The abrasions on her knees and palms had started regenerating. As had his claiming bite. He’d poured all his relief over her resurrection, all of his hope for their future, and all of his frenzied sexual need for her into that mark.
Gods, it would be glaring.
He sifted his fingers through her raven locks, each stroke bringing him the intoxicating scent of her hair. He was intoxicated, happier than he’d been in his entire existence.
Only one thing was missing. He pulled away to locate that control cuff.
She sleepily objected with a little growl; his mate’s beast was demanding, and thank the gods for that. Together they’d discovered an oblivion of pleasure.
He found the cuff in the clearing easily enough—the closer he got to it, the more his Instinct warned about magic. He returned and clasped it on her wrist as she slept. Will had said it would work on even a newling’s beast, but Munro scarcely dared to believe. As the cuff shrank to fit her, he held his breath. . . .
Her beast began to recede! Soon only his sleeping mate was visible. Beautiful female with her beautiful innate beast. Once Kereny woke, she would be in control as long as the cuff held out.
Thank you, Will. As if his thoughts had conjured his brother, he scented him approaching. Munro left Kereny sleeping to meet him at the shore.
Will could not possibly have looked smugger. “Did I no’ tell you she’d resurrect?”
How close a thing it’d been—Munro had been about to bury her! “Aye. You did. Good man to get me contraception.”
“I learned my lesson: when in doubt, the birth control goes on the bloke.” He carried a large basket. “I’ve got some morning-after supplies.” Changes of clothing, Munro’s phone, food and drinks.
Rather than explaining the Dream Dud, Munro snagged a pair of jeans and worked them on. “Now you’re just spoiling me.”
“Loa said your mate is a time-traveling knife thrower who skewered your heart.”
“In more ways than one.” Munro pressed his hand over his chest. “I’m never to recover.”
“Well done, bràthair. I figured that was her fine blade by the bedside. I packed it in the basket in case she does no’ like to part with it.”
“Good call. Normally it goes wherever she does.”
When Munro’s phone vibrated, Will said, “The Dacians have been blowing up your line for days, demanding information about Kereny. Apparently, you’re the ambassador to Lothaire’s hidden vampire kingdom. And they call me Head Case? Anyway, their seer was getting weird readings, could no’ tell what had happened to your mate.”
Munro had intended to update them once she’d pulled through. What would he have told them otherwise? Her current condition? Doornails are spryer. “I need to let them know everything is okay.”
“I texted them back last night and told them Kereny was great.” Will handed over the phone.
Munro pocketed it. “Much appreciated.”
“I also inquired about the Well of Souls like you asked, but the rage demons swear the well does no’ cure newling rabidity. They advised against drinking the water since a sorcerer used to dump mutilated sacrifices into the well.”
“Figured it’d be a long shot.”
With a measured look, Will said, “Mayhap you were getting rid of me.”
Munro shrugged. “How did you lay hands on the cuff?”
“Let’s just say that you’re getting caiman-skin boots for your birthday.”
“No shite?”
“Chloe’s the one who made the killing blow,” he said, chest bowed with pride. “A sword right through the eye. I was more or less dodging foot-long fangs.”
Munro had known his new sister would be a formidable immortal. “How’d you find the creature?”
“We figured the Instinct would warn me about magic if I got close enough to the cuff. So we sidled up to giant caimans until I heard the warning. It took thirty or so; otherwise I would have been here sooner.”
Munro’s lips parted. “I owe you much.”
Will held his gaze. “My tab with you can never be paid.”
His brother’s appearance struck him anew. “You really are happy.”
Easy nod. “You’re free from those fucking warlocks, and we’re both mated. Hands of gods, no?”
“As nothing before.”
Will said, “Madadh told me you killed the archwarlock’s son.”
“I was responsible for his death.” Might as well get this over with. “You must’ve also heard about the warlocks’ gateway.”
“Aye.” A beat passed before Will added, “I know you considered using it for our parents.” Will would take it hard that Munro had been so close to retrieving them.
“It’s not as simple as it sounds.” Munro explained the sacrifice required, then said, “The Instinct commanded me to destroy it.”
“We could never have paid that toll. I wish things had worked out differently, but I understand.” Will sounded like a different man.
“I thought you would react badly.”
“No’ too long ago, I would have. But I’ve made peace with the past—and some adjustments in myself.”
“Starting to get that idea.” A sudden thought made Munro frown. “Why were you no’ crazed last night? You’re a mated Lykae.”