Chapter Thirty-Seven #2
Daxton turned his attention to Nyssa. He lowered his head in a small, respectful bow, and I caught the sincerity in his silver gaze.
“And you,” he said softly, “thank you, Nyssa, for keeping my brother in check. For being exactly what he and the people of Silver Meadows needed. Your loyalty, your heart… doesn’t go unnoticed. ”
Nyssa’s lips curved in the tiniest smile, and her eyes shone with quiet pride. I felt warmth bloom in my chest as I watched her receive the gratitude she so deserved.
A swell of love and admiration for Daxton flowed through me, not simply for the male who was my mate, but the leader, the brother, the protector.
It was in the quiet, profound moments like this that I understood what we were all fighting for: not titles, not power, not even victory, but the people who made it all worth the struggle.
Magnus shifted beside me, ruffling my hair like he did when I was a youngling, and I swatted his hand away with a laugh.
“Magnus,” I groaned, with light humor.
Magnus chuckled before pulling me into an all-consuming hug. “You did well, Skylar. I’m proud of you.”
Hearing my uncle say those words brought tears to my eyes all over again. After everything we’d been through—the trials, the challenge, and even losing Julia—I was grateful he still chose to be here with us, to stand with us in the final battle to save our world.
Shaw leaned against the hearth beside me, resting a hand lightly on my shoulder. “I’ll always have your back, Skylar,” he said, all-knowing hazel eyes locking with mine.
I smiled at him, gratitude mixing with affection, and gave his shoulder a playful squeeze. “I know, Shaw. You’re always there when I need you.”
Zola appeared beside Shaw, and for the briefest moment, her expression softened as she met his gaze.
“Tonight was perfect, Skylar,” she said quietly.
“A compliment? I’m shocked,” I teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t get used to it,” Zola replied with a wink.
I leaned in and whispered to Magnus, “She’s the silent, mysterious one who tries to keep her distance.” I gestured toward Zola and Shaw, who hadn’t been more than a breath apart all night. “I believe that something has finally settled between these two.”
Magnus squeezed my shoulder, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. “The mate bond has a way of knowing exactly what you need.”
“Right,” I murmured, letting my gaze drift toward Neera and Seamus, watching them in their quiet, gentle way, and feeling that same warmth radiate between them from across the room.
Neera and Seamus sat a short distance from the main cluster of laughter and chatter, their presence quiet but unmistakable.
They weren’t hiding, but they simply moved through the room differently, cautiously, as if still learning how to belong.
We’d allowed him to attend tonight, knowing there may not be a tomorrow.
Magnus and I watched them, noting the gentle way Neera’s hand rested near Seamus’s, her fingers brushing his now and then. These small gestures spoke volumes about the patience and trust that were slowly being built.
“I may not understand it,” Magnus whispered, lifting his cup to take a drink, “but I’m working to accept it.”
“I’m proud of you, Magnus.” Neera was his baby girl, and no one aside from her true mate would be able to sweep her away from him.
Across the way, I noticed that Seamus’s shoulders were tense, but there was a flicker in his eyes I hadn’t seen before—a spark of hope, fragile but real. My heart lifted slightly. He’d been through so much, and the weight of Minaeve’s reach still shadowed him.
Daxton, ever perceptive, followed my gaze and promptly made his way toward them. His presence drew attention, subtle but commanding, and even from this distance, I could sense the shift in the air around Seamus.
“Seamus,” Daxton began, the deep baritone of his voice slow and steady, “thank you for being brave enough to do the right thing, even when it cost you everything. The choice wasn’t easy, but you made it.”
Seamus’s jaw tightened, his eyes flicking to Neera, then back to Daxton. A moment passed, heavy with unspoken words, before Daxton continued.
“I hope, in time, we can all learn to trust you again. You’re protected here, Seamus. Inside these walls, surrounded by people who once cared for you, you’re safe.”
The tension slowly released from the High Prince of Aelius, a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, and relief crossed his face. Neera’s hand moved deliberately to rest over his, a silent affirmation that he wasn’t alone.
Rhett, usually stoic and reserved, joined our group, leaning closer to inspect Ember, who then grabbed his finger. He looked mildly alarmed but somehow proud. “I think she likes me,” he murmured.
I laughed, teasing, “Careful, Rhett. Babies don’t trust easily. Consider yourself officially… inducted.”
Seamus, sitting beside Neera, let out a low chuckle as he looped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close.
