Page 123 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

“I made a playlist,” Elle announced, fiddling with the truck’s dials and her phone. He knew better than to say a damned word as pop music filled the cab. It was all he could do to keep his eyes on the road as the three women erupted into song. He caught glimpses of his mate from the corner of his eye. She glowed with happiness, exactly as she deserved to be. Exactly as he planned to make her for the rest of her life.

An hour later, they reached the trailhead, piling out and strapping on backpacks. Elle stood beside him, inhaling deeply. He watched her, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Her eyes were closed, a look of contentment on her features. “It smells so good out here, so clean.”

“Come on, slowpokes!” Vivi shouted, already taking off down the trail, Tara on her heels.

He ignored them, pulling Elle against him, leaning down to kiss her, letting his lips linger. He nipped her bottom lip, then grazed his mouth along her jaw. “I want you in front of me, so I can stare at that tight ass the whole way.”

She giggled as he spun her around and gave her a gentle push before slapping her ass. She yelped and darted forward, throwing him a teasing glare as they caught up with the others. One look at her backside and he suddenly regretted his decision.

Around them, the trees were thick, walling off the dirt path they followed. It was a cooler than usual spring morning, but the day would warm. Birds were already busy, and squirrels darted across their trail. He was careful to avoid rocks and other debris littering the way. The girls set the pace, far slower than he would have gone. He merely meandered behind, making sure they stayed safe.

His eyes rarely left Eleanor. The way she moved with easy confidence along the uneven trail, her ponytail swaying with each step. It had his chest tightening with pride. She belonged out here in nature, away from the chaos of the city and the horrors they'd faced.

When she paused to point out wildflowers to Vivi, or when she laughed at something Tara said, the sound carried back to him and made his heart race. His mate was happy—truly, genuinely happy—and knowing he'd played a part in that, knowing that he’d get to witness these moments for the rest of their very long lives together, left him feeling drunk on possibility. Because he had every intention of ensuring they lived long lives.

Just like the ability to heal, her life span would be tied to his. She wouldn’t age. Wouldn’t grow old without him.

He knew because he’d dug into records. Aramis had helped. Turned out, Elle wasn’t the only human pairing that had happened in history. Aramis had put him into contact with a shifter couple—lion female, human male. The male was now approaching his three hundred and forty third birthday. He hadn’t aged a day since accepting their bond.

Which meant Elle would live as long as Bastian did.

Every so often, Elle glanced back at him and caught him staring. Her soft smile made his goblin side purr with satisfaction. She was his. Forever.

Starting with today.

He’d cleared his schedule for the entire weekend, making it plenty clear to his boss that he’d be unreachable. He’d also made it clear to Eleanor that she belonged to him for the entirety of that time. Well, she belonged to him regardless, but she’d also cleared her schedule. There was an overnight bag in the back of his truck for later, after they dropped Tara and Vivi off.

It was thoughts of the night to come that occupied most of his mind while they hiked. Tara and Vivi chatted for the first hour, but soon enough, they were too winded to speak.

He liked hiking in silence, listening to the wildlife, letting his thoughts wander. He’d answered their questions readily enough as Vivi grilled him, but only because she was Elle’s best friend.

Elle was lucky—damned lucky—to have her. Vivi was a protector, the one who’d been there for her during the hardest time in her life. He’d never forget that, never forget the way she’d taken care of his girl, his mate.

Mate.

Every time he thought about it, the world grew quiet.

As if sensing his thoughts, Elle threw him a glance over her shoulder. He winked, and perhaps there was plenty in his expression, because she blushed. He wanted that. He wanted her to look at him and never forget how thoroughly he pleased her, how good he made her feel. Her head snapped forward again as they made the final ascent to the trail’s lookout point.

The forest opened up around them.

“It’s gorgeous!” Vivi cried. The three women were breathing hard, their skin coated in a sheen of sweat. His heart rate hadn’t even increased. He came to stop behind Elle, leaning in close enough to graze her body, keeping his hands to himself. Her skin erupted into goosebumps and he hid a satisfied smile.

“Wow,” she sighed, taking it in. “I forgot how much I love this hike.”

“I hope you didn’t forget how much you love me?” he murmured against her ear. Tara and Vivi were already wandering off, looking for a spot to have their picnic.

“Does that cockiness of yours ever go away?” She leaned backwards into him. Her backpack was crushed against his chest. His hands came around her front.

“Hard to shed the habit when I have you worshiping my cock every night,” he rumbled, not that he’d gotten much of that in the past couple days. But tonight…

“Oh, my God,” she hissed, giggling. “That mouth of yours knows no boundaries.”

“Course not. Especially not when its busy licking your⁠—”

“Okay, who is ready for lunch?!” Elle blurted so loudly that he couldn’t finish the sentence. He chuckled, releasing her so they could settle down and eat their sandwiches.

He ate as he watched the three of them, observed how comfortable Elle was with her friends. How much she laughed. How much her eyes twinkled. He hadn’t even realized he was smiling until his cheeks started to hurt.