Hell,hefelt like he’d physically sprinted around the realm. He buried his face in her neck as an absolute knowing settled deep within him.
This is all I need.
Her.
He didn’t want a day to pass without her in his life ever again.
I love you,her voice coasted through his mind, imprinting in his soul.
His heart expanded, and all those emotions he never once thought he was capable of burst free for this human who’d stolenhis heart and made it beat for the first time in millennia—from the very first moment their eyes met on that rooftop.
And I you,habibti. For now, always. And in every other lifetime…
Epilogue
Several weeks later…
Nia blew out a deep, exhausted breath as she trudged along the corridor, so grateful the last couple of hectic weeks were over. They’d arrived at the castle a few minutes ago. She suspected the warriors would be in the rec room during this part of the afternoon, and the women would either be there or in the library.
“Ready to start our lives?” Lore drawled at her side as the puppies raced ahead of them. Then they rushed back, little tails wagging as they explored their new home.
“Start our lives?” she repeated, lifting an eyebrow. “So, who was I living with during the last couple of weeks in New Orleans, huh? Oh, wait,he’s the love of my life. But I guess you’ll do—eeep!”
He moved so fast that she barely had time to squeal as he pinned her against the wall. She huffed a laugh, enjoying the closeness.
“I’ll do?” he repeated, eyes narrowed.
The last weeks had changed him. During his angelic days, he’d possessed a lean, muscular build. But the intense training—strangely taken up with Riley, of all people—and his work as a Guardian had added bulk to his body. Muscles she utterly approved of and loved against her.
“Uh-huh.” Her gaze skimmed his beloved features, currently set in a frown. “You’re pretty enough.”
“Pretty?”
“Yup. I mean, my New Orleans guy was a tad too thin, but you…” She squeezed his bulging biceps, unable to wrap her fingers around them, though not like she could before, either. “It’s like rock, and…” She fluttered her eyelashes. “You picked me up without even breaking a sweat. I do adore my New Orleans guy, so let’s keep this between us, okay—eeep!”
She shrieked again as Lore bit her chin, and the puppies yapped around their ankles, wanting to join in the fun.
Sighing, she slipped her hand around his neck and drew his head down, his bright hair framing his gorgeous features. “It has always, ever been you.”
“Good. Then, I won’t have to hunt him down and kill him,” he murmured, kissing a path down her jaw.
Nia huffed, delighting in his playful side. “You are jealous of your old self?”
Yes,he mind-linked with her, nipping her ear with the multiple studs.
His amusement, warm and glimmering, curled through their mate bond and flooded her heart. His mouth found hers, and she sank into his kiss?—
“What the hell are those things?” a voice roared, tearing them apart.
“Shit!” Nia groaned.
Lore laughed softly. “Should we leave the pups to terrorize them a little longer?”
“What, by yapping at them?” Nia scoffed.
“Or by using those tiny canines.” He smirked, revealing his wily side. “I still have scars from them. Only fair the others should suffer, too.”
She huffed.
