Page 125 of Primal Bonds

“Because we’re mates. I’d cut off my hand before I’d leave you. Say yes, and you’ll see.”

“Jace—” She shook her head, unable to bring herself to say the word.

He blew out a breath. “There are no good choices here, Evie. I hate like hell that I dragged you into this, but you’re a part of it now. And your being part fae means you might not be able to hide in the human world, either. If another night fae finds you…”

She felt her face drain of color.

“I’m sorry, Evie. But I’d die for you and Kyler.”

“I don’t want you to die for us!”

“I know.” He smoothed his fingers over the short hairs at her temples. “But I would, and that’s part of it. We brought Tyrus down together, and even then, we needed Marjani to finish it. That’s what being a clan means.”

She chewed her lower lip. “I can’t go back, can I?”

“Afraid not, angel.”

“And Kyler will be a member of your clan?”

“Adric will make sure of it. Kyler wants this, Evie. You know he does. He needs something to be a part of.”

She stared at him, and then it struck her. This man would have her back until she was old and gray. It would not be her mom and Fane all over again because Jace was committing himself to her, body and soul.

And more, he was right about Kyler. Her brother wanted this—no, he needed this. They both did.

She cupped his hard, beautiful face. “Kiss me.”

His eyes flickered green and gold—and then the corners creased in a smile that wrenched her heart. His kiss this time was lazy and sweet. The kiss of a man who knew what he was doing. And when he was done, she felt thoroughly claimed.

She pulled back to scrutinize him. “And you? It works both ways, right? You’re mine, too.”

“You have to ask?”

She shook her head. Because her heart knew the answer.

His hands went to work again, stroking her to madness. He nipped her lower lip, and then sucked on the small hurt. “Say yes, angel. The woman has to accept the claim.”

She nodded. “Suha told me.”

“Ah…” His mouth edged up against hers. “I can see you two are going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

Her dimple flashed. “Yeah, I guess we are.”

His breath caught. Love poured into her. She basked in it like a flower in the sun, and returned it with equal passion.

It was too fast; he was a fada and she was some bizarre human-fae mix. She had Kyler to think about, and how the two of them would fit into Jace’s world.

But it felt right. One thing she knew was that this man would never leave. As for the rest, they’d make it work.

Teeth closed on her earlobe. “Say yes, Evie.”

She wound her arms around his neck. “Yes.”

Jace shut his eyes in gratitude. Thanks all the gods.

He should sit Evie down, make sure she understood what it meant to mate with a dominant fada male. The commitment was deep, intense, unbreakable. He’d be possessive and maybe a little overprotective, but he trusted that she’d let him know when he went too far. Nobody pushed his Evie around.

She knew. At some basic level, she knew. She was his, and he was hers—until death and maybe even beyond. The mate bond wouldn’t have come to life otherwise.

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