I’m rereading Barbarian’s Mate as I am in bed with a terrible endometriosis flare-up, and rereading my favourite books heals me.
Josie and Haeden’s story is so beautiful. It has all the tension of an enemies-to-lovers Romantasy, but what I truly loved about it is that even when they know their resonance has chosen for them (poorly, in their minds), neither want’s to hurt the other. And it even makes Haeden willing to sacrifice his own well-being (having already lost a mate, and now sacrificing his only chance to have a family) in order to protect Josie.
I can’t help but think that Lucien and Elain are going to go through a similar struggle given her reluctance to the mating bond and Lucien having the same history as Haeden.
And I can see Lucien being willing to sacrifice himself the same way Haeden does for Josie.
“I will endure whatever I must, but the sight of her in so much pain fills me with agony.
She is my mate; it is my job to take care of her and to keep her safe, even if it is from me.”