Bound (The Spider's Mate, #3)

by Tiffany Roberts

True strength was found not in muscle and bone, but in hearts and spirit. True strength was in staring at a world so much larger than oneself, a world determined to crush you, and fighting on even when there seemed to be no hope of success.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Ketahn’s eyes widened. “No. No, you will stay with me, Ivy.” Ivy tilted her head and raised her brows. “You want the other males to see me naked?” His mandibles fell and drew together. With a growl, he placed his hands on her shoulders, spun her toward Ahnset, and pushed her forward. “Keep them safe, broodsister.”

“Say that scars were pain. She should not look upon them with shame. She does not have to feel pride, but when she sees them, she should take pride in herself. Because she survived whatever left them. Because she, like each of you, is strong.”

“We could have landed on some ice planet. Least the weather is nice enough here for skinny dipping.”

Ketahn’s world was his mate. Her warmth, softness, passion, and scent. Her breath was his air, her sounds his music, her body…his.

“I weave my word into a bond, my nyleea. Nothing in this world shall harm you or our broodling. You are the heart that beats outside my chest.”

“Say. Urkot.” Callie’s brow creased, and her hands came up to grasp his arm. She looked into his eyes. “Urkot?” He purred and said in vrix, “My name sounds right in your voice, female.”

“You are mine.” She dipped a hand into the paint and pressed it over his hearts, which thumped harder beneath her touch. “Hearts.” She moved her hand down, placing it just over his slit and making his claspers stir. “Body.” Now she coated both hands in paint and lifted them, cupping each side of his face. “Spirit. You and I are as one, Ketahn.”