Kagome half expected him to argue, but Sesshoumaru simply shook his head, silently accepting her condition as he led her back toward the house. She was loathed to end their walk so early, but the last rays of sunshine had disappeared behind the trees.
And his mother was standing in the doorway.
"I half expected you to come back bonded," she said, inspecting her claws.
Kagome flushed, but Sesshoumaru was the one to respond. "We are already bonded, Mother."
Inukimi brushed them off with an elegant wave. "You know what I mean."
"We do," Kagome cut in, squeezing his hand. "But there are other things we need to deal with first." Her tone allowed no rebuttal, even with the queen's calculating look. Youki and reiki buzzed, circling each other as they waited for the other to make the next move.
The power of a daiyoukai was immense—most couldn't control it until they came of age and were able to access their true form—but Kagome refused to back down. She'd given Naraku a run for his money and won—the queen's wrath meant little.
Sesshoumaru had been through enough without his mother dictating his choice in a mate, or their actions therein. Regardless of their rocky beginning, he'd seen her, trusted her, and Kagome would fight anyone who tried to separate them—even him.
There was so much she could say, so much she should say, but she remained silent, chin raised in defiance, and Inukimi's eyes eventually slid to her son, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You have chosen well."