Page 60 of Guardians of the Assassins
As she gazed down at him, she tried to imagine her life without him in it—and failed.
It was impossible.
Her throat tightened at the thought of him leaving, and the answer immediately came to mind.
Empty.
Like the lights had gone out.
She glanced at her mates, her equilibrium still off-kilter, cringing as she imagined their reactions. They all stood in a row, so fucking handsome that her breath caught. She waited for their condemnation, waited for their censure. The last thing she expected to find was understanding. One by one, they nodded, Draven even going so far as to give her a wink and an encouraging smile.
With each approval, her magic gave a giddy swirl, pushing under her skin like a puppy that was trying to get her to do what it wanted.
And it wanted Caedmon for their mate, recognizing him on an elemental level as someone they needed in their life.
MacGregor had been silent throughout the whole meeting, observing everything with inquisitive eyes. He gave her a crooked grin and slipped his arm around Mistress McKay. “Don’t do what I did—don’t give your life to the coven to the exclusion of all else. You deserve more. Don’t wait. You might not be lucky enough to get a second chance.” He kissed McKay on the temple, and she leaned into him, a smile of pure love on her face as she patted his chest.
Feeling like she was trapped in some sort of bizarre dream, Morgan glared down at the man who had so completely blindsided her. She felt raw and edgy and uncomfortable under her own skin. She wanted to accuse him of tricking her, but she couldn’t blame him for the way he went about it.
If she’d known he was her mate when she first received the mark, she very much feared she wouldn’t have let him in her life, and the very thought made her heart feel like it was cracking.
“I’m pissed that you tried to keep this from me. I had every right to know.” He flinched, the hope in his eyes fading, his shoulders bowing like under a heavy weight. Then Morgan relented and released a heavy sigh. “But I understand why youdid it. I’m…not an easy woman to love. If you would’ve told me, there is a pretty good chance that I would’ve run.”
She shot him a wry grin, then she dropped to her knees in front of him, the dress billowing around her. Caedmon didn’t move, didn’t blink. She didn’t even think he was breathing.
Morgan didn’t think it was possible, but he appeared even more nervous than she was herself.
She found it adorable.
He’d fought wars, faced down gods, and yet he was nervous being near her.
It gave her a boost of courage to take what she wanted.
The tightness in her chest settled, her anxieties melting away, and an instant of crystal clarity struck her. No matter what else happened in her life, she would never regret opening her heart to him.
“The connection between us is different from the others. You’re mine in a way that I can’t describe.” Morgan felt self-conscious being near him, knowing that he was her mate. “You’re strong and steady and unwavering. You’re worried about pushing me, but the thought of not having you near, giving you up and not having you in my life, makes me feel hollow.”
Morgan tentatively reached up and wrapped her hand over his, where he gripped the sword. Her skin tingled at the simple touch, a flush creeping up her neck. His fingers felt rough from centuries of wielding a sword, and she shivered at the idea of having those hands run over her body.
She shifted at the thought, her thighs rubbing together, a little unnerved at allowing her mind to entertain thoughts of him in such a way.
It felt slightly wrong.
Forbidden.
And she couldn’t help but be more than a little curious about what his touch would feel like on her body. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, then blushed when she looked up and saw his hungry eyes locked on her. His nose flared, no doubt scenting her arousal, and her cheeks heated even more.
She squirmed but refused to duck away.
He’d never looked at her so boldly, not bothering to hide his emotions.
And she could no longer pretend that he didn’t send her heart fluttering.
“I would be honored to be your mate.” She blurted it all out before she lost her courage, her hand unconsciously tightening around his, and she took a shaky breath. “I need time to adjust to the revelations today, but the thought of you being hauled back to Faerie is repugnant.”
Disgust twisted her features at the very thought, and she pulled back her shoulders and lifted her chin, feeling the rightness of her words settle over her. “So what do we need to do to finish the mating ritual?”
Caedmon’s eyes dilated nearly black, the yellow gleaming as his beast rose. She gulped at the intensity of his hunger, her skin feeling hot and achy. He reached out, his fingertips brushing against her cheeks, a slight tremor in his hand. “A simple bite will complete the bond.”
