Page 28 of Her Immortal Mate

"It's perfect." She peers down a side tunnel. "How many more chambers are there?"

"Dozens. Some natural, some carved out over centuries. We'll need them all."

"Show me more?"

I nod, gesturing toward another passage. The magic pulses brighter as we walk, welcoming us home.

I lead Mae down another crystalline corridor, mapping each turn in my mind. The passages twist upward, following natural fissures in the rock until we reach a chamber that makes my tactical instincts sing.

"This one." I step into the high-ceilinged space, my wings finally spreading to their full span. The chamber sits like a crow's nest, with three separate tunnel entrances providing quick escape routes. Magic-infused veins pulse across the curved walls, stronger here than in the lower levels.

Mae walks the perimeter, her fingers trailing along the glowing stone. "It's right above the medical ward."

"You noticed."

"Of course I did." She taps the floor with her boot. "We could probably hear if there's an emergency below."

I press my palm against the wall, letting my magic seep into the rock. The stone softens, and I carve out a series of deep alcoves. "Storage here. Weapons cache in the back corner."

"Already fortifying?" Her lips quirk up.

"Always." I move to the opposite wall, shaping a raised platform that could serve as seating or sleeping space. "The elevation gives us advantages. Clear sight lines down all approaches. Multiple exit points."

"And the magical current is stronger." Mae closes her eyes, and I wonder if she can feel it yet – that electric hum in her blood that comes with being near a wildspont. "It's like standing in a stream of pure energy."

I shape another alcove, larger this time. "The height concentrates the magic flow. Like wind through a mountain pass."

"Speaking of wind..." She points to a natural chimney in the ceiling, barely visible in the crystalline glow. "Natural ventilation. And another escape route, I'm guessing?"

"If needed." I test the rock beneath the opening. Solid. Defensible. "It leads to a series of smaller caves near the surface."

"Perfect for a paranoid ex-military vrakken and his human healer?"

I grunt in response, but she's not wrong. The chamber hits every point on my mental checklist – defensible, accessible, close to medical support. The strong magical current is an unexpected bonus, one that will help maintain my sun glamour and speed healing if needed.

Mae claims one of the carved alcoves, already planning how to organize medical supplies. I watch her work, noting how the magical light catches in her copper hair.

I step behind Mae as she organizes supplies, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her against my chest. The magic pulses stronger through the stone walls, responding to the surge of energy between us.

"Finally." I bury my face in her hair, breathing in her scent. "No more running. No more looking over our shoulders every second."

She melts back against me. "You sure about that? You've been scanning exits since we walked in."

"Old habits." My lips brush her ear. "But down here, we're safe. Protected. Just you and me, without dark elf patrols breathing down our necks."

"Mmm." She turns in my arms, sliding her hands up my chest. "And what exactly do you plan to do with all this peace and quiet?"

"I have ideas." I cup her face, tracing my thumb across her cheekbone. "Starting with properly claiming this space. Making it ours."

Her pulse quickens under my touch. "That sounds promising."

"No more cramped tents." I back her against the crystal-veined wall, caging her with my body. "No more keeping quiet. No more rushing."

"Eike..." Her fingers tangle in my shirt.

"I want to take my time with you." I lean down, letting my lips ghost across hers. "Want to learn every inch. Want to hear exactly what sounds you make when there's no one around to hear."

The magic thrums through the stone against her back, making her shiver. Or maybe that's from the way I'm looking at her, like I want to devour her whole.

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