Page 11 of Ignited Spirits
Archer rewards me with a blinding smile that makes my heart feel all mushy. He leans down and kisses around the crook of my shoulder before biting down.
I gasp at the sharp pain that quickly transforms into searing pleasure. I come again, starbursts lighting up behind my lids as I’m overwhelmed by an orgasm so intense I worry I might not survive it. It sweeps over me, consuming me, until I don’t know anything other than this moment right here with Archer.
My magic rises up and twines with Archer’s innate magic as I’m coming down from the high. The bond forms as seamlessly with him as it did with Bishop. I would be relieved if I had paused to think about the problems that could arise from mating with a shifter.
Archer’s hips buck erratically after the bond snaps fully into place. He groans my name and comes in me. Letting go of my hands, he rolls us yet again so that we’re on our sides.
He crushes me to his chest and buries his face in my hair. “Love you, sunshine. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.”
“Love you, too, sunny boy,” I whisper with my heart in my throat. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I vow to myself to keep him and the rest of my mates safe, no matter the cost.
CHAPTER 5
ARCHER
Icurl my hand into a fist to keep myself from tracing my fingertips over Izzy’s high cheekbones, full lips, and dainty chin.
Her expression is so peaceful as she sleeps, something I rarely get to see on her. She fell asleep a little while ago, and she could really use the rest after how crazy the past couple of days have been.
At least, I think it’s only been a few days. I honestly don’t know, because I haven’t seen anyone but Izzy since I woke up hours ago.
My arms reflexively tighten around her as I think about what could’ve happened if I hadn’t pushed her out of the way of Lua. She would have been the one who died, and there would be no bringing her back.
I wait for my wolf to growl in my mind at the thought of losing our mate before remembering that I might not have him anymore.
Smothering the panic that tries to rise up about losing my wolf, I bury my nose in Izzy’s hair to inhale her sunshine and berries scent. Everything about Izzy calms me in a way that nothing else does, and I need it right now more than ever.
Waking up after Izzy brought me back, I felt… different. I don’t know what changed, but something did. Something inside me feels unsettled, like it could explode at any moment. I have no idea what happens if whatever magic is now chilling inside me does go off, but I want her as far from it as possible.
I’m trying hard not to think about how being brought back to life might’ve changed me, because I’m beyond grateful for a second chance that most people never get. A second chance to be a better mate, brother, pack member, and man.
I spent so much of my life being a self-absorbed asshole. While I tried to change that after my parents died, I still don’t feel like I’ve made up for how I used to act.
With this second chance, I’m more committed than ever to being the type of man I should’ve been from the start. Not just for myself or the pack but for my mate, who has trusted me with something so special.
A dopey grin spreads across my face as I think about mating with Izzy. It’s still hard to believe it’s real. That I bonded my dream girl, the love of my life, and my favorite person.
I expected her to flat-out refuse me, but I figured it didn’t hurt to ask. Good thing I did, because that was one of the best moments of my life.
I press a light kiss to her forehead, careful not to wake her. I’m almost lulled to sleep by her even breaths and the steady beat of her heart against mine when the door creaks open. Lifting my head, I raise an eyebrow at Bishop, wordlessly asking him what he wants. There’s not much I’m willing to disturb Izzy for, though.
“Hades wants to see all of us,” he whispers. When I open my mouth to tell him that Hades can fuck right off, Bishop shakes his head at me and adds, “He wants to make sure that Izzy’s okay after using so much magic and drinking from the River Styx.”
I close my eyes and hang my head because her well-being is about the only thing I’d consider waking her up for.
“Hey, sunshine?” I ask softly against her hair.
“Hmm?” Izzy’s voice is adorably sleepy, and I hate having to wake her up. She opens her stormy gray eyes and gives me a heart-melting little smile, her expression uncharacteristically unguarded.
I cup her face and tilt it up before leaning down to give her a quick kiss. “We gotta get up. Underworld bossman summoned us.”
She snorts as she sits up, her borrowed gray shirt slipping off her shoulder as she does so.
When her gaze connects with Bishop’s, she freezes and blinks owlishly at him. “Um, hi?”
One corner of his mouth kicks up at her question. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
She shrugs. “Fine, I guess. That healing was pretty easy compared to most I have to do.”
