Everywhere she looked the palace was full of new friends. Order warriors and their mates, Atlantean soldiers and civilians, all of them conversing and getting acquainted in the aftermath of their shared ordeal.
Outside the palace, the fighting had ended. The Rogue army lay dead on the beach and the hill below, and someone had lit the disabled boat on fire in the harbor. Selene let go of the shadows she had been holding over the land. The sunlight would turn the dead Rogues to ashes, and her people would collect their fallen for proper goodbyes.
Selene and Darion headed up the stairs to her private quarters. As soon as she had placed the four crystals in their chamber for safekeeping, Darion drew her into his arms.
His mouth crushed against hers, his warmth and strength like a balm after all they had endured. She didn’t realize how much she needed to feel his embrace until she was melting into it, savoring the feel of his lips on hers.
“God, I’ve needed this,” he rasped between kisses. “I’ve needed you, Selene.”
“I know. I never want to let go.” All the ugliness and pain of the battle washed away now that he was holding her. “Darion, I was never so scared as I was watching you in the middle of all that bloodshed and death.”
He drew back, staring fiercely into her eyes. “I was never more amazed watching you.” He stroked her cheek. “And what you just did for my father . . . you are incredible.”
“I did it for you, Darion. I didn’t want you to know loss like I have. I didn’t want to you feel that kind of hurt.”
He released a low curse. “I don’t ever want you to feel those things again, either.”
He kissed her again, softly now, his mouth tender as it brushed hers. When he opened his eyes, he stared at her with a question in his gaze.
“You gave up a crystal for me, for my father. Why, after wanting all five for the realm for so long . . .”
She shook her head. “What I’ve wanted was lasting peace and safety for my people. I wanted their future secured. And you’ve given me that, Darion. All our enemies are dead, the crystals are finally in Atlantean hands once more, and we have a new alliance--a kinship--with the Breed.”
“I didn’t do that,” he said, humble when he had every right to boast.
“You did,” she corrected. “You stood with me. You led the fight on the ground. I watched you step in and step up time and again, defending your own men and mine. You were there for me. I never should’ve doubted you.”
“I’ll always be here for you,” he said, gathering her close. “You are the only woman for me, Selene. I knew that even before you told me to go.”
Her breath escaped on a small sigh. “I love you, Darion. I was too afraid to admit it or to say it out loud to you, so instead I pushed you away.”
He smoothed his thumb over her lips. “You asked me if I could ever forgive you. I’m the one in need of forgiveness. I’m sorry for misjudging you. You are the most caring, most courageous and selfless woman I’ll ever know. Seeing you fighting for your home and your people only fortified what I already knew about you. You’re incredible, extraordinary.” A smile tugged at one corner of his perfect mouth. “You’re also the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
She laughed, staring at him besotted as he lifted her hand to his lips.
He uncurled her fingers and all the lightheartedness left his face. Blue veins stood out against the paleness of her wrist and arm. She knew that wielding the light for so long during the battle had taken a toll, but she hadn’t stopped to think about the fatigue that clung to her.
Darion looked at her with stark fear in his eyes. “This is worse than the last time I saw it.”
She gently extricated herself from his loose grasp. “I’ll be all right. The crystals will restore me.”
“Yes, but for how long? You used a crystal to give my father immortality. Can’t you give one to yourself now too?”
“No. There was only one chance to use a crystal for that kind of healing . . . and it required all five. Four to make the circle, and one to give life.”
He briefly closed his eyes before pinning her in a tormented stare. “That’s what you meant--that it could not be undone.”
“What is immortality if I have to live it alone?”
“You’re not alone, Selene. You never will be again as long as I’m breathing.”
“Your world is waiting for you,” she reminded him. “The Order, your family, your future. It’s not here on this island. I would never ask you to give all of that up for me.”
He stroked her face. “I’m looking at my future. It’s wherever you are.”
His strong hand curled around the back of her neck. He drew her against him, kissing her sweetly yet possessively. Her body responded instantly to his touch, to his lips moving over hers.
Her heart responded to him even more intensely. Love swelled within her, filling her so completely she could hardly contain it.
