Page 30 of Deceiver (Soul Chasers #2)

Keagan

One Year Later

“ D inner was great. Thank you.” I fold my napkin and lay it on the table. “I didn’t peg you for being such a good cook.”

Wilder chuckles. “I’ve had quite a bit of time to practice my skills.”

“True.”

“You finished your project, right?”

I nod. “Sure did. Emailed the beast to the client this afternoon. I hope they like what I’ve done with it.”

“I’m sure they will.”

Wilder stands and takes our plates to the kitchen.

It’s been nearly nine months since I moved in, after only knowing each other for a few months, but I wasn’t comfortable sleeping in the house where my dad’s body was, however briefly.

There’s also something to be said for soulmates.

I knew it was the right decision, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Calliope made me a special necklace that repels any spirits attracted to me, even though no one is quiet sure why it happens.

Calliope said some people are just sensitive.

So all in all, my life is pretty normal.

Turns out, my stoic man is actually pretty damn sweet when there aren’t any Horrors around.

When he returns, he offers me his hand, and I take it, rising and stepping into his waiting embrace. We dance in circles to no music, Wilder nuzzling my neck.

“I’m ready, Keagan,” he says softly. “I want to know if you are.”

My stomach flutters. I don’t have to ask what he’s talking about. We’ve discussed this several times in the year since we met. I told Wilder that I wanted him to be a thousand percent sure before we took things to the permanent next step.

“It was a year ago this week that we met,” he says, smiling as he gazes at me.

“Little did I know then how important you would become, but you’ve literally changed my life.

I can’t imagine not spending every second of it with you.

” He cups my face with his strong hands.

“I love you, Keagan Bishop, now and until the end of time.”

My bottom lip quivers. I’ve wanted to blurt it out so many times, but I held it in, giving him time to heal the wounds of his past and to find space in his heart for me. “I love you too, Wilder. I have for so long now.”

“I know you do. I felt it. I’ll do my absolute best for you. I promise.”

“I promise too.”

“We need a supernatural witness. I’ve called my friend Aster to come by.”

“What happens next?”

“I’ll summon Farnsworth to do the love bond.” His expression turns serious. “You’re absolutely sure that?—”

I put my fingers over his lips. “I’m absolutely sure.”

Seconds later, there’s a knock at the door, and Wilder walks over to open it. Two men and a cute little white dog are standing there. The dark-haired man smiles brightly.

“Never thought I’d get a call like this.” He claps Wilder on the shoulder. “Congrats, man.”

“I never thought I’d make a call like this.” Wilder smiles. “And thank you for coming.”

“Wouldn’t miss it. Where’s the lucky guy?”

“Come this way.”

The little dog prances towards me, wagging its cute tail and gazing up at me.

“Hi, little one. What’s your name?”

“That’s Otto,” the dark-haired man says. “I’m Aster, and this is my soul partner, Hudson.”

“Soul partner. So you did this too?”

Hudson nods, smiling. “Sure did.”

“Any tips for me?”

“Nah. It’s not that different really. Just keep loving each other.”

I glance at Wilder and nod. “I can do that.”

Wilder brushes his fingers across my cheek. “If we’re all ready, I’ll summon Farnsworth.”

“I’m ready.”

We all go outside to the backyard—apparently the ideal location for such a ceremony. The air is warm tonight, with a pleasant breeze blowing. Above us, the ravens flock to the tree, perched on the branches and looking engaged in the event.

Wilder takes my hand and says, “Farnsworth, requesting the love bond.”

A purple mist appears in the center of the yard, and a man dressed in a tailored dark gray suit appears. I remember seeing him on my front porch a year ago, and his suit is even nicer now.

His eerie gray eyes turn to Aster and Hudson first. “Good to see you both.”

“You too, Farnsworth,” Aster says.

Farnsworth’s gaze shifts to me, his lips turning up in the slightest of smiles. “I never thought I’d see the day, but I suppose we should never question Fate’s timing.”

He flicks his wrist and a scroll appears in his hand, along with a small vial. There’s a tattered brown tag attached to the vial with mine and Wilder’s names scrawled across it.

Farnsworth unfolds the scroll, and a glowing string of light appears. “Please extend your arms.”

Wilder glances at me, smiling as he holds his arm out to Farnsworth. I do the same, watching in awe as Farnsworth directs the string of light to wrap around our wrists with only his finger, like a magician or something.

