“That’s very romantic,” I rasp out, “but what does that have to do with me?”
He cups my face and stares lovingly at me, making sure I’m listening. “Your magic woke me up, but it did more than that. It freed me. It released me from years of despair and eons of agony. I wasn’t sure, I could barely believe it, and I had to know…” He leans in close, his breath tickling my face. “Cora the Fearless,youare my mate.”
He presses his lips to mine, and those same rainbow colors explode behind my eyelids. I wrap my arms around his shoulders before I know what I’m doing. His lips press against mine in a kiss that rocks my world, and it solidifies what I knew from the moment he woke up.
A new bond is formed.
I don’t have five monsters, I have six.
Razcorr is mine, and I am his.
ChapterThirty-Seven
After the earth-shattering kiss, I’m left breathless and unsure.
How can he go from being reserved to acting so tender?
He must see the question in my eyes, because he cups my cheeks. “I will give you time. I know this is a lot. I had been hoping for so many years, so when I felt your call, it did not seem real. I kept my distance. I apologize, mate. I had to come here to know, but you are human, and I know it does not work the same way. I am patient, and I can wait forever if need be. Just knowing you are alive is enough.” With that, he takes my hand and leads me from the cave.
Once outside, he silently wraps his arms around me and lifts into the air once more. I lose myself in the passing scenery and wind, unsure what to say or do.
With the others, our family grew from friendship, but this is a declared bond I had no choice over.
However, I cannot deny the pull I feel to him, the attraction and familiarity, that puts me at ease.
Maybe he’s right—I need time.
The flight is almost gentle this time, and when we land, his fingers stroke my cheek longingly before he releases me and takes my hand, smiling as he leads me back downstairs to the others. “Your other mates will be getting antsy,” he comments softly.
I don’t respond, uncertain what to say.
Are they also mates?
All this time, I hadn’t been labeling us. They are just mine, and I am theirs.
Mates makes sense.
But six mates? Is that normal? Do I even care?
The questions crowd my head as we find them lounging around a formal sitting room. When we enter, Bracken’s eyes narrow, and when Razcorr turns to me and presses his forehead to mine, I feel them all shift in agitation. “Thank you for trusting me, Cora. Thank you for being real, mate.”
“Mate?” Grim demands, his eyes locking on me. “You’re his mate?”
“It has been proven,” Razcorr replies, shooting me a gentle grin. “She is mine, and I am hers. She is the soul I have spent hundreds of years searching for.”
“Oh, fuck no.” Bracken leaps to his feet, standing side by side with Grim, copying his crossed arms and snarl. “You don’t get to just show up and claim our Cora.”
“What he said,” Grim grumbles, and I’m shocked they are in agreement for once.
“Cora,” Zee murmurs, and his voice is pained. “Is it true? You are his?”
“But…” Nero trails off, looking at me with a similarly agonized expression.
Krug moves closer, frowning at the gargoyle, who seems oblivious. Scrubbing my face, I try to push away the headache I feel coming on. “Guys…” I stop because I don’t have a clue what to say.
Bracken looks at Grim seriously. “I say we kill him.”
Grim meets his eyes and inclines his head, making my mouth drop open. The jealousy pouring from them shows me the reason for their behavior, but I’m speechless.
