Passion Untamed (Feral Warriors #3)(85)

Lyon grasped his forearm, then pulled him into a hard hug. When he pulled back, a rare smile lit his friend's face. "You look like a new man, B.P."

"I am. Thanks to Skye." Paenther reached for her where she'd stepped aside and pulled her against his side.

Lyon held out his hand to her, his amber eyes turning serious as he offered her this purposeful act of trust.

Her expression uncertain, Skye placed her hand in Lyon's. He sandwiched it between the two of his. "The Feral Warriors are in your debt, Skye. If you ever need us, all you have to do is call. And you're welcome at Feral House for as long as you wish to stay."

Paenther watched her eyes tear as a warm, sweet smile creased her face. "Thank you, Lyon."

His heart burned with love.

Skye looked at Paenther in surprise as he gave a tug on her hand, pulling her to a stop as the Ferals and their women made their way back through the rugged, rocky woods after the ritual. She'd heard Paenther say he felt reborn, but she didn't think he had anything on her. For the first time in her life, she'd pulled good power instead of dark, without pain, and the rush had been breathtaking. Wonderful warmth had flowed through her body, full and strong and right.

She'd healed Paenther. And pleased Lyon. The Chief of the Ferals had accepted her and told her she could stay.

A bittersweet smile twisted her lips. While his offer had brought tears to her eyes, the decision wasn't hers. She could only stay if Paenther wanted her to.

"Problem, B.P.?" Tighe asked, his arm looped around Delaney's shoulders.

Paenther smiled, tumbling her heart all over again. "I just want to talk to Skye without an audience, Stripes. We'll be right behind you."

As the others passed, he took her into his arms and held her against him. Just held her, his arms telegraphing a tension that had her starting to worry. Was this when he would tell her that a part of him would always love her, but of course she couldn't stay? That he appreciated her help and wished her the best of luck in her life?

She buried her face against his warm chest and steeled herself for whatever he needed to say, refusing to let her grief show. She wouldn't do that to him. To either of them.

Paenther stroked her hair. "Look at me, Beauty."

Taking a deep breath, struggling to hide the heart that was breaking, she pulled back and looked up into his beloved face.

His expression melted, turning infinitely tender. "I love you, Skye. Since the moment I saw you in the Market, I've been obsessed with you. Even while I still thought I hated you, I was falling in love with you. And I know now that even though my panther and I are finally one, we're not whole. And we never will be without you."

Tears sprang to her eyes. "What are you saying?" she breathed.

He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. "I want you to be my mate, Skye. To be by my side. Forever. I can't live without you."

She stared at him, hearing the words that had lived in her deepest dreams for days now. Hearing them, but not quite believing.

"Paenther...I'm Mage."

He grinned at her. Grinned. "You don't say."

But it wasn't funny. Tears burned her eyes, tears that were part joy and part heartbreak. "Don't joke, Paenther. They'll never accept me."

He was immediately serious again, but his expression never lost that wonderful tenderness.

"Don't cry, little one. They'll accept you. Sooner or later, they'll accept you. But until then, we won't live at Feral House. I'll find a place nearby and have it warded against draden attack. It'll work, Beauty. I promise. I'll make it work."

His expression became intense, almost desperate. "You're a fighter, Skye. Don't let them scare you. Please don't. Fight. For me. For us. All three of us."

"Three of us?"

A tiny smile formed on his mouth. "You, me, and the panther. He's a stubborn cuss. He's growling at me to make you say yes." He cupped her face in his hands. "You're my world, Skye. My heart. My soul."

Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead, then pulled back to look into her eyes again, love shining from his own. "Be my mate."

The tears slipped down her cheeks. "Yes. A hundred times yes, Paenther. A hundred times yes."

Paenther pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly, the kiss tender and fierce. Everything she'd ever dared dream of.

The others were waiting by the cars when they finally caught up with them.

"Skye's agreed to become my mate," Paenther announced. "We'll find a place to live not far from here."

"You don't want to live at Feral House?" Kara asked. Her gaze turned to Skye. "It's a little crazy, but I think you'd like it."

Lyon looked at his second. "I'd rather you be at Feral House, B.P." He turned to her. "If you don't want to live with us, Skye, I'll accept your wishes, but I'd like you to reconsider. I meant what I said. You're welcome in Feral House. Period. We'd be glad to have you join us as a permanent addition."

Skye looked up at Paenther, but he didn't return her gaze.

Inexplicably, his jaw had hardened. "Does that go for everyone? I won't subject her to prejudice day in and day out."

"Prejudice?" Tighe asked. "Were you paying any attention to the rest of us out there on the goddess rock? We were grinning like loons. That woman of yours has a magic touch, B.P. And I mean that in the best possible way."