found Abby’s expression was full of amusement. “I take it you like him too.”
“Yes, I like your brother with all my heart. He has been my rock and my joy. I don’t want to imagine life without him right beside me.”
Cort made a happy sigh. “Writers, huh? Yeah, I’m spoiled, and I love it.”
“If it is possible to spoil you with heartfelt words, then I plan to spoil you every day for the rest of our lives.”
Abby gave a matching sigh. “Yeah, okay. He’s a keeper. But you take care of him with more than just words. He’s the best brother anyone could ask for, and I love him like crazy.”
“Oh, Abby, I love you too.” Cort stared into the phone. “And I was happy to take care of you when I was a teenager.”
“I know,” she said softly. “I remember how caring you were, how you paid attention to my grades. It wasn’t all scaring away boyfriends. A lot of it was good. I was lucky.”
Cort’s expression smoothed into a beautiful smile, and Grey caught his breath. He stared at the man, so crazy in love, knowing it showed on his face when he looked at the phone and caught Abby staring at him. She nodded then, as if satisfied.
Someone knocked on the kitchen door, but Grey continued to look at Abby. “I promise, I have only good intentions when it comes to your brother. He’s my world.”
“That’s all I wanted to know. It’s good to meet you, Grey.”
Cort ended the call and went to the door to greet Wiley, who bustled into the room in jeans and a Wolverine T-shirt.
“The goddesses are here. It’s bonding time!”
Nerves hit Grey for a moment before he realized this was what he wanted. He wanted Cort one hundred percent. He looked at Cort to find the man watching him with his heart in his eyes and couldn’t keep from rising out of his chair to kiss him. “You ready for this?”
“Beyond ready. Let’s do this.”
“I feel like we should be wearing suits or something.” Grey glanced at his jeans and black T-shirt.
“You look fine to me.” Cort kissed him again.
“Aw, come on you two,” Wiley nudged, his face wreathed in smiles. “It doesn’t have to be fancy. It’s the bonding ceremony that’s important.”
Grey took Cort’s hand and they followed Wiley down the stairs, Grey noticing that Wiley was counting under his breath. Obsessive-compulsive disorder had dogged Wiley most of his life, but this was the only time it tended to be visible to the outside world.
They walked through the yard and into the main house to find the goddesses gathered, in fancy, flowing white dresses. It was the first time he’d seen them in such finery and again, he felt underdressed. All the Weavers were there along with Dane. Anticipation made his heart tighten. He was about to be bonded to Cort for life, and he couldn’t wait.
Jo’s smile was so big, it could be on a billboard. “All my Weavers have soul mates. This is more than I could have hoped for.”
Flo frowned. “Stop bragging, Josephina.”
Willie walked up and began wrapping the scarf around Grey’s and Cort’s arms. “I’m so happy for you both. Since it worked with the others, we’ll do the simple handfasting ceremony again. Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Cort and Grey answered together.
With that, the three goddesses all touched the scarf and began to chant in a beautiful language. Light formed around them all, and a feeling of belonging swept through Grey, nearly staggering him. But he held firm, his gaze locked on Cort’s. Did he feel the same connection? The warmth in his eyes and the way they widened told him that Cort did.
His mate’s emotions flooded him. Joy, excitement, and…love. They may not have spoken the words, but the man’s feelings were plain, and the same emotions swamped Grey. This man was to be his partner in life, his other half. His soul mate.
Tears pricked his eyes, and he didn’t care if he came off sappy. This was a moment for sap and he held on to Cort’s hands, feeling the smooth skin and few calluses. He couldn’t have picked a better soul mate for himself. Awe filled him as he thought of the years they could possibly have together. The battle with the pestilents went to the back of his mind, but it was there, and he realized that life was precious, and this relationship meant everything to him. Cort needed to know how he felt.
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