Chapter Thirty-Eight
Castor Aegaeon
I leaned against the cold windowsill, staring out onto the training field below, a swell of mixed emotions stirring me from sleep.
Minaeve, Istar, Taran’s forces, mages, hunters, garmr, harpies, fallen creatures…
What the fuck had we gotten ourselves into?
Leaning my forehead against the glass, I inhaled deeply, forcing my heart to stop racing like a wild beast against my ribs. My fingers gripped the cool window frame, frost creeping from my skin and fogging the pane, creating an icy veil between myself and whatever else waited outside these walls.
Was I afraid?
For myself? No.
I had danced with death too many times for me to fear it now. But for my friends, my family, my mate?
The fear of losing her was like a garmr sinking its razor-sharp teeth into my neck.
I pushed away from the window and turned toward the bed. Nyssa lay tangled in the silver satin sheets, her limbs soft with sleep, midnight-black hair spilling like ink across the pillows. She looked peaceful, too peaceful for the war I was about to enter.
Her almond-shaped eyes, perfect nose, and silky lips were a constellation I’d memorized like the stars over our homeland.
My luck from fate or the Mother and Father above had never been good, but somehow, it had given me her.
And I would never trade that, not for anything in this entire disaster-filled world.
I went to her, sliding beneath the sheets and pulling her on top of my chest, where she snuggled in close as though she was crafted for only me.
I pressed my lips to her temple. “Nyssa,” I murmured.
She sighed, nuzzling deeper into my neck.
“Nyssa, love. I need to leave soon.”
Her eyes fluttered open, still hazy with sleep. She blinked up at me, her expression soft at first, until she remembered. Remembered that I would be leaving for Solace, and she would remain here to rule Silver Meadows in my stead if…
No.
It wouldn’t happen. I would find my way back to her. Always.
I brushed her hair back, whispering, “War waits for no one. High Fae, shifter, or any other fucked-up creature gathering in the Inner Kingdom horde Minaeve has conjured.”
Nyssa pushed herself up gently, sliding off my chest. She sat back on her knees, studying me with those dark, endless eyes.
“What?” I asked, attempting a smile. “Do I look that tragic in the morning?”
She didn’t smile back. Instead, she touched two fingers to her chest, tapping three times, then pointed toward mine.
I stared at her, my heart breaking as I felt the depth of love we had found in each other blossom like a flower in my center. “Nyssa.”
“I’m going with you,” she signed.
I froze. “Nyssa… Love, no. You’re safer here.”
Her jaw tightened. She repeated herself, firmer this time, “I’m going with you.”
“You don’t understand,” I said, sitting up straighter. “This fight will be brutal. It’s not… Nyssa, it’s not safe for you.”
She glided off the bed and planted herself in front of me, arms crossed, eyes blazing. Midnight hair tumbled around her shoulders like a warrior queen. The silent fury rolling off her was enough to make even the serpent king take a cautious slither back.
She pointed toward the window, toward the training grounds where I was supposed to meet the others, and then pressed a hand to her own heart, signing, “I will not let others fight while I do nothing.”
My throat tightened. Gods, she was stubborn. Beautifully, dangerously stubborn.
“Nyssa,” I tried again, softer this time, “I can’t. If something happens to you—”
She reached out and took my face in both her hands. Her touch was steady, warming me in a way no other could.
She pressed her forehead to mine.
We breathed together. One beat… Two… Three.
My mate had been broken once. Changed and tortured within a body that was not hers. Her light dimmed until Skylar saved her life. She knew what helplessness felt like, and she was brave enough never to let it pull her under.
I exhaled shakily. “You aren’t staying behind, are you?”
She shook her head.
A small, resigned laugh escaped me. “Gods save me from strong-minded females. Alright.” I sighed, knowing I would not win this battle. “You’ll come with me to Solace. But you must promise to remain with the healers and stay behind our front lines. And if—”
She pressed a finger to my lips before moving to sign, “There won’t be an if, Castor. If there’s no you… Then, there’s no me.”
“Okay, okay,” I said, removing her hand and kissing her knuckles. “Let’s get ready then.”
She led me to a corner where the armor of Silver Meadows gleamed under the morning light, with three silver mountains on the left shoulder. It was lightweight, easy to maneuver in, but powerful against the swipe of a blade or the tip of a stray arrow.
Nyssa touched the breastplate, then turned to me with quiet determination.
She lifted it, and I raised my arms. Piece by piece, she helped me into the armor.
Her touch was slow and deliberate. Smoothing the straps, tightening the buckles, and checking each plate twice.
The whisper of her fingers across my armor felt like a blessing, like a magical protection woven through her touch.
When she slid the final pieces along my wrists, she hesitated, her thumb brushing my knuckles. The silent gesture spoke more than words ever could.
I pulled her close. “I swear, I will come back to you. You. Are. Mine. No one else can claim you, my love. Not even death itself.”
Her cheeks warmed, her expression softening into something that made the world outside the door feel a little less deadly.
She stepped closer, slipping her hands around my neck. Her lips parted as she leaned in. I bent down to meet her, and our mouths touched, sealing a silent promise.
This was a kiss that said, Come back to me, without a single sound. And a kiss that said, I will, just as fiercely.
When we finally pulled apart, she rested her forehead against mine once more. I exhaled, the weight of the Silver Meadows armor grounding me. Her warmth anchored me even more.
I threaded my fingers through hers and stepped toward the door. “Ready, love?” I asked.
She squeezed my hand once, firm and certain.
Together, we walked toward the hall. I was ready to face the oncoming storm with her courage at my side, hand in mine, and her strength woven into my armor.