“I love you,” I repeat back to her, my words tumbling out in a groan, and the golden light erupts in a spattering of shimmering flecks in the cavern.They look like Stars. I bracket her hips with my hands as she goes languid atop me, her climax wrung from her body.
I lift my gaze to the cavern around us, “Whatever this is between us, El,” I say, staring at the golden specks illuminating the dark cavern. “It’s more than prophecy,” I murmur.
Her eyes stare in awe at the space around us. “We’re Starbound,” she breathes, and I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE
KAEL
Nehvara glidesinto the gathering chamber, a small knife now strapped to her waist—one that wasn’t there yesterday. I have no idea where the others slept, but it seems we all had the same idea to meet here first thing.
Nehvara looks between Elyssara and me, and nods tightly, “It’s done, then. Good. You’ll need each other now more than ever.”
Elyssara and I share a look—she smiles shyly, and I return a wink.
Rubi strolls up behind Elyssara and brushes past her with a smirk, “I could tell you had that well-fucked look, Kael.” She lets out a long whistle, tosses a wink, and plops onto a stone ledge to tie her boots. The woman is always disheveled.
Therion groans at his sister.
“El doesn’t quite have the same look, though, does she, Rubi?” Ronyn asks, throwing a conspiratorial look to Rubi who shakes her head dramatically. “Not up to the task, Kael?” Ronyn wags his eyebrows.
“Poor little prince can’t perform,” Rubi pouts.
I huff a laugh, and grab Elyssara’s hand, pulling her into me, dismissing them with a shake of my head.
“You both feel different,” Therion observes seriously, furrowing his brow. “I don’t know what it is yet.”
“Pretty sure it’s love, brother,” Merrik deadpans.
“We’re Starbound, now. The tether is complete,” Elyssara shares, nuzzling into my shoulder, and it surprises me. She seems...proud.
“Because you fucked? I thought that already happened,” Jax says indifferently. “What’s so special about this time?”
Fucking Jax.
“Jaxxy,” Merrik admonishes with a sigh. I don’t know how the man does it—his patience is unnatural.
“That’s not what solidified the tether, you fucking ass,” I say to Jax. “It’s...” I trail off, unable to find the words.
“Choosing to love each other, despite knowing we were never meant to,” Elyssara finishes for me.
“Should I... offer congratulations? Is that appropriate in this circumstance, my prince?” Rhyven asks sincerely.
I fight the urge to laugh at his constant need for diplomacy. “I don’t think so, Rhy. You’re good to just carry on as you were.”
He nods, stepping backwards with two strides, and clasps his hands behind his back.
I turn just in time to see Seren stalking up to me, her pointer finger colliding with my chest, “Do not hurt my friend, Kael Thorne. Do you hear me?”
I can’t help myself—I laugh. The sweetest woman in existence just threatened me. I try to leash my laughter, but fail miserably, “I will not hurt your friend!” I pull it together, and add, “Nothing would bring me more pain than hurting Elyssara.” It seems to satisfy her because she nods curtly and turns swiftly, walking back to Ronyn, who is still raising his eyebrows at me.
“Enough,” Tvira announces, striding towards us from a dark corridor. “The Flame-heart deserves your reverence,” she says, as if reprimanding young children. “We follow Nehvara into the vault,” she commands. “And we do it in silence.”
There’s no room for arguing in her tone, and we all obey.
So bossy,Elyssara mocks down the tether, which sounds louder and clearer than it has in the days before.
Or maybe she just knows what she wants,I reply.We both know how I love a woman who knows what she wants.
