"You dropped something," he said, holding out the necklace.
Her eyes lingered on it, emotions churning within her. She met Darian's gaze. His golden eyes blazed. Light and shadow bent and swirled around him, his magic magnified by the immortal world. The warm-cool sensations swept past her.
"Another shitty proposal," she said at last.
"Just a formality. You're already mine."
Jenn snatched it and leaned forward to grab a knife from his waist. Hope and anger raced through her, her body tingling with more than his magic. She stepped away to slash at a guardsman then tugged the necklace on quickly.
"You know what, Darian?" she called over her shoulder.
"You're grateful for my help?"
"Not quite. To quote an Original Being, fuck you."
"That better be an invitation," he replied.
Jenn met his gaze again, furious. "Let me clarify. Go fuck yourself."
His eyes burned brighter, and he gave her a dark smile that sent chills through her. Rather than reply, he released a wave of power that knocked over guardsmen and trees alike. Jenn stared as they fell. Darian strode to her, not stopping until she took a step away. His scent was strong, sweat and man, tainted by the sea. Her body's aching response to his direct stare and nearness took her by surprise, and she inched back.
Darian moved forward. "You really thought I'd even consider choosing her?"
"I thought for the first time in my life, I can't walk away and wish I could."
"You belong at my side, Jenn, just like I belong at yours."
"Are you gonna do something about the Other creeping up on us?" she asked, catching sight of the small creature.
"In a minute. We've got to settle something first."
"My gods, Darian, the world is falling apart! We-"
"No. Now. I need to know before we leave here."
She looked up at him again, unaccustomed to sharing her thoughts or emotions. Her mouth wouldn't form the words she wanted to say. Instead, she reached up and took his face in her hands. She rose to her tiptoes to kiss him, not as she had anyone else, but as she did her mate: with hunger she'd never let herself feel before. Darian's response was instant, his passion and need matching her own. Jenn felt the last of his barriers fall as her own did in the face of their unspoken promise of complete surrender between lifemates. There would be no more secrets or restraint, no more attempts to deny him. In that moment, she yielded as much to her fate as she did to him.