Cheekbones that got a few shades darker when I looped my arms around his neck. His proud nose that he scrunched whenever I was being a complete chaos gremlin in his space. The scars that reminded me that this male was a warrior.The curl of his lips that was so automatic now that we were fully mated. The shallow dimples hidden under the scruff of his beard when he forgot to shave. I could spend the rest of my life learning new things about him and never be done.
He was going to be the project of my lifetime. And I was going to be his.
Chapter 49
Hanna
The forest thinned gradually before opening into the clearing, and every time I saw Kragor Lake—even after only a handful of visits—it stole the breath right out of my lungs.
Sunlight spilled between the tall pines in long golden beams, turning the mist into strands of pale silver. The air smelled like cedar and cold water and the faint mineral tang of mountain stone. Leaves rustled overhead with that soft, deep hush that only old forests carried—the kind that felt sacred, ancient and almost aware of itself.
Ahead, the land dipped into a gentle slope, revealing the lake.And dearest Goddess Mother… the lake.
It stretched out like a great mirror of sky, its surface impossibly smooth where the wind didn’t touch it. The water was so clear you could see the pale stones lining the bottom near the shore, each one rounded by time and shimmering faintly under the shifting light.Farther out, the lake deepened into arich cobalt blue—so dark it looked like it held secrets.
A ring of wildflowers traced the shoreline—clusters of indigo thistle, star-shaped moonpetals, and tiny yellow firebuds that almost glowed when the sunlight hit them just right. Their scent drifted on the breeze, soft and sweet, mixing with the earthy green smell of the forest.
A small mountain range rose on the far side—the Kragor Ridge—its gray-and-violet peaks dusted with old snow even though we were well past winter. Wisps of cloud curled around the highest summit like white scarves, and waterfalls tumbled down the crags in thin silver ribbons. You could hear them even from here—a distant melodic rush that blended with birdsong.
Closer to the clearing, tall birch and evergreen trees guarded the perimeter in a quiet circle. Their branches filtered the sunlight into shifting lace patterns on the forest floor. A few white-barked birches leaned toward the water, their leaves trembling in the slightest breeze.
Near the spot where Darak wanted to build our home, the ground was carpeted in moss soft enough to sleep on. Smooth river stones dotted the shoreline, perfect for sitting or skipping or—if you were Ribbon—sunbathing.
And the magick… The magick here was different.
Alive.
It hummed under my skin with a soft, welcoming warmth, like the land itself recognized us. Like it had been waiting. There were places where the air shimmered faintly, where the veil between the mundane and the enchanted felt thin enough to touch.
Dristan paused beside me, taking in the view with a reverent exhale.
Pen whispered, “It’s beautiful.”
Ribbon let out a low, awed croak and hopped toward the water like he’d found his personal heaven.Savla stood behindme, shoulders relaxed for the first time in days, the sunlight catching the faint runes on his forearms. The ones that he’d had marked on him. They were mine. A special spell that I’d madejustfor him.
It represented us and I’d made it to enhance our bond using my grandmother’s old book of spells. A special combination of our names and lineage.
The surroundings were peaceful. Untouched and hopeful. Staring out at the glimmering lake and the forest that cradled it—I saw a future. A real one. A home that felt like it belonged in a story my grandmother might have whispered beside the fire. Savla leaned close enough that I felt the warmth of him against my back.
“Zoga,” he said softly, voice deep and certain. “This is going to be ours.”
And looking out at Kragor Lake—vast, shimmering, alive—I believed him.
By the time we reached the clearing at the edge of Kragor Lake—our soon-to-be home site—I already regretted bringing the entire clan and coven.Not because they weren’t helpful, but because this group had the attention span of squirrels on espresso.
Darak stood front and center with a rolled blueprint under his arm, posture stiff with authority, expression absolutely thrilled.Yes,thrilled,which immediately put everyone on high alert.
Krusk muttered to Savla, “He’s smiling. Why is he smiling? He never smiles.”
Enka whispered loudly, “Maybe he found a girlfriend.”
Ribbon croaked in agreement, nudging my leg so hardI nearly toppled into Savla. Savla caught me by the waist automatically, and my fingers twined with his.
Darak clapped his hands once, loudly enough to silence the crowd. “Okay! Let’s begin.”
Begin what, no one seemed sure.Becca raised her hand from the back.
“I thought we were just finalizing the lots.”
