* * *
Roman’s hands trail down my sides as I smooth down the skirt of the floor-length, shimmery black dress I’m wearing. It’s cut with a sweetheart neckline and has lace sleeves that trail all the way to my wrists. Violet detailing across the bodice accentuates my curves, and material roses and flowers the same color as my hair drip around my waist and down the skirt. The same roses adorn the hem, which skims the floor and hides the pair of comfortable boots I step into. Because I have a lot of walking ahead of me today and a woman deserves to be comfortable.
The last time I wore a dress in Mortem, I stood in front of an unwelcoming crowd.
Today is vastly different.
When Mortem’s sun reaches its highest, my father will officially hand the crown over to Koda.
I’m filled with anticipation for the beginning of a new era. After everything my family has been through, I count myself blessed to have a brother and father in my life now. They are as important to me as my sisters, and I wouldn’t miss this day for anything—even if it means I have to resist the enticing kisses my mate is dropping across the back of my neck, and the slow stroke of his hands down my hips, which make me want to peel this dress right off again.
Roman is wearing dark amethyst armor similar to the outfit he wore to my Purification Ceremony, but this set has black accents and official seals and emblems on the chest plate that make it clear to the demon population that Roman is important to the royal family.Themost important to me.
“You’re breathtaking,” he rumbles as I finish dressing, his hands lingering on my waist as he gives me a cheeky smile. “Koda won’t mind if we miss the ceremony.”
I laugh, feeling both overwhelmed and completely exhilarated that that this is my life now. No more fighting or war. No demons trying to kill me. Only contentment, family, and love.
“We have an eternity,” I remind him. “We can make it through the ceremony. Not to mention, I’m dying to see my sisters.”
Roman drops a light kiss to my jaw before turning me and claiming my mouth in a longer kiss—which he breaks when I’m breathless. He steps back, holds out his hand for me to take, and I couldn’t love him more than I do right now.
In the month since the fight with Esta and Crone, Malia and Taniya have made their home base on Earth, while Roman and I have settled here in the Wilds—in the cabin that felt like home from the moment I first awoke inside it, all wrapped up in Roman’s healing runes.
My family can’t come to Mortem without Roman casting a rune to mask their energy, but I can travel between the worlds with the king’s permission now that the gates are open.
For the first three weeks, I visited my family multiple times a week, catching up with their lives, determined to ensure that no matter what happens, we will never lose touch with each other. This past week, I was helping Jareth and Koda prepare for the ceremony, and I haven’t seen my sisters for seven days. It feels like an eternity and I’m dying to find out what’s happening on Earth.
Especially what’s happening with their mates.
It has been one hell of a ride for all of us, but to know that my sisters are loved in that way and building their own families gives me a level of happiness I’m not sure I’ve attained before.
Now, Roman’s wings slide free from cutout sections of his dark amethyst armor, and he wraps them around me to transport me from the secret level above the cabin.
We land in the clearing in front of the porch. We can’t see the animal shelter from here, but thankfully, there are no injured animals at the moment. Freeing the hold that Crone and Esta had over Mortem has lifted a veil of darkness from all parts of the city and its surroundings—including the Forbidden Lands. The creatures that inhabit the dark lands are no less brutal, but without the hungry souls roaming their land, their ecosystem is recovering.
I crouch in my fancy dress when my wolves approach. On my first trip back to Earth, I brought them back with me. I’ll never forget the way that Blitz and Luca had knocked me over when they saw me. Temple didn’t let me out of her sight, and even Ace stayed within a few paces of me. They’re with me much of the time now but often take the opportunity to explore the Wilds and the Forbidden Lands. The environment of their birth.
Reaper has started teaching them everything they should have learned growing up, and as they grow more wild, they also seem to be more content. Especially my Ace, who is always with his ruby-eyed mate.
“Grinta,” I say, holding out my hand to each of them. Now that they’re in their natural habitat, our bond comes far more easily and all it takes is a brief brush of my hand across their fur. “Are you ready for today?”
They rumble and growl and, as I begin to stand, the tingle of Reaper’s energy shimmers across my palm.
“It’s time for my children to bond with you, Nova. The same unbreakable bond that I have formed with you.”
Spinning in the direction of her energy, I find her strolling out of the forest on my left. Wild Girl walks beside her and Ingrid flies above their heads. These animals are my family and part of my ever-growing pack.
I’m truly blessed.
“Have you shown them the way?”I ask Reaper silently within my mind. When she bonded with me, it was an unexpected shock. Later, she told me that the bond must come from the demon wolf and that one day she would teach her pups.
Reaper stops a few feet from me, her magnificent coat shining extra dark in the early morning light. She no longer wears the three slash marks across her face since my father released her from the death bond she swore to him, but her appearance is no less fearsome.“I will show them now and they will find their path to you.”
“It would be my greatest honor,” I say to Reaper, choosing to speak out loud this time. “As long as it’s what they want.”
What I’ve learned about the bond with Reaper is that it’s a permanent part of my energy now, but it’s not intrusive. She is not in my mind at all times, but I can reach out to her if needed, and that’s comforting. It’s my hope that my wolves will choose to bond with me in this way, too, but I can’t force it.
“I will ask them,”Reaper says.
