With that, the dark mist consumed them both leaving nothing but a mark of ash where they stood and a black stone heart in Timber’s hand.
I exhaled in relief and threw my arms around his neck. “You did it!”
“Who knew I’d grow up and become a team player?” Timber shrugged.
“Literally none of us.” Alex yawned. “Literally.”
“Alex.” My father went over to him and patted him on the shoulder. “I’m curious, how did you find your travels?”
“Boring.” Alex grinned and then shrugged. “Kidding, I was quite entertained by Kyra here and the way she spoke to Set, though it nearly got us killed it was worth it, because now dipshit’s back, yay!”
He was pointing at Timber, who just rolled his eyes and held me close.
Horus slumped against one of the barstools. “Tell me every Tuesday night isn’t always like this.”
Complete silence and then…
“Never!”
“Totally boring.”
“We garden!”
“Look, my tomatoes are coming in.” Mason started moving to the window while a quiet Tarek sat town next to Horus and grinned.
Horus narrowed his eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that? Why is he looking at me like that?”
“He likes to make friends.” Timber laughed. “He’s your problem now, brother.”
“I’ll grow on you.” Tarek slapped him on the back. “Plus I see some very interesting times in your future, Prince of Light. How do you feel about cougars?”
“The animal?”
“The woman.” Tarek nodded slowly. “You better bring your A game. She’s feisty.”
“Fantastic, just what I wanted,” Horus said dryly. “Feisty.”
I turned in Timber’s arms and pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Worth it, it was worth it, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” His eyes glowed a warm gold. “It was.”
I suddenly didn’t want to be in that room anymore, or anywhere near other people. I was already imagining clawing his clothes from his body.
He growled low in his throat and pulled me against his chest, kissing me soundly. “Bathroom.”
“But I don’t have to—ohhhh, yes, bathroom, now, to er, clean up the…” We both eyed the black heart still in his hands. “Ash?”
“Let’s just go with ash,” he agreed as we snuck away from everyone, even though they had to know what was happening. My own father blushed and looked away.
I didn’t care.
He was mine.
I was his.
And our moment had finally arrived.
After centuries of searching.