“Okay,” he says.
I thought he’d reach for me and press me down, touch me where I need him most, but he doesn’t. Instead, he stands. I ambereft of his weight, but before I can mourn the loss, he extends a hand towards me.
“I need you, too, Wren.” His voice is deep and raspy, and desire pools low in my stomach at the bulge straining against his pants. “Let’s take this back to our cabin.”
I’ve never moved faster.
35
WILL YOU FORGIVE ME?
GABRIEL
The journey from the seer’s study to our cabin passes in a blur of quick touches, stolen kisses, and heated glances. A stack of books is tucked under my left arm, and the fingers of my right hand are laced through Wren’s.
No one tries to talk to us, and for that, I am grateful. I’m not sure I would have been able to hold a conversation without biting off the head of whoever dared speak with us.
Desire is a raging river coursing through my veins, growing stronger with each passing moment. I lead Wren up the wooden steps. The air pulses as though it has a heartbeat, and each glance we exchange is more heated than the last.
Juggling the books and our key, I unlock the door and step inside first, scanning the space. It doesn’t take long, but those few seconds feel like an eternity before I confirm it’s empty and tug on Wren’s hand, drawing her in.
She follows me inside, and I shut the door behind us, flipping the lock.
The resounding click carries through the space like a clap of thunder, and my pulse booms equally as loud. I release her hand long enough to drop the books on the bedside table.
This is not the time for reading.
I turn around, drawn to Wren. She sucks in a breath, her hands finding the table behind her as I step towards her. Her Mark flares, washing us in blue, but the look in her eyes isn’t one of fear. The way she’s looking at me, the flush in her cheeks, and her beautiful, pouty slightly parted lips all speak to her desire.
Blood rushes to my dick as I admire her, and I subtly adjust myself. Suns save me, I’ve never felt this way about anyone. This isn’t lust that will be sated after a quick fuck. Rather, it is pure, unadulterated need. I need her like I need to hunt, to be in the woods, to feel the wind’s kiss on my cheeks and fill my lungs with fresh air.
“Gabe,” she whispers. My name falling from her lovely lips is a siren’s call, and I am a sailor, unable to resist her summons.
I move closer, and our bond thrums. This isn’t the same as my connection with Mist. It’s deeper, entrenched in the depths of my being. My panther is, and always will be, a part of me, but this is different.
This isfate.
Wren is destined to be mine in every way. I am certain of it. But even though I yearn for her, even though every single part of me aches for her, I cannot have her yet.
There’s something I still need to do.
“Wren.” Her name is a benediction filling the space between us, and I move towards her until barely a foot separates us.
I inhale, her jasmine and vanilla scent filling my lungs. It’s enticing—intoxicating, even. I want to bury my nose in her neck and draw in deep breaths until she is all I can smell, but I don’t. I must keep my head on straight, at least for a few more minutes.
Holding Wren’s gaze, as if I could do anything else, I drop to my knees before her. The wooden floor is rough and cold, but even if it were made of burning embers, I wouldn’t care.
She hitches a breath. “What are you doing, Gabriel?”
Wren sounds stunned by the sight of me kneeling in front of her as if she doesn’t know how much power she holds over me. Doesn’t she know a single word from her could change everything for me?
“Patience, Birdie. You’ll find out soon enough.” I extend my hand towards her, palm open in invitation.
She slowly peels her fingers away from the table, placing them in mine. I brush my lips across the back of her hand, her wrist, and then the inside of her palm. I can’t help myself—touching her calms a part of me I didn’t know needed soothing until I met her.
“Wren Lilith Nightingale.” I run my thumb across the back of her hand, relishing in her responding shiver. “Everything I said earlier is true. You are strong and smart and kind beyond belief. You are a fantastic healer, and you are powerful.”
I will forever cherish the memory of watching her wield her magic during the battle. She’d been a force to be reckoned with, even without training. Imagine how formidable she’ll be once she knows how to control her magic?
