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“I am yours.”
With our fingers intertwined above my head, our joining was a homecoming. So much unsaid between us was answered in passion, and both of us gave to the other the healing we needed and more. Our lovemaking was tender and conquering, a melding and a promise to never separate again. And when our bodies were sated we held each other in the quiet of our love, fully prepared for what was ahead of us tomorrow and the next day.
My head was pillowed on his chest, my hand resting on his stomach. Outside I could hear the murmuring of the Ongahri settling down for the night. The tent’s lantern had been extinguished and the only light I could see came from the fire outside the tent, its flame dancing on the canvas walls.
“That was why Demos and Phobius never seemed to have a scent,” Lucius said out of nowhere.
“Demos has always smelled like streams and forests to me. But Phobius? Nothing but air.”
“That’s odd. Wonder why you can scent Demos but not… his brother. Ongar, I’ve heard and seen some things in the course of my life that you wouldn’t believe, but what they told us tonight?”
“I know. And Seraphs, Lucius? I can’t decide which is more fantastical: they can turn into birds or that they are ancient beings of power.”
Lucius squeezed my bottom, and I snuggled closer to him. “So Fadon, huh?”
I raised my head and tried to read his expression, but I could barely make it out, it was so dark. “Yes. Fadon. If he can come to terms with what you revealed. I haven’t thanked you for being so understanding, so accepting.”
He kissed my head. “I wouldn’t say ‘so accepting.’ I can’t stand it, honestly. But I love you enough to love all of you, Sierra. And of all the men I know, I admit Fadon is the best of men. A True Alpha, honorable. You deserve nothing less than the best.”
I smiled, feeling tears in my eyes. “Wow, Lucius. I should run from you more often.” I yelped when his arms went around me so tightly the sound was more a squeak.
“Don’t you dare even consider it, Little Dove.” He captured my mouth and bit my lip. “I may be willful and sometimes play the brute, but I’m not oblivious or blinded by resentment. I know your worth. Besides, you made me your husband.” That last was said with a growl, and my toes curled.
“That I did.”
“No regrets?”
“None.” I kissed him, then laid my head on his chest once more, sighing with contentment. “What now?”
He let out a breath. “Now we ride as far as we can until we reach a village. Gather supplies, replenish our mounts, and seek the latest news.”
“And then?”
“And then repeat until we reach the Basilica.”
“What about that weapon?” My contentment faded away as fear took its place.
“The other leaders have sent word to their respective tribes, a few men from mine as well. An envoy will be arriving to remove the weapon and destroy it. And if not destroy it, then dismantle it.”
“I don’t even want to know how you came to learn about this weapon.” And I truly didn’t.
He kissed my head. “That’s what I prefer. But this will end. The days of being blind and on the sidelines are over, Sierra. Once this is done, I have a lifetime of enjoying everything already in my life and I plan on spending every moment exploring it.”
I sighed, the contentment returning. “Gods, that sounds wonderful. That’s exactly what I want, too. So much, I can taste it already.” Another contented sigh. “I just hope it’s over soon. I’m so tired of traveling.”
He chuckled. “Would you believe I am too? Marriage has made me want to live the life of an old man.”
My hand traveled down to his length, and it hardened at my touch. “Not too old, I hope.”
“Oh, never worry about that, Little Dove. Never worry about that.” And he showed me exactly what he meant.
The next day, we packed up early and headed out once more onto the cold, forest roads. Around noon we arrived on a main trade route, finally able to pick up speed. That day, I had started out riding with Lucius, and after lunch, rode with Demos. Fadon still wasn’t quite ready for company, had only kissed my forehead in passing on one of our breaks. I put no pressure on him, though, and like I’d told him that night, I allowed him to take as much time as he needed.
We arrived in the first village we’d come to, a few hours before midnight, all of us silent with fatigue and dirty with travel grit. I could barely walk up the steps that led to the rented room Lucius had gotten us for the night. As soon as he opened the door to the little room, I fell into the sunken bed that smelled like horses and fell instantly asleep.
“Melos, come on. Your breakfast is getting cold.”
I opened my eyes and saw blue ones staring back at me. My hand poked out of the blanket and found his forearm. “Mmm. So warm. Not at all cold.” My fingers crawled under his sleeve to feel his soft skin and taut muscle.
