Page 272 of Primal Bonds

“Welcome to my den,” her brother said in a carrying voice. “Please join me in blessing the bond of my sister and second, Marjani Savonett, and her mate, Fane Morningstar.”

She faced Fane, and they recited the simple, beautiful words they’d prepared. First Fane, who spoke of his love and admiration for her, and then it was her turn. Most people had heard at least part of their story, but she made it clear Fane had been willing to give up everything for her—his money, his job, even his Gift.

When she said, “You gave me back my cat,” she heard some of the women sniffing. But it was only the truth.

Adric’s mouth edged up. He’d guessed her strategy—sway the clan to Fane’s side. It wouldn’t happen overnight, but already, Fane was making friends. As Suha said, the man was a charmer.

When it was Fane’s turn, he first presented her with a new iron dagger, saying, “Because this is what you need to feel safe.”

She bit her lip. “Thank you.” She wanted to say she didn’t need it, but that would be a lie. Then she noticed the blade, inscribed “Badass M,” and laughter bubbled up inside her.

She reached up and gave him a quick kiss. “I love you, Fane Morningstar.”

His breath jerked in, and then he gave her a broad smile.

For a few seconds they stared at each other, and then she realized she was smiling too, a grin so wide it almost hurt her face.

“Jani?” Adric cleared his throat. “Do you accept Fane’s claim?”

“I do,” she said without taking her gaze from Fane’s. “For the rest of my life, and beyond.”

“Congratulations,” Adric said, and called the blessings of the God and the Goddess down on them.

Fane framed her face with his hands. He didn’t say anything, just brought his mouth to hers in an achingly sweet kiss. When she surfaced again, the drummers had launched into a cheerful reggae beat. Other musicians joined them, including a steel drummer, and bright, happy music filled the air, a song that her Jamaican mother had loved.

Her eyes met her brother’s. “Thank you,” she mouthed, knowing he must’ve asked for it to be played.

During the big party that followed, she danced with Fane first. He wrapped his long arms around her. “Say it again.”

“Say what?”

“That you love me.”

“But—.” She stopped dancing, arrested. “Was that the first time I said it?”

“Yep.” He gently urged her to continue dancing. “I’ve said it, more than once. But you never said it back.”

So that was why his breath had jerked in; he wasn’t sure she loved him. “But you’re my mate.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to love me. I know I’m not exactly the man of your dreams.”

She came up on her toes to murmur in his ear. “Only because you’re so much better than anything I could have dreamed up.”

His grip tightened on her. “I love you, Jani. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

They danced in silence until the song ended, their steps in perfect harmony, her heart so full it felt like it might burst.

The music changed, and Adric claimed the next dance. “I like that dress,” he told her. “It’s about time you wore something besides gray and army green.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “I was pretty hard to live with, wasn’t I?”

He shrugged. “I could’ve lived with that Marjani, as long as you were happy. But you weren’t.”

“No.”

Just then, Fane danced past with Evie. He sent her a quick smile, eyes crinkling at the edges, and then dipped his head to listen to his daughter.

She looked back at Adric. “I didn’t even really know what happiness was. Not until Fane.”

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