Page 23

F or the first time, I wished I had huge bat wings. My legs simply couldn’t take me to the courtyard fast enough.

I made it outside, breath heaving, heart racing, stomach twisted by a mix of excitement and nerves. I ran to where the guards had gathered, and they parted to let me inside the circle they had formed for landing. Xaniban and his warriors were yet to arrive.

I tried to get my breathing back to normal as I stared up in the sky. Shocked gasps came from around me, combined with the flutter of wings and the words “queen” and “mate” being whispered. Only now did I realize I was still wearing the queenly robe.

Well, fuck it. Xaniban was here, and that was all that mattered.

The courtyard erupted in wing-flaps as he appeared above the palace wall, flanked by his warriors. His loincloth shone like gold in the sunlight. He was truly back!

My hands and feet went cold. My pulse sped up.

I felt light-headed and weak in the knees.

Tears filled my eyes at the same time as a huge smile broke across my face.

The realization that each of these sensations was listed on the Mate Bond Scroll under Reunion after Short-Term Separation was something I would dwell on later. Much later.

Xaniban wasn’t smiling while he and his soldiers were descending.

There was no triumphant look on his face at seeing me dressed as he wanted and waiting for his arrival exactly as he’d predicted.

His dark eyes were fixed on me with blazing intensity.

Had I not known Gargoyles didn’t eat humans, I would have expected to be devoured.

A smart creature would be running for its life at the sight of such a hungry-looking predator approaching.

I kept smiling, and heat pooled low in my belly.

Xaniban landed, took the two steps separating us in a heartbeat, and wrapped me in his arms, tail, and wings.

The whole world around me disappeared. Within those wings, warmth and semi-darkness engulfed me. I couldn’t see his face, but I didn’t need to. His mouth found mine with hot urgency.

The kiss was hard, possessive, and deep enough for me to feel his fangs.

I linked my fingers at his back and tried to pull him closer, though that was impossible.

His fingers were in my hair, angling my head just right for the searing kiss.

The only reason our lips parted at some point was that we both needed oxygen.

“ Anima ,” Xaniban murmured reverently, his forehead resting on mine. He brushed away the tears rolling down my cheeks. “My mate… My little blessing…”

I buried my face in his chest. His heart beat strong and fast. He was alive. He was here. I couldn’t think about anything else right now.

Okay, maybe just one other thing. “Did you find the flesh eaters’ king?”

“Yes.” There was no mistaking the pride in that single word. “We bring you his head.”

“Good,” I said fiercely.

He tilted my chin up for another smoldering kiss. Then he opened his wings.

The light returned, and with it came the reminder that we weren’t alone. The courtyard was filled with kneeling gargoyles. Had they been on their knees since their king’s arrival? Oops.

“Rise, my loyal brethren,” Xaniban said, keeping me in the circle of his arms and tail.

Which was good, because I wasn’t letting go of him anytime soon.

“Our centuries-old enemy has been defeated! Many fell for this victory, and we will honor them with a feast tomorrow, from dusk until dawn! I shall officially present my mate to the whole homecloud then. May it be a celebration like no other!”

Cheers, roars, and wing-flaps accompanied every part of the king’s short speech. I joined them to the best of my ability, beyond myself with joy. The zombies were done for, and I had Xaniban by my side.

Were we mates, two parts of one soul brought back together after centuries of reincarnating apart?

Maybe. Maybe not. I felt what I felt, whatever the scientific explanation, and I was going to follow wherever those feelings led me.

Was I afraid to be vulnerable with someone, and in a post-apocalyptic world?

You bet. But if the last 24 hours had been any indication, I had already opened up my heart.

It was too late to run. It was time to be brave… and stay.