Happy. Peaceful. Completely at ease.
And beneath that, a flicker of surprise.
*Did you feel that?*
The words appeared in her mind, clear as crystal. Not spoken aloud. Not whispered. Just... there.
Iva's eyes flew open.
She sat up so fast her head spun. Caleb was sitting up too, his expression a mixture of wonder and shock.
"Did you just—" she started.
*Talk in your head?* His mental voice was as warm as his real one. *Yes.*
Iva pressed a hand to her chest, her heart hammering.
"We can mind link," she breathed. "We can actually mind link."
Caleb's shock was melting into something else—something bright and fierce and joyful. Through the bond, she felt it all.
*Only completed mates can do this,* he said inside her head. *It means the bond is fully sealed. Fully recognized. Matured.
