“She has the best ideas,” Isaac related sincerely.
Smiling, Ulric looked around the gardens and mentioned, “I think she's also anxious to give Edith the news.”
“What news?”
A proud, even anxious look dawned in the draconian's cobalt eyes when he stated, “Charlotte's pregnant.”
Hearing this, Isaac momentarily forgot all about his agonizing wait for Edith, staring at his friend with his jaw agape. “You're fuckin' around.”
“No,” Ulric began, then thought his answer over, and revised it with a devious smirk. “Well, I was with her, and it just happened this week. We'd been discussing kids for the past few months, and decided it was time to have, well, two apparently.”
“Two?”
“Charlotte sensed they're twins this morning.”
“Damn.” Without pause, Isaac reached up and gave Ulric's back a friendly slap. “Just so you know, I'm gonna spoil the shit out of them.”
“I don't expect anything less,” Ulric grinned. “And just so you know, that slap was hard as hell.”
“Shit, sorry. Still getting used to my strength without the mute.” Following the comment, he looked back down at the box in his hands and admitted, “I'm kinda worried I'm gonna hurt Edith, too. I mean, I was strong before, but now?”
When Ulric didn't immediately respond, Isaac looked up to spy amusement on his face. “What?”
“Just you, actually worrying about something. Never thought the day would come, but I guess things change when you find a mate.”
“Damned straight they do,” he agreed, easily acknowledging that every single one of those changes had been for the better while growling, “and I fucking want mine back.”
There was an understanding look on his friend's face as he qualified, “Would it help if I told you Charlotte needs a favor?”
“What favor?”
“She bought Edith a necklace in Nalona, and hasn't been able to find it. So she told me to ask if you'd search Edith's quarters to make sure it didn't get left behind. Otherwise she'll need you to teleport her back to Nalona for it.”
Though Charlotte could teleport, her ability was powered by sunlight, and the sky was currently dark with stars glittering brightly. So she'd need Isaac's help to travel, and with nothing better to do, he agreed and stood to go.
Ulric joined him, and they soon found themselves in the corridor outside of Edith's quarters where everything was quiet. Isaac would've teleported directly inside, but each apprentice chamber was warded by the student staying there as a part of their training, and only Edith could alter it to allow him through. Another reason she needs to return. Damn it.
He grumbled at the thought, pushing it away in favor of asking Ulric what the necklace looked like as he walked to the door. But just before he could take the knob, it opened with Chandra stepping out—and she looked suspiciously pleased.
Without saying a word, the sorceress gave him enough room to enter the chamber where he found Charlotte with her back facing the door, and …
“ISAAC!”
From Charlotte's opposing side, Edith rushed toward him so quickly he wasn't even sure he knew what was happening before she reached him, just barely catching her in his arms. At the same time, her lips met his in a deep, emotional kiss, proving she was just as thrilled to see him as he was relieved to have her back.
And it finally registered. She's fucking back!
At the thought, Isaac returned her kiss with all the love and relief he could muster—and Charlotte cleared her throat. “Uh, you guys are blocking the door, and I can't teleport at night.”
Despite his complete distraction, Isaac lifted Edith without breaking their kiss and stepped further into the room, allowing the fae to exit and shut the door with a grin on her radiant face.
But the couple didn't notice, their kiss lasting for several minutes without breaking contact for longer than it took to say I love you. Isaac felt as if it could've continued on just that way for eternity, and it still wouldn't have been enough, only managing to break it off entirely by recalling his need to ask if she was okay.
Edith smiled languidly in response, their foreheads meeting with her reply. “Never better aside from some disorientation. The last thing I remember is telling you I love you, then I was just standing here in my quarters. Charlotte told me I was gone for five days, and somehow, I know I was, but … I can't put the rest into words.”
“That's exactly what Chandra told me. She said the well gives you purpose, but I'm still not sure I understand it.”
“You don't have to,” Edith murmured, opening her eyes to gaze up at him. “I'm just glad you're here, and that it's all finally over. Oh! And take off your shirt.”
“Now we're talkin',” Isaac remarked, grinning when she playfully smacked his arm, then urged him to turn around once his shirt was gone.
Realizing she wanted to see his back without the mute, he did just that, and soon felt the brush of her fingers against his smooth skin—followed by her lips.
As she pressed kisses across his back, Isaac groaned loudly, quickly grasping her hands when her arms wound around him with his eyes closing in pure bliss.
He'd once told Chandra that happiness didn't exist. I was a fucking moron back then. Or maybe I was right because Edith wasn't in my life yet.
“Isaac?”
“What, angel?”
Rubbing her cheek against his back, she whispered, “I'm sorry I said I love you in Perosia. I was afraid it was my last chance, but I meant every word.”
