Page 81 of The Phoenix

She winked. “Good incentive. I love your tongue, pussycat.” The pun was not missed by her or the jag shifter.

While he finished his shower, she slipped into a robe and headed for the kitchen to make coffee. He came out dressed and backed her against the counter. He thrust his hand between her legs, finding her slick with arousal. His talented fingers plunged inside her while his thumb stroked her clit. The explosion was immediate, leaving her weak kneed and barely standing upright. Nace wiped his fingers on his pants.

Damn.

When her eyes widened, he grinned. “Now your scent is on me. After tonight, mine will be inside you in so many places, everyone will know you’re mine.”

“I don’t belong…”

He captured her chin and brushed his lips across hers. “Does it make a difference if I tell you I belong to you, too? I’ve never been more at peace. I love you, Celene. Can you say it?”

She swallowed hard, her hands on his chest, savoring the warmth of his body. As she rested her head on his shoulder, she didn’t know how it had happened, but it had. She was his, and he was hers. For all her daredevil antics, she was about to take the biggest risk of her life. “I love you, too, Nace.”

He strutted out the door while she watched. Damn arrogant jaguar shot a confident grin over his shoulder. Celene sighed, showered, dressed, and called Braelyn.

Rein’s mate accompanied her to the Thaumaturgy Institute, a place safe from Arisen Dawn. She was here to discover her gift and begin training. Celene hoped she could be a help to the Firebrands.

They sat in stiff chairs in the waiting room.

“Nace,” said Braelyn. “He’s kinda scary.”

“He’s really a big pussycat.”

“Yeah. With claws, big teeth, and attitude.”

He’d never hurt her, but there were other ways he liked to torture her. Just thinking about them made her wet. Jeez. She was twisted. “Braelyn, may I ask you a personal question?”

“Sure.”

“With Rein, how do you make sure you stay you?”

Braelyn nodded as if she understood the question. “Our men may act as if they want a domesticated female. But they don’t. They chose us. We’re not what they had in mind, but we are what they need. Nace picked you. Not some puppet he can dangle on a string. And he’ll fight to the death to protect you. It’s embedded in his DNA. Just let him know you’d do the same. When he pushes, push back. Stay alive inside. Nace will growl and cuss, but he’ll give you space to grow. You’ll butt heads. It’s a given. Even if it hurts him, and it will, he’ll stand aside when you need to be yourself. He’ll do it because it’s what you need.”

She leaned closer to Celene. “Now are you asking about the sex, the fact they have to be in control in the bedroom? Here’s a secret. I like Rein in control there. When we get out of bed, though, we’re equals.” She grinned. “Sometimes, I switch things up and take over. Drives him crazy, right up until his balls explode. Our men are complicated. But they chose us because we are, too.”

Celene grabbed Braelyn’s hand and squeezed it. “Thanks.”

A short, perky woman popped through one of the doors. “Hi, I’m Leana, a technician. Nice to see you again, Braelyn. I take it you’re Celene. Hmm.” She stared. Long and hard. “Another Blood Coven descendant? You guys are keeping me busy this week. First a Harley Ross. Next a Miller Nash. Now you.”

“Seems so.”

“Come on in. I’ll take a few tests. See what you can do. Any idea as to your gifts, Celene?”

“No.”

“Push up your sleeve.” The technician drew out a syringe and snapped on a needle from a new package. “I’m just going to take a little blood. Not much. Afterward, I’ll have you go into that room. Special lights will come on. Between them and the test results, I’ll know what kind of mage you are. Questions?”

Celene looked at Braelyn and shook her head.

Blood drawn, Celene stepped inside the glass chamber. Braelyn and Leana waited outside.

“Cover your eyes,” said the technician.

Celene placed a hand over her face when the room lit up, wincing from the illumination. When the lights dimmed, Celene uncovered, a slight headache pounding in her temples. The door clicked. She opened it to join the two women.

Leana studied the results of the blood samples on her computer screen. She leaned into her chair, folding her arms over her chest. “Very interesting. I’ve not seen one of you for a long time. Give me a sec to reread this. I want to be sure.”

Finally, she swung around. “Very rare.”

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