EPILOGUE
Dargo
Despite my assurances to Taz, I wasn’t in fighting form after killing the percer.My healing sleep had mended the worst of my injuries, but left me drained and sore.The bite on my arm had healed to a raw scar that I knew I’d wear for the rest of my life.It was a trophy I was proud to display, proof of exactly how much I loved my mate.
I would have felt the same even if she’d never returned that love.But hearing it had satisfied a primal part of me I couldn’t deny.My mate loved me as much as I loved her.
Nothing in my life had prepared me for the sweetness of that reality.
Gentling Taz for a second time was well worth the ache in my bones, but it took several hours of rest before I felt ready to return to camp.
Hours I was happy to spend in the shade of a small tree, relishing the feeling of Taz’s naked skin against mine.I hadn’t had the chance to retreat from the world and glory in my mating for days like I longed to, but this was almost as good.
Out in the strange wilderness of Earth, there was no one to hear our conversation, or interrupt the simple intimacy with brawls or celebrations.
“What do you call the plants that are covered in spines?The ones that remind me of you?”I asked, stroking the back of her hand as I tried to find the motivation to leave our temporary shelter.
Taz lifted her head, her narrowed eyes glinting dangerously.
“Did you just call me a freaking cactus?”
I bit my tongue to hold back a laugh.
“Freaking cactus?”I repeated innocently.“Adak’s been wondering what those are.”
She pounded her head onto my chest dramatically.
“You never stop, do you?”
“Never.”Why would I, when teasing her was so much fun?
The sun had risen to its highest point above us, and the tree we laid under no longer shaded us quite as nicely.Taz’s pale skin was turning an angry red that I knew meant she was burning.As much as I hated the thought, it was time to return to camp.
I pressed a kiss to her sweat-dampened temple and sighed.
“We should go.”
“Are you up to the walk?”she asked, pushing herself up onto her knees and inspecting my healing arm.
“I’ll manage.”I hated the thought of limping back into camp, but my mate needed shade, and we both needed water.With Taz’s help I got to my feet, knees shaking as my wrung out body fought to hold my weight.I was immune enough to survive a bite, but that didn’t mean I didn’t feel its brutal effects.
