Page 106

He stands quickly and picks me up.

“Babe,” I gasp.

“Wrap me up, Wild One,” he says gruffly.

“Okay.” I prop my chin on his shoulder and circle him with my arms and legs.

I hold on patiently, unsure what his plan is as he leaves the room. He palms my ass, walking through the house, and stops at the back door. Lifting a hand, he enters the code and takes me outside. Moving through the yard until we're in the middle of the grass and flowers, he lowers us to the ground. I sit straight on his lap and wait.

“I believe, baby,” he says softly, gliding his thumb across my cheek. “I want to live in your oasis. I never thought I could be this happy. Losing everything caused me to not trust anything, but at the same time, recognize when something beautiful entered my life. Your soul is bright and oozes love and acceptance. I admire you. I don’t forgive as easily as you do, but I’m learning from you.” He looks up, and I do the same. “Shield," he mumbles, and his magic rolls above the trees, surrounding us, not allowing anyone to see. “You’re courageous and full of beauty.” He pinches my chin, and I focus on him. “I’ve been lost most of my life. I had a new family who loved me, but I still didn’t trust them not to leave me. One day in my childhood defined how I thought about myself and changed the course of my life. I let it change me in ways I shouldn’t have. I forgot all the good times with Mom and even my dad. He left me, so I expected everyone else to do the same. I was terrified to look for him. What if he still hates me? Why didn’t he look for me, or if he did, but couldn’t find me, was it because I shut myself off? Did I change so much that he couldn’t recognize me? All these questions continuously rolled through my head, and I allowed them to control me.” He sighs. “It’s time to find him. I need to see him. I’m aware I may not like what he has to say or the reasons he stayed away. With you by my side, I can deal with whatever happens.”

“I'll be with you every step of the way,” I say softly.

“I know.” He tilts his head. “I trust you and our bond. I can admit, I was a little jealous of Mara and Rome. His happiness was important to me, and I didn’t want Mara to hurt him, yet I wished there was someone for me. I denied it, but deep down, that’s what I felt. Coming here has given me two sisters. Mara and Lace gave me acceptance even though they didn’t know the damage I could do with my nightmares. I never thought that things happen for a reason. Why would my mom be taken away from me? Seeing my brother find his soul bond, and the side effect of that was gaining more family. Because of that, I walked into the store and found you.

“I needed to be cautious, but with every smile, touch, and drop of magic, you broke through the walls I built around myself. You made me think about magic differently, and want to embrace the power I hold.” He glides his hand down my hair. “I love you more than I thought I could love anyone. You're all I think about. I want to bond with you, have babies, and live in your oasis. Our children will be loved, protected, and their lives will be filled with magic.” He smiles, and my heartbeat spikes. “It doesn’t matter what happens around us; I'll be with you and do everything I can to make you happy. If you want a ceremony, a ring, and a gown, I’ll give you that, but our magic will connect us in ways stronger than any ring or certificate can. I would be thrilled if you took my name; it would mean something to me. Mom will live on in my memories and the faces of our children. Now I know she will continue to love us. Will you complete the bond? Love me, walk this world, and the dream world with me?”

“Yes.” I smile.

“Are you ready?”

“I am.” I back off his lap and sit in front of him. “My magic has been ready for a while.”

The air moves around us.

“I love you.” He holds out his hands.

“I love you too.” I hover my palms over his. “I want this. I want you.”

The scent of the flowers swirls through the yard, and thunder booms.

“Our souls, magic, spells, and love will connect us forever,” he rumbles, and his magic jumps between our hands.

“Everything I am and ever will be is yours,” I breathe, and the ground vibrates.

“In this life, and any that follow, I'll be forever next to you, loving you.” His eyes brighten.

“Yes,” I hiss as electricity wraps around our hands, bringing them together, our magic blending.

Everything around us moves, yet we're still. The wind is not touching us, only the power of our magic. The world blurs outside of Archer’s shield. Nothing can see us as we tie ourselves together in a way not many can understand. I stare into his eyes and begin to feel his soul. All his emotions, the heartbreaks, the fear, the joy, and the love are shown to me. I can feel the love he freely gives me, and the hope of the future he couldn’t believe possible. We can’t hide anything. Our souls are bare.

I gasp as his magic connects and enters my body. So much power, constrained for too long. I'll be able to use his gift as he will mine. I'll never be stuck in the dream world again. Archer will be able to walk through my dreams and always remember our time together there. He will be the only one who can find me. We are one. Anyone who tries to sever our connection will be swiftly dealt with by our magic. It knows we belong together, and it’s more powerful than any outside forces.

“Fuck, Savy,” Archer grits out as my magic flows through his body.

“Accept it,” I hum, knowing what he's feeling.

His eyes widen. “I can feel you inside me.”

I smile, enjoying the rush of power our combined spells are creating. The bench beside us tumbles across the yard, and lightning flashes in the sky. My magic joins his as it shields the house. My skin is electric, Archer's mist skating over my body.

“We are one,” I groan, and bite my lip.

Archer grabs the back of my neck and yanks me forward. I scramble on my knees with the force and climb onto his lap. He kisses me, and shocks zap our lips. My heartbeat pounds in my ears. He flexes his fingers, keeping me where he wants me. I place my hands on either side of his neck, my fingers splayed. He glides his arm low across my hips, pulling me closer. Our magic surrounds our bodies, pulsing and completing the soul bond.

I pull back, dropping my head back, and gasp for breath. Archer trails his open mouth down my neck, nipping my sensitive skin.

“You are mine now,” he says roughly, and I shiver.