Page 35 of Claim Me at Nightfall

Say the three scariest words to some meaningless lay? “No. But your parents wanted?—“

“My parents believed that you would never love me. If they were here now, what would you tell them?”

A wave of emotion breaks over me. A realization. Sadness, joy. My love for Tabitha flows through my veins, as natural as breathing.

Suddenly, I know exactly what I want. Always before, I was afraid to believe in it, fight for it.

Not anymore.

I take her face in my hands, feeling tears well in my eyes. “I’d tell them that I’ll defend you to my dying breath, that I will want you always, and that I love you more than my own life.”

She smiles softly, tears running from those thick-fringed hazel eyes. “That’s what I hoped you would say.”

My thoughts race. Only one thing stands between Tabby and me now. My hands shake. God, if she turns away from me now, it will finish me. She’s already the axis my whole damned world tilts around. I faced down Mathias tonight with less terror than asking my encinta the question on the tip of my tongue. “Do you have any reservations about mating with me?”

She caresses the side of my face and sends me a huge, bright-eyed smile that lights up my heart. “Call to me and find out.”

Issue the formal vow of a wizard to his mate. Right. Hell, do I even know the words?

I close my eyes and picture the rest of my days with Tabby. In contentment, shrouded in love.

The sacred words fill my head.

“Become a part of me, as I become a part of you. And ever after, I promise myself to thee. Each day we share, I’ll be honest, good, and true. If this you seek, heed my Call. From this moment on, there is no other for me but you.”

Tears flood her beautiful hazel eyes, and I swear that even with her hair half-tumbling out of its knot and her clothes soaked, she’s never looked more radiant.

“Was that so difficult?” she whispers.

No. In fact, as I spoke the vow, I’ve never felt more certain about anything in my life. Except… “Are you going to answer?”

“Indeed. I can’t wait.” Tabitha presses a kiss to my lips, and nothing has ever tasted sweeter. “As I become a part of you, you will become a part of me. I will be honest, good, and true. I heed your Call. ’Tis you I seek. From this moment on, there is no other for me but you.” She smiles again. “We’re officially mated.”

“We are, indeed.” I tear off my shirt and hover above her to remove the last of the pins from her damp hair. Then I send her a lopsided grin. “I need to make you mine, mate. Now.”

She sighs as she unbuttons her blouse. “I already am.”