"We love you too," Sebastian said. His thrusts becoming erratic. "God, Lilith, I love you. I...."
He came hard. Buried deep inside her. His entire body shaking with the force of it.
And Lilith came again. Smaller this time but still intense. Still overwhelming.
Her magic flared brighter. Dual forces blazing. The room filled with the scent of growing things and decay happening simultaneously.
Through the bonds she felt Sebastian's pleasure. Felt Lucian's satisfaction. Felt their love and grief and desperate need all tangled together.
And for just a moment....just one impossible moment....
She felt a third bond. Faint. Distant. Like an echo from very far away.
Nicholas.
Not gone. Not completely. Just....somewhere else. Separated but not destroyed.
The sensation faded almost immediately.
But it had been there. Real and undeniable.
Sebastian collapsed on top of her. Breathing hard. His weight pressing her into the mattress.
Lucian's hand found hers and squeezed.
