by Frost Kay
Never again would she see William smile or experience his gruff hugs.
Nor would Maeve’s eyes twinkle with a well-thought-out plan, or train with her daughter.
Nor anyone hear one of Garreth’s raunchy jokes that always inspired laughter.
No one had been left untouched by the war. Everyone was scarred in some way. Her fingers brushed the scars along her throat. Hers were more visible than others, but no person was alone in their pain and loss. Stop being ashamed. Wear them like a badge of honor.
She’d survived and come out stronger. They all had.
“Bloody hell!” Tehl yelled.
Sage sprang from her chair and launched into their room, daggers in hand, her reflexes taking over. She skidded to a stop at the foot of the bed and blinked, then shook her head to make sure she was seeing things clearly.
Tehl stood naked in the tub—a blade in one hand—his attention locked on the leren on the bed. A feline that wasn’t Nali. Damn cat.
She slipped her weapons back into their sheaths and placed her hands on her hips in exasperation. “What are you doing, Nege?”
The feline in question growled and plopped his butt on their bed like he owned it.
“When did you acquire a new leren, love?” Tehl said through gritted teeth.
“I didn’t, but I was wondering when he’d show up.” Sage scowled at Nege and pointed to the rug. “Get off the bed.”
He eyed her and then stretched out, gazing at her with challenge in his golden eyes. She narrowed her eyes at the beast. “Now you’ve done it. You are marking Nali’s territory. Don’t come to me whimpering when she boxes your ears.”
Sage shot a glance at Tehl, and heat filled her cheeks. Bloody hell, he was a handsome man. Sage hid her smile when he didn’t immediately sit back in the bath, his attention locked on the maneater. The man sure didn’t like surprises. “You can sit down now.”
He curled his lip and slowly sank into the water, covering all his glorious muscles. “Could have told me there was another one.”
She hid her smile. “He’s just a big ol’ kitty cat,” Sage said. “He won’t hurt you, will ya, Nege?”
The feline huffed and turned his back on them, kneading the bedding with his front paws, the fibers catching on his claws. Rotten bastard.
“Some kitty cat,” Tehl growled. “One that could eat me.”
Sage moved around the end of the bed and stood beside the tub, smiling at Tehl, who still hadn’t taken his gaze off the leren. “You just going to stare at him all day?”
“Don’t trust him,” her husband muttered.
Gently, she pulled his dagger from his wet hand and tossed it onto the chair before kicking off her boots. Tehl’s attention focused on her, and she preened when his gaze sharpened as she untucked her shirt. Carefully, she leaned over the edge of the tub and kissed him gently. “Make room for me?”
“Always.”
Sage grinned against his lips. “You love me?”
“Always.”
She pulled back. “Is that the only word you know?”
Tehl’s dark-blue eyes creased at the corners as he full-out smiled, leaving her breathless, her heart racing. “No.”
“No?” she asked, wiggling out of her leather pants.
“I know two more. Come here.”
“Your wish is my command, my lord.”
“If only,” he muttered.
Sage tossed her head back and laughed. Despite her heavy heart and the weight of loss, there was good in life. She planned on seizing it with both hands.
Epilogue
Mer
Mer kept her head high. This was it. They had kept her under confinement for the last month while the council deliberated on her punishment. She’d been informed that this was just a preliminary hearing.
“You’re exiled for a duration of thirty days until the council comes to a unanimous agreement,” the Sirenidae king announced. Gone was her loving grandfather, in his place the powerful sea monarch.
They hadn’t outright banished her. Her brows rose in surprise. She hadn’t expected that, or the emotion that came with the judgement. Since Ream’s death and her imprisonment, Mer hadn’t felt much of anything.
“You will leave our territory immediately. If you are caught in our kingdom, you will be put to death. Do you understand?”
“I do.” Mer bowed low. It was done. For now.
Her gaze flicked to her parents once before she swam from the throne room, the judging gazes of the court scouring her skin. Guilt pricked her, but the ever-present numbness swallowed it up as she departed the city and swam toward Aermia.
Her mind wandered while she made the lonely trek from the deep sea. Mer blinked slowly when the sandy ground began to angle toward the surface. She glanced over her shoulder in the direction of her former home.
There was no going back.
Everything had changed.
Sage
Sage soaked in the warmth; the winter day uncommonly warm. A light breeze stirred her cloak as she walked along the beach with Jas, Mira, Isa, and the twins.
“That’s far enough, Ethan!” Jasmine shouted.
“You too, Isa,” Mira called from Sage’s right.
Sage hid her smile when Ethan halted and then took one more step, the two other children looking from him to Jas. He’d been testing her boundaries since Lana’s arrival.
Jasmine growled and shot Sage a glare. “Don’t think that I can’t see you smiling. Just wait until it’s your turn.”
“It will be a while before that happens.”
