Page 76 of The Hidden Guardian

He smiles against my lips, pulling softly away,“Easy, love, we have all night.”He chides,“Finish getting dressed, there’s something I want you to see.”

“Better than Luna Lake?”

“Better. Get ready.”He kisses me fast.“I’ll be back.”

* * *

Renall arrived shortly after sunset. I can tell because my skin started to get that flush to it, and everything is becoming more and more sensitive the longer I sit here and do my makeup. I found some of the bottles alongside the tub are perfumes, pigments, and kohl.

In his hands is a basket, and his other hand holds a curved bottle that almost looks like …

“Is that wine?”

“Moon wine.” He nods.

“I didn’t know the cave had alcohol.”

He doesn’t respond as he places the basket down on the couch, probably because he doesn’t understand. I step out from behind the bathroom curtain.

The green velvet dress fits me like a glove. The deep V-neck gives me the perfect amount of cleavage peeking out. The waist is cinched at the belly button, and it’s smooth like butter until it hits the floor.

Renall freezes as he turns around. His eyes trailing down me like he’s trying to memorize every detail. Only his mouth never says a word as it hangs open.

“Do you like it?”

He coughs as he chokes on words and growls before reaching for my hand.“You look amazing.”

My cheeks flush with color. “Onai brought me some dresses since I’m a member of the pack now.”

He shakes his head.“I can’t believe you are real.”

“It’s just a dress.” I shrug.

“No, it’s the kohl along your eyes, the golden shimmer of your hair, the way your eyes brighten up every room. You, Awe-tum,belonghere. It is I who has never deserved you.”

“Are you kidding me, if it weren’t for you, I would have died those thousand deaths you always speak of. Don’t make me list them.”

He smirks.“Like a new fawn stumbling about, but you’re a doe now. Beautiful, sun-kissed doe.”

I have no words so I only grip onto him tighter.

“Are you ready?”

I nod, slipping into matching green slippers.

Reluctantly, I follow Renall through the cave. I’m technically still not mated, and it seems every time I leave the cave, madness ensues. But Renall seems self-assured, and as we trek through the halls, we are greeted with silence. Instead of using the hall that takes us to the waterfall, he leads me down the stairs and through the maze of tables on the ground floor and finally, through a door inlaid into the cavern wall. This hallway is dark and cool as Renall guides me through. It lacks the musty scent of the waterfall’s corridor. We travel along a winding corridor that finally stops at an iron gate wrapped in tendrils of ivy and moss. Renall opens it with ease and holds it for me. As I step out in the night air, I see the cliff in the distance. It’s not like the ledge around the waterfall like I was picturing, it’s a large, cavernous cliff with a drop that would be fatal. The night air smells sweet like jasmine as a chorus of crickets echo in the calm night. Closing my eyes, I sense the forest come alive under the full moon. Feel the rabbit in the next bush, and hear the owl a mile away. The trees rustle and sway on a cool breeze.

When I open my eyes again, Renall is watching me silently.

When he’s confident I’m done, he leads me through the woods toward the cliff. I allow my arm to fall at my side, releasing my power back into the Earth. Flowers sprout in a line behind us. Basking in the forest as it comes alive around me, making me feel stronger than ever. This is the closest I’ve ever felt to being alive.

When we arrive at the cliff, I lose my breath. The cliff ends in a steep drop to a lush valley with a bubbling river. And in the far distance, two mountain peaks rise up from the horizon. Gods, I bet this is amazing during sunset as well. Spinning around, I spy Renall setting up a blanket and basket under the canopy of a tree at the edge. He sits in the crook of the tree and motions for me to follow. Perfect. Tonight is perfect.

“It’s beautiful out here,” I state, slipping into his arms.

“Told you it’s better than Luna Lake,”he whispers against my forehead.

I smile. “I didn’t mind that view either as I recall.”

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