Page 91 of Toward Immortal Ruin

One of a kind.

It figured that she’d develop abilities only the oldest werewolves and vampires had shown. Nero had taken pride when he’d made the discovery, and Eden had instantly set about researching everything on the topic she could find in the one place that held many answers: their archive room.

Yes, professor,he replied.Thank you. But now we should hurry, we can’t very well be late for our own mating ceremony.

As the remainder of the deployment team vanished, so did Eden and Nero. The moment they materialized in their bedroom, Eden’s mouth was on his.

It was passionate, possessive, and far too pleasurable. His panther purred as he devoured his mate, and Nero found himself nearly calling off the ceremony to enjoy an afternoon alone with her.

She reared back mid-kiss, adopting an admonishing look when he whimpered. “Bad kitty. We have places to be, Nero, things to do.”

“Can’t we just stay here and—”

“Nope.” She grinned. “It’s funny. When we met, all you ever did was go from task to task, and now you’re the one hoping to cancel. My, how Coffee Shop has changed.”

“Like you’re one to talk. The only time you weren’t alone was when you were teaching, and now you’re constantly surrounded by immortals of all kinds.”

She stood on her toes to place a chaste kiss on his lips. “We’re good for each other, I think.”

It was the truth. Before they’d met, Nero had been suffocated by responsibility. His mind had never rested, and it had led to insomnia and the constant urge to keep moving. Eden had taught him how to center himself—to set and protect boundaries instead of always keeping them open. While he encouraged her to seek new horizons, she would always center him: she was his home.

“It’s bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day,” she taunted. “See you at the altar, Coffee Shop.”

She was gone before he could pull her back in for another kiss. Panther prowling under his skin, Nero readied himself before their guests started arriving. It was two hours later that he stood alongside the other members of the Peace Accords, waiting for his bride.

Zeke, who was typically the quietest member of any gathering, offered him a genial smile. “Ready for this?”

“Eleven centuries ready.”

They moved collectively toward the outdoor area that’d been decorated with rustic accents. It was nearly ten at night, and the moon had just begun rising. Sobering, he clapped Zeke on the shoulder and held tight.

“Nina has my deepest gratitude for what she did for Eden.”

“It wasn’t just for Eden, Nero. It was for you, too.” Zeke’s tone conveyed the depth of his sincerity. “You’ve been confidants for centuries, and friends for the better portion of your lives. There’s little she wouldn’t do for you, and I’ve a feeling the sentiment is mutual.”

Swallowing against the thick emotion that suddenly seemed to choke him, Nero nodded and squeezed Zeke’s shoulder again before releasing him. Nothing else needed to be said.

By the time he’d stood at the altar, he’d regained some semblance of control over his burgeoning emotions.

When Eden appeared at the end of the aisleway, his every thought fled. Fighting leathers, a deep, robust shade of emerald that complemented her vibrant red hair, clung to her curvy frame in a way that instantly made his blood heat.

Hope, adoration, and confidence infused her smile, as though she could barely contain her happiness. Glass-green eyes shimmered, illuminated by the firelit torches that bracketed the aisle. Everything about her was marvelous. And she washis.

Epilogue

Eden’s father had beamedall the way through their father-daughter dance. He’d been teleported from the West Coast the day before after they explained to him that she had joined the immortal world. He hadn’t batted an eye. His one concern was her happiness, and he’d simply replied, ‘That’s good enough for me.’

Eden had never felt more loved than she did today.

The moment she’d left Nero, she’d walked straight into the arms of her bridesmaids. Though she didn’t know any of them exceptionally well, they were the most supportive women she’d met in ages—and she knew their relationships would grow with time.

Zia, Key, and Nina had worked together to help her prepare for the ceremony. When she looked in the mirror, she almost hadn’t recognized herself. In a month’s time, she’d become a healthier, happier version of herself. The cancer had vanished, and her family had grown by hundreds.

It was a life she’d never thought to imagine.

All evening, Nero had introduced her to fascinating immortals. Their bond flared with how proud he was to show off his mate to delegates from the Peace Accords, and the other nations. The Elementals appeared the most human-like, but they wore their unmistakable power like an almost palpable cloak of ability that Eden could’ve sensed a mile away.

The werewolves welcomed her with open arms, and the vampires were a force onto themselves.

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