“He’s a cat?” I have to ask, tearing my eyes away and meeting the freckled witch’s.
She tilts her head, wearing a sad smile now. “I’m ninety-six percent sure he’s not.”
Whatever he is, I sense familiarity.
He is what I was. A beast held captive.
“Don’t worry,” Amethyst assures me, as if hearing my thoughts. “I’m working on it.” Her attention flicks to my side, and I realize she’s holding Esme’s stare now. “Even if it takes forty years, I’ll figure it out.”
“Good luck,” my mate says, her tone sympathetic.
We leave then, both of us needing distance from the somber reminder of our forced time apart. When we reach the car, I stop Esme from climbing inside, pulling her in for a kiss. Not one of passion and sex and craving.
This one is a thank-you.
When I pull back, I find her lashes glimmering with tears, though her mouth smiles.
“I love you too,” Esme whispers. “For my whole life, I will always love you.”
“My mate,” I say in response, the words holding everything that’s in me.
Then, her eyes dip, lingering on my beard, before flitting back to my face as she smirks.
The tension breaks as I rumble a chuckle.
“Evil mate,” I mutter.
The next kiss is full of promises.
