“Anything?” Khantar asked from his position at the foot of the bed.

It had been four days since the explosion. Rina had camped out in the room with Rhodack, refusing to leave his side. She’d dragged a recliner next to the bed in hopes that when he opened his eyes, she’d be the first thing he’d see.

“The healer said his mind would wake him up when it was ready and healed,” she whispered, unfolding her legs from underneath her. She sat on the edge of her chair and gazed upon Rhodack.

“You can’t stay in here the entire time,” her father stressed.

Her gaze flitted to him, her shoulders slumping. She didn’t want to leave the room to face the eyes of Rhodack’s people. She didn’t know if she’d be able to face them knowing she was the reason he was in the coma.

“What would I even say or do?” she asked.

“If you are going to be the mate of Rhodack Gahnoth, you will need get in the habit of leading his people.” Her father cocked an eyebrow at her.

Her breath caught as she stood slowly from her chair. Her heart slammed in her chest, and her father offered her a small smile.

“I see the way you look at him.” He nodded toward Rhodack’s still form.

She moved toward him. “But I thought you said that my place was in Faery.” She walked into her father’s strong embrace.

His chest vibrated with his deep chuckle. “Faery will always be your home, but for now, it still isn’t safe. What happened back at the cave will only fuel the necromancers. Faery will need to prepare for what I am sure is coming.”

“I can help, Father,” she offered, pulling back from his hug.

“No, Larina. I know you’ve dreamed of the day that you’ll help me protect Faery, but for now, your place is here with your mate.” He smiled and gently gripped her face in his hands.

She’d yearned for the day she’d be able to be held by her father. Growing up as a human, she’d been under the illusion her father was deceased.

But he wasn’t.

He stood before her and was encouraging her to stay here on Earth. Her gaze moved to Rhodack, and she knew her father was right.

Her place was here by Rhodack’s side.

“But what about my place on the throne?”

“Your day will come, and when it does, we will figure it out then. But for now, your clan needs you.”

Her eyes met her father’s, and she smiled.

Her clan.

She nodded and knew her father was correct. “Thank you, Father.”

He leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead and returned her smile. “As long as breath is in my body, Faery will remain. Your mother and I will go back there so that we may prepare.”

“When will you leave?”

They hadn’t had a chance to really get to know each other. Her heart ached that their time was drawing to an end.

“Don’t look as if you’ll never see me again. Faery will always be your home.”

“I want to come, if only to visit. I still have much to learn,” she admitted. Her place was here with Rhodack, her heart, but Faery was in her blood.

“That we can arrange, but for now you must remain here. Your mother and I will leave at first light.”

She stood frozen and watched her father exit the room, leaving her alone with Rhodack.

Her fingers tingled and emitted a soft glow.

Wake him.

Could she?

Do it.

She confidently made her way to the bed and climbed on. She straddled the sleeping Rhodack and stared down at him. Even in his gargoyle form, he was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. The glow from her fingers grew as she placed them onto his broad, leathery chest.

“Wake up, my love,” she whispered, her powers seeping from her fingers.

She searched for the link, their bond that held them together. The one that would undoubtedly connect them for all eternity.

There it is.

His heartbeat.

She could feel it beat as if it were her own.

Her powers pulsed, growing as she pushed it farther into him.

“Wake up, Rhodack Gahnoth,” she commanded, her voice growing more powerful.

A soft wind gathered in the room, lifting her hair from her neck. She focused on pushing her energy into her mate.

She’d connect with him.

Force him to come back to her.

His people needed him.

She needed him.

His heart raced, and she knew she had him. She closed her eyes and threw back her head, an unexplainable force taking over her. She cried out, and the energy burst forth from her, flowing through her and into Rhodack.

Her body trembled, and the power faded. Her body slumped forward, and only her hands braced on Rhodack’s body kept her from falling onto him.

Her breaths were coming fast, and she took in a deep breath, trying to control her body. Her eyes jerked open at the touch of a gentle, strong hand moving away the curtain of hair from her face. She was met with the strong, dark eyes of her mate.

She’d done it!

“Rhodack,” she cried out. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Sometime during the power transfer, unbeknownst to her, he’d shifted back into his human form.

“Rina,” he breathed, taking her in.

She leaned forward and crushed her mouth to his. Rhodack’s large hand cupped her face, and he took over the kiss. His warm lips danced over hers, his tongue thrusting into her mouth. She automatically opened her mouth to greet his tongue with hers.

A growl escaped him, and he gripped her body and flipped them over with him settling into the valley of her thighs.

“I’m so sorry,” she cried out, tears escaping. Her hands flew to his face as she studied him. She’d apologize a million times over for what she’d done.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, Rina. I would have given my life for you,” he admitted, gently wiping the tears from her face with his thumb. His face softened, and his lips curled up in the corner slightly. “You’re the most important thing in my life.”

“Please don’t ever do that again,” she murmured, pulling his head down and placing a small kiss on his stubble-covered chin. “Your clan needs you. I need you.”

He entwined their fingers together and lifted her hands over her head. He thrust his pelvis toward her, showing her how much he needed her. She gasped, loving the feel of his nakedness and wanting to feel him against her naked flesh.

She blinked and willed her clothes to disappear.

“I’ll always love that trick.” He chuckled, laying a kiss on her lips.

His cock brushed against her folds, and she moaned. She thrust her hips forward, demanding he put her out of her misery.

“I’ll always love you,” she admitted.

His eyes darkened at her admission. He reached down between them and lined up the blunt tip of his cock with her slick entrance.

“I love you, too.”

He thrust hard, and they both cried out in ecstasy. His cock was nestled inside her, and she never wanted to let him go again.

She turned her body over to her mate, knowing he was about to show her how much he loved her.