Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 119846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
“I know,” Bright said gently. “Because you were too busy feeling upset that we got a little closer than we ever had before.”
He leaned in a little, and Noelle could see the pain and earnest longing in his eyes.
“But I don’t care how close we have to get—I just don’t want to lose you again.”
Burn’s dark gaze shimmered suddenly, a deep shine of unspoken emotion glistening in his eyes. His broad chest rose in a deep breath, then he muttered,
“I don’t want to lose you either.”
And with that, he took a step forward and wrapped Bright in a fierce, bone-cracking hug.
Bright went willingly into his arms, clutching him back just as tightly, their enormous bodies locked together with a desperate, wordless affection. It was rough and raw and real, and something about it made Noelle’s throat tighten and her eyes sting with tears.
It did her heart good to see this—to see them coming back together. After everything the three of them had been through—everything they’d done to survive—the Dark Twin and the Light Twin had found their way back to each other at last.
When both men turned their heads and reached for her wordlessly, she didn’t hesitate.
She walked straight into their arms and let them wrap around her like the safest cocoon in the galaxy. Burn’s hand slid down her back, warm and solid, while Bright’s fingers found her waist and held her with quiet caring. Their combined scent surrounded her—spicy and dark and grounding—and their heat sank into her bones.
And in that moment, Noelle knew she was exactly where she was meant to be. She belonged to them. And they belonged to her.
She closed her eyes, resting her cheek against Burn’s chest as Bright rubbed her back in slow, comforting circles. A sense of calm settled in her heart. She had come through fire and darkness, pain and captivity, and found something precious waiting on the other side.
But she wasn’t done—not quite yet.
After a long moment, she pulled back gently.
“I need a quick rinse,” she murmured, her voice husky from emotion. “All that Earth dirt and adrenaline needs to come off.”
Burn nodded, brushing a thumb down her cheek.
“We’ll be right here, baby,” he rumbled, his voice low and certain.
“We’ll be waiting for you, sweetheart,” Bright agreed.
Noelle gave them both a lingering glance—Bright, with his hazel eyes soft and full of light…and Burn, with his brooding gaze and fierce loyalty—and then turned and slipped into the adjoining bathroom.
83
NOELLE
The shower was hot and fast, steam curling around Noelle like a cloud as she scrubbed away the grime and terror of the day. She slicked her hands down her body, and took a deep, steadying breath.
It was time.
Her heart pounded as she stepped out and wrapped a soft white towel around herself. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror—damp black hair clinging to her shoulders, flushed cheeks, eyes shining with something she almost didn’t dare to name.
It wasn’t fear or nerves—it was hope and readiness, she thought.
When she padded back out into the suite, the lights were low. Burn and Bright sat close together on the oversized couch, their massive forms relaxed at last, shoulders touching. Burn’s thick arm was slung around Bright’s shoulders, and the Light Twin leaned into him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Their heads turned in unison when they saw her.
“Well, hello, boys,” Noelle said softly.
Their gazes locked on her, twin flames of hazel and midnight flickering to life as she stepped into the room.
Here goes nothing, she thought—and let the towel drop.
84
BRIGHT
Gold and blue flames crackled in the firewall, casting dancing shadows across the living area of their shared suite. It was a stark contrast to the cold, brutal stone of Thune’s dungeon—a place of warmth and safety—a sanctuary they had carved out for themselves.
Bright sat on the deep, comfortable couch beside Burn, the silence between them not hostile, but heavy with the shared, unspoken weight of their failure to complete the Twin-Bond. He had explained to his best friend that the old Seer had died and so now there was no chance for them at all. No chance to form a bond…no chance to call a bride. The small, twinkling Christmas tree in the corner seemed to mock their sorrow with its cheerful lights.
Then Noelle appeared from the hallway, a white towel wrapped around her lush curves. She stopped before them, her dark eyes luminous and filled with a determination that made Bright’s heart stutter in his chest.
“Mmm, and just what do you think you’re doing, baby?” Burn asked, his deep voice a low rumble of pure, undisguised lust that vibrated through the couch cushions.
Noelle didn’t answer with words. Instead, she smiled—a slow, sensual curve of her lips—and let the towel drop.
It pooled at her feet in a soft heap of white fabric, and Bright’s eyes went wide, his breath catching in his throat. By the gentle, multicolored glow of the Christmas tree, she looked like a goddess made flesh.