Page 139 of Guarded
The mage tutted as he paused before Lucifer. His mate, Mori, was watching him with a mixture of fear and pride. “Oh dear. You really never learn. You might be powerful, Lucifer, but you need to remember that that only matters until someone stronger than you steps into the arena. Someone like me.”
The mage’s gaze flickered to Noah, who was glaring at Lucifer like he could execute him with the mere force of it. “Someone like that angel over there, whose mate you’ve decided to fuck with. You can’t rule through might alone, Lucifer. Not when there are others who can, and will, best you. I suggest you learn some other tactics. Diplomacy, for example. You could start with recognising when you’re outmatched.”
With that, the mage released Lucifer. He dropped to his knees, clutching his chest as he gasped.
Mori was beside his mate in an instant, dragging him against his chest as he glared at his father. “Take the fucking hint this time, old man. Just because none of us want to take the throne doesn’t mean we won’t execute you if needed. I’ll even let River be the one to do it.”
River. That was the mage’s name. He reached up to cup Mori’s face. “You really do say the sweetest things.”
Cal grabbed his father by his throat. “Let’s take this chat inside.”
He dragged him behind him, just as Lucifer had with me. His sons, along with Dimitri and River, all followed.
As for me?
I launched myself into the air. I didn’t hesitate, didn’t look to see if anyone would try to launch a sneak attack. I saw nothing but Noah.
My mate, who opened his arms as I approached.
We collided in mid-air, the speed at which I’d crashed into him sending us careening backwards. I didn’t care. I couldn’t stop myself. I crushed Noah to me, tears blinding me.
His arms wrapped around my middle, his tears mingling with mine as he peppered kisses over my face. He was saying something, repeating the same phrase over and over. It took me a second to register what it was, but when I did, my heart swelled so fast I thought it might burst.
“I love you.”That’s what he was murmuring. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
I grabbed his face with both hands, pulling back so I could see his beautiful golden eyes. “You do?”
Noah huffed a laugh. “I was about to fall for you, and you ask me if I actually love you?”
I was stupefied. “Well, no one’s been in love with me before. It’s another first.”
His smile softened. “I’m glad to be your first, Jem. It’s not just today, either. You can wake up every day for the rest of your life knowing that I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said suddenly. “You know that, right?”
His eyes closed briefly as he exhaled shakily. “I do now.”
I leaned my forehead against his, grasping the back of his neck. “I love you, Noah. So much that I worry it might be too much for you.”
“Never,” he vowed. “You’re my everything, Jem.”
It was time. I was ready. If I was being honest, I’d been ready for a while. Ever since I’d sat on top of an ancient monument while the sun rose, unable to look away from the angel beside me. “Noah, will you accept my mark? Will you be mine?”
“Yes.” Noah nodded rapidly, more tears spilling over. “Yes, Jem, I will.”
With the power I’d expended today, I’d expected to have to search for it. But my demon was ready, handing over what we needed to make Noah ours with joy. I put my lips to Noah’s, leaving my mark there.
Making him mine. Almost.
Noah didn’t hesitate to complete it. “I accept the bond.”
Light burst from both of us, white and blue. My power and his. They entwined until there was no distinguishing between them. As it faded away, it left something behind.
An unbreakable bond between us.
Noah’s love flowed into me. If I’d been standing, I would’ve staggered from the weight of it. “You really love me.”
“And you really love me.” Noah touched his own chest. “Fuck, I’m never going to shut up about this. I’m going to drive the others crazy with how happy you make me.”
