Page 124 of His Retribution

A tiger wearing glasses for Grace.

A ballet slipper for Posey.

A donut for Allie. Coffee and donuts are their thing.

A jukebox for Casey. They bonded mostly over music.

A daisy flower for Daisy.

An ohm symbol for Kai.

A book for Henrich.

A blacksmith’s hammer for Milos.

A small dagger wrapped in a vine for Andrej and the final charm is a dragon with the Dragovihk crest branded in the center.

I don't know how they were able to find such meaningful charms on such short notice, but it's clear that each one represents a different member of our family and were carefully chosen to remind my light of exactly where she belongs.

There's even room for more, which will definitely be needed as our family grows.

"Cora?" My eyes flick to hers the second she lifts her head, another few tears rolling down her cheeks. "Say something, my love."

Then she smiles and I feel it like a punch to the heart. "Thank you."

I frown. "I had no knowledge of this, angel. This was a gift from them and is as much of a surprise to me as it is to you."

"Not for the bracelet." She shakes her head. "Thank you for loving me, for being my mate, and introducing me to the family I always wanted. When we met I had no idea that I'd not only find the other half of my soul but I'd also find the only other thing I was so desperately in need of." Cora leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips. "When we met, I found my heart but I also found my home. You are my home, they are my home. Because of you I have the life I spent so many years wishing for, praying that I'd be given the chance to have." She kisses me again, and speaks against my lips. "Thank you, Havok. I love you."

We stay like that for a few moments longer before Cora slides down my body and asks for me to put the bracelet on her delicate wrist, adding it to the colorful arrangement already there. She spends a few minutes admiring it, as well as the ring I gave her yesterday. The one I gave her earlier than intended because I couldn't wait to see if I'd be able to give it to her on her birthday, and just after my light proclaims that she will never remove either piece of jewelry from her body, Cora drags me to the party where she does in fact have a good time.

* * *

Hours later, I'm standing at the bar next to my brothers, my third or fourth martini in hand, and a stupid smile on my face.

"It's rather amazing to think that this time last year we had just coaxed you out of that hole in the side of the mountain, and finally convinced you after a few months to move into an actual cabin," Henrich says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. "Until you've walked in my shoes, can you really claim to understand my journey?"

"Your shoes were the only thing that didn't have goddamn holes in them." Milos snorts. "We may have finally gotten you to live a little more comfortably, but you were a long way from housebroken."

I chuckle with a shake of my head, eyes tracking my beautiful mate as she mingles and chats with everyone possible, her eyes finding mine from across the valley. "It's funny what difference a year can make."

Cora heads over, the most radiant smile on her face, a very slight sway in her step. Her electric blue eyes are glassy, a faint flush on her ivory skin. My light is absolutely stunning and most definitely drunk.

My smile grows as I watch her set her empty glass on a table, pick up another then slam it, scowl, and discard that glass as well.

I have a feeling Cora and I will experience another first tonight.

Drunk sex.

Yes, that is a wonderful thought and an epic way to end her birthday.

"Do you have any idea what you's guys are doing?" Cora chirps with that mischievous gleam in her eye.

"You's guys?" Kai chuckles. "Are you in the Italian mob now, little one?"

Cora juts her chin out, crosses her arms against her chest, then does some elaborate sweeping gesture with one hand. "Iamthe Italian mob,Pisano," she says in her best Brando impression.