“That’s where the village is?” Bash asks.
I nod. “Deep in the forest, and almost impossible to find, even if you know what you’re looking for.”
“This is incredible,” Bash whispers, and I reach for his hand. His fingers lace through mine as he stares through the windshield, craning his head to see the tops of the trees as we approach the pathway.
A rush of a potent emotion hits me in the gut as we cross into those familiar shadows. It’s something I haven’t felt in so long, I take a moment to put my finger on it.
Homesickness.
Thisismy home, and with Bash by my side, that truth is absolute.
I’ve missed its comfort and find myself smiling as we weave through the thick trunks. I bite my lip, suppressing a grin as we turn through the hidden path through the bushes, and laugh at the surprised exclamations of the group as we push through to the other side.
As the buildings come into view, I slow to a crawl.
“Let me get out first,” I say, glancing in the mirror to find them all nodding.
Ego is curious, Sakane looks like he might be sick, and Cato is trying to hide his discomfort, but for once, I don’t point it out. He sucks in a sharp breath, and I refocus ahead of us at the welcoming committee standing there, shoulder to shoulder. I snort at the show of power as I pull into the clearing and step out of the driver’s seat.
Ronan is at the center, sword readied, with Elas and Lillith flanking him. Matuk stands beside Aryn with his hands on his hips, and, to my shock, Daiwyn stands with them as well. They relax when they spot me, and I’m surprised to realize I’m smiling as I approach.
Ronan’s arm drops, his hand tight around his hilt as he assesses me, then his eyes move to the SUV.
“Well?” he finally demands.
I toss my head back in a laugh. “Good to see you, too, you grumpy fuck.”
Elas’s lips twitch in a barely suppressed smile, but Lillith drops her guard completely and comes over to pat me on the shoulder.
“I’ve brought others,” I say after a pause.
“Your… mate?” Ronan asks carefully, and his head tilts as he inspects me in that feline way he has about him.
I smile broader as I nod. “Yes, Bash is with me.”
Aryn perks up, craning his neck to peek into the van, and he flashes a fanged grin as he waves. I glance behind me to see Bash waving back, but beyond the front seat is covered in darkness.
“There are others, too,” I say. “Friends of his. Humans.”
“Oh?” Ronan tilts his head again as he narrows his eyes toward the SUV. “And you trust these humans?”
“They saved my life,” I say as he focuses on me with piqued interest. “It’s been a very long few weeks, and there is a lot to catch everyone up on. I’m going to bring them out of the vehicle now, okay?”
Ronan and Elas exchange a glance, then nod as they turn back to me. The curious fuckers follow right on my heels as I return to the SUV, stopping first to open the passenger door for Bash.
His eyes stay on mine as I offer my hand, and he weaves our fingers together as he steps out. He swallows nervously as he glances between the others.
“Stop with the posturing,” I complain as I tug Bash to my side. “You fuckers forget how big you are sometimes, I swear.”
“Oh, I never forget,” Elas booms in that deep voice, flipping his braids over his shoulder with a smirk. “This is your mate?”
“Myhusband,” I correct.
Collective gazes drop to the ring on my hand.
Elas is confused, and Bash inspects him with narrowing eyes. That beautiful mind is already spinning and connecting the dots of our complicated history.
“The fates decided we would be mates,” Bash says after a pause, his voice steadier than I expected, “but being husbands is our choice.”
