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T he evening of Marjani and Fane’s mate ritual dawned clear and cool.

They’d chosen to have the ceremony on the first day of fall—the equinox, when night and day are in balance.

That seemed perfect to Marjani. Balance was what she’d found in Iceland, the balance between her dark side and her light side.

She’d been so angry for so long. With Corban and the river fada. With her uncle Leron, who’d made a young girl feel like less than dirt. Even with her brother, who hadn’t realized she’d been kidnapped until it was too late—and she knew that wasn’t fair, but rage isn’t always rational.

She’d aimed herself like an arrow at one goal—avenging herself upon Corban. Yes, she’d done it for Adric, but also for herself. To gain back some self-respect. But Corban was dead and she had to discover who she was today, this woman without that anger fueling her.

She was never going to be the same as before the kidnapping. She’d been broken and although she’d put the pieces back together, there’d always be cracks. But the cracks didn’t have to make her weaker. Maybe they made her stronger, sturdier; like pottery pieces that had been cemented into place.

She and Fane had talked about it late one night. She’d cried a little, but they’d been good, cleansing tears. She’d finally been ready to share the darkest things with someone. Fane had listened without judgment—and then held her close as he crooned a sad song in his low rasp.

Fane’s mate gift to her had been a gold heart with two jagged halves that fit together. When she’d opened the box, her throat seized up. He really did understand.

She wore one half of the heart next to her quartz, and he had the other on a leather cord around his neck.

“It’s time,” Suha murmured now. The two of them were alone in Adric’s den, dressing for the ceremony.

Marjani examined herself in the bathroom mirror. For the ceremony, she’d chosen a fire-engine red dress with a form-fitting bodice and a skirt that flared around her legs. On her feet she wore caged heels the same red as her dress.

She ran a hand over her cropped hair and smiled at herself. It felt good to be wearing a bright color, like a flower that had been deep underground and had once again emerged into the sunlight.

“You look amazing.” Suha gave Marjani’s bare upper arms a squeeze. “That man of yours is going to swallow his tongue.”

Their eyes met in the mirror. “So do you.” She smiled at Suha, who wore a matching lime green dress.

“Thanks.” Suha smoothed a hand down her skirt. “Beau likes me in this color.” Beau was a big, laid-back bear whom Suha had been dating for the past few months.

Marjani turned to face her friend. “You really do like Fane, don’t you?”

“Yeah. The man’s a charmer.”

Marjani chuckled. “He is, isn’t he?”

“And he worships the ground you walk on, which gives him major points in my book. You’re a lucky woman—but I think you already know that.”

Marjani nodded. “I do.” Her hand went to the gold half-heart next to her quartz.

Suha handed her a bouquet of bright, late-summer flowers, and together, they walked up the steps to the backyard.

Adric had closed off their street for the party and told the drug dealers to get lost for the evening. Evie and some of the other women had created a flowered arch of sunflowers, lavender, cosmos, zinnia and other flowers in the backyard.

As Suha and Marjani emerged from the den, the clan drummers beat out a slow, complicated rhythm. The small yard was full, the entire clan present.

Nerves jumped in her stomach. She knew some of them hadn’t come willingly. The old prejudices weren’t going to be swept aside that easily. But Adric had made it clear that she was going to remain his second, and they’d better support her and her mate—or else leave.

Dusk had fallen. A few fae lights wafted in air currents above the yard. All around her, earth fada eyes glowed in the fading light as an almost full moon rose above the rooftops. The five drummers sped up the rhythm.

Marjani bit her lower lip. If only her mom and dad could’ve been here—and Luc. But maybe her parents were here—in spirit, anyway—and she knew she had to let go of her guilt about Luc. He’d be okay. Adric would make sure of that.

The clan had formed a spiral for her to follow to the center of the yard where Fane waited along with Adric, who as clan alpha would perform the ritual, and Jace, who’d agreed to stand as Fane’s best man.

With a last hug and a whispered, “You got this, girl,” Suha started into the human labyrinth.

Stomach still tense, Marjani squared her shoulders and followed.

Because even though Adric had laid down the law, that didn’t mean people had to do more than tolerate her mating.

And this was the first time she’d seen most of them since leaving for Iceland six weeks ago.

She felt like everyone was looking at her extra hard, wondering if she’d really recovered.

