GAHRYE

Gahrye used his thumbs to wipe Kalle's cheeks as she stared up at him, pleading. He ached to stop her tears, but understood. His own throat pinched. The feelings were… overwhelming. Joy, excitement, fear… they were all there. And as he saw fear flash in her eyes, he yearned to reassure her.

"I won't pull away again,

" he whispered.

"You're safe.

"

Her face crumpled and she leaned into his chest for a second. He held her, eyes closed, his nose buried in her hair and inhaling her perfect scent.

"See what I mean?

" she said into his chest, her voice muffled as she clung to him.

"Way out of my league,

" she sniffed.

"Kalle—

"

"No, I'll stop being a coward,

" she said and took a deep breath. Then she straightened, lifting her chin, craning her head back as if she had no fear for her throat, to meet his eyes.

"I don't know what happened to you before I met you,

" she said, her voice shaky.

"I don't know what they told you when you were growing up, or how the people who are normally around you speak to you, but… from the minute I saw you all I know is, I felt safe. And that never happens to me,

" she said breathlessly.

"I don't just mean physically, either. Gahrye you are… good. Your heart… your integrity… the way you observe others and don't expect things from them, but give yourself… I am humbled every day that you still want to kiss me and touch me. I can't believe the Creator chose me for you because you feel impossible to me.

He trembled, every word plunking into his chest like a stone thrown into a pool.

"I know you're saying we're going to have to be apart eventually. And that kills me. I hope… I hope I can find a way to make sure that doesn't happen. But if I can't… you have to know, Gahrye,

" she said, her voice high and pleading.

"You have to let yourself see who you really are, no matter what else is said to you by stupid bigots or… whatever! Because the man you see in the mirror is better than any man I've never known—patient, selfless, and brave. And I can't believe he wants to be with me…

" she trailed off in a pinched squeak as her tears welled again.

"Gahrye, will you be my husband? Will you have me as a wife? Because I don't feel like I deserve you. But by God I'll love you, no matter what. If you'll have me… I'll love you for the rest of my life whether you're with me, or not.

"

"Yes!

" It tore out of his throat as he pulled her into a searing kiss. And even as her shoulders shook and she sobbed, she grabbed him and held him close, didn't let him pull away.

"Yes, Kalle

" he said against her lips.

"I'm sorry I hurt you and made you wait. I'm sorry. I never want to do that to you again. No matter what, I'm here. I'm yours,

" he whispered, kissing his way along her jaw to that space under her ear. And she tilted her head and clung, her breath coming faster as her tears passed.

As they kissed, as she surrendered under his hands, her head back and throat bared, as he gave up to his fear and embraced the pain that he knew was to come, something shiny and warm appeared in his chest. A light unfurling, bringing a piece of him with it, out of the darkness and shadow, something that flowed in his veins and reached for her.

And it was answered by something within her.

As they tumbled onto the bed, for the first time Gahrye didn't question himself. He didn't remind himself of the warnings of the Voices, or their impending separation. He clawed his fingers into her hair, and she gasped his name as he groaned the mating call against her skin.

*****

KALLE

It was like he'd come alive. In a heartbeat something within him had unleashed. Something she'd never seen, but it called to her.

Suddenly, there was no need reassure him, no urge to protect him. Instead, Kalle gasped, clinging to his shoulders and trying to keep hold of herself under the onslaught of his lips and tongue, and the possession of his hands.

He made that noise, that call, and her entire body shuddered as something inside her spiraled to life, opening, reaching, aching for him. It flowed out of her chest in rushes that timed with her heartbeat, rippling through her veins, then out to the places where they touched. Which was everywhere.

"Gahrye…

" She could barely breathe for wanting him, and it was clear he felt the same, as all hesitation left him. He tumbled her back onto the bed and for a moment there were inches between them as she fell to the bed and he braced on his arms. His eyes raked from her waist up her body—and she felt it like fingers dragged on her skin. Then he was on her, hands in her hair, and—when she arched—his mouth open on her throat, and that delicious puttering in his throat.

"Kalle,

" he gasped against her.

"Yes.

" It wasn't a question. She would have been embarrassed if he hadn't groaned and pulled himself back, chest heaving, hair falling into his eyes, and his eyes… his eyes a strange warm brown that she didn't recognize, but that seemed to hold her in place with the intensity of his gaze.

"In Anima, it's always the female's choice,

" he said, his voice a harsh rasp.

"If you aren't certain—

"

"Gahrye, if you do not have sex with me right now, I swear on all that is holy that I am going to eat you alive.

"

He chuckled, warm and deep, all hesitation gone. Her desire surged just looking at his smile.

He raised one eyebrow and the light in his eyes flared as his voice went husky.

Then he leaned in, saying

"Have you ever mated an equine before, Kalle?

" before he laid the flat of his tongue on her neck and sucking that spot just under her ear so her skin pebbled all the way down her arm.

"N-no, I—

"

"Then my advice,

" he rasped pushing himself back up, bracing on his strong arms to either side of her head,

"is to just let go… and enjoy the ride.

"

The smile he gave then was downright wicked.

*****

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