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Zyanya’s remaining forces had surrendered and were at the farthest edge of the encampment. My heart leapt as I saw Lyka there, directing Fenris’s forces. Abi, Gilbert, and Piers were nearby organizing. Cody and Keziah, as well as several other shifters, were back in their human forms. Morgan and Val were with several other witches, already helping the injured.
Someone seemed to notice we’d arrived, and they cheered and clapped. Suddenly, the entire camp followed suit. All eyes were on us as we walked toward our friends, people I didn’t know calling out to us and applauding. For once, I didn’t feel the need to disappear—though I was glad I’d magically summoned the last thing I’d been wearing before I’d burst into flames.
The applause abruptly halted as Lyka stalked over to us, his expression dour while he looked us up and down. I tensed, briefly fearing the fighting had been too much for him to handle. Even Fenris paused, his expression unreadable as he eyed his brother. When he was only a few feet away, Lyka stopped and got down on one knee, baring his neck to his brother in the ultimate sign of submission.
“I pledge my loyalty to you, the Lunar Lord,” he rumbled. When he looked back up at us, his eyes shone proudly.
Fenris beamed. “I accept your loyalty, Lyka, my brother,” he said, motioning for his brother to stand.
Lyka got back to his feet and turned to the rest of the gathering crowd. “The Solar Sovereign is dead!” he announced. Cheers burst forth again. “The Lunar Lord has his Lunar Bride! We are entering an age of peace and prosperity, and we should rejoice!”
Everyone whooped and laughed, hugging one another as they celebrated. I beamed as I watched them, elated by the joysurrounding us. Then I shivered, my wolf suddenly pressing on me. For a moment, I thought she was simply glad to be free of Zyanya’s command, but as I gazed at Fenris’s profile, I realized I hadn’t claimed him back; I hadn’t had the time earlier.
In a fit of impulsivity, I shifted in his grip, leaning over to place a firm bite to the side of his neck. Fenris stiffened, but then made a relieved, happy noise.
A righteous energy settled over me as my wolf seemed to thrum, a warmth rushing through me as I realized it wasn’t just a wholeness, butFenrisI felt.
It was Fenris’sloveI was feeling.
I let out a girlish giggle, overwhelmed with howhappyhe made me. Our bond was complete, and I would never be without him. Not even time could tear us apart.
Chapter 28
Celeste
La Palais de la Découverte
Paris, France
Three Months Later
I smiled up at the shifting skies as the guide explained the constellations we saw in French. I knew she’d switch back to English soon, but I already knew those constellations.
Going to France had always been on my bucket list, specificallyforLa Palais de la Découverte. But of course, I’d devoured any material about the skies over western Europe when Abi and I had planned our ultimate vacations back in college. I just hadn’t expected to fulfill my dreams when I’d sketched it out. Not like this.
And here I am.
I glanced at Fenris out of the corner of my eye, unable to keep myself from smiling as I moved my hand to join his on the armrest between us. I saw him tip his head, though he kept his eyes on the show while I studied him. I knew planetariums weren’t his thing, but he found such an interest in them, anyway.
It warmed my heart, knowing he did that forme.Once upon a time, I’d dated the type of man who’d feign an interest just to get me to stop talking. But Fenris? Even without our shared bond, I knew he was enjoying the show, that he took pleasure in learning something new.
My heart soared as I pored over this revelation for at least the sixteenth time since Fenris and I had embarked on our world tour. Then I blinked before tearing up from the pure joy he filled me with.Never did I believe I’d ever feel like this.We could’ve been anywhere at that moment, even on the couch in my old apartment back in Tallahassee, and it wouldn’t have mattered. Fenris cared aboutme, and he made a point to show it. Sometimes, it was hard to believe he was real.
Trying to keep myself from getting too carried away, I gave his fingers a gentle squeeze before I looked back up at the night sky. Despite my interest in the show, my mind kept wandering to the wolf shifter sitting beside me. I only lasted a few minutes before I squeezed his hand again, moving just enough so I could lace our fingers together. I could sense his amusement through our bond without even looking at him.
A few minutes later, I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip as I reached my mind out to his through our shared bond, imagining a specific scenario from our first meeting. This was nothing and everything like that time back in Florida, but if you’d told me then I’d fall in love with the handsome man who’d just happened to be on my last tour, I’d never have believed you. And yet…
The Challenger Learning Center didn’t have the brightest lighting right now—the perfect setting, then, for a private tour. Private tours weren’t something I did often, but how could I say no when a man as handsome as Fenris was standing in front of me?
The Lunar Lord looked stunning in well-fitting black pants and a light blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up. His amber eyes met mine, and I smiled, waving my hand for him to join me as I led him farther down the dark hall.
“And if you look here…” I said as I cleared my throat, trying not to get caught up in Fenris’s charm. He was watching me, aware this was a shared vision, but I was still going to have my fun. I wasn’t about to let him distract me from this. Not just yet. “This is Gemini. Did you know the ancient Romans saw these twins as Romulus and Re—”
I grinned when he appeared next to me, soundless despite his great speed. My eyes met his again, and my pulse quickened. I knew he’d never hurt me, but the displays of Fenris’s power always lit a fire inside me. That burning used to frighten me, but not anymore.
I leaned closer to him and inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of my mate, the comforting smell of woodsmoke and cinnamon. My whole body relaxed as if trained to that scent alone. If I could wrap myself up like a blanket in that smell, I would. I always knew I was safe when I was with him.
“I did know that,” Fenris all but growled, interrupting my train of thought as he closed in on me with a wicked smirk.
