She felt him follow her over the edge, his hips jerking as he spilled inside her, his roar of completion vibrating through her back. The golden light blazed brighter, washing over them both in pulses that matched their racing hearts. It felt like being burned and blessed simultaneously, like the bond itself was celebrating their union.
He collapsed over her back, both of them shaking, gasping for air. The light faded slowly, leaving them glowing faintly in the darkness.
"Holy shit." She managed to get the words out despite her face being pressed into the pillow. "That was..."
"Yeah." He carefully pulled out, and she immediately missed the connection. He rolled them both to their sides, pulling her back against his chest. "Come here."
She shifted in his arms, tucking her face against his chest where she could hear his heart still racing. Her hand found themate mark on his collarbone, tracing it idly while their breathing slowly returned to normal.
"The bond's never done that before." She tilted her head up to meet his gaze. "The glowing thing."
"Happens during intense moments." He brushed damp hair back from her forehead. "When mates are completely in sync. Emotional and physical connection at the same time."
"It was beautiful." She kissed his jaw, tasting salt and satisfaction. "You're beautiful."
"Right back at you." He tightened his hold, and she felt contentment seep into her bones. "Love you, Maeve."
"Love you too." She yawned, exhaustion finally catching up with her. "Think we can sleep for a few hours before the town needs us again?"
"The town can wait." He pulled the blanket over them both. "You're more important."
She hummed agreement, already drifting. The last thing she felt before sleep claimed her was his steady heartbeat beneath her cheek, the warmth of his body wrapped around hers, the carved pendant pressed between them.
Everything she'd been too afraid to reach for until she finally understood that choosing love didn't make her weak.
It made her stronger.
Outside, dawn began to break over Hollow Oak, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose. Inside their small sanctuary above the tavern, two lions slept tangled together, the carved pendant gleaming between them like a promise kept.
And when she woke up, she’d choose him all over again.
The way she would for the rest of her life.
41
MAEVE
Morning sun poured through the bedroom windows like liquid gold.
Maeve woke to warmth and safety, Dante's arm heavy across her waist, his breath steady against her neck. She lay still for a moment, savoring the peace, the rightness of waking up beside him on the first day of a new year.
Their year. Their future.
The carved lions pendant rested on the nightstand where she'd carefully placed it before falling asleep. She reached for it now, running her thumb over the intertwined figures, marveling at the detail Dante had put into every curve and line.
"You're thinking too loud." His voice came rough with sleep, but she heard the smile in it. "It's barely dawn."
"It's almost nine." She turned in his arms, meeting those amber eyes that always saw too much. "And I can hear the town waking up. We should get downstairs."
"Or." He pulled her closer, his hand sliding to her hip. "We could stay here and let them celebrate without us."
"Tempting." She kissed him once, soft and lingering. "But you know Twyla will break down the door if we don't make an appearance soon."
He groaned but released her, sitting up and stretching in ways that made muscles ripple across his back. She traced one of his scars with her finger, feeling him shiver.
"You keep doing that and we're definitely not leaving this bed." He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Come on, lioness. Let's go face the masses."
They dressed quickly, stealing kisses between layers of clothing, the easy intimacy of mates who'd learned each other thoroughly. Maeve fastened the pendant around her neck, then pulled on a thick sweater the color of deep crimson.