Hearing that, he released her hands and turned around to look her in the eyes with a shake of his head. “Don't ever apologize for that. I know why you said it, and all that matters to me is that you're fine now.”
Edith sighed, resting her cheek against his chest, and Isaac threaded his fingers through her hair with the desire to keep her there for eternity.
“I know,” she whispered, “I just wish I'd told you sooner.”
“You did,” he promised. “The day we left for Perosia, when you kissed me at Ulric's place, I knew you were saying more than usual.”
He felt her smile against his chest. “I'd actually just realized it then.”
“You did?”
Turning her face up to his, she nodded. “I'd just learned how close I was to completing my Calling, and when I realized I wasn't as excited to have my staff as I was to become immortal so I could be with you, it was obvious. I love you way too damned much, Isaac.”
Isaac grinned, tightening their embrace when she leaned up to kiss him the same way she had in Nalona—and it maddened him. Knowing he had Edith's love was humbling, fulfilling, and incredibly frustrating all at once, prompting him to rasp as their lips parted, “I feel like I can't get close enough to you, angel.”
“So do I,” she murmured, her green eyes sparkling in the firelight from the hearth as her hands roamed down his hard abdomen to his belt buckle. There, she pried the fastening open, his cock hardening in an instant as she qualified, “But I know a way to change that.”
“I'm all ears.”
Edith watched the fire in Isaac's eyes grow intensely possessive, his wicked, fanged grin sending shivers of delight rushing through her body.
Just as she'd related before, the past five days were a blank in her memory, the equivalent of some vague images she couldn't put into words if she tried. But there were instincts telling her she'd changed, that she was more now. The journey had altered her, strengthened her connection to magic permanently, and what whispers of memory she did possess proved she'd been miserable without him.
So she didn't hesitate, tugging his pocketknife from his jeans while whispering, “It starts with you giving me your mate's vow, then we take off our clothes, and I bind us together irrevocably.”
His grip on her tightened until she was flush against his body, and it felt so good she nearly couldn't focus. But despite the intensity of his gaze proving he'd love nothing more than to do exactly as she'd s
uggested, he asked, “Are you sure that's what you really want?”
Edith let the corners of her mouth lift in a smile, answering sincerely, “Hell yes. I'll admit, it was hard for me to imagine having eternal life to begin with, let alone sharing it with someone. But now, I can't imagine it without you, Isaac. It's too damned depressing, and honestly? Kinda scary.”
Reaching up to cup his cheeks, she added, “Besides, I could never want what we have with anyone else. Still, I guess we can wait if we need to … ”
“Fuck no,” he immediately countered, making her grin. “I've waited long enough.”
“Good,” she whispered pointedly. “So, do I get your vow now? Or do you want me naked first?”
A possessive growl escaped his throat, and it seemed he couldn't respond fast enough, grabbing her blue robes to pull away. Her heart fluttered as garments fell to the floor before he teleported her to the pallet in front of the fire—without his pants or boots.
Edith laughed when she realized he'd left them behind, exclaiming, “I didn't think of that!”
With a wickedly sexy grin, he promised, “I'm full of surprises, angel, and most of them are dirty.”
Still snickering, she unfolded his pocketknife, and he took her hand to place the tip of the blade to the center of his chest. But in holding it against his flesh, her smiled faded, hand frozen in place as she whispered, “I can't do it, I don't care how little it hurts.”
Hearing this, Isaac leaned in, nicking himself so lightly that it healed instantaneously once she'd jerked her hand back upon realizing what he was doing. But it was enough for a few drops to spill, allowing him to make the vow while holding her gaze—and she could hear every ounce of love he had for her in his gruff voice.
“I vow on my blood that no force could make me love or desire you anymore than I do naturally, Edith. I dedicate my life to yours because I want to, not because I'm compelled, and I'll spend eternity proving it for the same reason.”
Edith's vision blurred with tears threatening to spill, her breath hitching when she whispered, “I vow the same to you, Isaac. Will you accept my binding to prove it?”
By the time she'd finished speaking, her entire body had taken on a magical glow, and he whispered emphatically, “You're damned straight I will.”
At that, Edith's smile returned, and the energy she'd drawn forth seeped into him. Isaac had mentioned feeling connected to her before, and she'd come to experience the same type of tie. But the binding spell increased the sensation exponentially, dazing her with just how strong it was.
As if they were the same being.
Proving he could feel it, Isaac suddenly rasped her name against her ear. “Whatever you're doing, angel, it's … ”
“Too fucking good for words,” she finished for him, and he grinned.
Shifting his hips between her thighs pointedly, he asked, “Think you could stand it if we made it even better?”
Breathless, she eagerly answered, “Please try me.”
And he did just that.
• • •
Edith couldn't stifle her cries, having long since soundproofed her room with magic while her body writhed against Isaac's in the midst of her fifth orgasm. So far.
