AARYN

Aaryn darted out of the bedroom and into the main cave, muttering a curse under his breath. Why had he trusted Gar to be the one to bring his bag to the cave? The male had promised he wouldn't pull any pranks, but as Aaryn walked through the Great Room and there was initially no sign of his bag, he swore at himself for being a stupid idiot.

But then, there it was, the large, leather duffle tucked behind a chair near the door and he heaved a sigh of relief.

He dug through it to find the little parcel he'd wrapped up to make sure it was safe, then he hoisted the bag onto his shoulder and trotted back through the cave to the bedchamber.

Elreth was sitting up, the furs only covering her to the waist. High spots of pink in her cheeks told him she was very aware of being bare. But the fact that she hadn't covered herself filled him with a rush of love. He dropped the bag on the floor, and clambered onto the sleeping platform, crawling up to her and cupping her face, kissing her deeply.

She smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I missed you," he murmured against her lips.

She blew out a breath. "Good, because I did too, and I was feeling ridiculous."

Flashing a grin to hide his nerves, he turned to sit next to her on top of the furs, holding the little parcel in his hand. "So, there's something I want to give you," he said slowly.

Elreth watched him from the side, her eyes wide. He struggled to hold her gaze, looking down at the present in his hands over and over. "When I knew this was happening, I wanted to… mark it. Something to remember this day by," he murmured. "Something that recognized all of you, El. Not just your dominance and your Beast… something that remembered your humanity, as well.

"I talked to your Mom because I wanted some idea. I didn't know what humans did for their Rites—I mean, weddings. She told me that they give each other rings. But I know you don't like rings. I like the idea of that though—a circle that never ends."

Elreth's breath caught and she put a hand to his arm. But she didn't speak.

Aaryn blew out a breath. "I got some help to make these, but I… I did the etching myself. So, there's one for both of us here, but I hope… I hope you like yours. Because I'd love to see you wear it all the time."

He swallowed and looked at her as he handed her the parcel. She smiled and took it, untying the twine around it to peel open the paper.

She stopped breathing.

Inside were the two leather cuffs and a thin metal tool. The smaller cuff, for her, was in a deep brown that had the mahogany hue Aaryn knew would go with her hair. The other was thicker and black, for him. Each with a small buckle to keep it closed on the wrist.

Elreth picked up her own first and turned it over in her hands, her eyes wide. Aaryn reached over to undo the buckle and open the soft, thick leather so she could see what was inside.

She made a small, sobbing noise, and covered her mouth with one hand.

Inside he had etched into the leather the symbols of their sign language—using lines instead of fingers. She traced her finger over the lines.

"Forever… love… trust… submit… mine," she read in a whisper.

"It's what I vow to you," he said, then cleared his throat. "I don't ever want you to doubt it. I want you to wear that next to your skin, and no matter what happens… just remember it. I mean it. I love you, El. To my soul."

She dropped the cuff and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him in. He embraced her, breathing easier now that he could see that she loved it. That he hadn't gotten it wrong.

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear. "I don't… just thank you."

"You're welcome. Happy Day of Flames," he joked, trying to lighten the mood, but she pulled back to pick up the cuff and lay it on her wrist, turning it over. "Will you buckle it for me?"

Aaryn grinned and started on the small buckle, his shaking fingers making it take longer than it should. But soon he had it secure and she turned her hand back and forth, staring at it, biting her lip. "I love it, Aaryn. You're so thoughtful. I'm sorry I didn't… but wait! Did you put the words on yours as well?"

"No, I, um…" he grimaced. "I was hoping if I showed you how, you could etch your own signs? Or something that's meaningful for you? That way I've got a piece of—"

"Yes! Yes, show me how!" she said quickly, picking up his cuff and the small tool.

Heart brimming, Aaryn showed her how to hold it and use the sharpened tip to first draw, then deeply etch the leather. Lhandyn had shown him how deep the cuts had to go to remain for the lifetime of the leather and he showed Elreth, both of them hunched over the cuff.

With a shaking hand, Elreth began the first symbol and Aaryn was surprised to find his eyes stinging because she was so earnest, frowning at the leather and working hard to keep the lines straight and tidy.

She worked them over and over until they were deep enough, then dropped the tool and held the cuff out to him. "I vow to you, Aaryn: Forever. I'll love you. I'll trust you—and be trustworthy. I'll submit to you, and accept your submission. Because you're mine. No one else's. Just mine. Forever."

He huffed the mating call and she returned it as his lips landed on hers. But as quickly as his breathing picked up, he knew he needed to stop himself from being distracted.

He pulled away, a promise in his eyes, then picked up the cuff and placed it on his wrist, holding it out to her as she'd done for him. "Put it on for me?"

She smiled and got the buckle latched more quickly than he had, then they stared at each other.

"Forever," he said, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"Mine," she whispered back.

Aaryn wondered if pouncing on one's mate was frowned upon, but decided it didn't matter what anyone thought, except Elreth.

And she seemed very open to the idea.