Bonus Short – Manu & Inej

I’m so happy you’re here!

Thank you so much for reading MOUNTAIN FIRE. As a token of my appreciation for loving the Elven Kingdoms, here is an EXCLUSIVE bonus short!

Inej stared at her reflection in the mirror. So much had changed in such a short period of time. In so many ways it seemed like a dream. She grinned and twirled in a circle as the flowing, layered silk garnet skirt swirled around her legs. Special attention had been paid to everything from the short-sleeved, fitted blouse with intricately embroidered gold threads that echoed the veins of minerals running through stone, to the semi-transparent veil edged in fine beadwork that was now draped over her shoulder.

A mang tikka rested against her forehead, a single chain of gold gliding through her dark hair. At the center hung a small teardrop pendant of gold. Bangles of bronze, gold, and amber chimed softly when she moved her right arm, while a ring linked to a fine gold chain bracelet adorned her left hand.

She gave herself one last look before she slipped out of the room and made her way to their favorite place—the perch. They were meeting away from others, while everyone slept, for their private ceremony. They would have another later, but this one was just for them. Inej had thought to beat him there, but as she crested the last step, she saw Manu waiting.

His smile was blinding, and the love shining in his eyes made her heart flutter. His deep brown hair was still slightly damp. The knee-length coat in charcoal with bronze threadwork. Beneath the coat was black fitted tunic and narrow trousers, and around his waist was a braided leather and metal belt.

Inej felt as if she were floating on air as she crossed the short distance to him. If this was a dream, she never wanted to wake. She had found everything she could hope for within the Dangerous Peaks—and within Manu’s arms.

He took her hands, his thumbs rubbing on the backs as he looked her up and down. “You look…wow.” He shook his head slowly, amazement in his dark eyes. “Your beauty eclipses any other.”

“I have to say that you are quite dashing yourself. It suits you.”

They stared at each other, smiling uncontrollably. A tremor of anticipation fluttered low in her belly. She had never been so nervous—or excited—about anything before.

“Ready?” he asked.

Inej nodded as words lodged in her throat.

Manu cleared his throat. “I expected to live my life alone. I never dreamed I would find someone who I could fall asleep beside at night, and wake to in the morn. I yearned for you without knowing your face or the sound of your name on my tongue. But my heart ached for a partner to spend my days with. I knew the moment I saw you that there was something special about you. The attraction was too strong to be denied. You were like a magnet, pulling me into your arms. And once there, I found home.”

He paused, his eyes misting as emotion rose. “You’ve had my heart from the beginning, and I vow that I will hold yours with all the love I possess. I will cherish you, protect you, and love you into the next life.”

Inej could no longer hold back her tears as he finished. The first fell onto her cheek, while others following quickly behind them. She had promised herself she wouldn’t cry until the end of their private ceremony.

She swallowed, her heart beating rapidly as she clung to his hands. “Even if I told you I loved you every day for the rest of my life, it would be but a drop compared to what I feel for you. You gave me life and freedom and hope. But above all of that, you gave me unconditional love. Every kiss, every touch broke through the walls I erected around my heart to protect it. Your love shattered through those walls and showed me the wonder of a life with you. I promise to love you as fiercely as you love me. I will stand beside you from this day forward no matter what happiness or turmoil awaits us. Because I can do anything as long as I have you with me.”

“My vow seals our bond,” Manu said.

She blinked as another happy tear dropped. “My vow seals our bond.”

“And so it is.”

“And so it is.”

He flashed a grin before he dragged her against him and claimed her lips for a long, slow kiss.

If you’ve enjoyed MOUNTAIN FIRE, be sure to find out what’s happening on Shecrish with the Elven Kingdoms, and don’t forget about the Dragon King series and the Skye Druids series!