Page 90 of Soar

“Favorite person. Because you are, clearly. Now, answer me. What do you need from me?”

Gregori pulled him in closer, either unable or unwilling to tamp down his grin. “Just you. And home. It’s really all I need.”

Salem gave him a look, wondering if Gregori was being difficult on purpose. “I’ll figure this out eventually. But is that all you want to say to me?”

“No.”

“Then what else?”

“Ilove you.” The words were slightly choked and trembled as bad as the rest of him, but he said them with strength and purpose.

He loved his mate. Salem was his everything. He loved his giant heart and his desire to heal the world. He loved his twisted sense of humor, his stubbornness, and his relentless drive. And he loved how Salem threw himself into anything that was important to him, which now included Gregori.

“I love you so much, Salem Hunter. You’re the perfect soulmate, the very person I didn’t realize I needed. You complete me in a hundred little ways. I love you and don’t ever want to be parted from you.”

Salem slammed into him, knocking him back onto the mattress, his arms wrapped around his neck as he peppered his face with kisses. “I love you. You are my mate and I’m never ever letting you go. All those other mages and non-mages around can go jump off a bridge. You’re mine.”

A bright laugh burst from Gregori, but it was cut off when Salem’s mouth covered his, drawing his tongue into a deep, satisfying kiss. He hugged Salem against him, reveling in this moment.

Salem broke off the kiss and lifted up enough to meet his gaze, eyes shimmering in the low light. “I love you, Gregori Valerii. Thank you for never giving up on me.”

“Never.”

“Good. Then what about this bonding thing? When are we doing it?”

Gregori shrugged one shoulder. “Whenever you want. We can talk to Rodrigo and work on scheduling?—”

“Now.”

Gregori almost choked on his tongue. As it was, he was gasping for air and pushing against the mattress to sit up against the pillows. “Now?”

“Yes. Now. Sam said that when we’re bonded, no one can separate us. Your dragon magic will extend my life so I’ll live as long as you. We’ll also be able to sense how each other feels.” Salem pressed his hand to his heart. “I want it. I want to feel you in here all the time. Can we do it now?”

“S-sure,” Gregori stammered. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was a dream come true. After all the struggles they’d had, it was astounding that he was sharing this moment with Salem, hearing these words come out of his mouth.

“Unless you’d rather wait…”

“No!” Gregori lurched into a fully sitting position and cupped Salem’s cheeks, forcing his mate to meet his frantic gaze. “We will do this now. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment. I don’t want to wait another second.”

“Good. I’m done making you wait for me. Is there anything we need?”

Gregori searched his mind, but there was nothing they needed. Just some magic, the words for the vow, and the words for the spell. Oh!

“Champagne!” He launched himself out of bed and snatched up his pants, which had been left on the floor.

“What? Champagne?”

“Yes, I want us to celebrate the moment properly. I’ll run down and get a bottle of champagne from the wine fridge in the kitchen.”

“Brilliant idea!”

As soon as he had his pants on, Gregori zipped over to the bed and captured Salem’s mouth in a quick kiss. “Don’t move and don’t run off to bond with another dragon while I’m gone.”

Salem cackled and shoved Gregori away from him. “No way! You’re my perfect dragon.”

With those words blooming in his heart, Gregori darted out of his apartment and down the dark halls of the Valerii compound to the kitchen. A low work light burned over the giant stove and the entire place smelled of sugar and cinnamon. Someone had been up late making a dessert. Ooooh…or pastries for breakfast tomorrow.

He moved with ease in the dark room, skirting the center island to head straight for the tall wine fridge in the far corner. He snagged a bottle of champagne with his right hand and snatched up two champagne glasses from a cabinet with his left hand. They would have to do a formal ceremony later with the entire clan, or at the very least throw a celebratory party, but tonight’s bonding with just the two of them couldn’t be more perfect. Salem was the only one he wanted.

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