Everything about him was beautiful.
Even the parts that frightened others.
Especially those parts, honestly.
The claws.
The tail.
The impossible celestial power simmering beneath his skin.
Monster.
The word should have felt ugly.
Instead it felt sacred here at Runevald.
Like truth.
“I think Professor Kenna knew this would happen,” I murmured eventually.
Menon made a thoughtful sound.
“She likely suspected.”
“The whole Fates thing?”
“Yes.”
I shifted slightly atop him, propping my chin against his chest.
“Do you really believe in that? Destiny and mates and cosmic soul-bonding and all of it?”
Menon looked down at me like the answer should have been obvious.
“I did not before you.”
The honesty in his voice wrecked me instantly.
Gods.
This male.
“I mean it,” he continued softly. “Before you, mating bonds felt theoretical. Political. Necessary for power alignment among celestial bloodlines.” His hand tightened gently in my hair.
“Then you walked into my life and suddenly the stars themselves made sense.”
My chest physically hurt.
No one had ever spoken to me like this before.
Not even close.
“You make me feel brave,” I admitted quietly.
His brows furrowed immediately.
“You are brave.”
