Page 113 of Polestar
The bear ambled down a greenish tunnel, which opened into a domed room.Not quite a dome, no… Ana squinted up into the ceiling.It was the roof of a cave covered in aurora borealis.
“So beautiful,” she whispered, following the bear around a massive stalagmite.“But why am I here?What do I need to do?”
Beyond the stalagmite slumped a figure on the floor.
“Magnus!”Ana gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth.
Unconscious, he was naked and bleeding.
“Is he dying?”She rushed forward.She crouched, placing her hands on his face.
Next to her, the bear peered into his face, its expression so very sad.
“What do I do?”
The bear pressed its nose to Magnus’ breastbone then poked Ana in the same place, shocking her by the gesture and the electric sensation.Her hand drifted to her chest.
Her heart.
Magnus’ heart.
Her throat tightened.Instinct told her what the bear wanted her to do, but she couldn’t form the words in her head.
Overhead, the lights shimmered green and blue.
Looking at the bear, she said, “I’m not sure I understand, but I’ll try.”The bear huffed and nudged her forward.
Ana straddled Magnus’ thighs and sank to her knees.
Despite his weakened state, he radiated warmth.
With all her strength, she hooked her arms under his, leaning him toward her, chest to chest.
Heart to heart.
She closed her eyes.Listening to the beat of his heart and the beat of her heart.
In the magic of this place, it seemed to echo around them as they synced into a single beat.
Thoughts of one another had guided them together like a single pulsing polestar.
His hands slid around her waist and up her back as he nuzzled her shoulder.“Ana,” his voice was hoarse as his arms crushed her to him.“I thought I’d lost you forever.”
Enveloped in his embrace, she sank into him, eyes closed.“Not a chance, when you only just found me.”
He pulled away just enough to look into her face.
It felt like a mile between them.
“What you said in the registrar’s office?”
Mate.
“That I choose you?”
He nodded.
Emotion swelled her heart, making her throat constrict and her eyes tear up as her heart opened, responding to Magnus.
