Page 191 of Echoes of the Banshee

She frowns slightly, and all the joy leaves me.

Is this… not forever?

“Will you—will you scream for me?” she asks, cautious.

“The mate scream?” I blink, stunned that could be what she means and then hope slams into me so fast it steals my breath.

“Only if you’re ready,” she says quickly, like she’s afraid she’s pushed too far.

Without a second thought, I let out a cry so raw, so guttural, it echoes through the room, shaking something loose in me. It’s a call only a mate would understand.

She doesn’t shy away. Instead, she glows faintly, and I feel her consciousness brush against mine.

“Thank you,” her voice whispers in my mind. “I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be whole… and without you, I’m incomplete.”

I brush my thumb along her cheek. “Did ya ever hear the story of the Celtic love knot?”

She looks up, eyes shining. “No beginning, Zair.”

“Reckon I did,” I say softly. “No end to it, Thea. I love ya fierce, so I do.”

Her hand curls around the back of my neck. “I know. You’ve always been rubbish at hiding it.”

I laugh, full-hearted, because it’s true.

“Would ya listen to yourself? You fell for this feckin’ eejit twice!”

Her laughter joins mine, my mate. We fall into one of those quiet silences, wrapped up in each other, our bond weaving tighter, our souls locking into place.

After a little while, I press a kiss to her forehead. “Are ya ready to tell me what happened to ya, then?”

She smiles faintly, eyes distant, voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s a long story.”

I kiss her again, heart steady for the first time in ages.

“I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

Mavrik

Congratulations to the happy couple. Now stop projecting it.

Even with the murder, the carnival continues. The body moved before the blood had the chance to stain the grass. It’s too loud and too bright. Too many shadows. They keep spooling around me, making my parents uncomfortable. I used to be able to control them better. Keep them in line. But lately they’ve been… rebellious.

I know what started it. I just don’t know why. Ever since the day Thea started in Misfits, I’ve felt like my shadows have two masters. They went to her even when I told them no.

I almost always know where she is, the shadows follow her, even more since the whole kidnapping event.

Maybe it’s because I’m thinking about her. Or maybe the shadows are assholes. Either way, they show me Thea… having sex.

Fucking wonderful.

Who with? Never mind. It doesn’t matter.

I’m certainly not going to study the image. Hopefully it’s Zair. I wouldn’t mind seeing his ass.

I’m not even jealous, I knew I didn’t have a chance.