Page 17 of Polestar (The Global Paranormal Security Agency #3)

Magnus had made it clear that he was banished and expected to be treated as a dead man. This ritual of their impending marriage was the only excuse that would grant them entry into the realm.

“You are not a bear, or a shifter.” Her demeanor steeled when she turned her attention to Ana.

“I am not,” Ana said.

To Magnus, the registrar said, “You were serious when you said Barentia should make alliances with outsiders.”

Magnus nodded.

“The king seems to have changed his mind on the subject. Outsiders come and go as freely as Barentians these days.” Her gaze flicked to the door again.

The woman’s growing conflicted concern weighed on Ana’s senses. She wanted to tell Magnus something.

But Magnus was a banished outcast. No one was supposed to be talking to him. Her sole role here was to record his impending marriage and any offspring.

After having observed the two for the last few minutes, Ana acted on instinct.

Reaching for Magnus’ hand, she looked up at him and thought of their night together.

The memory of his tenderness and consideration radiated through her.

She smiled, allowing her growing feelings toward this gentle man to show on her face and in the way she leaned into his arm. Her thumb stroked his.

“I’m honored to have the chance to be here, in Barentia. To see your childhood home, even if just a little bit.” She laughed. “Perhaps if we have many children together, I may get to see a little more of it each time. Though it would be a shame that they might not know it as you do—did.”

Magnus’ fingers squeezed around hers affectionately as he looked down into her face.

She sensed his emotions flipping, but the corner of his lips lifted. “ Many children,” he repeated gruffly as his gaze turned heated.

Warmth bloomed in her cheeks, spread through her chest and down her belly, at the look in his eyes.

The registrar cleared her throat.

Her expression softened as she looked between the two, appreciating their affection for one another.

“You’re only supposed to be here long enough to declare for the record, but if you like, I can give you a peek at the library where Magnus spent so much time as a boy,” she said to Ana, tipping her head back toward the open door she’d come through with the book.

“Maerie’s duties as registrar are just part of her role here in the stronghold. She’s also the clan archivist and librarian.”

“And clerk and secretary,” she added, proud. She reached for the quill, dipping it into the inkpot. “Shall we?”

Magnus’ fingers tightened on Ana’s again. She glanced up into his face. Concern creased his brow as he stared down at the book. His apprehension was palpable.

She understood.

Returning her attention to the book, she considered the elegant script lining the pages of the thick tome.

Their names were to be inscribed in the clan’s official register, tracking royal lineages.

Magnus was a prince. A shaman was supposed to witness this record. This act was part of the clan’s long, long tradition and should not be treated lightly.

They were there under the guise of a pending marriage. A sham. A ruse.

A lie.

Ana’s chest tightened as she looked up into Magnus’ conflicted face under the weight of the moment.

When he turned his gaze to her, the feeling flowing from him took her breath away.

“Analiese, before we sign this register, if you have any doubts, we can turn back now. Leave the page blank.”

They were already inside the stronghold at the heart of Barentia.

They didn’t have to commit to the lie to fulfill their mission. They’d just needed access to the stronghold and territory. And they had it.

But, they still needed to confirm Barentian contact with the sigil to understand what happened to Aksel.

Here, now, can we still get that information without signing the book?

Studying the script, some part of her wanted to sign it.

“We can turn back now if that’s what you want. I’ll understand. The past hasn’t been kind to either of us.”

It hadn’t.

Magnus’ politically contracted wife had turned against him. Ulla had alienated him from his son, his father, and his clan.

Ana had been rejected by the man she’d thought was the love of her life.

Although she and Antony had been together for many years, he’d never talked of their future together.

They’d been little more than friends sharing a bed until she’d lost him to the ocean.

Maybe he had always known his fate was with the sea.

After she’d lost her mother and Gran and then Antony, Ana had been alone, except for her growing family at the GPSA.

Magnus had also been alone, with the exception of those that worked for the Organization—the parent of the GPSA.

We understand each other.

When Magnus touched her, she wanted him to always be touching her.

She’d never experienced this level of connection with anyone before. Not even Antony.

Did Magnus feel it too? Or was she just becoming infatuated with the big, stoic polar bear shifter?

After all, how long had they known each other? A week? Less?

Does it matter?

She’d experienced so much in the last year, seen so much—too much.

When she looked into Magnus’ eyes, she knew it was the same for him.

Could either of them ever truly have a ‘normal’ life? Even after they closed this case?

If they closed this case.

Ana didn’t think she could. She didn’t even know what a ‘normal’ life even meant anymore.

But she did know something. Now. She looked up into Magnus’ eyes.

Her heart pounded in her chest, blood roaring through her. Tears sprang to her eyes as she realized, truly, that she wanted this man.

If they were to commit their names to that precious book on the Registrar’s desk, she didn’t want it to be a lie.

It shouldn’t be.

She blinked away the threatening tears and tried to offer an encouraging smile that told him he didn’t need to sign the book.

The registrar forgotten; Ana stood transfixed as Magnus’ large hand reached for her cheek. Her eyes fell closed at the feel of his warm fingers caressing her jaw to cradle her nape. His lips brushed hers.

He kissed the corner of her mouth, her cheek and his warm breath tickled her ear as he whispered, “I would sign that book in a heartbeat, if it meant that your name was recorded next to mine for all of Barentian time.”

Her breath hitched as she leaned her cheek into his palm, relishing the feel of his skin on hers.

The frantic pounding of her heart slowed to a steady thrum.

When she opened her eyes, he was still bent close, his gaze searching hers.

“I would take you as my mate, should you choose it.”

Mate.

Intuition roared through Ana’s being. “I choose you,” she said, voice steady. She returned his kiss.

“I promised to keep you safe and warm,” he murmured against her lips.

“So you did,” she murmured back with a smile.

A promise.

Mate.

For all Barentian time.

Maerie cleared her throat. “My ink pot is drying out.”

Ana and Magnus returned their attention to the woman with the wry smile and the task at hand.

Magnus reached for the quill and, with a few swipes, set his name to the register, then held the pen up for Ana.

She plucked it from his fingers and approached the handcrafted book. His signature was bold and elegant. Magnus, son of Bjorn, son of Thorn. Prince of Barentia.

Analiese carefully set her name next to his. Analiese Maria Marguerita Francesca Ortega.