Panting, Cuan braced himself against the altar. “I found him.”
The ball of feathers and light exploded, and Kalahar landed on the altar right beside me.
He blinked, his fiery eyes unfocused. He touched my cheek, murmuring.
“Oh, thank the spirits.” I yanked him against me.
“Where am I?”
Cold shivered down my spine. What if he didn’t remember me? Us? Everything we had done?
Kalahar pulled away and studied my face like he was memorizing every line.
If he didn’t remember me, I would make him. I would show him, take him back to the places we traveled. There was no other option.
“Nova.” He breathed and pulled me into a kiss. “You’re here.”
I melted against him, relief warring with love. His entire body emanated heat, and I pressed myself against him.
Kalahar pulled away. “Did you miss me?”
I hit his shoulder. “What sort of question is that?”
He grinned. “Just checking. How long?”
“Three weeks, two days, and seven hours.” Stefan leaned his hip against the altar. “Not that we were counting.”
“I have to make it up to you then.” Kalahar cupped my face with his hands. Heat scalded me.
“Yes, you do.” Desire fanned inside me. “Are you okay?”
“Disoriented.” He dropped a kiss onto my cheek before moving across to pepper my jaw with kisses. “Want to help me adapt to the mortal realm again?”
“Mmm.” I hooked a leg over his waist. “Yes.”
He laid his weight on top of me, and for the first time, he wasn’t moving gingerly. His fire burned brighter now, white hot and yellow, and I writhed underneath him, my core growing wetter at the thought of finally having my whole pack together.
“You need to bond me to the Shrine.” I panted.
“Yes, precious flame.” He nipped my neck, close to my bond mark. “Have you come to offer yourself to the spirit of the Shrine of Everlasting Fire?”
Heart curled through me, burning me hotter. “Yes,” I panted. It felt like I was in heat, the burning need to have him racing through my veins.
Kalahar licked my bondmark, and Hashir leaned over. “Go on, Nova. Show off for us.”
I shivered at the idea of being watched as Kalahar took me in front of everyone making the fire burn hotter. I bit Kalahar’s shoulder, moaning against him. “You left me for weeks.”
“I won’t leave you again.” He cupped my face. “Bonding me will keep me with you.”
“It will hurt you?”
He shook his head. “I’ll be able to move in and out of the spirit world.”
“Good.” I gasped as he moved his mouth over my chest, peeling my robe off.
“Gorgeous,” he muttered, cupping my breasts. “I’m going to spend hours worshipping you, like we did in the Spirit Oasis.”
I shuddered at the thought, digging my fingers into his side. “Please.”