“And you ended those creatures. We"re safe and alive. ”
Because she was tough and tenacious, clever and strong. Because she"d refused to become anyone"s victim and die easily.
“And we succeeded together,” he murmured, kissing her softly.
“This is where I leave,” Duke muttered grabbing a few of the bodies and disappearing.
After he departed, Caden and Ice followed suit, each grabbing more of the fallen to haul them away. Marrok placed one hand on Caden"s shoulder, and held three bodies with the other.
In the next moment, the small group disappeared.
Bram approached the twins, looking from one to the other before he fixed his gaze on Ronan. “Not bad for a first effort and no training. Want to join us permanently?”
The fight would be dangerous and long and filled with struggle. He looked at Kari, who said, “I think you should. Forces like this can"t be allowed to prevail. There"s strength in numbers. ”
“Exactly,” Bram seconded, then looked at Ronan again, “So?”
/> Slowly, he nodded, seeing their wisdom. “The cause is worthy and the battle necessary. I will. ”
“And you?” Bram slanted a gaze at Raiden.
His twin snorted. “Someone has to keep him out of trouble. ”
“Our bond was invaluable today,” Ronan said solemnly. “Thank you. ”
Raiden sighed. “I might have wanted you to fuck off, but not forever. If you"re going to join this war, I"ll follow. ”
Ronan"s heart filled as he brought his twin close for a brotherly hug. After a moment, Raiden returned the gesture.
“Will she Bind to you now?” his brother asked softly in his ear.
“I hope so. Will you accept her?”
After a brief pause, he nodded. “If she makes you happy. ”
“You will find your own happiness. ”
Raiden pulled away with a tight, empty smile. “See to your woman. I will confer with Bram and inform you later. ”
Ronan hated that his brother couldn"t picture his own happiness, but time would hopefully reveal the path to him. “Thank you. ”
Raiden and Bram collected the remaining bodies, then teleported away.
“What was that about?” Kari asked.
“An understanding. ”
“Perhaps we can have one as well?” Tynan asked. “If you"re going to join the Doomsday Brethren, we must learn acceptance and trust. ”
Ronan"s eyes narrowed. He had Called to Kari, and she had told him that she loved him and begged to Bind to him, not Tynan. He needed to keep that in mind.
“You will maintain proper behavior with Kari. ”
Tynan raised a dark brow. “She will be as she has ever been: the little sister I never had. ”
“As you"re the annoying big brother who tries to tell me how to run my life,” Kari teased.
In their exchange, he saw affection but not desire. Finally, the last of his worries eased away. “Very well. I sense we will need friends in the dark days ahead. ”
“Indeed. ” Tynan shook his hand, then disappeared, leaving him and Kari blessedly alone.
So many things he wished to say to her. After nearly losing his life—after nearly seeing Kari lose hers—he would not losing her again. He needed her as his mate. Now.
“Bind to me,” he commanded softly.
Her gaze tripped up to his, wide and startled. “What about the curse?”
“Whether I"m cursed or not hardly matters. I now know that ten minutes with you is far better than an eternity without you. Avoiding you to avoid the pain only made me hurt worse.
Every moment we have is precious. You are precious. I love you. Please, Bind to me. ”
She smiled, and tears of joy seeped from the corners of her eyes. “As I become a part of you, you become a part of me. I will be honest, good, and true. I heed your Call. „Tis you I seek.
From this moment on, there is no other for me but you. ”
Rightness settled across his skin, into his bones. This woman was meant for him, and he for her. Nothing would ever keep them apart again.
“For one cursed, how did I get so lucky?” he asked softly, then pressed a kiss to her mouth. “How did we get so lucky?”
“You"re not cursed, and we"re not lucky. ” With a mischievous smile, she pulled at his shirt until it fell to the ground. She did the same with her own. “We"re fated. ”