“He sure shot off like his tail feathers were on fire.” Týr frowned up at the now empty deck.
“What was that about?” Nate asked Nik.
“Just messin’ with him,” he said, tone dry. “Let’s head back. Our mates are probably anxious for our return.”
“We’ll be there shortly.”
As they dematerialized, Nate grabbed his duffle, wrapped his arm around Ely, and flashed them to the balcony. He ushered her into their apartment, shut the door, and found her watching him.
“You okay?” she asked.
He dropped the bag and drew her to him, breathing in her calming scent. Her arms came around him, and she hugged him. “It’s over, my love.”
“I know.” He pressed his lips to her crown, and she rubbed his back, then eased away.
“Ready to go to the castle?” she asked, heading for the bedroom and taking a jacket from the closet.
Nate followed and leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb. “You ask me that, waiting for me to sayno?”
She bit her lip, but a smile snuck through. “Because I know you.”
He snorted. True. Usually, he didn’t like hanging around people who gushed after him. But this was his sister. Besides, these males and their mates were different; they mattered to Ely.
“That reminds me. Here—” From his jeans pocket, he retrieved a small package wrapped in shiny red paper decorated with snowflakes and handed it to her.
She stared at it, eyes wide.
“It’s not gonna bite,” he teased. “Open it.” Nate wondered if she’d understand its significance.
She huffed out a laugh, tore the wrapper off, and opened the small metal box with the gray velvet interior, in which he’d placed the gleaming ebony ring inlaid with five amber stones.
“What is this?” she breathed.
“I know everyone’s exchanging holiday keepsakes later this afternoon, but I wanted to do this with you alone. It’s my mating gift to you.”
Her gaze rushed to his. “How—where did you get it?”
“Made it. I like working with my hands. I finished it tonight.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I started the ring before I met you. It’s from the same metal as these,” He tugged one of his tiny black earrings. “Since I had the sanding machine and other things I needed, it didn’t take long to make the adjustments. Aba aided me. He’s good with melting, embedding, etc.”
Nate watched as she reverently ran a fingertip over the stones.
“The obsidian metal is from Ys. I’ve had it since a teen, and the stones I found as a youngster in the mountains where Aba and I have our home. Amber is said to carry the knowledge of a million years. And black is supposed to signify strength and endurance…” A smile started at her frown. “But for me,” he murmured, “it symbolizes my utter adoration for you, my crazy, impulsive, sensitive, beautiful mate. For now, for always.”
She bit her lip and blinked, eyes crowding with tears. “It’s beautiful.”
He frowned. “You aren’t supposed to cry.”
“I’m not.” She wiped her eyes. “It’s happiness.”
“Okay. That, I’ll allow.”
Her laughter a little shaky, she hooked one arm around his neck and kissed him. “Thank you.”
Nate took the band from her, and she hastily held out her left hand. “Darci and Kira wear their rings on this finger.” She lifted said digit.