But nearly everyone was smiling—real, genuine smiles. Voices thanked her for all she’d done for the clan and murmured congratulations. “Blessings on you both.”

Marjani’s throat clogged. She hadn’t expected this show of support.

Then an old woman named Lily fastened a gnarled hand on her arm. “We’re proud of you, girl. And your mama and dad would’ve been, too. You beat that fae king at his own game.”

“Thank you, Lily.” Marjani kissed her papery cheek and moved on, smiling now, her nerves gone.

She was almost to the center when she saw Evie. The pretty blonde grinned and bounced a little on her toes, overjoyed that Marjani and her dad had mated. Nearby, Kyler stood with a couple of the younger soldiers, legs apart and skinny arms folded over his chest like the soldiers beside him.

The last person she passed was an impassive Zuri. She knew he was suspicious of Fane, unhappy to have a former ice fae envoy so close to both Marjani, and by extension, Adric. Fane would have to prove himself before Zuri accepted him. But he politely inclined his dark head to her.

And then she rounded the last curve and all she saw was Fane. Her tall, blond and gorgeous mate, his lower face covered with the trim beard he’d grown since leaving Iceland. He held out a hand, unsmiling—and yet inside, he was so happy she felt it warming her own chest.

She took his hand. He squeezed her fingers, and together, they faced her brother.

Adric gave her a formal nod as the drums fell silent. Suha took her place at Marjani’s side, and Jace stood next to Fane.

“Welcome to my den,” her brother said in a carrying voice. “Please join me in blessing the bond of my sister and second, Marjani Savonett, and her mate, Fane Morningstar.”

She faced Fane, and they recited the simple, beautiful words they’d prepared.

First Fane, who spoke of his love and admiration for her, and then it was her turn.

Most people had heard at least part of their story, but she made it clear Fane had been willing to give up everything for her—his money, his job, even his Gift.

When she said, “You gave me back my cat,” she heard some of the women sniffing. But it was only the truth.

Adric’s mouth edged up. He’d guessed her strategy—sway the clan to Fane’s side. It wouldn’t happen overnight, but already, Fane was making friends. As Suha said, the man was a charmer.

When it was Fane’s turn, he first presented her with a new iron dagger, saying, “Because this is what you need to feel safe.”

She bit her lip. “Thank you.” She wanted to say she didn’t need it, but that would be a lie. Then she noticed the blade, inscribed “Badass M,” and laughter bubbled up inside her.

She reached up and gave him a quick kiss. “I love you, Fane Morningstar.”

His breath jerked in, and then he gave her a broad smile.

For a few seconds they stared at each other, and then she realized she was smiling too, a grin so wide it almost hurt her face.

“Jani?” Adric cleared his throat. “Do you accept Fane’s claim?”

“I do,” she said without taking her gaze from Fane’s. “For the rest of my life, and beyond.”

“Congratulations,” Adric said, and called the blessings of the God and the Goddess down on them.

Fane framed her face with his hands. He didn’t say anything, just brought his mouth to hers in an achingly sweet kiss.

When she surfaced again, the drummers had launched into a cheerful reggae beat.

Other musicians joined them, including a steel drummer, and bright, happy music filled the air, a song that her Jamaican mother had loved.

Her eyes met her brother’s. “Thank you,” she mouthed, knowing he must’ve asked for it to be played.

During the big party that followed, she danced with Fane first. He wrapped his long arms around her. “Say it again.”

“Say what?”

“That you love me.”

“But—.” She stopped dancing, arrested. “Was that the first time I said it?”

“Yep.” He gently urged her to continue dancing. “I’ve said it, more than once. But you never said it back.”

So that was why his breath had jerked in; he wasn’t sure she loved him. “But you’re my mate.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to love me. I know I’m not exactly the man of your dreams.”

She came up on her toes to murmur in his ear. “Only because you’re so much better than anything I could have dreamed up.”

His grip tightened on her. “I love you, Jani. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

They danced in silence until the song ended, their steps in perfect harmony, her heart so full it felt like it might burst.

The music changed, and Adric claimed the next dance. “I like that dress,” he told her. “It’s about time you wore something besides gray and army green.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “I was pretty hard to live with, wasn’t I?”

He shrugged. “I could’ve lived with that Marjani, as long as you were happy. But you weren’t.”

“No.”

Just then, Fane danced past with Evie. He sent her a quick smile, eyes crinkling at the edges, and then dipped his head to listen to his daughter.

