Her lovely face was still miserable with contrition. “You didn’t have to do this for me. Neither one of you.”

“We wanted to,” Brynne assured her, feeling no animosity for the woman, only sympathy. “Lazaro Archer will see that you have somewhere safe to stay in Rome until you’re settled. We didn’t want you to be all alone.”

Zael had made the arrangements after telepathically connecting with Jordana to explain the situation. As the Order’s command center in Rome was the closest, Lazaro and his Breedmate, Melena, now waited to meet the boat personally in Athens when they arrived at the docks.

On shore, the black-haired Gen One Breed male stepped out of a large SUV with the curvaceous redhead who shared his bond. There was another Breed male with them. Massive, intimidating, there was no question the scowling male with the shaved head and glyph-covered arms was a warrior.

Lazaro and Melena introduced themselves, both of them pleased to hear that the alliance with the colony had been accepted. If Jordana had told them the circumstances of Tamisia’s ousting from the colony, neither of them gave any indication to make her feel uneasy.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the behemoth who stood behind them. Unfriendly didn’t even begin to describe his forbidding demeanor. But Lazaro and his Breedmate seemed to trust the male implicitly.

“Trygg will see you to the car, Tamisia,” Lazaro informed her. “Melena and I will be along momentarily.”

“Thank you,” she said, then turned to Zael and Brynne, remorse glistening in her sky-blue eyes. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

Zael touched her shoulder and gently shook his head. “There is no need. Take care of yourself, and maybe one day the three of us will meet again.”

“I would like that very much.” She smiled at Brynne. “I wish you both every happiness.”

Brynne clutched her hand and gave it a tender squeeze. “The same to you, Sia.”

She headed off, looking more than a little anxious as she followed the big warrior back to the waiting vehicle.

Lazaro ran a hand through his ebony hair. “I hope your friend doesn’t scare easily. I would’ve brought one of my other men along, but I’ve lost one of my team to family obligations and a new Breedmate, and another is gearing up for a covert mission. Trygg’s not much of a people person.”

Zael grunted. “Don’t worry about Sia. She’s never met a male she couldn’t charm.”

“She’s never met Trygg,” Melena said, smiling wryly. She glanced at Brynne. “Congratulations to you and Zael on your mating. I’m sorry—I’m trying not to stare, but it’s difficult. It’s not every day that Lazaro and I get a chance to meet a daywalker or an Atlantean.”

The Rome commander’s mouth quirked. “Not to mention how rare it is to meet the diplomatic envoys for the Atlantean colony.”

“Thank you for the well wishes,” Brynne replied. “As for our diplomatic role, I imagine Zael and I will be seeing much more of you both.”

“And the Order in general,” Zael added. “This alliance is a partnership between our people, but I hope you and the rest of the warriors understand that beyond any formal agreement, you also have my friendship. And my service, should you need it—whether that’s in battle against Selene or any other threat we have to contend with.”

“That is most appreciated,” Lazaro answered. “Unfortunately, it seems Opus Nostrum isn’t about to give us any rest. It will be a damned good day when we finally take the bastards out.”

“Let’s hope it’s soon,” Brynne said. “If there’s anything Zael and I can do to help make that happen, the Order needs only to ask.”

“You honor us well,” Lazaro replied with a formal bow of his head.

The phrase was tradition within the Order, one of the highest praises bestowed on its brethren. That he said it now, to Brynne and her Atlantean mate, was a compliment they both would aspire to be worthy of from this day forward.

The Rome commander gestured toward the vehicle Tamisia had entered. “And you have our word that we’ll make sure your friend gets whatever she requires while she’s with us.”

“Thank you both,” Zael said as the two men shook hands.

Melena pulled Brynne into a brief hug. “I so enjoyed meeting you.”

“The pleasure is mine,” she replied, smiling as she drew back from Lazaro’s mate. “May I ask you a personal favor?”

“Of course, anything.”

“When you speak with the Order again, please tell my sister I am well, and that I hope to see her soon.”

“But not too soon,” Zael interjected, a grin tugging at his mouth. “Brynne and I have a blood bond to celebrate. I plan to keep her all to myself for as long as I possibly can.”

They said their goodbyes, watching as the SUV rolled away into the gathering night.

Zael’s eyes glimmered as he took Brynne’s hand and led her back onto the sailboat. She couldn’t wait to be back on the island. Back in her Atlantean mate’s arms, and back in his bed.

Their bed.

In the home they would make together.

And, if they were so blessed, in the home where they would one day start a family of their own. The wish took root so firmly, it swept her breath away.

Because it wasn’t only her wish, she realized.

She felt that same hope shining in Zael’s heart too.

It was in his blood, in the bond that now connected their hearts and their futures.

He pulled her into his embrace, his mouth coming down on hers in a kiss so passionate and filled with emotion that it shook her to her marrow.

“Yes, I want it, too,” he murmured against her lips. “I want it all with you, Brynne. Forever.”

And when he pressed her down onto the deck with him to lie beneath the blanket of stars, she knew to the depths of her soul that she was already holding the future in her arms.

She was for the first time in her life—and forever—right where she belonged.

 

~ * ~

 

Thank you for reading Defy the Dawn. I hope you enjoyed it!

 

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