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  “Oh, my love.” Neichon pulled her into his embrace. She didn’t fight him, but didn’t respond either. Couldn’t. If she touched him again, she would never summon the strength to leave.

  “Now you know why I can’t stay,” she mumbled into his chest. “As long as I’m with you, you’ll never be safe.”

  And I could never bear it if you lost your lives because of me.

  Neichon’s hands closed over her shoulders, and he pulled her back to look her in the eye. “Inara, love, that is ridiculous.”

  She stared at him, confused. “What do you mean it’s ridiculous?”

  “Neichon’s right.” Valeron reached for her, his fingers caressing the side of her face and moving her head so she looked at him. “Our safety is the last thing you should be worried about.”

  “But…the Malucons are strong. Powerful.”

  “And yet we beat them in hand-to-hand combat, with three-to-one odds,” Neichon said pointedly.

  Her mouth dropped open as she absorbed his words. She hadn’t thought of it like that. “You’re right.”

  “Of course I am.” Neichon shook his head. “Why do you think us so weak?”

  “Neichon has a point,” Reyu said, right beside her. “The Malucons are no match for us, especially now that we’ve mated and gained the vitality that is our birthright.”

  “And you’ve only met the four of us,” Petros said, stepping next to Neichon. “Once we return to Spygia, we’ll have the protection of all our people. Of our families.”

  Hell, maybe they were right. She hadn’t considered the fact that her Spygians had stood up to the Malucons and gotten the upper hand. Of course, that didn’t eliminate the element of risk. But maybe, just maybe, they could handle it.

  “I confess I would like to see Spygia,” she said, moving her gaze to each of the men. “But I cannot do that until I find my cousin. I made a vow to my uncle, and I intend to keep it.”

  Valeron’s eyes burned with emotion and Neichon’s lips curved into a grin.

  “And that is one of the things we love about you, Inara,” Neichon said. “Your bravery knows no bounds.”

  “So…what are you saying?” she asked.

  Reyu chuckled, and Neichon clarified.

  “I’m saying you are not alone, love. We will find your cousin. Together.”

  A little ribbon of hope fluttered in her chest. “Together?”

  “Together,” the four men repeated in unison.

  Well, when they put it that way…five heads certainly seemed better than one. Neichon was right, they were strong. Strong enough to defeat a group of Malucons. And truth be told, she could use all the help she could get. The universe was a rather large place to search.

  “So what do you say?” Valeron asked, cocking his head toward her. “Do you agree that we’ll work as one to find your cousin?”

  “Do you accept us as your mates, and this as your home?” Neichon added.

  Home. How many times over the past year and a half had she wished she’d still had one of those? Now, these glorious men were offering her one. Right here.

  With them.

  Her heart filled with excitement, so much so that she couldn’t hold back the happy grin from her face. When Neichon reached a hand to her, she took it, knowing he would always be there for her, whenever she needed it.

  “Yes, my loves…this is home.”

  About Ria Candro

  Ria Candro is an author of futuristic and paranormal erotic romance. When not dreaming up hot love stories, she enjoys spending time with her family in their home state of Florida.

  Ria welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Also by Ria Candro

  Mated

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

  Bonded

  ISBN 9781419943590

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Bonded Copyright © 2012 Ria Candro

  Edited by Raelene Gorlinsky

  Cover design by Fiona Jayde

  Photos: Renderosity.com, Anetta, S-A-S-L/Fotolia.com and Stryjeck Hannamonika/Shutterstock.com

  Electronic book publication December 2012

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