Page 105 of Stolen Threadwitch Bride

With a lazy blink, he gave a slow, private smile. “We are.” So tender I could’ve cried, he lay me on my side, still pressed against his chest. “Look inside, to your gift, and you’ll see.”

Around us, the web still radiated out to the world, but the brightest, strongest thread stretched between him and me. I smiled at that and stroked his cheek. When I followed the thread inward, to my chest, to my heart, I found it wasn’t only silver. It braided night with starlight, him with me.

A soft gasp in my throat, hand over my heart, I blinked at him. It had worked. We were bonded. My eyes stung, but it was a sweet sting, and the tears brimming were joyous ones. “You’re here.”

He inclined his head, that wonderful, dawning smile on his face. “I am.” He took my hand, kissed the fingertips, and trapped it between his palm and his chest. “And you’re here.”

I pressed against him, soaking up his heartbeat as it slowed to a calm, content beat. “Always.”

He brushed his lips over mine. “Forever.”

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The End