Chapter Ten
Skylar Cathal
The golden rays of dawn warmed the rocks along the entrance of our hideaway, with only the crashing of waves echoing far below.
“Do we really have to go back?” I asked, leaning into his strong arms wrapped around my waist. The night slip he summoned for me, waving in the open breeze.
“Duty calls, I’m afraid.”
I turned in his embrace, slipping my arms around Daxton’s neck as I pulled him into a soft kiss. “My duty to you never wavers, husband. Even with these new titles, crowns, and responsibilities, you remain first in my heart.”
“And you—are my heart.”
I smiled against his lips. “Always trying to outdo me, aren’t you?”
His laugh was low with a warmth that brought me comfort. “Wisdom comes with age, Spitfire. Don’t worry, you’ll get there someday.”
We pressed closer, the space between us vanishing as our kiss deepened. A silent vow exchanged in our stolen night: a promise to hold fast to our love, our bond, to everything we’d fought for, and all we’d face together in the days ahead.
Daxton pulled his lips from mine, then stilled, lowering himself to one knee before me. His mouth brushed gently against the soft curve of my lower stomach, causing my knees to wobble.
“When this war ends,” he whispered, voice reverent, “and peace finally settles over our world, I vow to spend every day and every night worshiping you like the alpha queen you are.”
I looked at my husband, heart pounding, and swallowed hard. “And start a family of our own.”
His eyes flew open, locking onto mine. They were wild, free, and alight with a raw ache I’d never seen from him before. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in before kneeling and pressing his cheek to my stomach.
I cradled his shoulders, holding him as tightly as he held me. And in that quiet moment, a dream took shape between us.
“Nothing would bring me more joy in this life,” he whispered against me, “than seeing you carry our child, Spitfire. But only if you—”
I lowered myself, cupped his face, and kissed him, silencing the doubt in his voice.
“I want this,” I said. “From the moment I saw you holding Ember, I’ve prayed that one day we would have a family together, Daxton.”
“Then we shall have it.”
“Well, it’s about time you two showed up.” Castor’s arms were crossed as he impatiently tapped his foot on the dock, gulls soaring and cawing overhead. “The boat’s been ready for over an hour.”
“Apologies, brother,” Daxton said as we approached the waiting ship. “I’m sure you managed just fine without us.”
“Don’t try that flattery trick on me… brother. I’m not in the mood.”
I arched a brow as the salty sea air tickled my senses. Thankful we were able to teleport to the Summit and change into our travel clothes before arriving at the docks. “And why’s that, Cas?”
He threw his hands up. “Do you think it’s easy trying to get everything in order?”
I glanced at Daxton, catching the knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as we listened to Castor’s rant.
“No, enlighten me,” Daxton said with an exaggerated drawl.
I covered my mouth, trying to hide my laugh.
“There are a million and one things to do.” Castor sighed. “And once one problem is solved, another shows up. Then another. And another, and—”
Nyssa drifted to Castor’s side, giving him a soft smile before signing, “You did well, love. Everything is as it should be.”
The tension melted from Castor’s shoulders at her touch. “With your help, yes. Thank you,” he said, bending to kiss her brow.
“Everyone is ready?” I asked, glancing around the deck to find my family nearby.
Magnus would remain behind to train with Gunnar and the other shifter and fae warriors.
Despite my wishes during the council meeting, Neera would sail with Zola on a second ship to scout the shifter lands for any survivors and gather intelligence on human defenses.
It was decided last night, after her spirited conversation with Magnus at the reception, that I was happy not to be a part of.
I worried for Neera, but I also admired her confidence. In my heart, I realized that I couldn’t shield her from this war, no matter how much I wanted to.
That left Talon and Rhea with us, along with Castor and Nyssa. They were our chosen representatives of the High Fae and shifters for the meeting with the human king.
Rhett and Adohan both offered to sail with us, but Daxton advised against it. If something were to happen, we needed strong leaders in the Inner Kingdom.
Waiting on the harbor deck, I sensed Shaw before I saw him and turned to find him on the shoreline with Zola. Their voices were hushed, brows drawn tight. Zola curled an arm around his neck, and their foreheads pressed together in a silent, aching exchange.
Tension radiated from my beta through the pack bond. I sensed his internal conflict as if it were my own.
“Shaw,” I called out, my voice gentle but firm. “Go with Zola and Neera.”
He stiffened, head turning sharply in my direction. “You’re out of your mind if you think—”
“I’ll have Rhea and Talon with me,” I cut in. “You’re needed elsewhere.”
“But Sky—”
“Do I need to make this an order?” I asked, leveling him with a look. “Or can you accept that asking my beta to relay sensitive information about our enemies is just as vital as this meeting with the human king?”
His jaw clenched before it loosened. “You’re right.”
“Say that again.” I flashed him a knowing grin.
He let out a short laugh. “Don’t push it.”
Zola glanced between us, eyes narrowing like she was preparing to argue, until Shaw turned to her. He cupped her cheek, and her expression softened with his attention on her. Shaw gave her a hint of a smile before bending to whisper a message only for her to hear.
“Thank you, Skylar,” he said, glancing back at me.
I nodded in return.
Shaw was exactly where he needed to be.
