Page 130 of The Silent
“Are yougettingwarm?”
Kyra tilted her head up, and her full lips spread in a warm smile.I can hear you,reshon.
He adored it when she called himreshon.
“There’s no rush,” he said. “We have the houseallweek.”
“We both slept for two days.” She sat up and stretched her arms over her head. “We’ve swum. We’ve eaten on the most beautiful beach in the world. I heard you this morning. Your vows arefinished.”
There’s no reason to rush,hethought.
And there’s no reason to wait.Her voice sounded like a chime in his mind. “I’mready.”
Kyra had made her peace with the ritual, even knowing she didn’t yet have the magic to sing her part. Leo was convinced that Kyra would have her own magic someday. Whether it would be Irina magic or something unique to thekareshtawas the mystery. If Leo had to guess, he imagined a combination of the two. Kyra’s unique listening and projecting skills—that had only grown stronger over the days since she’d thrown her mind open to Prija—and the Irina magic she’d already begun tomaster.
She rose and offered her hand. “Come. Make meyours,Leo.”
He didn’t have to be toldtwice.
* * *
The shades were closedand afternoon light filtered through them, lighting the room with a golden illumination enhanced by candles lit by the sacred fire. Kyra sat on a pillow, meditating in the lotus position with her hair twisted on top of her head. She was bared to the skin, a perfect canvas for him to write his magic. They’d bathed together, and Leo had anointed her with almond and olive oil, massaging every inch of her body as he worked to prepare them both for theritual.
“Will I feel it?” sheasked.
“You’ll feel the brush on your skin.” He kissed her shoulder as he settled behind her. He was also bare, his ceremonial wrap the only clothing he wore. Histalesmalready burned with anticipation. “You’ll feel the magic when I start. When I’mworking.”
“How long doesittake?”
He smiled. “It takes awhile.”
“Anhour?”
He laughed. “More thananhour.”
“I’m glad I picked a comfortable cushion,” she said. “And where do youpaint?”
Leo smiled and lifted her arm, holding her delicate wrist in his fingers. He ran his tongue from her shoulder to the crease of her elbow, peppering kisses up to her wrist. “Everywhere.”
“Everywhere?”
“Mmm.” He released her arm and put his hands at her waist, kissing her neck and enjoying the scent of frangipani in her hair. “Everywhere. Every inch. I’m going to cover you inmagic.”
Goose bumps rose onherskin.
Are you ready?hethought.
I’mready.
Leo began at the top of her spine, and the very first spells he performed were for longevity. All he had was the word of a Fallen angel that Kyra was protected. But from that night on, her life would be linked to his. As long as he lived, she would too, even if it was for a thousandyears.
He traced the spells down her back. Long life. Protection. Wisdom. Strength. Every line was a promise. Every inch of ink was a mark of his love. He poured his heart into his magic. He poured his heart into Kyra’s hands, knowing she would hold itgently.
His mate was still as a statue, but when he turned her to begin the spells over the front of her body, he saw hertears.
“Kyra?”
“I hear you,” she whispered. “Your voice inside. When you’re writing your magic, Leo. I hear you, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve everheard.”
