The words hang in the air between us—three words she has never said before. The sentence I’ve been waiting to hear since the moment I knew she was mine.
My heart slams against my ribs. The bond flares white-hot, singing with the truth of it.
“What?” My voice comes out weak, disbelieving.
“I love you,” she says again, even more clearly this time. Her hand presses flat against my chest, right over my racing heart. “I should have said it before. I should have—”
I don’t let her finish. I kiss her hard, one hand tangling in her hair, the other gripping her hip like she might disappear if I don’t hold on tight enough. She gasps against my mouth, her fingers curling into my shirt.
When I finally pull back, I’m breathing like I’ve run a mile. “Say it again.”
Her lips curve, eyes shining. “I love you, Seth.”
Something in my chest cracks wide open. “You have no idea—” I have to stop, swallowing hard. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.” Her thumb brushes across my jaw. “I was scared. And after everything, I didn’t know if I could—if I should—”
“Don’t apologize.” I capture her hand and gently kiss her palm. “Just…don’t take it back.”
“Never.” She pulls me down for another kiss, this one slower, deeper. “I love you,” she murmurs against my lips. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Each repetition fills my heart more. I roll onto my back, pulling her on top of me, needing to feel the weight of her, the reality of her.
She straddles my hips, hands braced on my chest, hair falling around us like a curtain. Her blue eyes look dark, pupils blown wide.
“I love you, too,” I finally manage, my voice wrecked. “So much it scares me sometimes. The thought of losing you—”
“You won’t.” She leans down, resting her forehead against mine this time. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
The bond pulses between us—bright and wild and absolutely sure. I can feel her honesty through it, feel the truth of her words echoing in my chest.
“You’re mine,” I say.
“I’m yours,” sheconfirms. “Always.”
I flip us over in one smooth motion, settling between her thighs. She gasps, legs wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer.
“Say it again,” I demand, needing to hear it one more time.
Her smile is brilliant, blinding. “I love you, Seth.”
I capture her mouth in a kiss that feels like a vow, like a promise, like everything I’ve ever wanted finally coming true.
“Show me you love me,” she whispers against my lips.
And I do.
Chapter Eighteen
Selene
A month has passedsince the dust settled, and life has gone back to normal. I like normal.
I mean it. After everything that happened—the chaos, the danger, the constant adrenaline—normal feels good. Safe. I wake up, go to the healers’ compound, tend to patients, come home to Seth. Simple. Predictable. Perfect.
I’m grabbing my bag from my office, ready to head out after a long shift, when I hear a voice.
“Selene.”
