Chapter Thirteen

Lying in the peaceful solitude, holding Willa in his arms, it didn’t matter that their bed was their shredded clothing, that they were in a cave, or that there were so very many things they needed to address. Time would march on. They would soon have to leave their little piece of paradise and face the cold, cruel world. But for this moment in time, Asher had his mate, their souls and hearts irrevocably bonded, and peace over and around him in every direction.

He’d been laid open before her, his curtain of secrets thrown back, and for the first time, he hadn’t come out with teeth and talons bared ready to fight. Willa had seen every act of war, every painful memory, the days when he was young and foolish…the atrocities he suffered, the indignities thrust upon him at Taranis’ commands, the whole horrific truth of three-hundred-years of torture, and she had accepted him with open arms. She was his home, the comfort he’d been searching for his entire life, literally, nothing else in all his four-hundred-and-something years had meant so much.

Looking at her face, the blush of their lovemaking still brushed upon her cheeks, his heart nearly bursting as he thought of everything this one woman, petite in stature but mighty in all other ways had changed the way he viewed his very existence. The Madness, the fear, the unhinged rage, all tempered with the bright light of Willa’s soul banishing his darkness and chasing away the shadows. Smiling as her eyes fluttered open, he was still in awe of what he’d done right to be given such a wonderful woman.

“Hello there, Mr. Baines,” she cooed, rolling over to face him. Propping herself up on her elbow, she laid a chaste kiss on his lips before chuckling, “I would ask how you’re feeling, but that cat-that-ate-the-canary look on your face pretty much says it all.”

Barking with laughter, Asher wrapped his arms around his mate, pulled her even closer and teased, “Now that you mention it.” He quickly kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m pretty sure I’ve died and gone to Heaven and you, mo chroí, are my very own angel. I think we should just stay here forever.”

Laying her hand over his heart, Willa sat all the way up, much to Asher’s chagrin holding what was left of her skirt over her gorgeous body. The light in her eyes faded and her smile turned into a pensive grimace. “Remember when I told you I talked to Pearce?”

Sitting up as he nodded, both he and Solveig instantly on guard, Asher grumbled, “Yes, I remember.”

Her hand slipped off his chest and into her lap. “I told you he explained where the Berserkers came from and how I could save you.” Her fingers wound around one another as the cave filled with the sharply sweet scent of her anxiety, “Well, he also wanted me to tell him where we were.” The words tumbled from her lips as she hurried on, “But, I told him not to come, that you and I would deal with it, and…and…well…I kinda…” Throwing her hands in the air, furiously shaking her head, Willa swore, “Oh, hell with it, I told him I would talk to you after we were mated.”

Moving closer, her hands descending upon the top of his thighs, she rushed on, “But, now that I know you better. Now, that I understand everything, have seen what happened at that horrible, horrible place, I know that I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.” Scooting closer still, her hands trembling against his legs, “No, no, that’s not right. I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to do. Those bastards, hell, your very own fucking brother, did things to you that shouldn’t be done to vermin. I need you to know that the choice is yours.”

Working hard to ignore her gloriously naked body and focus on her words, Asher saw the regret in her eyes at making a promise she knew was against his wishes. True remorse and shame filled their mating bond making it absolutely impossible for him to be upset. Reaching for her, wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled his beautiful Willa to his chest.

Giving into temptation, he laid his lips to hers, starting a slow burn of true love and respect as he spoke directly into her mind, “You only had the best of intentions, wanted to help me, and for that, I could never be angry.” Deepening their kiss, he murmured, “I love you, Willa Baines, with everything that I am.”

Their lovemaking was slow and sensual, a true affirmation of all they were together, ending with Asher once again holding his mate in his arms as their bodies cooled. Struck with a sudden idea, he lifted Willa from the ground, grinning and winking as she inquired, “Where are you taking me, mo fhear céile?”

The sound of Willa calling him ‘her husband’ in Gaelic was music to his ears, just another miracle he’d never expected to receive. Walking straight into the pool of crystal clear water he’d sensed was hidden at the back of the cave, he finally answered, “I was thinking maybe a bath was in order before making any major decisions.”

Throwing her arms around his neck and laying tiny kisses all over his face, Willa happily answered, “Best idea I’ve ever heard.”

Swimming, laughing, simply enjoying one another, Asher happily left the chaos of the world outside their cave behind. The sun of Willa’s smile, the music of her laughter, the sheer magnificence of the One the Universe had made for him was a balm to his soul. The Madness was gone, but the rage of what he’d suffered at the hands of Red Castle, of Taranis, although contained, still seethed with the need for revenge.

Lost in memories he knew would forever be a thron in his side if not avenged, Asher’s eyes snapped to Willa as she stopped swimming and got to her feet right in front of him. Speaking before he could, she reached under the water for his hand as she asserted, “So, we gonna go kick Taranis’ ass or what?”

Throwing back his head, Asher laughed out loud, “You never cease to amaze me, mo ghrá.” Dropping his chin and following as she led him out of the water, he added, “But, I agree with your first thought, we are gonna need some help.”

Stopping as soon as the words were out of his mouth and turning back towards him, surprise written across her lovely face, Willa exclaimed, “Dragons ho?”

Once again laughing out loud, his heart so full of love and adoration, for the first time he was looking forward to a very long, very happy life, Asher wholeheartedly agreed, “Dragons ho, mo chroí, Dragons ho.”