Chapter 123
Nix
Iinhale into awareness.
Before I even open my eyes, I know I’m on Volik’s lap.
His warmth, the gentle vibrations of his purr, his minty scent—it all surrounds me.
I slide my eyes open and look up at my mate. “Hi.”
His smile is so gentle it makes my chest ache. “Bonjour, Ma Fleur.”
We’re indoors. Comfortable. And based on the high ceilings and stone walls, I think we’re in the castle.
Snuggling into his hold, I reach up and stroke my thumb over Volik’s cheek.
“My miracle,” I whisper.
Volik swallows roughly, his throat working.
I remember the scent of his tears.
Remember the blood coating the lower part of his face.
Remember the blast of power that knocked me off the cliff.
Remember sinking into the ocean.
“We’re alive.” I hardly believe it, but I can feel my heartbeat steady in my chest. I can feel the air in my lungs.
“Because of you,” Volik whispers.
I shake my head. “I was drowning.”
“Nyet. You were just swimming in the wrong direction.”
A small laugh cracks inside my chest, and my eyes fill with tears. “I was so scared.”
“I was too.” Volik tightens his hold on me. “But you do not need to be scared of the water anymore.”
“Because you’ll teach me to swim?”
“Nyet. Well, da, we will learn. But, Nixy…” Volik swallows. “You cannot drown.”
I open my mouth. Then tilt my head.
I remember him pulling me from the water.
I remember my lungs burning as I took that first breath.
But everything after that…
“You cannot drown.” His voice is steadier this time. “Because aside from old age, there is only one way you can die.”
I sit up straighter in Volik’s lap, twisting so we’re eye to eye. “What are you saying? What happened?”
“Our hearts stopped. I do not know for how long, I… passed out.”
I press my hand to his chest.
He’s here. Talking to me. But I need to feel his heart beating inside his chest.
Volik doesn’t pass out. Neither of us has done that when our hearts stopped before.
“Did we die?”
“We slept.” The side of Volik’s mouth pulls up. “And when I woke, the old druid told me you had no human left. And you had these.”
He reaches up with both hands.
Past my face. Past my hairline.
“Wha—” My mouth drops open, and my eyes roll back as pleasure rocks through my body.
Volik’s fingers trace the bumps, the ridges…
He wraps his hands around my horns.
I shift again and straddle his lap.
I can’t see them. Haven’t reached up to touch them. But the feeling.
The sensations.
Volik is touching parts of me.
“Holy fuck,” I groan as my pussy throbs.
Volik chuckles as he releases his hold, sliding his hands down to my back.
“Don’t stop,” I whine, rolling my hips.
He pulls me closer. “We are not alone.”
A puff of smoke startles a yelp out of me, and I jolt in Volik’s hold.
Then my mouth drops open again because there is a wall of darkness beside us, blocking our view of the rest of the room.
Volik’s laugh blocks out the sound of his uncle cursing from somewhere nearby.
I don’t even have the bandwidth to be embarrassed about grinding on Volik’s lap in front of people because… “Is this…?”
“Da. My gravito has… opinions.”
I widen my eyes at Volik. “Um, wow.”
“Speaking of wow.” He grips my face in his hands and whispers, “You have gravito.”
“I have gravito.” I press my hands to Volik’s chest. “I thought it was the bond. The weight I felt here.” I shake my head. “I found it by accident. Spilled coffee, broken glasses…”
“Why did you keep it a secret?” There’s no admonishment in his tone, just curiosity.
I blow out a breath. “I wanted to surprise you with it.”
“Da,” he huffs. “You surprised me, Mea Unica.”
Pride—in myself and in my power—has emotion filling my eyes. “I can’t believe it worked.”
“My amazing mate.” Volik wipes away the tears as they escape. “I can believe it.”
“I love you, Volik.”
“I love you, Nixy.” He pulls me closer, until our lips are nearly touching. “Human or vampire. You are my mate.”
I arch into him.
Our mouths connect.
And then someone knocks on the door.