I don’t even know what I said.
But I say it anyway. “Yours. I’m yours, I’m—fuck,Kaelion?—”
And then he’s coming, hard and guttural, dragging me with him one last time—and I feeleverything.His release. Mine. The aching, all-consuming rush of it. The shudder in his chest. The way he wraps around me, holds me there like he can’t bear to let me go.
This…it’s happening.
I don’t know if it can be stopped.
I certainly don’twantit to stop.
He pulls me up, still inside me, pinning me to his chest and pulling my face around to kiss him hard. His tongue thrusts inside my mouth, exploring me, claiming me.
And when he pulls back…his eyes are brighter, pupils dilated…
…I think I’m in love with him?
What the hell is going on with me?
“Tomorrow,” he says. “I’ll tell the board. Today, I tell Shahar. Tonight…tonight, I want you in my bed.”
My breath hitches, not out of fear or anxiety…butsurprise.Because I can see it now.
This isn’t just about honesty. It’s about pride.
He wants to tell the world I’mhis.
And I want them to know he’s mine, too.
CHAPTER 25
KAELION
Shahar,meddlesome as she is, insists on coming back to Mythara to vet Lyn in person.
It's a long ride from the Arborium—too long, really, to drop everything and come at a moments notice like this—but Shahar says it's no bother, she's happy to do it. I’m more inclined to believe that she simply wants to involve herself in my personal life, rather than that she’s concerned for Solvi.
She likes Lyn, she says when I tell her what’s going on.
She wants me to be happy.
And…I believe her.
And I think Iamhappy.
“You look funny,” Solvi says as I go through my apartment again, making sure the place is spotless before Shahar and Lyn arrive. Flicker keeps getting on the sofa and wiggling underneath the cushions; I’ve re-ordered them at least four times, and the damndrakonwon’t leave it alone.
“How do I look funny?” I mutter, peering over at my ten-year-old.
She’s hunched on the floor over her sketchbook, and I realize she’s drawing none other than myself—looking, like she said, markedly less cranky than usual.
“It’s like…you just got a new toy or something.”
I grunt, putting the pillows on the sofa once more before snatching Flicker into my arms and insisting on a belly rub. She yowls and squirms around, but eventually settles and sets to purring as I take a reluctant seat on the couch.
“I’m…eager for tonight’s meal,” I say.
Solvi rolls her eyes, tendrils twitching. “Right. Themealis what you’re excited about.”
