Page 89 of Awakening

“The forest has been entirely devoid of life all these years. Not a single living creature has entered it. The fact that you have seen not just any living thing, but more specifically, a butterfly, gives me hope that we will have a new ally come morning.”

Emrys stood and placed his empty cup on the small, wooden table.

“I think I will take a walk and explore the city,” he said. “See that you get some rest while you can.” He walked out the door, closing it behind him.

Marc rose from his seat and stood in front of Trystan. He looked down at him as he took another sip of tea. Trystan glanced up. Dark blue eyes captured his. He held his breath.

Marc took the cup from Trystan’s hand and placed it on the table. Then, grasping both Trystan’s hands, Marc pulled him up, wrapping his arms around him. Pressing his forehead against his, Marc closed his eyes. “Do you still choose me as your mate, my heart?”

“I do.” The words fell out of Trystan without a second thought.

A comfortable silence fell over them as Marc held Trystan close. Their foreheads still touching, Trystan let his eyes slip closed as his hands fell to Marc’s hips. He rested in Marc’s embrace, his heart whole, his soul complete.

“Trystan?” Marc whispered.

“Yes?”

“Will you tell me about what happened in the labyrinth?”

Trystan inhaled sharply as images of Myrddin and Emma flooded his mind.

“I only want to understand, my heart.”

“It wasn’t real.”

“But you remember it as if it were.”

Trystan hesitated. “Yes.”

“Tell me. Please.”

Trystan dragged a long, deep breath into his lungs and blew out slowly. “I loved him, Marc. It feels as though I love him still.”

“That’s because you do love him.”

Trystan shook his head. “I love you.”

“And him.”

Trystan opened his eyes and pulled back enough see into Marc’s. His gaze searched his. “I miss them. Myrddin and Emma. Even Artemis. Emma’s pet wolf.” Trystan let out a breath. “I know it was only two days, but it felt like years. In my heart, I spent years with Myrddin and Emma. I was so in love with them, Marc, and I feel as though they’ve both been ripped away from me. In my heart and mind, everything was real. There are moments where I wish I could go back.”

Trystan sucked his lips into his mouth, shaking his head a little. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It isn’t your fault.”

“I know.”

Marc pressed a soft kiss to Trystan’s lips. “If we could have a child together, would you want to?”

Trystan nodded. “I would.”

“I as well.” Marc captured his lips in a harder kiss, tugging at Trystan’s clothes.

Trystan pulled at Marc’s clothing as they tumbled onto the bed, their arms and legs tangling. As soon as their clothes were removed, Marc pressed Trystan’s back to the bed and his manhood found the wet hole between Trystan’s legs. Marc wasted no time guiding his cock into Trystan.

Marc sank all the way into him and fell down to his elbows, sheer pleasure coursing through him. His lips ghosted over his mate’s. “I’ve never seen a man with a child in his womb,” Marc whispered. “But I should very much like for you to be the first.”

Trystan groaned quietly.