the base of my neck. I’d been lost in its beauty for an entire hour as I watched it moving like a fall windy day in the mirror. Needless to say, I was quite curious what Kyden would be granted.
When his pain stopped, I released the breath I’d been holding and spun Kyden around. When I saw what rested on his back, I gasped.
“What is it?” Kyden asked, breathless.
“My sword.” I ran my fingers along the tattoo that rested between his shoulder blades and ran down the length of his back. I knew it was mine because the sword was slender, but the obvious factor was my name written along the blade, which moved ever so slightly.
Azar had told me you were granted something that was important to you and held special meaning. It touched me that Kyden’s tattoo was of my sword. The sword, a symbol of his Guardian role that he did indeed feel proud of, plus it being mine was the importance of me in his life—the importance of protecting me. It couldn’t have been a better mark.
Azar handed Kyden the mirrors and he looked at it. “It’s brilliant.”
“All hail, Lord Kyden!” Azar shouted.
“All hail, Lord Kyden!” those of the Underworld responded.
Everyone else laughed. Kyden and I didn’t as we had an obligation to the Underworld. They took this seriously, so we would too. Even so, Kyden’s amusement was obvious even without my new ability to sense it, as a little curve to the corners of his eyes would have told me as much.
He held his hand out to me. “Let’s go enjoy our night, Álainn.”
Boy did we ever. The Witches’ Meadow had seen many full moon parties, but tonight, it was more like a ball. None of the rowdiness that usually happened, just soft music, great friends, and way too much smiling. My cheeks hurt.
By the time the sun started to come up, the vampires had left for obvious reasons and the crowd began to dissolve slowly into just a few stragglers. Haven had gone to bed hours ago, obviously worn out from all her amazing preparations and all the excitement.
I stood chatting with a very drunk Talon. I would probably never get this chance again and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of his blubbering conversation about all the battles he’d been in.
Just as he began another round of stories, Kyden wrapped his arms around my waist. “Had enough?”
Leaning back, I rested my head against his chest and he leaned down to kiss my shoulder. “Yes.” His lips continued to kiss my skin as Talon babbled on.
Zia laughed, which drew my gaze. “I think it’s time to take Talon home.”
Talon actually swayed a moment, reached up and touched his head. “Yeeessss…I…home.”
“What?” I laughed.
Zia just waved it away, took his hand and gave him a shot of healing. In a moment, Talon looked clear headed again. He cleared his throat. “A few too many, I suppose.”
“Never, I loved your stories.” I leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
“Go on, you two,” Zia said. “Come on Talon, you can help me clean up.”
I glanced up at Kyden. “Home then?”
He nodded. “Yes, home.” His body closed in on mine, and it was immediately apparent that sleep was far from his mind.
Feeling just as eager, I wiggled against him and he groaned. He grabbed my hand and walked with determined strides back to the castle.
Once we entered the bedroom, I let go of Kyden’s hand and stopped at the door. “I have a surprise for you.”
Kyden’s brow arched as he sat down on the bed, curiosity filled his eyes. “A surprise?”
I nodded, then glanced at Willow, who stood at my feet. “Time for you to get out.”
“We only just got back and you’re kicking me out?” She looked appalled in her own kitty way.
“Trust me, Willow, you don’t want to be around for this.”
Kyden’s arched brow rose higher at that comment. I simply smiled in return.
“Perverts.” Willow hissed and scampered out of the room.
With her gone, I gave Kyden a sheepish smile and headed toward the bathroom. I quickly closed the door behind me.
Nerves tickled every part of me. Haven had given me a gift before the ceremony and told me to use it. A little bonding gift for Kyden, she said, and I knew exactly what to do to make this night a special one. Our bonding night had to be memorable.
I reached behind me, unzipped my dress, stepped out of it as it fell to my feet and hung it