Shadow Wings (The Darkest Drae Book 2)(96)

I shoved my very essence into my mate, panting as the lapis-blue glowed between us. Stronger, thicker, more, more, more. I saw the flicker of blue deep within him surge and brighten.

I feel you. Tyrrik’s awe pulsed through me.

Mistress butt-Moons! He wasn’t allowed to feel awe. Fight! You need to win! I shouted at him through our bond. Fight and survive. Fight for me, Tyrrik. Please. I . . . I need you.

My vision tunneled until all I could see was our bond. I staggered to the side and collapsed to the ground, but even then, I didn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. Not until I knew he was safe. I shoved everything I could into those tendrils, triumph swelling in my breast as thin gray strands darkened and widened. Our colors danced and intertwined, and my heart soared.

Even in the darkness of my mind, I could hear his roar. I could feel him moving through our bond, the coil of his muscles as he tore through the ropes, the searing heat as he hurled white-hot liquid death on our enemies. I felt his power ricochet back to me, and still I pushed. I could see everything he did now though my eyes were closed. I watched with pride as Tyrrik demolished the Druman.

And still, I didn’t stop sharing my power to him.

I couldn’t stop.

I wouldn’t stop.

I would never stop.





37





“Ryn.”

I knew that voice; it made warm embers spark in my chest, washing away all residual doubt. I moaned and rolled onto my back so my face met the sky.

A hand touched my shoulder. His hand.

I opened my eyes and looked up into Tyrrik’s face.

I’d shifted back to my human form, and so had Tyrrik.

“You can stop now,” he said hoarsely.

I blinked. Now that I’d started shoving energy into him, I found it difficult to reign in the flow. “Do I have to?”

Tyrrik chuckled and gathered me in his arms, pulling me close. “My Khosana.”

With arms like lead, I reached up around his neck and hugged him close so our hearts beat against each other.

“You’re okay,” I said, my voice trembling. My entire body quaked with exhaustion.

He nodded, burying his face in my hair. “The Druman are dead.” He kissed me and whispered, “You’ll get your energy back faster if you stop feeding it all to me.”

All of them? I asked, not willing to pull back until I knew.

“All of them,” he promised, inhaling deeply.

I relaxed, letting the focus I’d held on our bonds go so I was no longer shoving my power at him. Vitality recoiled and pulsed through me. I inhaled, and my chest expanded so easily it almost hurt. I lifted my head from his shoulder and gasped. “Tyrrik!”

A blaze of blue-and-black fire danced around us. The flame touched our bodies, dancing and twisting, tying us together. I lifted my gaze and saw the brilliant light shone across the bloodied valley. I stared in awe at the capering fire. I’d never been able to see the tendrils between us like this. As a Phaetyn, I could see my power working inside him during healing, but I’d never seen our Drae energy outside us with my eyes open.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” he whispered.

Overwhelming emotion choked me, stealing my voice. My head and my heart felt light. Words were not enough to describe the sight or the feeling of the deep hues of blue-and-black flames encasing us in their midst. Are the flames real?

“No one can see them but us,” he said. They’re ours alone.

I knew what this was. It’s our mate bond.

He pulled his head back, his onyx eyes as wild as I’d ever seen them. They glowed so much that I lost myself in the depths of those inky pools. This Drae was my mate. More than a friend or a lover. More than a companion or partner. He was made to compliment me. He was created for me.

In a voice rough with emotion, he said, “You accept me?”

I lifted both hands to cup his face and stared at him in awe. “How could you be in doubt?” I kissed him, just brushing my lips to his. “After what just happened, how could you not know?” I kissed him again as I spoke through our bond. I accept you as my mate, Tyrrik.

He pulled back and studied me, his gaze penetrating me to my core. He brought his hands up to mimic my position. I didn’t doubt; I just did not wish to hope.

I felt his love pulse through the bond, warm honey and the soft caress of night. He brushed his thumbs over my cheeks and repeated, “You are my mate.”

I am your mate, I agreed.

He touched his lips to my forehead. One hundred and nine years, and I have found you. You are mine.

Our mouths met with a clash of teeth. His hands dropped to my shoulders while I placed one on the nape of his neck and threaded the other through his black hair. I moaned loudly into his mouth as his lips coaxed mine apart. His tongue stroked mine, and I pressed tighter to him, not wanting to ever stop the thrill of his touch.

A growl rumbled in his chest, a menacing threat to all but me, as he declared me his. One of his hands trailed down my back, settling around my waist.

And then, Tyrrik reached up and untangled my arms from around his head and neck. He brought both hands in front of his mouth and kissed the back of each, his gaze not moving from mine.

“Ryn, I love you more than life itself.”

I shouldn’t have been embarrassed. I’d just accepted him as my mate, but my cheeks warmed at the strength of his declaration of love because I’d just witnessed the truth of his words. I ducked and mumbled, “I was so scared, Tyrrik.”