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One of the monks walked forward. Probably the guy in charge, considering all the thick wooden beads he wore around his neck.

“Did you bring it?” Beads asked. Seemed he wasn’t the only one skipping pleasantries.

“Yep, just like we agreed.”

The priest’s hooded head dipped, and he stepped aside. “You may enter.” He cast out his arm, demanding, “Place your burden there. On the altar.”

Liam gritted his teeth. He’d had enough of sacrificial altars to last a lifetime. At the center of the circular room, he set Vivian’s muslin-wrapped form on the slab of marble. Torches lit the windowless space, where ancient carvings were etched into the walls.

The monks formed a circle around him. “Remove your loved one’s shroud,” Beads said. “Position the stone over her heart and rest your hand on top of it.”

Liam nodded, pulled the soul sword from the sheath on his thigh, and cut the fabric from Vivian’s face and torso. The sight of her pale features made his chest tighten.Come on. Keep it together. You’ve made it this far.He positioned the dagger over her heart as directed.

The priest stood at the head of the altar. He placed his palm on Vivian’s forehead and set the other over the top of Liam’s hand.

The stone glowed, warming against his skin.

“Many souls reside in this object. You are her only tie to this plane. Without that thread, it would have been impossible to find her.”

Liam’s chest swelled. That’s right. Because he was Vivian’s anchor, her origin. After a hellish two days spent in the Amazon wilds, he was bringing her home. Where she belonged.

“Focus on your connection. On that slim thread that binds you.”

Liam closed his eyes, turning his thoughts inward. Images of his Bride flashed in his mind. Vivian, ordering him to unclasp her garters. The way she cried when she was forced to send Dove and Armond away. The kiss she gave him “for luck” right before they plunged through the floor. The look on her beautiful face when she sacrificed herself to save him.

Tears stung his eyes.Come back to me, Beauty.

His palm burned against the stone. Hotter. Hotter. The smell of his scorched flesh singed his nostrils. Still, he refused to let go. Wouldn’t turn tail and run. This time, he was keeping her.

His heart swelled with a deep throbbing ache. The connection between them grew stronger. Building and swelling until he feared his chest would explode.

Chanting voices rang in his ears. Seemed the rest of the gathered priests had joined the party.

Pain speared his heart, ripped him in half as though the priest had cracked it open, shoving Vivian back inside. Liam gritted his teeth, bracing his legs to keep them from buckling. Figured Vivian wouldn’t tiptoe back into his life but hit him like a freight train.

His pulse thrummed in his ears, skipped, then beat faster. Two heartbeats thundered together, the pounding rhythm strong and true. He kept his eyes closed, afraid of what he might find if he opened them.

By slow degrees, the pain eased. He sucked a labored breath and cracked an eye open.

“Did it work?”Please, tell me it worked. Heads will roll if it didn’t fucking work!

The priest drew his hands back into the sleeves of his robes. “See for yourself.”

Liam dared to glance down at his Bride. Pink colored her cheeks. Her heart pounded under his palm.Yes. Yes. Yes.He cupped her face, his hand shaking.

“Viv?” He stroked her silken flesh. “Viv, Beauty. You hear me?”

Her body jolted, startling him. Then her eyes shot open, and she opened her mouth, sucking air with a great gulping whoosh. Joy sang in Liam’s veins. The sound of her first breath the best sound he’d ever heard. Eyes panicked, she arched her back, writhing in his arms.

“It’s okay,” he soothed. “I’ve got you. Settle down. I’ve got you.”

“Liam,” she gasped, fear stark in her expression. She pressed her hand to her chest. Then glanced around the room.

“Alistair?”

“Dead,” Liam was happy to inform her.

She cupped his cheek, staring into his eyes with wonder. “You did it. Saved me. Set me free.”