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  He sat in a comfortable wooden chair on the deck looking thoughtfully out at a lake illuminated by morning sun. His eyes warmed as he watched her walk barefooted over the smooth wood, and he reached out two hands to tug her onto his lap. “Morning, mate,” he murmured, placing a gentle kiss on her head.

  “Morning,” she breathed. She snuggled closer into Talen’s warmth and couldn’t help the soft kiss she placed against the steady pulse in his corded neck.

  With their connection, she felt his heart roll over in his chest when her smooth lips met his skin. His arms tightened, and he stared at the deep green of the awakening lake ahead of them.

  Talen remained quiet for a moment, apparently gathering his thoughts. “I love you, Cara.” One strong hand reached out to intertwine with hers as his tone deepened. “I know I should grant you freedom—tell you that your life is your own to lead and promise to let you go.” Resolve overpowered regret in his voice.

  “I take it you’re not going to say that?” Cara asked wryly, her warm breath against his neck, liquid warmth heating her from within as his love vibrated around them both. Much like their future, the lake sparkled clean and pure ahead of them. Pine and sweet, early tulips scented the air.

  His hand enclosed around hers. “No.” He slid a two-karat square diamond ring onto her left hand.

  “Talen,” she breathed. “It’s beautiful.” The platinum setting was simple, classy, and elegant. In other words, perfect.

  “The ring reminded me of you,” he said softly, turning her hand over to place a gentle kiss against her palm. “You’re my mate, and I’m keeping you.” He shifted. “But I can give you time to accept me. To accept us.”

  “Really?” She stretched like a well-fed cat in his arms. “How much time, Talen?”

  He placed a gentle kiss on her head. “As much as you need.”

  “So we would kind of like, date each other?” The idea of him showing up for a first date, yanking at a tie, wondering if he should kiss her good night all but made her snort.

  His heart warmed against her—through her. He apparently liked the sound of that. “Yeah. Like courting.”

  “Oh. Well, where would I live while we courted?” Her satisfied grin filled her voice.

  “With me.” His voice turned firm.

  “Oh. What bedroom would I use?” She tried not to giggle at him. He really was trying to be sweet.

  “Ours.” It was more of a growl.

  “But how will we sleep in the same room and not have sex?” She flipped his hand over, tracing the intricate mark on his palm with one finger. He hardened beneath her.

  “Making love is part of courtship, wife.” Every muscle in the lean body holding her tensed to full readiness.

  “No, it isn’t,” she countered and dissolved into the laughter she had been repressing. A bird twittered high above in response.

  Talen shifted her so he could see her amused face. “Are you laughing at me, mate?”

  “I don’t need time, Talen.” She leaned forward and brushed a gentle kiss across his frowning mouth. “I love you. I want to be married to you.”

  Emotion, hot and sweet, plowed through him at her words and filled her with light. With love. He took her mouth in what started as a gentle kiss but quickly slid into something deeper, hotter. They both breathed heavy when he lifted his head and her giggles had long disappeared.

  “Besides”—she dropped a quick kiss on his now smiling mouth—”it’ll take both of us to keep your son from turning into an arrogant, bossy vamp like his father.” She didn’t need Emma’s words to know the babe she carried was a boy. She was finally accepting the enhanced abilities she’d denied for so long; without them, she wouldn’t have met Talen.

  “Son?” He stilled to stone around her. “A baby?”

  She lifted her head to his—she hadn’t considered he might not welcome fatherhood. The wide smile lighting his dangerous face dispatched her fears.

  “A babe?” he asked again, the green in his eyes swirling right through to dominate the gold.

  She nodded. “You’re happy?” A tiny thread of concern remained.

  Talen placed a soft kiss on her upturned nose. “Ecstatic.” He leaned back to stare at the lake while joy whipped through him and straight into her heart. “We need to go get Janie—I want my family all in one place.”

  His words spread the joy to her. “All right. She should be awake by the time we get there. I love you, mate.” He hugged her close. “Forever, Cara.”

  Chapter 37

  “Janie, are you there?” Zane wound through the dream world with a sigh of frustration; this was her universe and he was only a guest. Where the heck was she?

  “Hi, Zane.” She popped out from behind a swaying tree with pink leaves scattering around her.

  “Nice tree,” he said with an appreciative smile. The oddest scent of powdered brownies clung to the branches.

  “Thanks.” Her responding smile was slower than usual. And tinged with sadness.

  “It’s all right, Janie Belle.” He stepped forward to place a brotherly arm around her tiny shoulders. “The king is one of the fiercest warriors ever born; he’ll find your Aunt Emma.” Zane hugged his best friend closer. “And besides, we’re gearing up to assist if necessary. The Kurjans don’t stand a chance.”

  “I know.” Janie hugged him back. “But I can’t see it. I can’t get a sense of Auntie Emma.” Pixielike features turned to him in concern.

  Zane shrugged. “Maybe you’re not supposed to see everything, Belle.”

  “Well.” For a four-year-old, the feminine pique was pronounced and brought a smile to Zane’s full lips. He changed the subject. “How’s your mother?”

  Janie’s smile came more easily this time. “She’s good. Ready to be with Aunt Emma again.” Janie could already see her baby brother in her head—his magnificent power would only be balanced by his incredible heart. She wished he’d hurry up and be born.

  “That’s good, Belle. Make sure she rests up, our fight has just started.”

  Janie nodded. She didn’t correct him, but in truth, the fight hadn’t even begun. Once it did, the world they all knew would change. And even with her powers, she couldn’t see the ending—she couldn’t see the world that would emerge from the rubble. Determination mixed with faith in her soul as she looked at the young warrior before her. Together they would make it right.

  She hoped.

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