Page 123 of Blade's Battle
Tear-filled eyes lifted.
“Our scars don’t define us. They make us stronger.” Blade kissed her right palm and then cut her palm alongside the scar. Next, he cut his left palm.
As he pressed their palms together, her smile came out, skittish at first, but strengthening as each moment passed. By the time he bound the ends of the golden cords around their clasped hands, she was beaming.
“Now we wait.”
“Are you okay?” she asked, worry lining her face.
“What type of question is that? I’m in the middle of blood-bonding the love of my life. I’m beyond okay. I’m riding high and never coming down.” Blade leaned in and kissed her. The kiss was slow, deep, and perfect.
A wall crumbled inside of him. He could feel his soul opening and accepting Anna in a way that was beyond heavenly. It was as if a universe of possibilities opened up to him, welcoming him, challenging him to be more, to venture farther—with her at his side—and to never look back.
Anna’s soul was merging with his.
Blade let the peace and love that was his Angel seep into his soul. The tendrils reaching out to him, wrapping around his soul, brought more than her love and need to help others. Hefelther wonder and appreciation for life, her infinite capacity for goodness, despite the darkness that lingered in the background. That was the part he’d help her with. He wasn’t sure how yet, be together they’d find the answers.
He brought their clasped hands to his mouth, kissing the back of hers as the blood slowed to a trickle. Another smile bloomed on her face. He’d never tire of those.
Blade unwound the cord and Anna gasped when she saw her palm. “The scar. It’s gone.”
“Of course, it’s gone. A true blood-bond doesn’t leave a scar.”
“No, I mean the older scar, from Drake. It’s gone!”
Blade wiped the blood smears from her hand, only to find soft, perfect flesh. He kissed her palm. She threw her arms around him and was jumping up and down. “We’re bonded!”
Thatwas the smile Blade would never forget. The one of joy and freedom bound together on an angel’s face.
“We need to celebrate!” she said, as she stepped out into the forest.
Blade came up behind her and started removing the rest of the cord from her. As he eased the robe off her shoulders. She tilted her head back.
“That wasn’t the type of celebrating I was talking about.”
“Next time be precise with your words.” The robe dropped to the ground.
His naked Angel turned into him. “How far are we from the pack?”
“Ten miles roughly.”
“And you’re okay still?”
She was worrying about the blood-bond’s effect on him. He had to admit, he was worried too, but he couldn’t let her see that. He hadn’t noticed a change in any of his senses yet, but he wouldn’t know for sure until he shifted.
“I have you. I’m better than okay, I’m fabulous!”
“Maybe we should go back,” she said, her voice carrying that heaviness he didn’t like.
“Anna, it’s done. Whether I lose my abilities at this point or not no longer matters. I’m happy and I’ll remain happy as long as I’m with you. We have plenty of time to decide where to go from here.”
“You mean go somewhere else? Not return to the pack?”
“Anywhere you want to go. You name it.” He couldn’t imagine leaving his pack. In the past six years, they’d become his family, and he’d already lost one family. If it were too painful for Anna to be there, then they’d move on, find another place to live. Maybe even in a city, though he’d never lived in a city before, or with any humans really.
“I want to go back, to your pack, toourpack.”
He released a breath he’d been holding for far too long. Then she pulled the gold cord hanging loosely around his neck and led him into the cave. “But not quite yet. I’m not passing up this chance at privacy.”
