Page 199 of Celestial Combat

He groaned, the sound low and raw, and I felt him shudder, his control slipping as he pushed a little deeper, slower, like he couldn’t stand the thought of it ending too soon.

“I love you,” he said again, softer. Like a promise.

“I love you too.”I held his gaze, breathless, aching in the best way. “So stay with me. Like this.”

He nodded, pressing his forehead to mine. “Always.”

And then he moved again, holding nothing back, his body heavy with love, with need, with the kind of honesty that could only exist when everything else was stripped away.

I held onto him, giving him everything I had left. And when we finally came apart together, a tear slipped down my cheek with emotion.

I felt his heart beating where our chests pressed together.

Outside, the Siberian wind howled against the cabin walls.

But in here, in his arms, there was only warmth.

Zane scooped me up in his arms without a word, like it was second nature. I didn’t protest – my arms looped around his neck, my cheek resting against the slope of his shoulder as he carried me up the wooden loft stairs.

“Why’s there only one bed, by the way?” I asked, lifting my head just enough to see his face.

He pressed his lips together, the faintest frown tugging at his brow.

“Mhm.” I smirked.

He didn’t say anything as he stepped into the bedroom. The wood walls glowed golden in the lamplight, and the bed – a massive thing layered with furs and soft flannel – was already turned down. Zane lowered me gently onto the mattress, the weight of his body following just enough to press me into it.

His eyes searched mine.

“I promise I won’t let my brother hurt you,” I said softly, brushing my fingers along the side of his face.

He gave a breath of a chuckle, eyes tired but fond. “Thanks, baby.”

“I’ll talk to him. I’ll make him understand.”

“Okay,” he said, but the way he said it made my chest tighten.

He didn’t believe me. Not really.

“You can’t say you’ll come back to New York with me just because you’ve given up,” I whispered, voice barely audible between us.

Zane’s gaze darkened with emotion. “I would never give up on you, baby. I would never give up on us.”

“But earlier – ” I started.

“I was hoping you would choose me.”

His jaw clenched the second he said it, like he hadn’t meant to let that truth slip out.

“Ihavechosen you,” I said.

“Kali – ”

“I amhere. Withyou. Helping you do whatyouneed to do. By your side.Loving you. Like I promised. I just… I needed to know you would choose me too.”

Zane’s voice was low, quiet – deep with something I couldn’t name. “I chose you first.”

“Not fair – ”

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