Folami’s fingers fell away from her chest to grip mine on the bed.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” There was pain and frustration along with a hint of pride in her voice.
“Because I didn’t want to worry you,” I admitted, squeezing her hand. “Ididn’t want this to influence your decision. It is, and always will be, your choice to Bond. I wasn’t going to take that from you.”
“No matter how desperately he needs it,” Ilyas added rather unhelpfully.
Folami’s cheeks twitched with the beginning of a smile before it fell completely, but there was no sadness in her expression. Just a hardened resolve and a hint of desire that had my heart quickening. She took a deep breath and released it slowly before speaking again, her voice rattling with confidence and not a hint of trepidation.
“I want to,” she said so quietly it was almost indiscernible. But Ilyas and I heard her, nonetheless. My Pleasure Bonded sucked an audible breath between his teeth.
“Say that again,” I rasped, clutching her hand like a lifeline.
“I want to Bond with you. If you’ll have me,” she added unnecessarily.
“Yes,” I said immediately. “But not if it’s because of this.”
Folami shook her head. “No. I’d already made my decision earlier today. Peytor left to give me space to think and I . . . found the clarity I needed. But I have some stipulations.” She rushed out the last part like I might say no.
I couldnevertell her no.
I nodded for her to continue.
“If Peytor comes home and wants me or decides to join our . . . group, he’s given that opportunity.”
A smile erupted on my face at her request. It was one of the things I loved most about her—she put others before herself and would not sacrifice the love of another just for something thatcouldbe better.
“Agreed,” I said instantly, easily, my cock twitching at the thought of Peytor joining us for all sorts of . . . group activities. The twinkle in Ilyas’ eye said he thought the same.
“That’s it,” Folami said, and I barked a laugh. She bristled a bit, but relaxed once she saw I meant no harm.
“Folami, you could have demanded the world, and I’d have found a way to get it to you,” I admitted. “That is the easiest request I could have ever granted, truthfully.”
Her cheeks flushed a pretty dark brown as she nodded her head.
“I do have a request of my own?”
Folami’s eyes clouded for a moment before she hesitantly nodded.
“I want Faylinn to perform our ceremony.” Ilyas’ brows rose at my words. This was something I’d kept private. Faylinn was special to me—there was an unbreakable bond we shared in blood, and to have anyone else complete the Bonding ceremony for Folami and me would simply be wrong.
Folami laughed lightly, squeezing my hand as she finally relaxedonto the bed, curling into my side. My whole body warmed where she touched me, goosebumps erupting on my skin as my soul sang with the knowledge that our True Bond was next to us.
Her fingers traced lazy, random patterns in my chest hair as her breath coasted over my exposed skin.
“I guess we’re going to Bond, then,” she said quietly, pressing a tentative kiss to my cheek. It was so chaste and small, but felt like the start of something big—cataclysmic, even. Despite our fledgling connection, it felt ancient. We may have barely begun to get to know each other, but we would have the rest of our lives to grow and evolve together.
Ilyas moved to my other side, curling a protective arm around us both.
I sighed, completely content for the first time in my life as I closed my eyes, surrounded by their warmth.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Faylinn
Comforting heat surrounded my body, my torso encased by strong, immovable arms. Warm breath fanned across my neck, causing goosebumps to erupt over the entirety of my naked skin.
The Bond thrummed happily in my chest as the heartbeat pressed against my back thumped in time with my own.
