Page 142 of Aine

I want to get home to Aine, and I hope she isn’t still waiting at the garden for me, but in this moment, I will put Alex first. Avia is responsible, and I trust she’s taking care of my mate.

“It’s done,” he finally whispers.

I nod, having no words.

“I’m sorry I—”

He stops when I squeeze his wrist. “You have nothing to apologize for. Thank you, Alex.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

AINE

Damien’s weight sinkingthe mattress has me rolling into his chest, and I blink open my eyes and look up at him with a slight frown. What time is it?

The world beyond our window is black, and I stare at the moon before sitting up and peering down at Damien. It takes me a moment for my eyes to adjust, and I use my hands to feel what I can’t yet see.

He breathes slowly as I drag my fingers up his slightly damp chest, and with a tilt of my head, I inch higher to his body. His hair’s soaking wet, but I’m sure the shower would have woken me.

“I used the bathroom in the hall,” Damien explains, grabbing my hand and bringing it to his lips.

I hum, lowering back onto the bed and resting my cheek on his chest. I didn’t anticipate him being gone so long, but now’s not the time for that.

He’s been blocking his emotions from me all evening, and even now they’re muted.

“Alex came with me. He wanted to do it,” Damien whispers, clearing his throat when it cracks. He squeezes my hand so hard, it hurts, but I don’t make a peep.

“Is he okay?” I ask.

“No.”

“Areyouokay?”

I’m met with silence and hold my breath as I wait for a response.

“No.”

It’s not surprising to hear, and I continue peppering soft kisses on his skin until his breathing slows. I wait for him to speak up and start conversation, but he doesn’t. After what feels like hours, he finally falls into a light rest. He must be exhausted.

It takes me a while longer to find sleep, my heart too busy aching as he hides his emotions from me even in rest.

_____

It takes a week for Damien to open our bond again, and each day feels like torture. It’s still full of pain when he finally does, but I understand where it’s coming from.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me leaving?” Damien asks, poking one of my slightly burnt arms as Olivia leads us to the spot she’s picked out for the ceremony.

I nod and spin to give him a kiss.

Alex and Olivia will offer one another a fresh kill during the ceremony, and I know Damien feels honored to have been asked to help Olivia catch something.

“I’ll be here with Avia and Jenna.” I gesture to the two women currently placing flowers around the platform the couple will stand on.

The entire altar they’ve created is beautiful, a flower and vine-covered wooden arch set snugly between some of the largest oak trees within the village. Olivia’s worked hard to merge the human and beast traditions, and while I may have been a bit doubtful in the beginning, it looks incredible in completion.

Damien squeezes my waist before stepping away, his eyebrows furrowed as he scans my figure. I know he’s worried, but I’m honestly okay. He and Olivia won’t be gone for long, and I’ve got a long list of items to distract myself with.

“Go,” I whisper, patting his butt. “I’ll be here.”

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