Her breath hitched.
As she hedged, panic tore through him. This truly was a one-shot deal. If she said no, he’d never have the chance to summon the gift again.
Davian did not want to lose Jade. He’d confessed to not handling the situation with her in the best manner, but he knew now they had the potential to work together and resolve the complications they encountered. But he also had to face that, in his heart and soul, he wanted her to be an immortal. Not just because she’d be markedly safer, but so that they could share endless years together.
Her gaze remained locked with his and he could see she was overwhelmed with the decision presented to her. Damn it. He should have given her more time. He should have considered that she’d need to process this and—
“Yes.”
Davian’s heart soared.
“I will spend an eternity with you,” she swore. “Happily.”
His hands cupped her face and he kissed her. She responded with equal fervor and Davian knew they had finally found their common ground. It turned out to be unwavering devotion.
When he eventually pulled away, he said, “I love you, Jade.”
She smiled up at him. “You’d better. We’re going to be together for a very long time.”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
“You had me going there for a moment.”
“Forever isn’t easy to quantify.”
He kissed her once more, then loosened his embrace. “Where’d you pick up that term?”
“I’ve dabbled with the mathematics books you added to Lisette’s library. But Sheena will have to tutor me. I’m at a complete loss when it comes to Calculus.”
“Think of all the time you’ll have to master it.”
“That’s the advantage to immortality.”
His brow crooked. “There’s just one?”
She nipped his lower lip and murmured, “Teasing, remember?” Then another thought occurred to her. “How can you be sure I’m immortal now? Shouldn’t there have been a bolt of lightning from the sky or some sort of high-voltage jolt within me? I don’t feel any different.”
“It’s not an invasive transformation. The power flows in your bloodstream.” Releasing her, he stepped up to the ledge of the church and tugged on her hand so she joined him.
“You’re not going to push me over the edge in order to test this, are you?”
“Of course not,” he said with a smirk. Holding her hand, he told her, “Be still and listen.” He gave her a few seconds, then asked, “What do you hear?”
“Birds chirping.”
“Beyond that.”
She concentrated harder. “Tree limbs brushing against each other from a light gust of wind. The stream of water that’s broken through the ice trickling downriver. Voices.” Her eyes narrowed. “No, just one voice. Near my cottage. Toran? He’s wondering where I went without Walker’s horse. But…he’s muttering.”
“Your senses are heightened.”
“Yes.” Her gaze swept the clearing on the opposite riverbank and the woods that started at the base of the mountain. He watched her closely. “I can see farther. Hear more acutely. And now I feel…a little strange. Your hand.” Her eyes dropped to where their fingers were entwined. “Your touch is even more electrifying.”
“So you know what I feel every time I’m with you.”
She stared up at him once more. “I feel…incredible. Euphoric, even. And my veins are actually humming now.”