Page 43 of Urn My Love

“Protect Jazriel until he recovers,” I whispered, closing my eyes to focus on sending the trickle of energy into the veil, fearing if I stopped, all my work would collapse around my feet. For all I knew, it was like those knitting projects where a single stitch that wasn’t tied off could unravel the whole thing.

“There’s a sniper shooting at us. So get the two of you out of here and somewhere safe.”

“The pegasus can take care of himself,” August snapped, pressing down on the gunshot wound in my side to stop the bleeding. “And I took out the shooter on my way in. It’s going to be a challenge to ID what’s left of him.”

“He gave me too much energy. It’s going to take a long time for him to recover.”

“How did he do that? That’s what you need, right? Magic?” August demanded, his fear making him harsh.

“You can’t?—”

“Jazriel said you recharge with food, sleep, and sex.”

“It’s claiming the mate bond that makes me stronger and causes my power to grow.” My words slurred as I tried to answer him, but pushed the veil. “It’s not just sex.”

August pulled me into his lap, bracing my limp body against him. “Then claim me.”

I shook my head. There was no way I would trap him as my mate after he’d made it clear it wasn’t what he wanted.

“I want you, Iolani. You’re mine and I’m never leaving your side again, whether you choose to claim me or not.” August’s lips captured my mouth.

It was a kiss full of passion and longing, and my waning magic leaped along the thread between us. Power arched between us as our souls swirled like birds in the air.

“Take it all. Take everything you need. Drain me, but don’t use any more of your magic,” August growled against my lips.

His shifter magic hit me like a tidal wave, and the trickle of magic I was feeding into the veil turned to a rushing river.

The demonic sounding screeches filled the air as Azurea threw a tantrum. Her claws raked my back and down my neck.

August slowly lowered me onto the ground as he continued to kiss me, pouring his power and love into the bond. Then he covered me with his body and wrapped his wings around the three of us.

My ears popped with a pressure change as the veil snapped into place, steady and strong, with our magic weaving through it.

“Is it done?” August asked.

“Yes. We did it,” I whispered.

“Then sleep.” August’s lips pressed against my forehead. “I’ll protect you both for the rest of our lives.”

I wanted to tell him that was going to be a very long time, but sleep claimed me.

“Well, you definitely aren’t an early bird.” A feminine voice drifted into my dreams. “I need you to open your eyes. We are running out of time, and I need to tell you something before I have to go take care of things.”

With no small amount of effort, I squinted in the direction the voice was coming from. “Did I die?”

She laughed. “Close, but no cigar.”

Propping myself up on my elbow, I blinked at the woman with pale hair and brilliant blue eyes who watched me. “Belle?”

She held up her hands in surrender. “Guilty as charged.”

I rubbed my head. This had to be a dream.

“It’s a vision—just like the other two I showed you.” Belle pulled a nail file out of the thin air and filed her nail.

“That was you?” I asked, stunned. “I thought it was Azurea.”

“You think she would be helpful?” Belle scoffed. “No, we are on a tight timeline and I need you mated and at full power—like, yesterday.”

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