Page 222 of Volik

I rub my palm up and down Nix’s spine as she continues to cry against me.

I hold her. And I purr. And I let my gravito surround us, pressing us together.

Keeping us together.

“You are my purpose.” I nuzzle my cheek against her hair when she starts to relax against me. “I think that is why the bond makes me stronger. To protect you, and to protect myself.”

Her arms loosen around my neck, and she leans back.

I keep one arm behind her but lift the other and wipe the tears off her cheeks. “We will live a long time together, da?”

The corner of her mouth pulls up, just a bit, even as another tear drips off her lashes. “Da.”

Another tear.

I brush it away. “I am sorry I did not tell you sooner. I did not want to hurt you.”

“I understand.” Her hands move to my shoulders. “I have something I need to tell you too.”

“I am ready.” I stroke my hand up her back. “Tell me.”

She holds my gaze, her black eyes bright with emotion. “I love you, Volik.”

My vision…

My heart…

I was not ready.

“Your heart. Your soul. The way you make me feel…” Nix lifts a hand and brushes her thumb over my cheek. “Whether it’s fate. Or the bond. Or inevitable for a thousand other reasons. I don’t know or care. I just love you.” I feel the wetness this time when she slides her thumb across my skin. “Maybe it feels so easy because I know you love me too. I feel it every day.”

I nod.

And I swallow.

And I nod again. “I do.” My voice comes out as gravel. “With all my being.”

Nix leans up until our lips are barely touching. “Show me.”

Chapter 95

Nix

Resting my head on that perfect spot between Volik’s chest and shoulder, his naked body wonderfully warm against mine, I close my eyes.

Maybe it’s the sex. Or the pleasure of telling Volik I love him. Or the joy at hearing him say it to me, over and over again, while he was inside me. Maybe it’s all of it together. But I feel… settled.

The knowledge of our eventual joint death is still lingering in my mind. A constant reminder that I need to be vigilant about my safety, for Volik’s sake. But it’s also… peaceful. Knowing I’ll never have to live without him.

And just like that… I remember.

“Your parents,” I whisper, as a new sadness wraps around me.

“Da.” Volik pulls me tighter into his side. “My father was away from home when he was killed. I was in the house, by myself, while Vameer was out doing chores with our mother. We grew up with the love stories of mates. So when she… collapsed, my brother knew it meant our father had also passed.”

“I’m so sorry. That… That must’ve been awful for both of you.”

Volik lets out a slow breath. “They would not have wanted to leave us. But I have comfort knowing they did not leave each other.”