Turning down the docks, I shouted at Talon and Rhea, “Hurry up!”
“We’re coming,” Rhea snapped. “Am I right to assume that Shaw is going with the shadow jumper fae?”
“Yes.”
“Did you say goodbye to Magnus?” Talon asked, swinging a pack over his shoulder.
“I did,” I answered. “We met with him at the Summit this morning after our return to finalize our plans. Neera will leave tomorrow with Zola and Shaw.”
“Ah,” Talon said, smirking, glancing at his brother. “That’s good.”
“He’s needed elsewhere,” I said. “Besides, I believe he’ll be able to relay messages to me through our beta-alpha bond.”
“Really?” Daxton arched a brow. “Even from that distance?”
“It’s a theory,” I said with a shrug. “Might as well test it, right?”
“Better now than in the middle of a battle,” Castor chimed in. “We’ll see what our spies can uncover.”
“So, how did I draw the lucky straw to ferry you once again across the Narrow Sea?”
I turned, grinning at the High Fae sea captain leaning casually over the opal-painted railing.
“Captain Fjorda,” I said fondly.
“Majesties,” he replied with a deep, sweeping bow. “Shall we?”
The salty tang of the sea air filled my lungs as I stepped onto the gangplank. The wood creaked beneath my boots. The scent of freshly swabbed decks, damp wood, and soap mingled with the briny tang of the sea and the savory aroma of fish cooking below.
My stomach turned at the thought of the days’ worth of fish-based meals, but I didn’t dare let Fjorda or his crew catch on.
“My king,” Fjorda said with another bow toward Daxton. “And my queen.”
“Gods, Fjorda,” I huffed, shaking my head. “Will you stop with that?”
He rose with a smirk. “But of course, Your Majesty, whatever you request.”
“Where is my bow?” Castor huffed, with Nyssa at his side. “I’m now the High Prince of Silver Meadows.”
“Prince.” Fjorda bent forward with an exaggerated solemnity.
“Well, that’s slightly better,” Castor said, lifting his chin.
“Cast the sails!” Fjorda called out as the gangplank retreated and the anchor raised.
“Oh, gods,” Rhea groaned, reaching out to steady herself against Talon. “I don’t think I’m made for the sea.”
Talon caught her with ease, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Too late to back out now.”
Rhea shot him a look. “Remind me why I agreed to come along?”
“Because you refused to be left behind. And if memory serves, there was foul, threatening language about tearing something to pieces with your teeth and talons if we left you ashore,” Castor offered with a grin.
The sails billowed as they caught the breeze, and the ship glided from the harbor, rocking gently with the current and the waves.
Rhea winked, holding tightly to Talon. “Still true.”
Their laughter rang out across the deck, but Daxton stilled beside me. He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes.
“What is it?” I asked under my breath.
He didn’t answer at first. His gaze locked onto Rhea, sharp and uncertain. Not alarmed, but something else.
His voice dropped so low that only I could hear him. “It’s Rhea.”
“What about Rhea?”
“You don’t sense it?” He looked at me with a flicker of wonder and something like disbelief in his stare.
“Sense what, Dax?”
“I didn’t catch it at first, but gods, how does no one else sense it now?”
I turned to look at Rhea. She was laughing at something Castor said, one hand on Talon’s arm for balance as the ship shifted in the waves.
Daxton reached out with his mind, speaking only to me. “She’s pregnant.”
“What!” I screamed, eyes wide.
The group stilled as Rhea’s gaze locked with mine, and without having to say a word, realization clicked.
“Shit,” Rhea cursed as Talon stiffened beside her. “Is that some kind of magical perk from you mating with Skylar, Daxton? Your senses are keener than ours now?”
“We haven’t ventured far from the docks, Rhea,” I said, running toward my friend. “We can easily turn around and—”
“No, Skylar.” Rhea’s tone left no room for arguing. “I’m with you in this, no matter what the next nine months bring.”
“Talon?” I looked to her mate.
He huffed a laugh. “You don’t think I didn’t try?”
“How long have you known?”
“We found out two days ago.” Rhea smiled, reaching for Talon.
He kissed the top of her head and draped a protective arm over her stomach.
“I wasn’t going to steal your thunder on your wedding day. And with everything else going on…”
“But—”
“The baby’s fine. Shifters are strong. I’m fighting for something bigger now, Sky.”
I felt awe wash over me. Even with the news of a child, Rhea was willing—no, determined—to fight for a brighter future for all of us.
I smiled, wanting to respect her choice.
“I don’t want—”
“I don’t want war either, Skylar,” she said softly. “But the chance for a better future is worth it. I won’t stand idly by. You know this.”
I did. Gods, Rhea would never sit on the sidelines. And once a baby took root in a shifter’s womb, they were protected. As long as she was in the first two trimesters, Rhea would still be able to shift and fight.
“Very well,” I said. “I’ll respect your decision.”
“Talon is a braver male than I gave him credit for,” Daxton told me.
I chuckled. “You’ve never been on Rhea’s bad side.”
“Alright. Shall we begin preparing for this meeting?” I asked, turning to Castor. “You’re taking the lead on this.”
“Fantastic,” Castor said, clapping his hands together. “Training more shifters on how to behave… Oh, what a joy this will be.”