Page 63 of Fourth

Brilliant white and gold flared across Riv’En’s skin, pulsing outward in visible waves. Maya glowed just as bright, her mark igniting to match.

The heat of it seared through them both, flooding their bodies with fire and light until every nerve, every heartbeat, had been rewired to match. There was no pain, only a powerful,consuming sense of finality and belonging. It went deep, into his very bones, the steady pulse of Maya’s body locking against his, as if the universe itself had realigned around them. For Maya, it was the undeniable certainty that she would never again stand apart from him. Only completion. Onlythem.

Riv’En’s black hair lightened mid-stroke, bleeding into bright silver. His skin cooled. The Final Flight wasgone.

They collapsed together slowly, sinking to the forest floor, bodies still entwined. Riv’En cradled Maya against him, one hand splayed over the bite mark he’d left, the other pressed flat against herback.

Maya’s fingers traced his arching cheekbones slowly, exploring the unfamiliar angles. “Your eyes,” she whispered, voice soft with awe. “They’re amethyst now.” Her hand moved upward, combing lightly through his hair. “And your hair—it’s silver.”

“I am no longer in Final Flight,” Riv’En said, voice quieter now, edged with something that almost sounded like wonder.

Maya’s lips curved faintly. “Forever?”

“Forever.” His hand slid along her back, tugging her closer.

Long minutes passed. The forest was silent around them, except for the slowing rhythm of their breath and the faint crackle of cooling energy still humming in the air. Riv’En kept Maya cradled close, his chin resting against the top of her head, his hands splayed across her back as though securing her tohim.

At last, Riv’En spoke, voice low and certain, like carved stone. “You are not going anywhere without me again. Iwill not allow it.”

Maya shifted just enough to look up at him. Her skin was damp with heat and effort, her pulse steady against his, perfectly in sync. Brilliant blue eyes were steady on his despite the passion still lingering in her expression. Her voice was rough but sure. “Good. Because I am not leaving and neither are you. Ever.”

Neither of them spoke after that. Words would have only broken the spell of it, the quiet, powerful aftermath that swelled bigger than any battle, bigger than any ritual. It was not just about survival. It was about finding something neither of them had ever expected to claim: peace.

When they finally rose, it was without rush. Without words.

Side by side, they walked out of the forest together, both marked by flame, skin still faintly glowing, united in bond and purpose.

Together.

But even as they stepped forward, the trauma of what had just passed still burned beneath Riv’En’s skin, aliving echo of everything they’d shared. Maya’s hand found his without words, her fingers twining with his, and the simple contact sent another pulse of heat through the bond. Their steps matched, hers lighter, more fluid, his steady and grounding.

As they cleared the edge of the forest, the light caught on their skin again, amplifying the shimmer of the Mating Flame. It wasn’t just a mark. It was a declaration. His body had never been so balanced, so sure, Final Flight completely erased as if it had never existed. His heartbeat grew quieter now. Calmer. Like it belonged entirely to her rhythm.

Maya glanced up at him, her blue eyes sharp and clear despite the wildness still clinging to her. She didn’t say anything, but her gaze touched him like a question and an answer all inone. Riv’En met it evenly, his fingers tightening around hers just enough to remind her he was real. Solid.Hers.

“Always together?” she whispered.

“Always,” Riv’En answered, no hesitation, no doubt.

And with that, side by side, marked and whole, they stepped into their future.