Page 79 of Loving Amari

We’ve been doing well balancing out our mate bond with her duties in limbo. I keep myself busy with the technologycenter, teaching the young supernaturals about the digital age they’re inheriting. Bobby and I continue monitoring Brookstone and Blackburn, tracking their movements, waiting for Henry to resurface. But I don’t visit the academy much anymore. Too many memories of that night when I thought I’d lost her forever.

I set her down but keep my hands on her waist, unable to stop touching her. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She tilts her head, studying me with those beautiful eyes that see everything. “How would you feel about coming to limbo with me?”

I pause, surprised by the offer. “Is it safe?”

“Yes. I’ve been working on making it safer for you.” Her smile is confident. “I’ve learned more about my powers. I can protect you there now.”

“I would love to be there with you again.” My heart beats faster at the thought of being by her side in her realm, standing with her as she rules.

She holds up a finger. “It’s still not safe for you to be there long.”

She tilts her head, exposing her neck. “Feed on me.”

I hesitate. “You’re a goddess. I felt too much power when we completed the claiming process again. It was overwhelming.”

She glares at me, that stubborn set to her jaw I’ve come to love. “Do you want to come or not?”

I grip the back of her neck, kiss her lips first, savoring the taste of her. Then I bite down on her neck, my fangs sinking into familiar flesh. Her blood floods my mouth and I groan at the potency.

Her blood is different now. Powerful. Divine. It floods through me like liquid fire, charging every cell in my body. I can feel the goddess power in it. My own power amplifies, strengthened by her essence.

I drink deeply, taking more than I normally would, knowing I’ll need the strength for limbo. When I’m finished, I lick the wound to seal it, my saliva healing her instantly.

Energy courses through me, more potent than any blood I’ve ever consumed in my long existence.

She opens a portal and I step through. The darkness of limbo envelops us, but I’m surprised I don’t feel the drain immediately. I don’t need a cloak to protect myself.

“The privilege of being fated to a goddess,” she says with a smirk.

She closes the portal behind us. I look around the void of limbo, so different from the living realm. It’s endless darkness, but in the center stands Carla’s throne.

The throne itself is magnificent. Mystical and otherworldly, it seems to be made of solidified magic rather than any earthly material. Pink webbing forms the base, intricate patterns. The seat rises high, back arching like spider legs reaching toward an invisible sky.

Then I see him. Nathaniel, bound in chains at the base of the throne.

I grin. “You caught him.”

“Yes. A gift for our mate bond.” Pride radiates from her.

The sight of him fills me with satisfaction. This man has haunted us, possessed children, nearly destroyed Wintermoon. And now he’s here, powerless, waiting for judgment.

I help Carla walk up to her throne. The stairs seem to materialize beneath our feet, solid pink magic forming a path. She sits down with the grace of the queen she is, arranging herself on the throne that was made for her. She is magnificent. Powerful. Divine. And I’m proud to be standing beside her.

Verto watches from his massive web above us, patient and ready.

“I want you to give him his sentence. His judgment.” She looks at me with those beautiful eyes, full of love and trust. “What is his fate, my love? He is of your culture, so I only saw it fitting.”

My heart swells. She understands. This is about more than just punishment.

I look at her with so much love, then lean down and kiss her passionately.

She breaks the kiss with a giggle. “You’re getting another bear fuck when we get home.”

I grin. “Fine by me.”

I walk down the stairs. I circle Nathaniel who begins begging for his life in Arabic, the language of our youth, our culture, our lost civilization.