Mira snorted. “If you say so. I’m not even married, and I have the responsibility of a parent.” She paused, looking thoughtful. “Not that I don’t enjoy spending time with Isa. I didn’t mean it that way.”
Sage placed a hand on her friend’s arm. “No one could ever doubt how much you love that little girl.”
“I do.” Her lips pursed. “Even when she’s pushing me… like now.” Isa edged closer to the surf, her red curls waving in the wind. “I just can’t keep her out of the water,” Mira grumbled. She sped up, leaving Jas and Sage behind. “That is close enough, Isa Ramses! How many times have I told you that it is too cold to be in the water? You’ll catch your death!”
Jasmine sniggered as Mira attempted to round up all the children but ended up following them to a tide pool. “Glad I’m not the only one with disobedient children.”
“They’re all good kids.” Sage scrutinized the black bags beneath Jasmine’s eyes. “How are you doing? Getting enough sleep?”
“Sleep?” Jas chuckled. “I don’t know what sleep is anymore.”
“You know I’d take the children whenever you need a break,” Sage offered. She loved the wee beasties. Being an aunt was the best.
“I know. Sam keeps telling me to pick a governess, but I don’t like the idea of someone else raising my children.”
Sage nodded. “I can understand that. Does Sam have Lana right now?”
“Yeah.” A goofy smile touched Jasmine’s mouth. “He passed out with Lana sleeping on his chest. They didn’t even move when we left.”
“He loves that baby,” Sage remarked, scanning the sand for any shells to add to her collection. She’d never seen a man dote on his children as much as Sam did. Gone was the rake and seducer. Well… she wouldn’t go that far. Sam would always be Sam; mischief maker, lover of women, Spymaster. Speaking of which, Sage needed to talk to him about their partnership. Now that she’d returned to the castle and war was no longer on the horizon, it was time she stepped up her involvement with his spies. She’d never wanted to be a soldier. Spymistress suited her much better.
“Mer!” Jade screeched. The little girl raced to meet the Sirenidae. Mer rushed from the waves and dropped to her knees in the wet sand, catching Jade in a hug.
“She’s beautiful,” Jas murmured.
Something in her friend’s tone pulled Sage’s attention back to Jasmine. She looked defeated. “What’s going
on?”
Jas shrugged and pasted on a fake smile. “Nothing. Let’s go say hello.”
What the bloody hell?
Jasmine
She plowed through the sand toward the Sirenidae, determined to be civil, despite her heart feeling like it was going to break into a million pieces at the sight of her. Over the past month, Sam had been so attentive and loving, but that didn’t mean he was in love with her. Her husband loved all women, and she couldn’t get the image of him and Mer wrapped up in each other from her mind. Every time he disappeared, Jas wondered if he was with her.
The hardest part was that Jas couldn’t find it in herself to hate the woman. She was stunning, kind, and funny, and Jasmine owed Mer her life as well as Lana’s. It was time to say thank you. She hadn’t seen Mer since Lana’s birth.
Jasmine steeled herself and strode right up to Mer as she put Jade down. Jas threw her arms around the Sirenidae and hugged her tight. “Thank you so much for what you’ve done. There aren’t words sufficient enough to express how thankful I am.” She pulled in a deep breath to continue and frowned when the most delicious scent she’d ever smelled washed over her. “What is that?” Jas pressed her nose against Mer’s shoulder and inhaled, heat blistering her cheeks. What in the bloody hell was she doing? “I’m so sorry,” she muttered, but she sniffed the Sirenidae again. She couldn’t help it.
Mer chuckled and gently pulled back, holding Jasmine at arm’s length. Her magenta eyes twinkled. “It’s just the Lure.”
Jasmine’s brows furrowed. “The Lure?” Stars above, her mouth was watering. It was like chocolate, pears, and something exotic that she couldn’t put her finger on. “I could just lick you,” she blurted. Mortification slammed into her as Sage sniggered behind her.
Mer smiled. “The Lure. When our skin is in contact with seawater, we release a pheromone of sorts. It’s something all Sirenidae have; a protection, if you will.”
“Pheromones?” Her jaw dropped.
“Don’t feel bad. You’re not the first or the last to invade my personal space. In fact, Sam has accosted me a few times, though he’s stronger than most to resist the Lure.” Mer’s smile widened. “Although, I’d welcome a hug from you anytime.”
Jasmine stilled, and she bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Her eyes grew glassy. “You… and Sam… you’re not?”
Sage’s laughter cut off abruptly.
“No!” Mer said fervently.
Tears spilled from Jasmine’s eyes. All this time, she’d thought he’d been…
“I would never, never do that! I love Sam but he’s like my brother, and you, family by extension.” Mer yanked her into a hug, her lovely scent curling around Jas once more. “He loves you, only you.”
“I’m such an idiot,” Jasmine moaned.
