Page 121 of Galen

Conversation halted when customers came into the shop. I greeted them before going back to the storage room to open another box. Kyo watched the front for me.

“Don’t push yourself too hard,” Galen said, slipping his arms around me from behind. “If you need to take a break, do it. I’ll unload the boxes.”

“I like unloading them.” I turned in his arms. “It’s like opening up presents on Christmas morning. Sometimes I know what’s in the box. Other times it’s a mystery.”

“You can be just as amazed sitting beside me asIunload them.”

“Nope.” I rose up on my tiptoes and nuzzled his neck.

His hold changed. Became a bit tighter. “Have you given any thought to what I asked you last night?”

My stomach dipped at the reminder. The question had come as we lay in bed, our bodies sated from hours of foreplay and sex. Galen had cupped my cheek, foreheads touching, and asked me to spend eternity with him. I’d said nothing at first, too shocked to speak. Because even though he loved me, I never thought he’d want to do the binding ritual.

Too much was at stake.

I had told him I needed time to think about it. It was too important of a decision. Options needed to be carefully weighed. He had kissed my temple and pulled me to his chest, letting the subject drop.

Now he wanted an answer.

“Aren’t you worried?” I asked, staring up into his light gray eyes. “All it would take is me falling and cracking my head open or something for you to die.”

“You’re clumsy, Simon, but notthatclumsy.” His humored tone didn’t touch the unease in his eyes though. “I want you. Forever. And if you die one day, whether it’s hundreds of years from now or a thousand, from demons or a freak accident, I’ll follow you into the next life. That brings my soul peace.”

“You’re too important,” I whispered. “I’ll only make you weak.”

Galen’s big hand moved to the side of my neck. “I’ve spent two thousand years obeying orders and protecting the world. And now I’ve found someone I refuse to let go of. I want to be selfish for once. What good is living forever if I can’t do so with the man I love by my side?” His brow creased with a frown. “But ifyoudon’t want this… if you don’t wantme—”

“I’m in love with you, Galen. Don’t ever think I don’t want you.”

“Then why won’t you give me an answer?” he asked, his voice cracking.

He had it all wrong. He thought I hesitated because I didn’t want to spend forever with him. When really, I’d been thinking of how it would affecthim.

My heart ached at the emotion in his voice. He had misunderstood. “If you’re sure you want to be stuck with me that long, then yes.”

Galen blinked. “Yes?”

“Yes,” I repeated, looping my arms around his neck. “I want to be yours. Forever. So no other dude can have you. I guess I want to be a little selfish too.”

A smile broke across his handsome face. The sight of it left me breathless. It was rare for him to smile without reserve.

“I want no one else.” He lifted me off the floor and kissed me, his joy hitting the center of my chest and spreading through me too.

“So. Um.” I kissed him once more before he placed me back on the floor. “What does this ritual consist of?”

“It’s not too complicated,” Galen answered, keeping his arms around me. “There’s a small ceremony.”

“Like a wedding?”

He nodded. “Sort of. We’ll exchange vows in front of witnesses—my brothers—and drink from the same goblet.”

“What’s in the goblet? Oh lord. Don’t tell me it’s blood.”

“A special wine,” he said, amused. “Infused with binding magic. And then we have sex.”

“Have sex… like in front of your brothers?”

“Fuck no.” Galen held me closer, a growl making its way up his throat. “I’ll kill them before I ever let them see you naked.”