Page 56 of Hiss and Tell
Her laugh bubbles up, rich and free, as I gather her closer. Outside, the world continues its normal rhythm, but here in our circle of candlelight and magic, time belongs to us.
Here, we’ve created something eternal.
Here, we’ve chosen each other with everything we are.
And this is only the beginning.
Chapter Thirty
Aspen
Morning light streams through Sebastian’s bedroom windows, and the first thing I’m aware of is how different my body feels. Not just the absence of the low-level anxiety I’ve carried for years, but something deeper—a sense of being completely, perfectly whole.
Sebastian’s arms tighten around me as he stirs, his snakes creating gentle patterns against my skin as they wake. I can feel his morning arousal pressing against my back, and the magical bond between us has left me hypersensitive to his desire.
“I can sense how much you want me,” I whisper, pressing back against him. His groan rumbles through his chest.
“The bond makes everything more intense,” he admits, his hand sliding down to cup my breast. “I can feel your arousal as though it’s my own.”
His snakes stir around us, bolder and more confident than they began yesterday. One traces the curve of my hip while another creates spiraling patterns up my thigh. The combined sensation is wonderfully overwhelming.
“They’re connected to me,” he explains, his voice rough with desire. “What I want, they want. What pleases you, pleases all of us.”
By the time we finally separate, both sated and breathless, the morning light has shifted, and I realize we’ve lost hours to each other.
“I think we’ve earned a nap,” his voice rumbles against my ear.
My phone buzzes on his nightstand—a text from Tyler’s mom reminding me that Milo’s sleepover ends at noon. Reality intrudes on our magical bubble.
“I should get home soon,” I say reluctantly. “Milo will want to hear about our evening. Well, the parts I can share with a four-year-old.”
“What will you tell him?”
“The truth. That you helped me feel better. That we’re more connected now.”
Sebastian’s snakes do their happy dance at the mention of Milo. “And what about everyone else?”
“Do they need to know the details? Or can we just be us? A couple who’s deeply committed to each other?”
“I like that,” he says, pulling me closer. “Though I should warn you, Iris has probably already planned our wedding.”
“Let her plan,” I laugh. “After last night, I’m pretty sure we’re already more married than most people who’ve had ceremonies.”
His smile is radiant. “Speaking of which, how do you feel? Any discomfort, any concerns?”
I take inventory of my body, amazed at what I find. “Nothing. It’s like I was never sick at all.”
“Because you weren’t meant to be,” he says simply. “The ritual restored you to your natural state of perfect health.”
Tears prick my eyes at the magnitude of what he’s given me. “How do I ever thank you for this?”
“You don’t,” he says firmly. “This wasn’t a favor. This was us choosing each other. Completely. Permanently.”
“No pressure,” I say with a shaky laugh.
“All the pressure,” he corrects, grinning. “But the best kind. The kind that comes from knowing exactly what we want and choosing it with our whole hearts.”
A comfortable silence falls as we hold each other. I can feel his contentment through our bond, his absolute certainty about our future.
