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‘I don’t think I’ve ever been better,’ I said honestly.

She smiled—then sent an image of something she thought might be better, and I cursed under my breath. Leaving me there, with leathers suddenly too tight, she grinned, then turned back to the fire and the chatter. But there were points of color high on her cheeks.

So, an hour later, when Ronen made the first noises about returning to the Keep for rest before patrol tomorrow and Grace tensed like she might get up, I clamped a hand to her hip and didn’t let her move.

As the brothers got up to douse the fire with water, and Bren stood over Grace to discuss having dinner together the following day, I didn’t move. Just held her there.

When they were all picking up harnesses to return to their dragons, Gil gave me a curious look. “You coming, Vos? Princess needs her beauty sleep.” As a mated couple, we’d been assigned an unused squad captain’s quarters in the barracks. There wasn’t a lot of space, but we could lock the door, and the walls were thick.

It was better than smothering cries in a pillow in the loft of the stables.

“I’ll handle that,” I said with a snort. “You guys go ahead.”

Gil rolled his eyes, and there were a few more jabs about Grace needing to rest, but I ignored them, smiling when they sank into the dark and Grace finally looked at me over her shoulder.

“You want to stay out here?” she asked quietly.

I shook my head. “We’re going to the Solitude,” I replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “And we’re going to celebrate.”

Her wicked grin was the best thing I’d seen all day. So I pulled her back into a kiss.

When we finally broke apart, she looked aside. Our squad had all disappeared into the trees, or already taken off on their dragons.

Grace smiled happily and stroked my face. “I like you like this,” she murmured. “So open and… happy.”

“Me, as well.” I let my voice gravel and picked up her little hand, turning it over in mine and stroking a finger along the lines of her palm. “Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten.”

Her brow furrowed. “Forgotten what?” She stepped closer, dropping her voice, obviously certain I was about to reveal a hidden pain, or old wound.

But I smiled, dropped her hand and leaned into her ear, cupping her neck with one hand. “You embarrassed me in front of the brothers and Bren, Grace. I can’t just let that be.”

Her head jerked back, her expression worried and eyes wide, to lock onto mine.

I was still smiling.

She blinked, then frowned. “Are you joking, or are you angry?”

“Oh, I’m not joking,” I purred. But because I smiled, she was still confused. “Grace, it’s time.”

“Time for what?”

I leaned back in and let my lips brush her ear as I whispered, “Time for me to make you pay, beautiful. Now… Run.”

I laughed when her eyes went wide, then she bolted like a fucking rabbit.

Always for You

~ GRACE ~

Hours later, the air in the treehouse no longer felt chilly.

After running from him until he tackled me and made me submit and apologize—both of us cackling like children—we’d flown here. I was sweaty from all the running, but between the flight, and my body cooling, it had felt cold here when we first stripped down.

Now, I was sweating again as I lay naked atop the furs, fingers digging in, grabbing handfuls, because Voski knelt between my legs, and his ministrations were beautiful torture.

I floated above myself, my body humming and trembling. My body felt strange—languid and weary, but thrilled. And my heart was light.

Something in my mate had shifted, and it had never been more apparent than this evening. We’d flown to the treehouse clearing in near silence. But he kept me plastered to his chest, his breath fluttering against my hair, and the heat of our bodies helping us remain warm in our still-damp leathers.