Guarding His Heart (8 page)

Her brilliant smile eased the tension in his throat and he released the breath he hadn’t been aware he’d been holding. Leaning in, she kissed him gently before snuggling against his chest.
She belongs right here, in my arms.

Her voice was muffled against his shirt, but what he heard caused his soul to sing.

“You can call me your wife with my family and your mate with your family.”

He pressed a kiss to her hair. “Will you do it now?”

She jerked slightly but didn’t move away from the haven of his embrace. “Here?”

By her husky response, she sounded scandalized but not unwilling. His blood surged in his veins at her misconception. “No, baby, not mating in the sexual sense. Though I’d like to make that happen as soon as we get to someplace private.”

He moved back so he could look into her eyes.
I love her so much. Let this be easy for her
, he prayed. The ritual involved releasing one’s soul to mate with another’s, physically close to death. He’d heard of humans who had almost died because they’d panicked.

“When we mate, it’s our souls joining. You have to trust me.” He caressed her cheek. “Will you?”

She nodded, fresh tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

Her watery smile dispelled his fear. “No. I just never thought you’d want me, need me.” She touched his stubbly cheek with the fingertips of her uninjured hand. “What do I have to do?”

He couldn’t help but smile. Always brave in the face of the unknown.

“I’ll kiss you and you will lose yourself in the kiss.”

“I can do that.”

“Then, allow your soul to float free. My soul will find yours and unite.” Serious, he gazed deeply into her eyes. “You may feel lightheaded or even that you can’t breathe, I’m told. But I’m here. You’re safe with me.”

She nodded as he took one hand in his and grasped the forearm of her bandaged hand. “I know.”

Slowly, he lowered his head, his lips grazing hers at first. Then he deepened the kiss. She took a deep breath. In his mind’s eye, he walked into a fogbank. He searched for her. He found her in a shimmering golden light. He embraced her, their souls touching, uniting.

She relaxed against him. Their mating had been gentle. Exactly the way he’d wanted.

Breaking the kiss, he leaned back to gaze down at his mate. A soft smile curved her lips and her lashes fluttered open to reveal eyes full of love.

“So, when do I get to meet your family?”

No one made him laugh like she did. “Is tomorrow soon enough? I’m sure they’ll let us take the ferry back to the mainland, then we’ll head home.”

She snuggled against him as he lifted her and headed for the lobby. “Where are you taking me?”

He kissed her gently as he strode past the group of cheering staff members, grinning at their congratulations. “To get started making our own family.”

About the Author

Carolyn Spear, a mother of two and wife of one, lives to read, garden and explore. She channels characters’ stories to share with others. A strange combination of small town girl, travel enthusiast and geek, she is thrilled to be a part of the shared world of the Wiccan Haus.