The light feels warm as it tightens around us. Farnsworth pulls the cork from the vial and a swirl of red smoke rises from it. Then he releases the vial and the smoke floats in the air between us. My heart races with excitement and awe.

Farnsworth begins to read from the scroll, but it’s in a language I don’t understand.

As Farnsworth reads, I feel an unmistakable tugging in my chest, drawing me closer to Wilder.

His breath hitches as his eyes go wide. The red smoke from the vial blooms into a cloud, engulfing the two of us within it, but it feels warm and safe, like the best hug ever.

Our chests press together as our bound arms are pulled towards Farnsworth, and a white mist rises from Wilder, billowing from his mouth into mine. My eyelids flutter and my chest tightens.

“Keagan?” Farnsworth’s voice reaches me, sounding far away but clear. “Do you bind your eternal soul to Chaser ECW4, known to you as Wilder?”

“Yes.”

“Do you accept his life source, knowing it is everlasting?”

“Yes.”

“Do you fully understand the risk of premature death and the consequences of such?”

“I do.”

“That is?”

“No sorting. Right to the Below for both of us.”

“Correct.”

“But I’d still be with him.”

Wilder trembles as the mist rolls out of him, but I can see the awe and joy in his eyes.

Farnsworth rattles off more gibberish, but as he does, the string of light around our wrists sizzles into our skin, absorbed completely and painlessly. The white mist coming out of Wilder dissipates and his body grows still.

“Your love bond is complete,” Farnsworth says. “May your eternity be sweet.”

Wilder seems dazed. “Is he okay?” I ask.

Farnsworth nods, stepping out of the cloud of red smoke that is also quickly fading. “He is. Just a bit drained. He did give you part of his soul, after all.”

Part of his soul. “Right.”

“He felt it far more than you did, but he’ll be fine in a minute or two.”

And just like that, Wilder coughs before dragging in a few deep breaths. “Damn.”

“You’re okay?”

He turns to me, his eyes instantly softening. “We did it. We’re bonded.”

“We are.”

Aster claps Wilder on the back. “Congratulations, you two. We’ll get out of here so you can celebrate.”

“That’s it?” I ask, glancing around.

“That’s it,” Hudson says. “Pretty easy really.”

Farnsworth smooths a hand over his pristine suit. “Congratulations. I’m very happy for you, Wilder. Be well.”

Then he’s gone again.

Aster chuckles. “That’s the warmest I’ve ever seen him be.”

“Me too,” Wilder says, winking.

“Will we see you both at this year’s Chaser party?”

“There’s a party?” I say.

Wilder frowns. “Ah, I tried to block it out, but attendance is mandatory.”

“Where is it?”

“The underworld,” Hudson says. “In the Revival House. It’s pretty cool.”

I blink several times to process what he just said. “I’m sorry… I’ll be in the underworld for a party?”

“Yep.” Hudson nods, sliding his arm around Aster’s waist. “We can do that now. It’s not scary at all though. It’s like a regular place. Mostly.”

“Interesting.”

“Wilder absolutely adores forced camaraderie, don’t you, buddy?” Aster teases while Wilder rolls his eyes.

“I believe you said you were leaving.”

Aster chuckles. “Yeah, yeah, we’re leaving. Come on, Otto.”

“Thank you for helping us,” I call out as the two men and their dog exit the house.

Once they’re gone, Wilder turns to face me, his expression unusually peaceful. “Shall we consummate our bond?”

“It’s only fitting.”

Chuckling, he pulls me into his arms. “You’ve made me a very happy man. Happier than I ever dreamed I could be.”

I reach up and twist my fingers through his beard. “Back at ya, Chaser.”

Bending down, he scoops me up and tosses me over his shoulder while I cackle the whole way up the stairs. Tonight is the beginning of our eternal life together. I can hardly wait to find out what we do next, but for now, we’ll enjoy this moment.

Wilder lays me down on the bed in our room and hovers over me, kissing me softly.

“I love you, Keagan. With all that I am.”

I run my hands down his chest. “I love you too, Wilder. Forever.”

I’ve had a few failed relationships and a bruised heart for many years, but every day with Wilder, I heal just a little bit more. The best part is knowing I helped heal him too.

As he pulls me into his arms and we dissolve together into a heated kiss, I take a moment to thank Fate for bringing us together.

In spite of how we got here, I wouldn’t change a single thing.