Page 48 of Luna Cursed

"You're so fucking gorgeous," he said in awe, his hand pressing over her beating heart. She was so alive. And his. All his.

"I think I love you," Ciara groaned.

Lightning exploded down Tor's spine like an electric shock, and he came with a surprised shout. He was shaking from the force of it, his vision blurring. He lowered her legs and pulled her up into his arms to hold her. Ciara pressed a kiss to his lips.

"Good morning," she said, her expression a little dazed.

"It certainly is," he replied, trying not to laugh. He kissed her instead, his tongue plundering her mouth. He would never get enough of her taste, her warmth, the sated smile she gave him after sex.

Ciara wrapped her hands around his neck and surrendered to it. He wanted to ask if she meant what she said or if it was a post-orgasm exclamation.

Don't scare her and start a fight after sex.Tor wouldn't let it go, and he wouldn't forget.

Ciara pulled back from him with a content sigh. "Pluragrotta it is. We need to get moving. Staying here feels too dangerous."

"You'll always be safe with me," Tor said, a thread of panic in his voice.

Ciara shook her head. "That's not what I mean. I can't keep my hands off you, and it's not the time for a holiday."

"We will need to come back in a few days. It doesn't matter what's happening with Varg," Tor reminded her, tucking a lock of her dark hair behind her ear. "I won't have you vulnerable at full moon."

"Okay," she said, surprising him.

"Okay? No fighting me?"

"Is there a point? If I do turn, I don't want to be in enemy territory or near any of my family," Ciara replied. Her eyes twinkled with all kinds of trouble. "I can always find something else to fight with you about later."

25

Alruna looked at them with a curiosity that she couldn't hide but was too polite to outright ask about. Ciara knew she was glowing from a sound sleep, great sex, and a full stomach and wasn't doing anything to try and hide it.

They had gotten dressed and had headed over to Alruna's to update her on their plans and ask her to open them a portal.

"Are you sure this is a wise idea so close to the full moon?" she asked.

"If you are worried about me shifting, don't be. I've already agreed to come back before the full moon rises," Ciara replied.

Alruna looked at Tor. "You really want to take her from here when you're…in this condition?"

"For Christ's sake, we aren't mating!" Ciara snapped, losing her patience. "It's a bond thing. We aren't in a mating frenzy or whatever else you want to call it."

Alruna's eyebrows shot up. Tor blushed a deep crimson, and the elf queen burst out laughing. "She's actually serious?"

"She is. And she's right. There have been no mating words or promises spoken, Auntie. We will both be fine. Pluragrotta might be nothing. It's a slim lead at best. I only want to rule it out," Tor replied firmly.

After a time, Alruna managed to stop her fit of the giggles and become serious once more. "I'll send the warriors to Uppsala to run down that lead too. This Varg mess needs to be cleaned up once and for all, and I will sleep better at night knowing Linnea is safe and sound." Alruna's magic hummed in the air. "I'll send you to Mo i Rana. It's the town closest to the cave systems where you'll be able to get a car. Only scout the place. If there is the slightest whiff of magic or cultists, you are to tell me immediately. Understand?"

"Yes, Auntie, we'll be good," Tor said and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you," Ciara replied because she was grateful as hell for portal magic. She didn't think she would survive a thirteen-hour road trip locked up with Tor. She knew something was happening between them and was refusing to quantify it.

God, you told him you loved him this morning, and he said nothing. Don't get your hopes up too high, her brain unhelpfully reminded her.

Tor had said he wanted to mate her. Maybe that was the same kind of thing to the wolves? She didn't want to think about it before a hunting trip.

Ciara had never lost her head over a man before. That kind of ridiculousness had always been other people's problem. Now she knew that no one was immune to it when the right person came along. She never thought her right person would be a wolf.

Ciara pulled out her phone and texted Lachie.Following up on a lead with Tor at Plura Cave. I'm FINE. We are not mating. Let you know if we find anything. Don't start any shit with the elves.

---