Falling back against their messy pallet of blankets and pillows, the couple worked to catch their breath while clutching each other tight. For now, they were sated, warm in front of the fire, and Edith was more content than she could ever recall being—despite a pesky sense of incredulity still clinging to the situation.
Isaac's mute was gone, Rothario was dead, and she was technically married to the man of her dreams.
Or, as Isaac would've put it, the man of her wet dreams.
Edith grinned over the thought and leaned in to kiss him just as he was rolling onto his side, likely afraid she couldn't handle his weight for long.
Without hesitation, Isaac returned the kiss, then cast her a fanged grin she knew she'd never tire of seeing.
“I think we woke Mystikkar.”
She snickered. “We would've if I hadn't soundproofed the room to keep from being overheard.”
Hearing this, his brows narrowed. “Aw, come on, I worked hard to make you scream.”
“Who says my screams were the ones that worried me?” she teased. “You get pretty loud too, you know.”
Isaac shrugged, but his smirk couldn't have been more satisfied. “What can I say, you're perfect.”
Edith grinned, nuzzling his neck until he groaned in contentment. “I'm only perfect when you're around.”
“I seriously doubt that,” he countered. “But I guess we'll never know because I'm never letting you go anywhere without me again.”
“Good, and I'm sorry you had to wait so long for the well to send me back. I just wish I could tell you what happened.”
Proving he was content not knowing, Isaac kissed her forehead and murmured, “You're here now, so it doesn't matter. But how long were you here before I came up?”
“About half an hour. I was talking with Charlotte and Chandra, and they sent Ulric to find you.”
“Did they tell you everything that's going on?”
“Yeah, and Chandra said you didn't turn down the throne of Perosia.” She couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice, adding, “Are you reconsidering?”
“Not really, just waiting on you.”
“Why?”
His fiery gaze locked on hers pointedly. “I was waiting for you. That's a big decision, and you needed to be a part of it.”
Realizing that he was simply unwilling to make a life altering choice without her, she smiled and kissed him again, then asked, “So you don't feel any differently about ruling Perosia than before?”
“Nope. Dalia would make a better leader anyway. She's willing, knows more about Perosian politics, history, and she actually remembers our family. So I'd rather offer her my support.”
Those were all good points. Still, Edith eyed him curiously. “Our family?”
“You're the one who said she could be my sister, too.”
“Oh, I'm not complaining. Just surprised you've accepted her.”
“I guess I figured why the hell not,” he shrugged. “She's my sister by blood, and besides, she likes you. That's the important part.”
Edith grinned, glad to hear he wasn't as uncomfortable with the demoness as he'd been when they'd met, and decided to do whatever it took to make sure it stayed that way.
She also had to wonder at how things had turned out with Dalia taking the throne, mentioning, “You know, a part of me thought that prophecy might mean you and I would rule Perosia together.”
“We can if that's what you want.”
Slowly, Edith shook her head. “No, I'm with you on this. We'd do better supporting Dalia as empress. Besides, I think I'd miss Terra after a while, and I'd like the chance to travel.”
As if she'd stated his exact thoughts on the matter, Isaac concluded, “Guess it's settled then, and the only thing left is a trip to Dra'Kai's temple to turn some platinum blue.”
Edith definitely hadn't forgotten her promise to the Great Dragon, feeling even more indebted to Dra'Kai after her fight with Rothario. But knowing her promise was the last big issue to tackle seemed extremely surreal.
She had her staff, her immortality, and was free to do as she pleased with Isaac by her side.
Her disbelief must've been evident because Isaac suddenly asked, “You okay?”
Holding his gaze, she smiled and reached up to brush her palm across his cheek. “Yeah, just having a hard time believing all that's left is spending our lives together doing whatever the hell we please, and I'm so ready to get started.”
A sexy grin lifted the corners of Isaac's mouth, showing off his fangs. “Now that's top quality pillow talk, angel. So, what's the best way to do that?”
“Hmm,” she thought aloud. “We could let Dalia know our decision.”
Though Isaac nodded in agreement, neither of them moved, remaining silent unti
l Edith further qualified, “Or we could go have fun pranking newbie apprentices around Mystikkar.”
Proving that was much more appealing, Isaac proclaimed, “Hell yeah, sign me up.” Then he kissed her for the brilliant idea. “Love you so damned much, angel.”
“I love you, too,” Edith answered contentedly, knowing there was no better way to start eternity with the man she cherished than by causing mischief just for the hell of it.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Thank you so much for reading The Final Calling! If you have a few moments to spare, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review, and I truly hope Edith's and Isaac's story has been as much of a satisfying adventure to read as it was to write!
For any questions or comments, or to learn more about The Crucible Series and books available, please visit my website at www.angelacolsin.com, or follow me at:
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