Page 102 of Volik

I smile at the ceiling.

That was amazing.

The best experience ever.

My mate, naked. Beneath me. Surrounding me. For the first time ever.

I glide my hands up and down Nix’s back.

The first time will always be special. But last night. The one that’s about to end. That was special too. Because it was us.

I still want to bury myself inside her. Would right now if she said she wanted me to. But holding her while we spoke, it was a dream come true. Her honesty. The rawness of her emotions.

My nose scrunches at the memory of her tears.

I hated that part.

I have smelled other people’s tears before. But they were not like that.

Maybe it only smells like that to me because she is mine.

Lifting my head off the mattress, I press my nose to the top of her head and inhale.

Orchids bloom inside my blood.

Gods, she is perfect.

Dropping my head back down, I close my eyes and send a silent thank-you to the cosmos for making Nix my mate. For gifting me with the most perfect person.

She asked my brother’s name.

And for the first time in years, I said it out loud.

I think about him every day. And every day I worry about him. Worry that he’s okay. That he will be okay.

He put himself through so much, has seen and done so much.

But now, as I lie here with the other half of my soul, my worry grows for Vameer.

What if he misses this?

What if his mate is out there, but he does not wake up in time?

My heart rate picks up as my stress builds.

What if he sleeps through her whole lifetime?

I wrap my arms around Nix and concentrate on slowing my pulse.

My person shifts as she lets out a little grumble.

Breathing slowly, I release a small purr.

It happens without my meaning it to, but I am starting to get a handle on it.

Nix sighs.

Our fronts are pressed together. Her cheek is against my bare chest, her ear over my heart. She has one arm bent, hand above her head, palm on my clavicle. Her other arm is out wide. Her legs draped over mine.