—
I’m awakened bythe press of her lips against mine. No light shines through the many windows of my room, nothing outside but the purest black. It must be late, or very early, but I still don’t have my bearings on time.
I also don’t care much, my lips finding solace in Cate’s as she perches over me. Her golden waves tumble down her back and spill over her shoulders. There’s a calmness, a surety on her face that has been missing since I first awoke. She’s never looked more beautiful.
She pulls away from me, as if seeking permission to continue. I cup the nape of her neck in my hand and bring her mouth back to mine. I lose myself in her. Our tongues mingle and our hands explore, like this is the first time all over again.
Cate sits up, pulling her sleep shift over her head. I rise as well, scooting my back to lean against the headboard so I can cradle her in my lap. I’m already shirtless and the brush of her skin against mine sends a shiver racing down my spine.
I want to tell her that we don’t have to do this, that I’m happy to wait as long as it takes for her to be truly ready, but with the exchange of one simple glance, I know I don’t need to voice the words. This is what she wants. What we both need. To find our way back to each other.
She tugs on my cotton breeches, freeing me from the material, wrapping her hand around me. I cup her breasts in my hands, my thumbs stroking while my mouth moves between her nipples, sucking and nibbling while her hips roll and her fist pumps.
I’m on the verge of exploding, her touch enough to bring me to the brink, but she knows the exact moment to hover over me. I guide myself to her entrance and she sinks down so slowly I think I might combust.
When I’m fully seated inside her, we release matching sighs of relief.
“Cate?”
“Callum?”
I cup her cheeks in my hands, bringing her eyes to mine. “I want you to use your Gift.”
Her breath catches in her chest and her eyes search mine for the truth. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “I trust you with my heart, and I trust you with my mind. You’ve already seen me at my most vulnerable, at my lowest moments, and you have handled that vulnerability with nothing but love and the utmost care.”
“Callum…” Her eyes fill with tears, but she takes in a deep breath to steady herself. “I’ve dealt in vulnerabilities for so many years, but I never allowed myself to have any.”
“You don’t have to be strong for me, my lady.”
She presses her forehead to mine. “I know.”
We’re already as intertwined as two people could be, but I pull her even closer, bury myself deeper inside her. Matching groans escape us and her mouth finds mine once again as she begins to move.
Being with Cate has never been anything less than incredible, earth-shattering, life-altering. But this moment between us, this strengthening of a Bond that could have so easily been broken, it fills my soul close to bursting.
We hold each other tightly, arms locked as if we plan to never let go, as we move together as one, as the release overtakes us. My chest tightens and I have to fight for breath, but I don’t break the kiss. Couldn’t even if I wanted to.
I don’t know what to expect when I open myself up to Cate. She never breaks contact with me and a second after I come, I’m enveloped in lightness and warmth and comfort. I don’t forget about mysister or my father, but somehow the loss of them feels settled, the wound scabbed over, no longer raw and bleeding in my chest.
It’s peace, and happiness, and nothing short of pure bliss.
My forehead falls to her chest and her hands work themselves into my hair. I don’t realize I’m crying until I see the tears sparkle against her bare skin. It’s cleansing and purifying and my entire being feels renewed, and whole.
After several minutes of heavy breathing and no need for words, she climbs off my lap and settles into the crook of my arms.
The whole encounter would almost feel like a dream, were it not for the familiar itch returning to my skin in full force. I welcome it, burying my face in the waves of her hair, entwining our limbs as we fall back asleep.
One Killing Period Concludes, Only for Another to Be Set to Begin
Now that the first killing period has successfully concluded, the Uprising’s experiment seems to be moving full steam ahead. The Scotan province has chosen its candidate, the former prince of Scota, Callum Reid.
Now the date has been set for the next province to determine its fate.
The province of Talia will see its killing period begin next week, though it is interesting to note that the Uprising has shortened the period, from a week to only one day.
Let us hope things go as smoothly there as they reportedly did in Scota.
