Forever.
We were destined to overcome the agony of our existence, to fight in a war neither of us had signed up for, or to die trying.
Every thought, emotion, concern, sacrifice, and sensation traveled from my mind to hers, igniting a marathon of information for my mate to access.
She trembled beneath the onslaught, her eyes widening in shock as her pussy spasmed around me on an incredible climax that I felt through my own spirit.
I tumbled into oblivion after her, the orgasm ripping a hole through my chest and damning me to hell in the space of a breath. Everything burned in the best way, our powers dancing on a plane we could sense without seeing.
Our mating was complete.
Done.
Embedded in our spirits for eternity.
And I’d never felt more alive.
Aflora shook beneath me, her blue embers starting to fade as the heat of the moment began to subside. I pulled away from her neck to stare down at her in wonder. None of the prophecies prepared me for this intensity or the feelings that followed.
Pride.
Adoration.
Fear.
Because I knew what lay ahead of us. I knew what we would have to face together. And I knew what decision she would eventually have to make.
What if she chose him?
What if she followed the path fate originally set out for her before I stepped in the way?
There were so many unforeseen consequences of altering someone’s destiny, but I had to try. It was the only way for us to pursue the alternative future, the one Midnight Fae kind required of us to survive.
Her palm pressed to my cheek, her gaze searching. “There are so many secrets in your eyes right now,” she breathed, her voice a rasp against my lips. “I can sense the burdens you carry.”
“It’s all for you,” I admitted softly, my throat working to swallow. “No one should have to know what I know. And to tell you could alter everything.”
“Who are you?” she asked, her tone one of fascination, not displeasure. “I feel you inside me, Shade. A mix of fae. And so much pain.”
I grimaced, not wanting anyone to ever experience the weight of my emotions but knowing it was the price she had to pay for our mating. “I’m sorry,” I told her, pressing my forehead to hers. “I’m so sorry, Aflora.”
“Don’t be,” she said softly, her arms wrapping around me. “Share with me instead. Let me help you.”
I shook my head slowly. “I can’t. Not yet.” Not until you choose, I wanted to add but didn’t. Because it was unfair to lay that burden at her feet now. She wouldn’t understand it, not until Zakkai decided to reveal his true intent.
And then the future would realign again.
More prophecies would be born.
Allegiances would change.
Fae would die.
I closed my eyes and pressed my nose to her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of my female. One breath calmed my mind. A second drew me back to her and the reality around us. The cabin I’d built for her. A safe haven no one could find.
How easy it would be to just remain here, to keep her all to myself and let everyone else fend for themselves.
But that wasn’t me.