“Morgan,” Sam says. He’s right behind me. “Do you feel that?”
“Yes,” Damien replies. In the torchlight, Dylan nods. The Immortals and Hildi look at us with confusion.
“She closed the circle.”
Which means one thing. She and Bunny have consummated their relationship. What we don’t know is Bunny’s frame of mind. Did he do this for us or the Morrigan? Which side is he on? Whatever the case, we now have a united bond. It also means that her power is fully balanced. She doesn’t need us to keep her even. She’ll have full control over an enormous amount of ability that she can use for good or evil.
“Do you think she’s ready?” I ask.
“I think Morgan is strong and steadfast,” Dylan replies.
A second wave rolls over me—us, and I cling to the wall. It’s not a bad feeling. Just overwhelming. I can’t help but ask, “And Bunny?”
Damien pushes past me to walk down the hall, his torch taking the light with him. “We’ll find out soon.”
30
Morgan
I can’t see the power, but I feel it. It’s in every inch of my body—trembling beneath my skin, in my muscles. Everything changed the instant Bunny entered me. No, everything changed with that first kiss from Clinton months ago. That simple touch cumulated in this event. My body hums in awakening. Not just physically but mentally as well.
Bunny lies next to me, his cheeks red. His copper eyes are clear and I lay a hand on his chest, feeling the heartbeat inside.
I understand now. His motives. His fears. His loyalty.
“I forgive you,” I say to him.
“I’ll earn that forgiveness for the rest of our lifetimes.” His fingers graze the under
side of my breast and a pool of heat gathers below my belly. There is no ache left in me, not after the explosive orgasm we just shared, but my body crackles and sparks with renewed desire.
I lean over to kiss him. It’s a kiss of forgiveness. A promise.
“They’re coming,” he says. Our noses are inches apart. “They’re in the tunnels.”
“I feel them.”
“They felt us,” he replies.
I open my mouth to tell him about my command; that they bring me an army, but a wave of chimes sounds from outside the cottage. There’s no mistaking. It’s time.
He kisses me where he marked me days ago and the rune ignites.
“Will that help?”
He shakes his head and slips his glasses on. “You don’t need my protection anymore. You’re strong and ready.” He touches the spot. “That’s for me. For you to remember who you belong to.”
I look down and see the outline isn’t the symbol from before but a darker brand.
Five flying ravens.
The white gown clings to the curves of my body like a second skin. I’ve seen the design before, it’s identical to the style the Morrigan prefers. It’s no surprise when I enter the enclosed field behind the castle that Anita is wearing the same one.
It’s dark, but the stone walkway leads to a paved area in the middle of green grass surrounded by flaming torches. Moonlight filters through the rooftop. The ceremony begins at midnight and we wait in a hidden area away from the crowd. Soldiers are positioned three feet apart. They’re everywhere. I strain my ears and search my heart for any signal of my guardians. I find nothing but the steady beat of my own pulse.
“I spent the afternoon reading books from the Queen’s library,” Anita says. Her face looks fresh, but I also see a bit of tiredness in her eyes. Her human vessel is feeling the strain of the Morrigan’s presence. I’ve had my guardians to help carry the weight of the Darkness. “I couldn’t sleep. Too excited, you know?”
“This is really what you want?” I ask her. She had a life. A family.