He actually laughed and she felt the first tendril of uncertainty melt away.
“And thank the gods for that.” He lowered his head for a quick kiss. “I chose you first. Don’t forget that when the next Darkwalker comes by pledging his life to you.”
“Ajax…”
“Hush. Emma. I am happy. I have everything I ever wanted. I have you. I have a home and an odd assortment of Timewalkers and half-bloods for a family. I found my brother. And I’m a King. I’m content.”
“I’m not.”
He stilled and she wiped a tear from her eye. “They should have chosen you Ajax. I’m no goddess-chosen, super-special Mater Mortis. I would have burned to a crisp without you there to save me. I’m nothing special. I’m no Queen. I didn’t do anything to deserve what they did.”
“Yes you did, love.” Ajax pressed a soft kiss to her temple, to her tears. “You saved them.”
“Not all of them.”
“You saved me.”
She gasped as he climbed from the bed and stood before her. His face hardened as he organized his thoughts. She sat up and waited, hoped to hear words that would close the door on her doubts forever.
“Your stone brought me back from the brink and led me to that bar. When I was gone, lost, a full Triscani Hunter, your touch remade me. When I thought a mild warmth would be enough to soothe my soul, you made me burn. I’d be nothing without you, Emma. And I don’t begrudge the Immortals their desire to offer you their blood and their protection. I can’t pretend I don’t understand why they fight for the right to kneel at your feet and pray that they are worthy.”
He dropped to his knees beside the bed and reached for her. “I’ll do the same, every day, for the rest of my life, if you’ll let me.”
Emma nodded, touched his cheek. Oh, yes. This male had a talent with words.
She tackled him, thankful for the soft rug that cushioned their fall. She took his mouth as the heat of her Mark burned hot and bright with her love for him. She had his clothes off and his cock inside her in under a minute. Subtlety…still not her specialty.
When she let him up for air, he smiled, and lifted his hips into her. The move made her moan. “Is that a yes?”
“I love you, Ajax.”
“I love you. And I’ll spend every day by your side.” The vow wasn’t sealed in blood, it was sealed by the white fire that jumped between them and the heat of the Mark, the blessing of the goddess herself, that tied them together.
When they came up for air a while later, Emma grabbed his ankle. “Look at this. What does this mean?”
Ajax looked down to inspect the once black Mark on his leg. It now blazed white against his skin, the color of pearls. And at the Mark’s center, not a black stone, like the Darkwalkers carried, but white, similar to a fire opal. He’d never have to worry about taking out a Triscani, even if Emma wasn’t around when he did it. He didn’t have to depend on her white fire to cleanse his soul. The goddess had blessed him again.
Ajax pulled his beautiful Mate back into bed for more loving and told her the truth. “It means I finally knelt at the right pair of feet.”
<><><>
Coming Soon: Chimera’s Kiss, Timewalker Chronicles, Book 6
(The story of the Darkwalker, Nicodemus)
Thank you for spending time with me reading WHITE FIRE. I hope you enjoyed Emma’ and Ajax’s adventure. If you did, please consider telling a friend or taking a moment to post a review at your favorite online blog or retailer. A personal recommendation is, by far, the best ‘Thank You’ an author can hope to receive. Hugs and Happy Reading! - Michele
Books by
Michele Callahan
The Timewalker Chronicles:
RED NIGHT (Book 1)
SILVER STORM (Book 2)
BLUE ABYSS (Book 3)
BLACK GATE (Book 4)
CHIMERA BORN (Book 4.5)
WHITE FIRE (Book 5)
Coming Soon – Chimera’s Kiss, Book 6
The Ozera Wars: (Erotic Space Opera)
ROGUE’S DESTINY (Book 1)
QUEEN’S DESTINY (Book 2)
WARRIOR’S DESTINY (Book 3)
The DESTINY Trilogy (Omnibus Books 1-3)
Coming Soon – Hunter’s Destiny
Sign up for Michele’s New Release Alerts @ http://www.michelecallahan.com
White Fire: Timewalker Chronicles, Book 5 Page 22