I nodded. “The big surprise I was working on is a new song. Just for you.”
Thystle swayed from glee. He grabbed his closest brothers for support, clamping on to Jade and Saffron’s arms like he’d pass out without them.
“Holy fucking Drake, is this real?” Thystle whimpered. “Am I high right now? Am I dead?”
Crimson rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. And people thinkI’mdramatic.”
“Even Vani and Keaux are here,” Thystle said shakily in awe. “Holy shit. You guys let them come? Just for this?”
Jade smiled. “It wouldn’t be a true TalonStorm event without them.”
Thystle looked like he was about to burst into tears, or scream, or faint. Maybe all three.
Before my mate went unconscious, I gripped the mic and said, “Let’s go, everyone. Here’s our brand new single,Amethyst Heart.”
On my word, decorative fog rolled out behind the set. The stage lights darkened into a single spotlight that beamed onto the stage. I didn’t have to cue my old friends. Vani and Keaux knew exactly what to do. They eased into the track like they’d played it a thousand times, even though it was brand new. They must’ve practiced after I sent them the vocals and chords. They’d done it for me—forus.
I shut my eyes as I felt the spotlight rain down on me.
Aquila took over. Frantic energy rocketed through my veins as I sang the first line. I fell into a trance, thinking only of my heartfelt performance, feeling the song in the marrow of my bones.
It was a song wholly dedicated to Thystle—my alpha, my love, the father of my child, my fated mate.
As I sang my heart out, I locked eyes with him. The love flowing between our gazes was magnetic. I needed him on stage with me.
I kneeled over the front ledge and held out my hand. Thystle grabbed it and leapt on. His eyes were brighter than any flame, shining with pure elation.
The vibration of the drums and guitar shook the stage. The song pounded through our blood, humming like a living thing. The whole moment felt surreal, dreamlike. It was perfect.
When the song was over, the roar of the crowd exploded. I was drenched in sweat, and so was Thystle, but neither of us cared. We slammed together in a warm embrace. I felt his heart thudding wildly through his chest, and I knew he felt mine doing the same.
“I love you,” Thystle breathed, pressing his forehead to mine.
Warmth flooded my chest. “I love you, too.”
He panted hard. “Kiss me, Aquila.”
A shiver rolled across my skin. I grabbed Thystle, dipping him low as I crushed our mouths together in a hot, passionate kiss. Everybody went wild—our family, Vani and Keaux, Gaius, and even the stage helpers.
After we parted, Thystle stared up at me fondly, like I was the only person in the world.
“Can I get an encore?” he asked.
“Of the song, or the kiss?”
He shot me a sly, draconic grin. “Both.”
I laughed. “Anything for you, my number one fan.”
Twenty-Six
Epilogue: Thystle
The next morning,my eyes opened blearily to the sun’s rays on my face. I barely remembered anything that happened after the end of the concert, except that Matteo and I had a fuckton of post-concert sex. It was a perfect night, and the most amazing gift he could’ve ever given me, aside from birthing our child.
Our child.
Heather.
