"Thank you," Luke said as they prepared to go. "We'l make you proud. We'l do our part in this war . . . because you're working to save our world."

Breaking the mood, Camil e turned to me. "Hey, what about the hair? You going to let it grow out again?"

I frowned. Having most of my hair chopped off had been traumatic, but like everything that had happened lately, I'd found my peace with it. In fact, I liked it. The short, tousled, edgy look made me feel empowered.

"Actual y, I'm going to keep it like this. The original color wil grow back in, and that's fine with me--I could do without the blotchy orange effect, but I'm going to keep the style. It's . . . who I am now. And I'm real y starting to like who I'm becoming."

Shade rubbed my shoulders. "My love," he whispered. "You are beautiful. Inside and out."

Iris glanced up at him. "Remember what Sharah said--no sex for a couple weeks. Delilah's ribs are cracked in several places and need to heal. For now, you sleep out in the studio with the Demon Twins and Shamas."

"No fair--" I started to say, but Shade put his hand on my shoulder.

"We have plenty of time, and I plan on being around for quite awhile." He leaned down and gently kissed my lips, and once again I lost myself in the glowing heat of his body. The mark on my forehead hummed, and I suddenly found myself standing in front of Hi'ran.

"Are you happy?" He reached out and cupped my chin, tipping my face up.

I gazed at him, my heart swel ing. "He's part of you, isn't he?"

Hi'ran smiled then, softly, as the boreal wind raged around us. "He's of my season, but he is his own man in his own right. I told you, I am not a jealous master, as long as you remember that I am your master. When you touch him, I wil know it . . . when he touches you, I wil also be there. And when it's time, he wil be the go-between for me to father your child."

I sucked in a deep breath--on the astral it didn't hurt--and slid into Hi'ran's arms. But this time, he simply held me, and I was content with that. I had a new passion in my life, and I wanted nothing more than to explore the burgeoning relationship with Shade. I knew him. He was part of me already, and for the first time in my life I believed in soul mates. At least, for me.

Chase and Zachary had been wonderful men, but I was a huntress, prowling the treetops, and I belonged to the Autumn Lord in spirit. And my heart . . .

my heart belonged to the autumn, too.

I'd never expected to find my true self in the reflection of death and destruction, of fire and flame-colored leaves, but I'd grown up so much. This was who I was--this was who I would always be, and final y, I could accept my predator side and be happy with it.

"I love you, my Master," I whispered to him.

Hi'ran smiled. "I love you, too, Delilah."

I nodded. And then, with a blink, I was back in my body, home, safe for the moment, with my love standing by my side.