“I can feel you inside my head.”
“Same.You’re mine now.”
“And you’re mine.”Nymon’s smile was full of joy.“Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.”
Tex kissed him again.He didn’t know what their next step would be, but Nymon was right.They’d decide together.
They had to.
Because now, bonded as they were, there was no going back.
* * * *
NYMON COULDN’T STOPtouching Tex.He traced the strong lines of Tex’s jaw, the curve of his shoulder, and felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.Through their bond, he could feel everything—Tex’s contentment, his protectiveness, the satisfaction of his wolf finally having claimed its mate.It was a little odd and not something Nymon had ever thought he’d have, but he liked it.
It should have been terrifying.Everything about this should have been impossible.
Demons didn’t have fated mates.That was a shifter thing.Demons chose their partners like humans, and Nymon had always expected he’d do the same, yet here he was, bonded to a wolf shifter he’d known for barely three days, feeling more complete than he’d ever felt in his entire life.
“I can hear you thinking,” Tex murmured, his hand running soothingly down Nymon’s spine.“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Nymon huffed a soft laugh, pressing closer to Tex’s warmth.Around them, the flowers and plants continued their gentle movements as if it was completely normal, even though it had never happened before.They’d slowed down, but Nymon suspected it would be a while before they stopped.“Just trying to understand how this is real.”He tilted his head up to meet Tex’s eyes.“Demons don’t have this bond.We’re notsupposedto have it.”
“Butyoudo.”
“Wedo,” Nymon agreed.He could feel Tex through the bond in a way that was both comforting and surprising.“I’ll have to leave Starhaven to be with you,” he added quietly.
Tex’s hand stilled on Nymon’s back.“Nymon—”
“No, let me say it.”Nymon pushed up slightly so he could see Tex’s face properly.“You can’t move here.We both know that.Outsiders aren’t allowed to settle in Starhaven, and even if they’d make an exception, neither of us would want that.”Nymon was sure Tex didn’t, even though Tex hadn’t told him.He didn’t need to.
“I would try,” Tex said seriously.“For you.”
“I know.”Nymon kissed him softly.“But I don’t want you to.I’ve spent my whole life dreaming about what’s beyond the shield around Starhaven.About oceans and deserts and places I’ve only read about in books and seen in movies.”Maybe now, it was finally time for him to actually see those places.“I’m terrified.I’ve never been outside Starhaven, and I have no idea what it’s going to be like, but I know you won’t let me face it alone.”
“You’ll have me.Always.”
The certainty in Tex’s voice echoed through their bond and made Nymon’s eyes sting with tears.“You promise?”
“I promise.”Tex pulled him down into a kiss, slow and sweet and full of every emotion swirling between them through their bond.“Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.”
Nymon melted into the kiss.The bond between them was permanent, and he could hardly believe he’d get to have this for the rest of his life.Even if everything else in his life changed, their bond would remain the same, strong and always present.
When they broke apart, Nymon settled back against Tex’s chest, watching the flowers that surrounded them.He couldn’t believe how much they’d all grown without him consciously pushing his magic into them.Was this how it always went when a demon bonded with a shifter?
“They’re beautiful,” Tex murmured.“Like you.”
Nymon felt his cheeks heat.“I still can’t control my magic around you.”Not when they were kissing and having sex, anyway.
“You’ll learn.”Tex’s arms tightened around him.“I don’t want you controlled.I want you exactly as you are.”
“I won’t regret this,” Nymon said softly.“In case you were wondering.Even with the fear about what comes next, I don’t regret bonding with you.”
Tex pressed a kiss to the top of his head.“Neither do I.”
“Even though you barely know me?”The question slipped out before Nymon could stop it.He’d thought about this, too.“We’ve spent, what, a handful of hours together?And now we’re bonded for life.”
“I know enough.”He squeezed Nymon’s hand.“You’re my mate.That’s enough for me.”
