Chapter 24
Aurora
Iwake the next morning to a steaming cup of broth on the bedside table. Despite the chill in the air, my body is sticky with sweat from Soren’s limbs draped over me. I smile as I pull his arm closer to my chest. He grumbles.
“How did you sleep?” I ask as I roll over to face him.
A smile spreads across his face before his gleaming eyes peek open. “Best night of my life,” he whispers. My heart flutters in my chest as our eyes meet.
I tip my head to kiss him and am surprised by the urgency on his lips this morning.
Perhaps it has been a restful night for him because he slips his tongue into my mouth, and I moan into the embrace.
His tongue slicks against mine, and his hands drift under my tunic, skimming from my waist to my bare breasts.
I sigh and sink deeper into him. My nipples perk at his touch and his mouth presses harder against mine. I twist my fingers into his hair, desperate to keep him on me. My hands itch to slide down to the front of his pants, but I don’t want to rush his recovery.
Realizing that I am going to be the responsible one in this situation, I reluctantly pull away, panting.
“Someone is feeling better, hmm?” My eyes glaze over his reddened lips.
“I could feel even better,” he growls as his lips move toward the base of my throat.
I groan and place a palm on his sturdy chest. I am half-tempted to give into his advances, my body and soul needing his touch. But commotion outside breaks my focus. I peek out the curtain beside the bed to see a dark figure racing atop a black horse toward the cabin.
Recognizing the beast thundering toward us, I kick off the covers and tug on my clothes. Soren sits up slowly, watching me. “Must be something important for you to deny my touch.” A sleepy smile crosses his face.
I huff. “It’s Ash. Caelum found him!” I shove into my boots, struggling to keep my balance. “What happened to him in the forest? He wasn’t with you.”
His brow furrows. “As soon as I realized what was hunting us, I let him go. I commanded him to return to Whispering Glen—to Windflower.” Soren moves slowly, shifting his weight closer to the edge of the bed.
I hurry to him, dropping to my knees to slip on his boots. His gaze burns on my skin, and I look up to see gleaming amber eyes. “This is not how I imagined you’d be on your knees for me.”
Heat flushes my cheeks, and I dip my chin to hide my face. “Just be patient,” I mumble. But it takes serious restraint to not undress him instead.
After I tie his boots, I stand, extending my hands to help him rise from the bed. Instead of gripping my palms, his hands slide around to my backside, gripping it firmly and pulling me to him. His face is level with my stomach and his hot breath warms the skin beneath my tunic.
“You know I am not a patient male. And the wait has been excruciating.” He looks up at me with burning eyes.
Cauldron have mercy.
My hands slip around the back of his neck, and I press my lips to his ear. “If you come now, I will later.”
A deep rumble escapes his chest. “My Flame, you have no idea how hard I will hold you to that promise.”
I giggle as I grab his hands and pull him to his feet. He rises slowly, his body stiff. He takes a moment to steady himself before he leans down, gripping my jaw and kissing me deeply.
I get the idea that I am in for something earth-shattering later.
Donning our cloaks, the sunshine stings my eyes as we step off Mei’s doorstep. We turn the corner in time to see Ash come to a screeching halt in front of us. Caelum yells ferociously. The stallion bucks, trying to dislodge his rider.
“Alright, alright, you bastard!” Caelum swings a leg over the horse and hops to the ground.
Ash neighs in approval before trotting to Soren, dancing around him before nuzzling against his shoulder. Soren places his palm on Ash’s muzzle. “Hello, friend.” Soren looks at Caelum. “Where did you find him?”
The winged male brushes dirt from the back of his pants. “Just outside the Mirrored Forest. The beast was pacing and raising some hell.” He nods to the horse. “He’s a moody bastard. But I can appreciate the loyalty.”
“So, it was a pleasant ride, then?” I bite back my grin.
Caelum rolls his eyes and flashes his middle finger as he strolls past me to Mei’s cottage.
“Thank you!” I holler after him.
Soren secures Ash in the stables. As we are about to return to Mei’s, Caelum bursts through the door, making a beeline toward the meeting house.
