Lupi 04 - Night Season

telling you all along. Since before we left Earth, I’ve been telling you in the only way I thought you could hear.”
    Cynna wondered if she’d start hyperventilating. “You saved my life. More than once. You didn’t…didn’t just save the baby, did you?”
    His head moved once in a negative.
    He’d done other things, not just the risky heroic stuff. He’d stayed away when she was still deep in denial about the baby, but called. Letting her know he wasn’t going anywhere. He’d understood about her father and her need to come here and meet him. He’d come with her, stayed by her, promised her things. Understood her. Been there for her.
    Like Cullen said, he’d been telling her. All along he’d been telling her with his acts, not his words. Maybe that was the only way she could hear it, like he claimed. It was also the only way he could say it.
    Her voice sank into a whisper. “The stories say that a faerie glamour can’t stick to someone who…who has found their true love. You love me.”
    Light slipped back into his eyes, easing itself around his face until it had formed a smile there—lazy, amused. Happy. “Yeah, I do. And you love me.”
    â€œBut when…I mean, when did you know? Because I didn’t. Not until—”
    â€œThe night we fucked each other’s brains out in the baths?” This grin held a hint of smug. “Yeah, I knew I pushed your buttons then. Scared you pretty good, didn’t I?”
    â€œWhen did you know?” Cynna persisted.
    He scowled. “This is one of those stupid questions that no man can answer without getting in deep—all right, all right. Don’t hit. I liked you from the start. I wanted you. You got under my skin pretty quick, too. But…this probably isn’t what you want to hear, but I don’t lie to you, and you asked. It wasn’t until I knew you carried my baby that I…I don’t know.” He flipped a hand as if demonstrating some kind of either/or thing. “I couldn’t keep you out anymore. Becoming a father, that blew me open, and afterward, you were just there. Inside me. Everywhere I looked, everywhere I went, you were in my head. And now I guess you’ll be back to thinking it’s all about the baby—”
    â€œNo.” Cynna kissed him. Just once, and softly, to shut him up and tell him some of the things that were hard to say. “No. I understand. The baby made you see things inside you that you could have ignored otherwise. I think it’s been doing that to me, too, only more slowly. I couldn’t keep you out, either. And Cullen?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI’m sticking. You won’t get rid of me, so get used to it.”
    â€œGood.” His breath sighed out and he gathered her close again, stroking her hair. “That’s good. You’re a hard woman to court, Cynna Weaver.”
    She grinned at his notion of courtship. And then just lay there, satisfied with the moment, with him…with herself. Happiness was a slippery thing, but sometimes, if you had the courage to reach for it…
    She yawned.
    Oh, how romantic. But she hadn’t slept well since Cullen got zapped away from her, and she was so very tired…
    â€œHey, I just remembered something.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” she asked, drowsy.
    â€œThe dragon. Mika. Remember what he told us? That demons are composite beings. I’m guessing that’s why Gan suited the medallion so well. She’s used to organizing her various parts.”
    â€œComposite is too big a word when I’m asleep, but yeah, I remember. Only how could he…well, he couldn’t know about the medallion or any of this. Could he?”
    â€œI don’t know. But he told me one more thing—just me, male to male, while you were asleep.”
    Another yawn cracked her jaw. “What?”
    â€œHe’s never seen a human mating ceremony, and he’s curious. He wants an invitation to the wedding.”
    Â 
    â€œ T HAT’S it?” Kai said, weary and disbelieving. “We just go? Right this minute?”
    â€œShe’s calling me, Kai,” Nathan stood close, his hands on her shoulders, one thumb stroking quietly along her collarbone. His face was quiet, but his eyes smiled. He’d draped one of their saddlebags over his shoulder. “Her summons is immediate, but not urgent. Still, we