Page 10 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

“I can think of no greater purpose,” he whispered, kissing my forehead.

I couldn’t fathom it. Maybe because I couldn’t believe Wild was mine. That we may exist together for our lifetimes made sense of so many of the hardships I’d been through, and I felt the crushing need to prove my worthiness to him too. I harbored no doubt this gift between us had to be earned daily. If I chose not to do that, we could take a dangerous turn into the chaos territory we’d already been to once.

Degrading him to the role of bodyguard didn’t seem respectful of our bond. Yet disregarding his belief in his purpose was also disrespectful.

All I could do was trust he knew what he felt. “If you ever change your mind, please let me know. I don’t want a wedge between us.”

“I won’t change my mind” was the answer. “But if I did, you’d be the first to know.”

I blew out a breath. “Fine then.”

He waited.

I said, “You’re in charge of forming a sentry duty to watch the demon gates. What’s in place isn’t structured enough. You and Delta can train the sentries in demon-specific combat a few times a week. Only sentries will receive training for the moment, then we’ll open it to the wider coven. Collaborate with Sage if she decides to take the position of lead strategist, and help her form a strategy team of the best minds we have.”

“I’m on the job, my queen.”

I lifted the back of his hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to his skin. “There’s no one else I’d trust with it.”

That satisfied something in him. Wild flipped his hand to cup my cheek. “You know this will work out, don’t you?”

I met his dark, drowning gaze and didn’t reply. Uttering my honest opinion aloud seemed like bad luck.

The reality was I had no fucking idea if we’d be alive tomorrow, let alone in a week’s time.

4

Her feelings were hurt.

Rooke forced a smile. “I didn’t expect to be one of your advisors.”

Our tether told me otherwise. I watched as she crossed my quarters to study the quipu hanging on the far wall. “The coven sees you as one of them. They speak freely around you, and they won’t around the guys, or me, or anyone of advisor status. I need your ears.”

“I’m normal in other words?” She touched her braid on the quipu. Funny how people instinctively did that.

I winced, and she felt it through our bond.

Rooke turned. “I’m joking. I get what you mean.”

“Good,” I said. “Because you’re anything but normal.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean?—”

My cousin laughed, and I glared.

“You’re messing with me,” I stated.

“Keeping you humble.”

“Whatever. I had a surprise ready, but maybe I won’t give it to you. Wouldn’t want you to become conceited about life.”

She slid me a glance. “What surprise?”

“It involves a Greenhouse of Fun, but don’t worry.”

Rooke’s eyes widened as she fully faced me. “No way.”

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