Page 130 of His Atonement

My entire body jerks from the zap of electricity as those fingers slide down my cheek, follow my jaw until they stop on my chin and tilt my head back.

"Open your eyes, baby. I want to see you."

Slowly, I force my eyes open, force them to take in my delusion at its height and when they connect with the most gorgeous woodland kaleidoscope staring back at me, I crumble.

I reach out and grip Frankie's hips, dig my fingers into her supple curves, bury them in the solid muscle and soft flesh as I pull her to me.

Tears stream down my face as I press it hard against her stomach, breathing deep the honeysuckle and coconut, the patchouli and orchid, the remnants of sage and lemongrass, the still strong fragrance of rose water. I weep like a babe as I wrap my arms around her, hold her to me close, then cry harder when I feel her arms embrace me back, the one feeling I could never forget or mistake no matter how much time has passed.

I feel her shift, feel Frankie bend and kiss the top of my head, and when she does, fuck, the zap I receive from that alone has confirmation resounding in my heart.

So I quickly pull back, lift my hands to her cheeks and bring her mouth down to mine in the most brutal of kisses, a kiss I thought I'd only experience in my dreams moving forward.

Frankie smiles against my lips, smiles as our kiss deepens and just when I'm about to explode from the plethora of emotion I'm feeling, my mate giggles into my fucking mouth.

"I missed you too."

I reluctantly break the kiss, pull back and I blink up at her through my tears. "I don't… you're here… how… I don't understand."

"If you can keep your tongue inside your own mouth for a few minutes, I think they can explain.” Frankie nods toward Tolan and Ellida, who smile at me exactly as they used to. "They don't have a lot of time left though, and they want to see Cora before they have to go."

I nod like a robot, allow my somehow no-longer-deceased mate help me to my feet, then lead me to the counter where she parks my ass on a bar stool before I keel over.

"I understand absolutely nothing.” I blink, looking between my adoptive parents that I personally buried just over three hundred years ago.

Ellida smiles. "That is to be expected, my son."

My heart flips at her voice, at her words.

She is just as she was.

"I'm going to get you cleaned up while they give you a shortened version of what went down.” Frankie goes to walk away but my hand shoots out, grips her wrist and pulls her to me.

"No."

"Zan, you're bleeding all over the place. I need to—”

I shake my head and tug her flush against me. "I cannot let you go, not when this could all be a dream."

She smiles and cups my cheek. "It's not, but I'll stay right here as long as you promise not to pass out from blood loss."

I nod.

All I can do is nod.

Nod and look at her in utter disbelief.

"Since you will not let your mate tend to you"—Tolan arches a dark blue brow and smirks—"allow your mother to do so in her place. I fear both females have been beside themselves since we received news of your victory."

Now I'm nodding like a goddamn bobble head, and for the first time in well over a thousand years I have no fucking words.

Which is why, as Ellida does in fact begin tending to my wounds, while my mate holds me and strokes my hair, Tolan starts explaining whatever the fuck is happening.

"Since our time on this plane is limited, I will make this short and sweet.” His smile grows. ”The Maker was so moved by your willingness to perform The Sinner’s Sacrifice for your mate, She made a few adjustments to your deal.” Tolan's eyes dance as he watches me. "While you battled that disgusting demon that sired you, The Creator of Life sent Frankie's soul to reside with us for safekeeping. We are most impressed with her, by the way.” He grins. "She is an absolutely perfect female, perfect for you in every way. It does my heart good to know both our son and daughter have exceptional mates."

Fuck.

Now I'm crying again.