, I gently pulled her to her feet before drawing her against me. “It’s the new queen. We must go, my love.”
“Okay,” she said resolutely.