Page 61 of Sacrificed to the Mountain Demon

"I love you, Jytos," she murmurs, her voice filled with a contentment that I never thought I'd hear from a human.

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer. "I love you too, Bella. More than you'll ever know."

I hold her close, her warmth seeping into my skin. The cave's chill doesn't touch us here, wrapped in each other's arms. My tentacles coil lazily around her body, protective and possessive. Fuck, I never thought I'd have this.

"Bella," I murmur, my voice low. "There's something I want to show you."

She lifts her head to meet my gaze, those big brown eyes curious. "What is it?" she asks softly.

I sit up, bringing her with me. I tell her in my most gentle voice, "It's an old Umbrath ritual. Kind of like... a binding ceremony."

Her eyebrows shoot up, and she asks, "You mean like a wedding?"

I snort and say, "Sort of. Less fancy shit, more meaning."

She nods, a smile playing on her lips, and says, "Show me."

I stand, pulling her up with me. My hands cup her face, thumbs tracing her cheekbones. I state matter-of-factly, "It's simple. We share blood, then vows."

Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn't flinch. That's my girl. "Okay," she says, voice steady.

I use one sharp nail to make a small cut on my palm, then do the same to hers. We press our hands together, blood mingling.

"I, Jytos, last of the Umbrath, claim you as my mate," I growl, the words rising from deep within me. "Your life is mine to protect, your heart mine to cherish. I swear to stand by your side, to fight for you, to love you until my last breath."

Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears. She takes a shaky breath before speaking. "I, Bella, accept you as my mate. My lifeis yours, my heart is yours. I swear to stand with you, to support you, to love you until my last breath."

Something shifts in the air around us, a primal energy humming between our joined hands. I pull her close, crushing my lips to hers in a fierce kiss. She responds with equal passion.

When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. "You're mine now, body and soul," I growl. "Forever."

She grins, a mix of joy and mischief in her eyes, and echoes, "And you're mine now, body and soul. Forever."

We sink back down onto the furs, limbs entangled. My tentacles wrap around her, cocooning us in our own little world. As sleep starts to claim us, I can't help but feel a sense of peace I've never known before.

Tomorrow, we'll face whatever the world throws at us. But tonight, in this cave, it's just us. Just Bella and me, bound together in ways that go beyond the physical.

I press another kiss to her forehead as her breathing evens out. Yeah, I think as I drift off. This is exactly what home feels like.

30

BELLA

Iwake with a start. My heart pounds with excitement in my chest. Today's the day. We're leaving the cave, our sanctuary, our home. I turn to see Jytos still sleeping beside me. His massive form rises and falls with each breath. Even in sleep, he exudes power and strength.

I slip out of our makeshift bed, careful not to wake him. The cave floor is cold beneath my feet as I pad towards the entrance. The sky outside is just beginning to lighten. The first hints of dawn peek over the horizon.

"Where you going?" Jytos's deep voice rumbles behind me, making me jump.

I turn to see him sitting up, his green eyes fixed on me. "Just wanted to watch the sunrise," I say, my voice but a whisper.

He's on his feet in an instant, moving with a grace that belies his size. "Then we'll watch it together," he says.

We stand at the cave entrance, his arm wrapped protectively around me. The sky slowly transforms, painting itself in hues of pink and gold. It's beautiful, but I can't shake the nervousness beginning to gnaw at my gut.

"You're tense," he observes, his tentacles twitching slightly against my skin.

I nod, unable to hide anything from him. "I'm scared," I admit. "What if we can't find a safe place? What if-"

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