Page 92 of The Fearless Witch

I searched her face, but there was no trace of hesitation in it.

“A-Alright.” I nodded, my body feeling like it wanted to explode with excitement while my mind clung to the unsettling feeling her quick reaction brought. Not that I wasn’t happy she agreed, but… I had expected I’d need more to convince her.

“You don’t want to?” A mocking smile blossomed on her lips, blowing away my anxiety.

“I’ve never wanted anything more,” I muttered before claiming her lips with a hunger that almost consumed me. Her hands wrapped around my neck and she pulled me on top of her, our tongues twirling in a dance I have been dying to have my whole life. By the time I rose to my elbows, we were both panting and there was a light blush painting her cheeks.

“I love you,” I whispered without thinking. Once the words were out of my mouth, I held my breath, terrified that I had been too fast, too honest, too eager. We both knew what the other felt, it was hard not to with the bond in place, but saying it out loud…

The smile that appeared on her face was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life.

“I love you too, puppy,” she said, dragging me back down to her. I grinned against her lips, feeling the urge to jump and dance and make love to her until the world stopped spinning. She wrapped her legs around my waist and the scent of her arousal made me groan as my body pressed closer, eager to feel more of her.

She chuckled, the challenge in her voice shoving my restraint out the window while I pinned her hands above her head. Her eyes widened in surprise, but then she laughed.

“I told you not to call me puppy,” I growled, shifting between her legs so she couldn’t close them. Wetness was pooling out of her pussy, her nipples pebbling from nothing but my roaming gaze. “Let’s fix that habit of yours.” She raised an eyebrow, looking like she was about to laugh again. “Call me mate.”

Her smile widened, but she only pursed her lips.

“Do it,” I whispered, rubbing my cock over her clit. Her eyes rolled back, and she moaned, but no words left her mouth. “Say it and you may have anything you want.”

She seemed to consider it, and when her eyes met mine, I knew I’d won.

“Mate,” she purred, and that one word alone almost made me cum. I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to calm myself while she bit her lower lip.

“It wasn’t that hard, was it?” I smirked, using my free hand to trace the outline of her body, touching only enough to tease. “Now tell me what you want.”

“You.”

With that look in her eyes, I expected that answer, yet it still made me happy. My fingers squeezed her thigh, pushing her legs open wider while her mouth parted in anticipation.

“You have me. Until death do us part,” I whispered, thrusting inside of her and sealing that promise with a kiss.

Chapter 36

Celeste

“Idon’t remember the last time I’ve seen you this nervous,” Roman smiled as he crossed his arms and leaned on the tree behind him. The last rays of the sun were still visible in the sky, so he was likely quite uncomfortable even under the cover of the forest, but Isaac had explained it was customary to start the ceremony right before dusk and continue until the moon was out.

I didn’t like the idea of doing this in a time and place where Roman couldn’t be present, even though it had been his idea, but he had insisted it was fine. The section of the trees where we stood overlooked the newly regrown garden so he could at least watch. And once the sun was down… he could join us as we went to take down the goddamn ward.

“I’m not nervous. I just never thought I’d be doing something like this,” I murmured, glancing at him from under my lashes. Truly, I never thought I’d get married or mated or anything of the sort—it wasn’t something I wanted or needed after Noah’s betrayal. Roman had shown no interest in it, and I figured it was because of my past, but now that I was doing it with Isaac, I couldn’t help but wonder if he…

“Roman,” I started, licking my lips as I took a step toward him.

He pushed himself off the tree, catching my shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze.

“Celeste,” he said with a voice that spoke of promises and emotions that words could never hope to convey. “You are the most fearless person I know. You have made more sacrifices and compromises than any living or dead person in this world. Now it’s time for you to take.” His hands slid to my cheeks, and he tipped my face up, brushing his lips over mine. “Take me, take him, take anyone you want. I will stand by your side, no matter what.”

I held his gaze, falling deeper and deeper into those dark eyes. He made loving him so easy, it baffled me how I could have resisted him for so long. He always knew what to say to reassure me or make me feel better, he knew when I needed space and when I needed him. Sometimes, he even knew what I wanted before I did.

Roman opened his mouth as if to say something more, but then his eyes darted behind me and he closed it. His thumb brushed my cheek, and he released me, assuming his previous position. I took a deep breath.

“Yes,” I whispered, and he nodded once, as if that was all he needed.

“Good. Now go make the poor puppy happy so these damn shifters can figure their shit out and get off my property.”

I huffed a laugh, turning to leave.

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