Page 427 of Primal Bonds

Olivier took in the damage with a pained look and then gestured for Adric to follow him. “If you’ll come with me, my lord.”

Adric grabbed his arm. “Where’s Rosana?”

“Right here, my lord.” The butler led him around a corner before opening another door.

Rosana stood there, legs braced apart, claws out. At the sight of Adric, she broke into a smile and retracted the claws.

He shoved past Olivier to pull her into his arms. “You’re okay?” He ran his hands over her. “How do you feel? Should you be out of the water?”

“I’m fine.” She touched his cheek. “What about you?”

“I’m good.” His hands trembled as he cupped her face. “But I was worried. About you. I—” His throat worked.

Worried was too tame a word for how he’d felt, but Rosana seemed to understand. She rose on her toes to brush her lips over his. “I’m okay. Really.”

She was. He could see it, scent it. He breathed a prayer of thanks to the gods and pressed kisses to her eyes, her cheeks, her throat.

He’d almost lost her.

He had to touch her. Taste her. Assure himself she was really okay.

Olivier coughed.

Adric growled without lifting his head.

Oliver cleared his throat. “The prince—”

“Can fucking wait.”

Adric pressed a last kiss to Rosana’s soft mouth and released her. This time, he registered the sassy little purple dress. He swallowed hard. “Damn. You look beautiful.”

The short, sleeveless design showed off her toned arms and legs, and dipped low over her full breasts. Her hair had been braided into a single inky plait, and like him, she was barefoot.

His mouth quirked. That was his Rosana, ready for anything.

Mate, the cat whispered in satisfaction.

“They took my other clothes,” she said with a shrug.

He fingered her amethyst pendant. It was warm, the crystals humming a contented tune. And the sea-green thread was back in his own quartz.

Mate.

This time, he didn’t even try to fight it. No, he welcomed it.

He snaked an arm around her waist. “You’re beautiful—and you’re mine. Don’t forget that for a fucking minute.”

“I think that’s the key,” she whispered in his ear. “You and me, together.” She inclined her head at Olivier like the alpha’s sister she was. “You may take us to the prince now.”

They followed the butler down another corridor and into a hall of ornate black mirrors half-covered by the lush ivy which snaked over the walls.

Rosana glanced at her reflection and jerked.

Adric halted. “What?”

“I see Dion and your sister,” she said in an excited whisper. “And Cleia, and Merry’s uncle, Jace. In the woods.”

His brows shot up. “Together?”

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