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We stay in the lake most of the morning. Eventually, Kole joins us, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as hot as his half-naked Viking frame striding into the water. When his long dark hair gets wet, I realize I’m wrong. Now, he’s the hottest thing ever.

Kole is holding my waist, wrapping my legs around his middle, when Luther emerges from the trees. He stands, watching us for a moment, then Kole says, “Maybe we should dry off?”

I unhook my legs from him and follow him as he wades back onto the shore. The others join us. When he reaches the sand, Snow shakes himself all over then turns effortlessly back into Mack. We grab blankets from the pile Kole and Mack brought from the cave and wrap them around ourselves.

“If only we had hot chocolate,” I mutter.

“Coffee will have to do, I’m afraid, Little Star.” Kole sets the silver camping kettle into the middle of our little fire, then sits down and gestures for me to sit between his knees.

Wrapping his blanket around both of us, he kisses the spot below my ear. I’m about to turn and kiss him when I realize I need to pee. Jumping up, I tell him I’ll be back, and head for the trees to relieve myself.

I’m only gone a minute or so, but when I return the guys are talking in hushed voices. They look up when they see me. Frowning at them suspiciously, I scoop up my clothes and tug them on. The guys do the same, none of them speaking.

Finally, I put my hands on my hips and say, “What the heck is going on? Are you plotting to kidnap me and stop me from going to The Hollow?” I laugh a little, trying to make light of the situation. “Because I could take you all down. You know I could.”

Luther is the first to step forward. Before I realize what’s happening, he takes my hand and folds down onto one knee. I blink at him, utterly confused.

“Luther, get up,” I hiss, but he simply stares up at me.

“Nova,” he says, his breath catching in his throat. “I have never loved anyone the way I love you. Never thought I could.” His eyes flicker a little as he tries to jokingly add, “Especially a human.”

Tears have sprung to my eyes, but I have no idea why. I laugh and wipe them with the back of my free hand. “I love you too.”

Luther reaches into his pocket and opens his palm. Inside sits a small wooden ring. Not glossy or polished, but beautiful all the same. He lets go of me and picks up the ring, holding it with his thumb and forefinger. So solemnly it almost makes me giggle, he meets my gaze and says, “I pledge myself to you with this ring. Will you accept it?”

A heady mixture of overwhelming love and emotion swirls in my chest. Is this a mage tradition or is Luther just making this up? Whatever the answer is, I know my answer straight away. “Yes,” I whisper. “Of course, I will.”

Luther presses his lips to my knuckles, kissing them gently, then slides the ring onto my left hand. My ring finger. Where an engagement ring would sit. I stare down at it before he stands, sweeps me into his arms, and kisses me.

I’m still giddy when he steps away, and I realize Sam is now the one kneeling in front of me. I look around at the others. Holy hell. They are all holding small wooden rings.

“It has always been you,” Sam says, his deep dark eyes staring up into mine. “I pledge myself to you with this ring. Will you accept it?”

I nod, unable to speak. As Sam slides his ring onto my little finger, tears start falling. He stands, cups my face, and kisses the tears on my cheek. Then lets Tanner take his place.

Looking down at Tanner’s floppy hair and wide smile, I can’t help laughing. Before he says anything, I wiggle my hand at him. “I accept,” I tell him. “I really, fucking accept.”

Tanner’s ring fits my middle finger. When it’s firmly in place, he picks me up and whirls me around. “You’re a terrible swimmer,” he mutters, “but you’ve been my girl since the moment I set eyes on you.” His finger brushes the ring he gave me. “Now, you always will be.”

For some reason, when Mack sinks to the floor at my feet and holds out his offering, chills snake up and down my arms. Seeing him like that—vulnerable, opening his heart to me—makes me want to fall into his arms and never leave them. “You reached a part of me I thought was lost forever,” he mutters, brushing his lips across my fingers. With a knot in his throat, he manages to say, “Little Star, I pledge myself to you with this ring. Will you accept it?”

I nod, unable to reply, and offer him my hand. He slides the ring onto my index finger, kisses it, then stands and pulls me to him. Tucking my head under his chin, I breathe in his scent and the feel of his warm arms encircling me.

Then he joins the others, standing in a semi-circle behind me. And it is Kole’s turn.

He looks down at the ring in his hand but remains a few paces away from me. I stand with my arms at my sides, watching him. Images flash through me. That first night in the rain, and all the times after. “Little Star,” he breathes as he closes the gap and bends his knee in front of me.

“Kole…” I smooth my palm over his long dark hair, then cup the side of his face. He closes his eyes and leans into my touch.

You have always been a part of me. You will always be a part of me.

I shiver and take his hand. When he opens his eyes, he whispers, “Promise you’ll come back to us.”

I nod, tears running in rivers down my cheeks now. “I promise,” I reply.

“Nova,” Kole says. “I pledge myself to you with this ring. Will you accept it?”

Barely able to breathe, I reply, “Of course, I do.”