She looked back at Adric. “I didn’t even really know what happiness was. Not until Fane.”

“Then I’m glad you mated with him.”

The party lasted well into the night, but at last everyone went home. Adric left his den to them for the night, sauntering off with Zuri and four women. It was clear the six of them had plans.

Marjani just rolled her eyes and headed back inside with Fane. In the living room, she turned the quartz fire on low. The flames flickered, amber and blue.

“Well.” Fane framed her face with his palms. “It’s official, mate.”

“Yeah.” She smiled up at him. “I love you.”

“And I love you.” His voice had that sexy rasp that never failed to turn her on. Heat curled through her belly.

His mouth went to the turn of her shoulder. A tiny nip and her knees turned to jelly.

His hands were busy, divesting her of her dress. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight? And that you’re fucking hot in red?”

She hadn’t worn a bra. He pressed a kiss to each of her nipples, then crouched down to slide her tiny scarlet panties down her legs. “Lift your foot.”

She obediently lifted each foot in turn and he pulled the panties over the caged heels. He touched the red straps. Heated blue eyes met hers.

“I think we’ll leave these on.”

Pressing a kiss to her inner thigh, he came back to his feet and lifted her up against his body. He was still dressed. She wrapped her legs around him, his clothes excitingly rough against her bare skin.

Between them, her quartz warmed.

“I can feel it.” He gave her a slow, wondering smile. “Your quartz.”

“Because we’re mated. I think in some way, the crystals bonded with you, too.”

“Yeah? Good. That way, you’ll never leave me.”

She sunk her teeth into his earlobe, a little harder than necessary. “Try and get rid of me.”

His whole body shook in a belly laugh. “Damn, I love you. My own personal badass.”

“Go to Hades,” she muttered and dug her pointed heels into his ass.

Fane walked with her until her back touched the wall. “ My badass,” he repeated tenderly. “My sweet, sexy badass. I’m going to turn you around and take you hard. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

Her womb constricted. She did like it hard.

And his words made her so hot and wet. Her mouth was suddenly filled with saliva. She swallowed and nodded, unable to speak.

He kissed her, long and slow. Sparks skittered up and down her body.

When he broke the kiss, she tore at his shirt. “Get this off.”

Together, they peeled it off his shoulders and it dropped to the floor, forgotten, while she lightly raked her nails down Fane’s back. Marking him in a way only the two of them would see.

Fane muttered something hot and dark. “That’s it,” he growled. “Scratch me, sweetheart.”

He rocked his hips against her, making them both moan in pleasure. His mouth came to her throat and he gave her a love-bite, sucking hard so she’d bear his mark, too.

Her insides went liquid. She tightened her arms and legs around him and with a small, surprised cry surrendered to the heat as she came in a mini-orgasm.

“Love you,” Fane said against her skin.

“Love you, too.”

Still holding her high against his body, he walked with her to the bedroom. Someone had placed the flowered arch from their ceremony over her headboard to frame the bed. Three fae lights floated above the sheets, coloring the room a warm, sunset pink-and-orange.

Marjani caught her breath. “It’s beautiful.”

“Mm-hmm,” Fane said, his mind clearly elsewhere. He set her on the bed, turned her around, and pulled up her hips so she was on all fours. “Stay there.”

She heard the rustle of clothes being removed and dropped on the floor, and then he knelt on the mattress behind her. Cool fingers stroked her bottom.

“You have the sexiest ass...nice and curvy. And those red high heels are so bad.”

She smiled over her shoulder at him. “I thought you’d like them.”

“Oh, I do. A lot.” He slid a finger between her thighs. “Sweet Goddess, you’re wet.”

With a moan, she went down on her forearms. “Don’t tease me.”

“I’m not. I’m very serious.”

She gave a muffled laugh. “ Now you’re serious.”

“And you’re loving it.”

“Mm.”

He toyed with her, stroking her clit until she came in a hot rush. He didn’t give her time to catch her breath, just rolled on a condom and thrust into her. Slow and hard and perfect.

Her sex tightened around him and he groaned her name. “That’s it, love. Come around me. It feels so damn good.”

Her inner muscles convulsed. Pleasure rolled through her in hot, endless waves. He was right behind her, pushing deep inside until she felt him at her womb, and then stilling as she moaned his name into the sheets.

Celebrating their mating in the oldest and best way.