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"I’ve realizedto be both It was in not learning how to do it well I need you, Kougar I’ain It’s not even in the best interest ofallies, and there are none stronger than you and yourthat the Ilinas can help in this war, and you’re going to let us this time"

A smile softened her words, but the steel in her eyes told hi her out of it And, truthfully, he didn’t want to

"I’ll be fighting at your side, Kougar, living at Feral House, if your chief will havethe Crystal Realm for centuries They don’t need me for that And, unless I’m mistaken, I’m needed here" She reached out and placed her hand over his heart "With you"

Kougar felt hisinto a fierce, prihted itself, finally Co, loving her with his eyes as he leaned forward to kiss her Lilies of the valley filled his senses, love singing its Ilina song in his head--the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard aside from Ariana’s sweet voice His heart overflowed on a rush of love that cleansed hiainst her soft lips "By the Ferals, butbond in the ritual with me Be mine for always"

She pulled back to look into his eyes, her own shining with the sa tears

"I always have been yours, Kougar And I alill be Always"

Epilogue

In the ritual room deep beneath Feral House, Lyon intoned the ancient rite ofas he dribbled the co altar, a job that was usually Kougar’s That night Kougar played a different role As the chanting continued, he drove into the woht blue eyes shining with love and heat and power as they joined in thisminds and hearts and souls to the power that would bind them for eternity This time, without the interference of her , the Ilinas acting as a privacy curtain as they circled the altar, their backs to the y Beyond the the floral-scented air, for before the ar had filled the rooar knew Lyon had poured the last of theirburst of power barreled through him As one, he and Ariana came with roars of unbridled joy, and he sank into the beauty of her essence as she turned tobond, which had already been all but fully renewed, transforht that flared out into the roolow A bond so inal, than he’d ever thought possible

Ariana, her gaze locked with his, began to laugh, and he joined her, euphoric, then pulled out of her to kneel on the altar and adjust his clothing She turned back to flesh and sat up, lowering her ritual gown to her knees

The Ilinashis bride into his arms

A cheer went up fro hi his mate, the wariness hich they’d always treated hione Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing Soave way, the Ilinas gathered around Ariana with soft touches and presses of cheek to cheek They were happy for their queen and friend, but their wariness of hione Not by a long shot

"Where’s Melisande?" Kougar asked, when the last of the Ilinas had stepped back, giving the theyou’d end it witharound" With a soft sed "She not only didn’t try to stop the , she attendedand didn’t try to kill anyone"

"I see your point I guess that’s the best we’re going to get for now"

"For now"

"Tighe!" Delaney’s cry sent the roohe and Hawke, both still unconscious, had been placed on pallets along one wall and blooded with the rest of the Ferals The Shaed the to draw the on the pallet at Tighe’s head, stroking his hair

But at her cry, all hearts clutched with fear, Kougar’s included Until he saw Tighe’s eyes blink open, a di his ar let out a deep breath of relief Thank the goddess

"Did I dreahe’s voice was hoarse with disuse but possessed a thread of strength that told Kougar he was going to be fine