Page 75 of The Hidden Guardian

“Oh, I …” It’s my turn to stammer and glance around. Truth is, I’ve been thinking about it. A lot. Like an embarrassing amount. It doesn’t help that we haven’t fooled around since the attack in the corridor. I needed some space, and he was healing. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Onai screams, “Oh. My. Gods.”

“Shhhhh.” I smack her.

“I’m sorry, I just can’t get over that you might be mated by morning. Gods, it’s about time. If I have to see you guys making googly eyes at each other one more day, I’m going to vomit.”

“I don’t think the googly eyes will stop after mating … will they?”

“I hope you guys aren’t going to be the type to just do it outside on the tables.”

“Gods, no.”

“I’m all for love, but get a room already.”

We laugh in unison, slipping to the floor beside each other. When the giggles die down, I lean my head against the wall. “How do I tell him I’m ready?”

“I’m no expert, but I don’t think there should be talking involved at all.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

“Onai!” I snort.

When all the words have been said, Onai rises to her feet. “I think it might be almost time for my full moon potion. Gods, sometimes I feel like it’s the only time I get any sleep around here.”

“Thank you, Onai. You’ve been nothing but nice to me since I arrived and …”

“Don’t.” She places a finger to her eyes brimming with unshed tears, “I am just so glad you decided to stay. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As she opens the door and steps a foot outside, she leans back in and says, “Wear the green one tonight.”

* * *

Renall enters as I’m trying on the dresses and admiring them in the reflective rock above the sink and he stops short. The dress is red and the V-neck is wide enough that both shoulders are practically peeking out. It has a tight bodice on the top and flares out from the waist.

“Brutiful,” he whispers and I turn to him.

He closes the space between us and places his forehead to mine.

“Tonight is a full moon, you know?”

One look in his eyes tells me he wasn’t just asking me if I wanted to have sex. No, he was asking if I was ready. Agreeing to stay is one thing, but am I ready to tie myself to him, heart and soul? Am I ready to tie myself to this cave? Take on their mission of protecting the Tree of Life?

I nod. “What if I don’t want to …”

“Then I will leave and come back in the morning. You know what you like. If the urge gets really bad tonight, you should be able to take care of yourself.”

“And what if Idowant to?”

He stills, his breath warming my face as his eyes darken. Slowly, very slowly, he states,“Then you and I will have the best night of our lives.”

My heart thunders at his words. I’ve already decided. I knew the moment I leapt to the cave floor to be with him, the moment our fates were intertwined, that I wasn’t leaving. There was no more running. No more pretending that I don’t want this just as much as he does.

“I don’t know when it was my heart healed, or when the sting of my brother’s death no longer kept me up at night. But it did. I am healing, I am mending all those lost pieces of me, until I finally feel like myself again. Better than me. Because I am no longer afraid, and I am no longer alone. Slowly this place has become my home, this cave is our cave, and these are our people. I’m not afraid of what that means. I’m not scared of anything except a life without you.”

I trace a finger down his perfect jawline as he shivers and closes his eyes.

He groans and I take advantage of his open mouth and kiss him deeply, grabbing his neck and pulling him to me, hooking my legs around his thighs.

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