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sprang instantly erect.
    "Oh, dear gods." She gasped. Her womb clenched. In an instant, her flesh grew swollen, burning and aching... needing.
    Ellysetta couldn't tell which feelings were Rain's and which her own, and she didn't care. Her arms wrapped around his neck; her legs locked around his waist. Her muscles contracted, dragging him so tightly against her it was as if some part of her mind thought she could physically fuse their bodies together through the sheer strength of her embrace.
    «Ke vo san . . . ke vo lanis . . . ke vo arris » I love you ... I want you ... I need you. The words chanted in her head with the beat of her pulse, repeating over and over. His voice—or was it hers?—grew more insistent with each utterance. « Veli ti'ku . . . Vo'shani a'ku.» Come to me. Give yourself to me.
    The connections of their still uncompleted truemate bond flared with the same rhythmic pulse until she could almost see the threads and their intricate, tightly woven pattern, until she could almost see what was missing and how to spin it. Her dazed mind tried to grasp the image, process it, but sensation overwhelmed her senses. Concentration dissolved, thoughts scattered. The image of their bond flared with sudden brightness, and its pattern merged into a single blinding light.
    She could hardly breathe. Then his body surged up, plunging deep into hers, and all she could think was, Breathe? Who needs to breathe? They flung back their heads on a mutual shout of pleasure as her body shattered and his followed.
    "What in the Haven's name just happened?"
    Dazed and still trembling from the overload to her senses, Ellysetta floated in Rain's arms, her limp body draped across his, incapable of autonomous movement. She could barely think straight, let alone summon the strength to actually move.
    Rain's chest rippled as he dragged in a shuddering breath. "I don't know." His voice came out hoarse, raspy. He swallowed, then tilted his chin against his chest to glance at her. A grin twitched at the corners of his mouth. "But I hope it happens again."
    She started to shove his shoulder, decided it was too much effort, and settled for a scowl instead. "Be serious. That was not normal."
    She'd drunk faerilas —the waters of a Source—before. She'd swum in Veil Lake numerous times during these last weeks. But she'd never had a reaction like the one that had just occurred.
    «Fine, fierce mating. Rainier-Eras and Ellysetta-kitling will make many strong kitlings for the pride.» Steli, who had given up boiling fish and begun to amuse herself chasing them under the water, surfaced without warning nearby. She shook her soggy head, showering Rain and Ellysetta.
    "Ah!" Ellysetta gave a shout of surprise at both Steli's sudden arrival and the distinct chill of the droplets. The Tairen had been chasing fish in water much cooler than the surface. With a blush rising to her cheeks, she slapped an arm over her breasts and scolded, "Steli!"
    Blue eyes blinked with complete innocence. « Sorry, sorry. Steli forgot knocking.»
    Ellysetta blushed brighter. She had chided Steli once before about forgetting to knock before interrupting her and Rain in a private moment, but considering the way she and Rain had jumped on each other without a care for Steli's proximity, she could hardly cry foul this time.
    " Nei , it's all right," she began. She didn't recognize the mischievous light in the great cat's eyes.
    At least, not until the white Tairen reared up, raised both giant paws high, and brought them slamming back down towards the water's surface.
    "Steli!" Ellysetta shrieked when she realized the Tairen's intent. "Don't you da—"
    Whack! Enormous splashes of water heaved up in twin geysers and engulfed Rain and Ellysetta, sending them tumbling
    "You wicked cat!" Ellysetta accused when she came back up for air.
    Huah . Huah. Huah . Steli chuffed with Tairen laughter, infinitely amused with herself. Her wings spread wide and she pumped them in victory,