Page 336 of Heat of the Everflame

My curiosity surpassed my powers of restraint, and I jogged over to join them. “Is everything alright?”

My mother pulled back, her eyes red and watery, though a smile stretched across her face. “Yes. Yes, I think it will be, after all.”

Luther and I shared a baffled look.

“I’ll give you two a moment,” he said cautiously, and my mother nodded, beaming through her sniffles. Her smile lingered on him, even when he’d walked away.

“What happened?” I asked.

She took a deep breath. “You and I are so alike, my little warrior, but there is one way in which we are as opposite as night and day.” She took my hands. “You look for the best in everyone you meet, and I seek out the worst. I’ve spent so many years worrying that everyone I meet could be a threat.”

“Luther is no threat to you,” I cut in. “He would never,everhurt someone I care for. He would put his life on the line to protect you or Teller or Maura.”

“Yes. I think you’re right.”

I started. “You do?”

“He loves you. I saw it on his face the second I saw you two together in that prison. I tried telling myself it was an act, butthe way he looks at you...” Her smile grew. “That kind of emotion can’t be feigned.”

I sucked in a breath. “And you’re not upset?”

“I cannot deny it is strange for me, given our history. Trusting him completely may take me some time. But all I have ever wanted for you is a man who cherishes you as the rare treasure you are.”

I smiled wryly. “I think I’m more burden on him than treasure.”

“You are the most precious jewel, my darling girl. You may not recognize it, but that man clearly does.” She laid a palm on my cheek. “You have my blessing. If he is your family, then he is mine, too.”

My heart exploded, enflamed with a joy so bold, the morning sun seemed to bow in deference to its glow.

“He needs you,” I admitted. “His mother was taken from him so quickly, and his stepmother was cruel. His father doesn’t seem to care if he lives or dies. He deserves the kind of love you and Father have always given me.”

She frowned thoughtfully. “I always assumed he helped the half-mortal children because he was half-mortal himself. But he was always adamant about ensuring the orphans found a good new family. I asked many times why he cared so much, and he never answered...” Her gaze touched on him. “Now I think I know.”

Her chin dipped sharply, decisively, like a choice firmly and finally made.

She beckoned him over, and we all exchanged embraces and promises to stay safe. My mother mounted her horse, and Luther pressed against my back, his arms draped over my shoulders as we watched her ride away.

“You’ve done something I didn’t think was possible until today,” I said.

“Spend several weeks sleeping beside you without managing to rip your clothes off and have my way with you?” he asked dryly. “I assure you, it wasn’t easy.”

I grinned. “I meant changing my mother’s mind.” I spun in his arms to face him. “Whatever you said, it won her over. She gave us her blessing.”

He tried his best to look unmoved, but a smile pulled hard at the corners of his lips. “Is that so?”

“What did you two talk about?”

“If I’m the onlyperson to ever change her mind, I can’t go sharing my secrets, now can I?”

I ducked out of his grasp and began to walk away. “I’ll keep that in mind when you’re ready to rip my clothes off and have your way with me.”

I squeaked as he grabbed my waist and yanked me back to his side. He folded me into a savage kiss that left me panting and molten in his arms. His mouth moved to my throat, dragging his teeth along my skin. As my hand threaded into the dark locks of his hair with a whimper, I started to think he planned tohavehis wayright here.

“She asked me why I love you.”

“Hmm?” I mumbled, my brain drunk on lust.

“Your mother.” He pulled back to look at me, smirking at my glazed-over eyes. “First, she listed all the things she’d do to my cock if I ever hurt you. You Bellator women know how to threaten a man where it hurts.” He grimaced and adjusted himself, and I beamed proudly. “Then she demanded I tell her why I love you. What I loveaboutyou.”

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