Caelum’s brow is as rigid as his jaw. “Arc wants to see us all. Now. Even you, sentinel.”
I open my mouth to protest, given we haven’t eaten yet and my stomach is rumbling. But Soren grips my hand and gives me a worried glance.
A wave of warmth meets us at the door of the common space. Walking in, there is a fire roaring in the hearth and the residents of Ni’haan fill the room. Curious eyes watch me before they slide to the handsome sentinel by my side.
Soren grips my hand and stands as confidently as one would expect from the guardian of the land. I look at his face and register shock and something else in his eyes at the sight of so many travelers. So many who fell into the hands of Arc. He stiffens beside me and tightens his grip.
Arc stands at the front of the room near the hearth. I wonder if the fire can de-thaw his icy demeanor if he stands there long enough. Not likely.
Camryn sits in the front row with Mei. Her back is to me, but I clock her agitation by the way her shoulders are hunched.
“That’s everyone, then.” Arc’s voice fills the hall, silencing the nervous chatter. “As you can see, a sentinel has joined us.” He gives Soren a tight smile. I wish I could slap it off his face. “Welcome, Soren. I apologize for yesterday, but I am glad you are well.”
Soren’s jaw clenches and I know he doesn’t want to thank the cursed lord. But he is a gentleman and stands on his honor. “Thank you, Lord Arcturus. I am grateful you kept Aurora safe for me.” I squeeze his hand, grinning up at him.
Arc grins tightly, turning toward the crowd of eager eyes. “Yesterday was a revelation, wasn’t it?” He gestures to Maeve, who is sitting at the front of the room. “This young lady displayed her powers. It seems you’ve had a seer among you. And Mei has shown herself to be a dream reader and healer.”
I look at Mei, surprised she admitted her powers to Arc. She meets my gaze and nods.
Arc continues. “While I am troubled that you all have kept secrets from me, I understand your motivations to do so.” He takes a deep breath and hardens his gaze. “I want to be very clear that there will be no punishment from me or anyone in my court for coming forward with fae powers.”
Silence falls across the room, and wary eyes dart around.
“These powers may have benefited me in the past, but now that time has become of the essence in my father’s return, I have no option but to believe Miss Aurora’s theory that you travelers are descendants of the half-blood fae who once stood against the king of Silverveil.”
My heart races. He believes me.
“King Caledor’s return is imminent, and I cannot guarantee your wellbeing in the future. I have to believe that you all have come to Silverveil for a greater purpose than for my benefit.” He straightens, attempting to shrug off the defeat creeping up his spine.
“This is my proposal. For those who are ready to train and fight for the rebellion against my father, you will travel with Soren and Aurora to southern Silverveil. Caelum will join them as my emissary.”
Arc nods to Caelum and I look at the winged male, who lifts his chin but slides a glance to Camryn and Mei.
“For those who do not wish to take part in the rebellion, you are welcome to remain here in Ni’haan.
For as long as I am alive, this village will be warded and taken care of, just as it has been since your arrival.
However, if my father returns and the rebellion falls, I can no longer promise this land will be safe.
At that point, you will be on your own.” Arc’s gaze is hard as ice.
Murmurs rise across the room.
“What will you do?” a familiar voice asks. Camryn sits with her arms crossed over her chest, watching Arc intently.
He stares at her for several long breaths, his blue eyes churning.
“I will be returning to my palace. I have much to prepare for my father’s return.
” Silence fills the space between them. “My home is open to anyone who may wish to join me.” His voice is loud enough for the room to hear, but he never takes his eyes off Camryn.
She shifts in her seat, and her gaze falls to the table, where her fingers pick at the wood. Caelum watches them intently, his jaw clenching.
Arc turns back toward the crowd. “I will depart this afternoon. I encourage you all to make your decisions before that time.” He nods before settling into a thick chair beside the hearth. He crosses his legs, and even in this modest cabin, looks every bit of regal royalty that he is.
For a moment I wish I could see into his mind. Understand his motivations and what he intends to do. That desire vanishes when his icy gaze locks onto mine, sending chills up my spine.
But I can’t deny that we need him. Hopefully I won't regret it.