Page 19 of Frosty and the Reaper

“Oh, I will relish every second of it.” He sighed. “And I guess being aware of the years passing was my penance for getting the other reapers involved.”

Horrified, Kami turned to face him. “You were awake that whole time?”

Zander felt the distress weighing on her heart like a physical ache in his own chest. It was as if her sorrow reverberated through him, binding them together in a shared vulnerability he’d never experienced before. While he hated making her suffer with the knowledge of what had happened to him, a part of him cherished her reaction. He’d never had anyone worry about him and want to protect him before.

Not like this.

Not with such intensity and sincerity.

Despite her earlier reservations and the doubts that had plagued her about their bond, she was all in with him as her mate now. She had set aside her fears and uncertainties, choosing to accept him exactly as he was. The love and loyalty she offered him were not only real but enduring, and that unwavering devotion was a gift beyond measure. It was rooted in profound acceptance, trusting in him when all she had to go on was faith in their bond.

With her, he finally found what had eluded him for centuries.

For the first time in his long existence, Zander felt like he truly belonged.

He was not just a powerful being who bore the weight of responsibility to keep the realms safe and balanced. Nor was he merely a guardian charged with ensuring the seal remained unbroken, standing as the last line of defense against chaos and destruction. Above all his titles, duties, and the burdens he carried, he was her mate, cherished, chosen, and deeply valued.

To Kami, he was someone worthy of being loved.

He belonged to her now just as much as she belonged to him.

Overcome with emotions, he pressed his lips against hers, pouring all of the feelings he didn’t know how to express into the kiss. She was every wish, every dream, every hope he’d ever dared to have.

In that moment, everything else faded into insignificance. There were no memories of pain, no lingering doubts, only the soul binding connection blazing between them. Every brush of their lips conveyed meaning, an unspoken symphony of longing and devotion. He cradled her face gently, desperate to convey through touch what words could never capture.

The depth of his love.

The fierce need to protect her.

The gratitude he felt finding solace and acceptance in her embrace.

They were marked mates, but they hadn’t fully bonded yet. He had been doing his very best to ignore the mating frenzy raging through him. It wasn’t that he wasn’t as desperate for her as she was for him. He just had centuries of control to help him fight that urgent demand. He’d wanted to give her a chance to get comfortable with him before they fully claimed one another.

Now, his control was quickly fading.

Sensing what she felt for him tipped the scale. He wanted her too damn much to wait much longer to have her. He wanted tolose himself in her warmth. To give in to the passion burning between them until they were both breathless and thoroughly sated.

Even though he cursed himself for putting the amulet back on her, he knew it had been the right call. It had given them a chance to talk and get to know each other a little better. He didn’t want her to accept him simply because she was forced to succumb to the mating frenzy. He wanted her to make the choice to be with him.

If she needed him to wait, he would respect her wishes.

Breaking the kiss, she pulled back, and their eyes met and held. Her ice-blue eyes were glowing brighter than they had been a few minutes ago. It seemed like the magic exchange they’d done was already increasing her potency. That would continue until she was stronger than most of the other gods.

Power looked damn good on her.

It wasn’t something to be feared. He would help her learn how to use her new god powers. He also felt her own magic within him but didn’t notice anything different. Perhaps he was already as powerful as he could be. At least, that was a safe assumption. Once her magic was fully merged with his, he would have to examine himself to see if there were any changes.

His breath caught when her lips curved in an enticing smile.

“Be with me,” Kami whispered, lifting the amulet from around her neck and tossing it to the side of the pool. “I want you now, Zander. No more waiting.”

Chapter Seven

“I am withyou, mate,” Zander swore. “I have waited lifetimes for you, and now we will have eternity together. Not even death will tear me from your side.”

“Talk about a long-term commitment,” she teased. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gifted him with a mischievous grin. “You know, I’m probably going to end up driving you crazy.”

Returning her grin, he said, “I look forward to it.”