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I sniff and swipe my cheeks dry, determined to pull myself together and stay together. “Yeah, it doesn’t really gel with the prophecy, does it? But the vision wasn’t like anything I’ve seen before, either. It was like the future was…split. Like there were two versions of everything happening at once. And there was a strange…shadow over the version where Diana rules. Not like there’s anything wrong with Diana or she won’t do a good job, just…like the world was really stressful in that version of events, but very chill in the other. The contrast was a little nauseating to experience.” I sigh. “But maybe that’s a normal thing that happens for Pathfinders. I honestly don’t have enough experience with my pack gift to know for sure.”
“We’ll talk to Dad; he should be able to shine some light on that,” he says, his features softening as he adds, “That was really good to hear. What he said before. If this is almost the end, I’m glad we said goodbye that way.”
I take one of his hands in mine and give it a shake. “No more of that. Positive thoughts only. Your people are counting on you. Not to mention your son. Because I wasn’t kidding. I’ll do it. I’ll name him Fergus. Or something worse. I’m sure, given the time to mull it over, I will be able to think of something worse”
Maxim arches a brow. “Then I’ll have to come back and haunt you. As punishment.” He pulls me into his arms, hugging me tight. “That’s another reason I need to live. I really need to spank you.”
I nuzzle my face closer to his soft sweater and the rock-hard chest beneath, trying to take comfort in how strong he feels right now. “Like, in a sexual way, I’m assuming? Not a ‘punishing my disobedient wife’ way?”
“Right. We should do that,” he says, tensing as he pulls back to gaze down at my face. “After the meeting, but before I leave.”
I arch a brow. “I mean, if spanking me is on your bucket list, I guess I—”
“No, not that. Get married. Say our vows. That way, if I don’t make it back, there won’t be any doubt about your position in the pack. You’ll be treated like any other widow. You’ll be given my property and all assets not belonging to the—”
I press two fingers to his lips. “I don’t want your property or assets. I want you. And I want a big cheesy wedding with a party after. I want to celebrate this choice, not rush through it because a bunch of assholes are being assholes.” I nibble my lip. “Speaking of assholes, there’s something I forgot to tell you. About my vision. It’s not a big deal, but Pax is going to parachute onto the roof of the tower sometime later this afternoon.”
Maxim’s eyes widen. “What?”
I wave a hand. “It’s fine. He’ll get tangled up in the playground equipment and taken into custody without hurting anyone, even himself. But we should have someone ready to interrogate him. See if there’s any other trouble coming from Victor’s direction.” I shake my head, adding in a wry tone, “It’s hard to imagine I was ever terrified of either of them. There are so many scarier things to be afraid of now.”
“Just because someone’s holding you at gunpoint doesn’t mean a knife can’t kill you,” Maxim says. “Every threat should be taken seriously. And we should establish some sort of protocol for cataloguing everything you see as soon as you see it. That way nothing gets lost.”
I nod. “You’re right. I was so overwhelmed by everything else and certain Pax wasn’t going to hurt anyone that his part fell by the wayside, but it shouldn’t have. And if we have a procedure in place, something I do automatically every time I experience my pack gift, that will be less likely to happen.”
He grins, his chest puffing up as he crosses his arms.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing, I just enjoy those two words on your lips.” He sighs then adds in a squeaky, high-pitched voice, “You’re right, Maxim.”
“That’s three words, jerk,” I say, swatting his arm. “And I don’t sound like that. My voice is a melodious song.”
He laughs as he grabs my ass and gives me a playful swat in return. “It is. Especially when you’re coming.” He swats me again, sending a prickle of excitement across my skin. “I could listen to that on repeat for hours.”
I squeeze his biceps through his sweater, humming low in my throat. “We should definitely explore sexy spanking, I think. As soon as you get home.” I tip my head back, welcoming the kiss he presses to my lips.
Home.
That’s what he is to me now. This tower is a beautiful place to live, but Maxim is my home.
I can’t lose him. I just can’t.
But I might, and I will have to keep on living, thriving even, when he’s gone. I owe our son a mother who’s fully alive, not lost to grief. Even if I end up raising this baby alone, I will never regret bringing him into the world. At least that much of Maxim will remain, no matter what.
The thought offers some comfort.
Just not nearly enough.
