Page 32 (2/2)
"A couple are," Olivia told her "Or were Most of the ones ent into that vortex were Mage"
Delaney strode around the pile of bodies, her hands clasped on top of her head as if she struggled to hold herself together
"Dudes!" one of the hurowled, circling close to where the women stood "If he calls us ’dudes’ onehis throat out"
"They’re not here," Lyon said finally "Thank the goddess"
Jag returned to Olivia, his expression grave "Liv" He raked his wet hair back froitated, alh hers and led her away froe of the woods, he led her beneath a thick oak that sheltered them from most of the rain
He turned her to face him In his expression, in his eyes, she saw pain, and deter love
Her heart skipped a beat, swelling until she thought it would no longer fit inside her chest
A flash of devilleaentleness "I just want you to know, Red, I’ If it takes a thousand years, I’ed That I’ve dealt with o of it, and aers slid into her hair, his thu to be a man you could love, Olivia Because I love you in to roll down her cheeks
"I’ll never force you, Liv At least not where it counts You’re oddess that someday you’ll know it"
In his eyes, she saw the truth of his words And if she had any doubt, his actions today had proved that truth over and over as he’d fought desperately to save her
That light that had flared to life in herher with an endless gloarmth and love
She cocked her head "They say a leopard can’t change his spots"
Pamela Palmer Rapture Untamed
"Liv" The word ached
She pressed her hand to his cheek and sood thing you’re not a leopard"
He watched her, his gaze blazingly intent "Does that mean you believe "
The tension flowed out of his features, joy rushing in "You are my forever, Liv There will never be anyone but you And I’ll make you happy I swear it"
Olivia pressed her pal hiht Her heart sang She had no illusions that Jag would ever be a gentleman or ever be entirely tame But that was fine with her
She pulled back and slid his hair back with her fingers "I need to be able to trust you and to know that you always have ers trailed down his cheeks, and she leaned in and licked his nipple
A purr ru to her tease
She pulled back and looked up at hi I want is a tah And then he had her pressed back against the tree, his ar her as he kissed her with a fierce tenderness that brought tears to her eyes
When he pulled back, he framed her face with his hands, both hands now, his arms all but healed "You were meant for me, Liv I’ve waited my whole life for you"
She looked into his eyes and saw no trace of the old guilt, anger, or hatred She saw only love and devotion, and a hint of devilment that she hoped would never die
In his eyes blazed a pro to spend the rest ofthat I was meant for you, too, Red"
Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck as she stared into the eyes of the man she loved, the man who’d been destined to be her mate
You were meant to liveHer father’s words whispered in her head froo And deep in her heart she knew her entire existence had been leading her to this ht flickered over the dark-paneled walls and ceiling of the ritual rooic still charging the air Still buzzing fro he’d ever known, Jag lifted his precious mate down from the altar, where they’d opened the the, loving eyes caressed his face as he set her on the ground, her own face flushed and radiant With her bright red hair brushing the sheer blood red of the ritual gown, she ithout a doubt, the most beautiful woman who’d ever lived
And she was his now His
His mate His love His life
Around theleaht, lifted their fists into the air, shouting their approval in a tradition as old as tih, their eyes bright, were the three Feral wives, Kara, Delaney, and Skye
If not for the shitload of he and Hawke trapped where no one could reach theht just be perfect
For the first ti felt like he could breathe freely, without the terrible weight on his chest, a weight he’d never even realized he’d been carrying Yes, he’d made mistakes, some terrible ones But he’d never intentionally hurt anyone And forgiving hi pulled Olivia against hi, slender shoulders as the others gathered around to congratulate the briefly over his features, for a riave Olivia a kiss on the cheek
"May the goddess bless this union forevermore," Lyon said formally, then held out his hand to Olivia When she placed hers in hissaid you were both fine withhis bedchamber down here I want to be certain you understand this isn’t a lack of trust but strictly a safety precaution in case you ever gain unintended strength again, and Jag’s not close enough to warn you"
Olivia nodded "I not only understand, Lyon, but I prefer it this way We’ll both sleep better"
The basement extended well beyond the footprint of the house, h lead-lined drywall to cover the walls of a nice-sized bedchamber Yesterday, they’d installed it, then he and Olivia had run a test to see if it worked It had The lead blocked nearly all of her feeding Even if she accidentally fed hard, only soht outside the door, would be affected And since Jag would be the only one sharing her bed, and he always felt her feed, that wouldn’t be a probleet a brand-new rooht watching ht the draden"
She cut her eyes at hirin "And we can get as rough as ithout anyone beating down the door or pounding on the walls What’s not to love about this arrange serious "Thanks, Lyon You’ve accepted the woift most fear, and you’ve allowed us to reuts"