Page 48 of Dreaming of Darkness

“So again, not an exaggeration. You are just unused to hearing from a male who is both truthful and desperately in love with you.”

I stared. “I could get used to it.”

“You should.”

He slipped me down, carefully setting me on my own legs in front of his home. I raced my hands on his biceps, steadying my still shaking legs. “I mean it Traum. I could get used to all of this. This life–here–with you.”

His eyes were glowing red, “What are you saying?”

“I want to be your mate, Traum. I want to be a part of all of this, forever.”

Traum’s soft growl made my stomach swoop low. “Be sure, little dream. There is no taking this back.”

“No regrets. No taking it back,” I reached up, smoothing a hand over his cheek, “I’m yours.”

The kiss he dropped onto my lips was devastatingly sweet, his tongue gently playing against my swollen mouth. “And I am yours.”

I nodded, a hot tear slipping free as I looked up at him. “What now?” The words were followed up by a chuckle as I heard the crash of someone just beyond the door. This time when Traum groaned, his body language showing only barely contained exasperation.

“I will claim you as one of my people would,” Another crash sounded on the other side of the door. Traum’s ruby-eyes rolled skyward, “But not here.”

I giggled, my heart so light I could barely focus. “Probably a good idea. Come see me, soon, tomorrow, next week, as soon as you can.”

Traum’s finger traced my cheekbones. “I will. The bond will be complete. We will decide our next steps. And then, little dream, our future begins.”

“I love you.” I whispered to him.

His words were muffled as I leaned in and stole one more kiss before our evening ended.

Chapter Fourteen

Traum

I didn’t know how much more time we’d have. Together, snuggled up in my bed, we listened to Antheia and Grandmother drunkenly play card games with another two succubi. I’d been surprised to find my sister inside the house when we returned, but I didn’t ask any questions. I did not want to know the status of my younger sister’s sexual exploits. But it still surprised me.Zaldi had told me that he’d spent the early part of the ceremony shooeing curious incubus males away from our sister.

And while I wished that we’d hadn’t been interrupted and I could have asked Bailey more about this forever we both craved. It wasn’t fazed by waiting. It no longer seemed desperate. This thing between us, while explosive, was smoothing out, like the river after a storm, our emotions settled, the knowledge that we both share the same needs and wants was a weight off my shoulders.

My tail flicked out, wrapping itself around Bailey’s ankle as she slept. Even it knew hwo precious this time was. The coin’s ability to allow her though the boundary would war out soon. Arafel had said that they could last no longer than a day. And when I’d come to the living world, I had need there for only a few hours.

This was a gift, I refused to second guess.

Until she was mine forever. Then we could sleep like this, all wrapped up together in my sheets until the Underworld ceased to exist.

“Can’t sleep?”

“Just not ready for the day to end,” I said, honestly. I leaned over her, pressing my lips against the smooth skin of her throat. Under my mouth, her pulse was lazy and relaxed.

Bailey rolled towards me, “I’m so tired, but it’s like something electric is just pulling between us. Pushing us together, pulling us apart. Is that the bond?”

“It could be. We would have to ask Albtraum or Rifa. They would tell you honestly.”

“Will they be disappointed that you’re mated to a human?”

I snorted, “Did you see them tonight? They are infatuated with you.”

Her pretty lips curved, “You think so?”

“You have a home in their hearts no matter what.”

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