“Thank you, Rhett, for freeing everyone’s memories, and for…” I stumbled over finishing the thought. I never told him who I saw at the crossing, but I believed with all my heart that Stark was waiting for Rhett. However, that wasn’t my story or secret to share. “We owe you a great deal.”
He smiled. “I made a promise to fight, and I will keep fighting until I no longer can.”
Daxton’s gaze found me again. His eyes softened as he walked to my side. “And you, Skylar,” he said. “My mate, my alpha queen… my wife. Together, there is nothing we cannot face, nothing we cannot endure. Whatever tomorrow brings, whatever Solace holds, we do it as one.”
I felt warmth rise in my chest, and a light laughter bubbled up before I could stop it. “Gods,” I said, smiling. “Sorry, I’m laughing like this.”
Daxton tilted my chin up, smiling at me. “You never stop surprising me.”
I swallowed my nervous laughter, meeting his stare. “Tomorrow, we leave for Solace,” I said, voice shaking a little, “but tonight… tonight, we eat, we drink, we laugh, and we remember that even in the shadow of war, we are more than warriors. We are united.”
Laughter and conversation continued as our family resumed enjoying their meals.
Even amid the warmth and noise, my thoughts flicked to Réalta.
Through the letters we’d exchanged on the parchment I gave her, we learned that she’d rallied more troops to our cause, ready to march the moment I called.
It was a quiet comfort, knowing we weren’t alone, that her forces would be waiting when the time came to face what lay ahead.
Adohan leaned down, whispering to Ember, and the baby’s tiny fingers wrapped around his pinky. Idris smiled, eyes glistening with quiet pride.
Gunnar nudged me gently, grinning. “Well, that was inspiring.”
I shrugged, smiling as I sipped my wine.
Even amid the warmth, my eyes found Talon seated on cushions, reclining against the couch with Rhea at his side. Relief flooded me that he was here tonight. That my fire magic, combined with my healing powers, was enough to help alleviate most of the shadow rot—for now.
I moved toward him, my steps quiet but deliberate. “Talon,” I said, voice carrying the weight of gratitude I felt in every fiber of me, “thank you for saving me from Minaeve’s arrow. I swear, I will find a way to make the shadow rot disappear for good.”
He gave me that crooked half-smile. His pale blue eyes held a mix of humility and stubborn pride.
Rhea leaned closer, her hand brushing his arm as she spoke. “We’ll travel to Solace with you, Skylar,” she said, her words blunt as always. “Talon is too weak to fight, but he can help in other ways, I’m sure. And I’ll remain on the outskirts of the battle, helping lead the group of archers.”
I nodded in agreement.
“And I’ll help,” Neera said from behind me. “Seamus has been teaching me how to shoot a bow, and although I’m nowhere near as good as you in battle, Sky… I believe I can help make a difference.”
“With more practice, you’ll be lethal,” Seamus said with a soft smile, brushing her cheek with his fingers. “But I pray you’ll never have to. I wish I could join this fight to help keep you safe.”
When Neera’s eyes turned from Seamus and met mine, I nodded in silent confirmation. She would join Rhea while Seamus, begrudgingly, would return to the Labyrinth. The threat of his oath turning him into a weapon against us, despite the mate bond to Neera, was too great a risk.
I turned back around and squeezed Talon’s shoulder lightly. “I’m glad you’re well enough to come,” I said, letting a small smile break through.
The pack bond glowed bright in my chest.
Talon leaned over to Rhea, whispering something that made her snort into her cup of tea, and Shaw elbowed Zola lightly, prompting her rare, amused glance from a shared secret.
Even Rhett allowed himself a faint smirk at something Seamus said. He motioned at Neera, who gave him a playful scowl before leaning to kiss his cheek.
I moved toward the couch and leaned back into the cushions, letting the laughter wash over me, and the warmth of their presence fill every ache and fear I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying. Daxton’s hand found mine, firm and grounding, and I squeezed it back. Silent words passed between us.
For a moment, the future, the battle, Solace, all of it, didn’t exist. There was only this.
I glanced around at all of them, my family, my heart, my people. Each face held courage, love, loyalty, and a spark of joy we had carved out for ourselves in this dark world.
I could carry this moment of happiness with me, always.
And Daxton… my mate, my husband, and king. No matter what came next, we would face it together. Because we always did.
Ember cooed softly in Idris’s arms, and I felt the smallest, warmest smile tug at my lips. For now, I let the laughter, the warmth, the smell of noodles and embers sink in.
Tomorrow was coming, but tonight was for us.