“Maybe you should go take a nap, too…” Sage murmured. Jas pulled away and glanced at her friend. Sage arched a brow and jerked her head toward the castle. “I’ll keep the wee ones. Their uncle wanted time with them anyway.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” Jas jogged to Ethan and Jade, kissing them both on the top of their heads. “Be good for your auntie. I’ll see you a little later.”
“Speaking of time,” Mira said softly, “I need to get back to the infirmary.” She held Isa’s hand. “You ready to go, little lady?”
“I wanna stay with Jade,” Isa whined.
“I can take her, too,” Sage offered.
Jas didn’t hear anything else as she practically sprinted for the palace. All she could think of was getting to Sam.
They were still in the same position as she’d left them.
Jasmine closed the door softly and padded across the luxurious rug, then skirted around the massive bed. She unclasped her cloak, tossing it on the striped chair in the corner before kicking off her boots. Carefully, she climbed onto the bed and lay beside Sam, her cheek pillowed on her hands as she stared at his profile.
“Are you really going to stare at me?” he whispered, not opening his eyes.
Jas rolled her eyes. The man was impossible to sneak up on. “Did you get some sleep?”
“A bit.” He turned his head and opened his gorgeous blue eyes, a sleepy smile on his face. “Did you have a nice time?”
“The best,” she murmured, and her eyes dropped to his lips, then shifted back to his eyes.
The sleepy look in his gaze disappeared and something hot filled them, causing her to shiver. Her knees weakened, and Jas was thankful she wasn’t standing. He was too attractive for his own good. She licked her lips, and he followed the movement. A thrill ran through her and she shifted closer, so they were practically sharing the same breath.
“I discovered something,” she mumbled.
“Oh, yeah?” he asked, brushing his nose against hers.
“I love you, and I have for quite some time.”
Sam blinked, and a blinding smile lit up his face. “Finally.”
“Excuse me?” That was not the reaction she was expecting.
“Just been waiting on you, sweetheart.” Sam adjusted Lana on his chest, making sure the blanket covered the sleeping infant before focusing back on Jasmine. “Didn’t want to push.”
“What are you saying?” Her heart pounded in her chest.
“That I’ve loved you for a while. I was just waiting for you to catch up.”
This man. Jasmine closed the distance, her lips crashing against his. Sam’s right hand wrapped around the back of her neck and adjusted the angle of her head. He kissed her with gentle bites and nips, as if he wanted to savor her mouth. Jas pressed herself against his side as he devoured her.
Lana mewled, and they both froze.
Jasmine opened her eyes slowly, her breath as ragged as Sam’s. He smiled and released her neck, rubbing a gentle hand down their daughter’s back. “Duty calls. I’ll have to ravish you later.”
She grinned. “Maybe I’ll ravish you.”
Sam smirked. “Promise?”
Sage
“Help me!” Tehl called. “I’m being attacked!”
Sage grinned as Ethan, Jade, and Isa climbed all over Tehl.
“One more time!” Ethan cried.
Tehl groaned but smiled and hauled himself to his hands and knees again. “Once more, and then this horsey is going to the stable.”
The three children crawled onto his back as he did his best impression of a wild horse. Mira leaned over and bumped her shoulder against Sage’s, smiling at the silliness. “Thanks for keeping Isa. I didn’t want her to have to spend another afternoon in the infirmary.”
“How is he doing?” Sage asked.
Mira’s nose wrinkled. “Still being a stubborn ass.”
“Still giving you grief, huh?”
“Some days, I swear he hates me.” Mira’s jaw clenched and she looked away. “I know it’s part of the process. The pain and loss he is dealing with is extreme. It’s just… difficult when it’s someone you know.”
Sage pulled her friend into a side hug as Tehl bucked the children off his back and tickled them. “I’m so sorry. Even if he’s not appreciative now, he will be. You saved his life and his leg.”
“For now he just thinks I’m the witch hellbent on making him suffer.” Mira squeezed Sage’s back. “But if it means him walking and riding again with his daughter, I’ll play that role.” She pulled away and clapped her hands, moving for the entrance. “Okay, beasties. It is time for dinner. You hungry?” Mira opened the door. “Mer is here.”
“Yay!” they chorused.
Ethan popped to his feet first, followed by Isa, and then Jade. All three children ran for the exit of the study. Jade switched directions last minute. She quickly hugged Tehl and then Sage.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Sage ruffled her niece’s hair and then gestured to the books lining the walls. “We’ll read one of your favorite stories.”
“’Kay!”
Jade disappeared out the door, the children’s happy chirps fading as they moved away.<
br />
Tehl groaned as he stood, rubbing his knees. “I’m getting too old for that.”
Sage rolled her eyes. “If your father can do it, you can do it too.”
“I heard from Raziel,” he said conversationally as he began to stalk her. Sage quickly maneuvered herself, so the desk was between them.
“Oh?”
“Methi has been in contact with the Sirenidae.”
“Interesting.” She moved around the desk as he slowly took another prowling pace. “Blaise wrote to me. She wants Rafe gone already.”
“Knew that was going to happen. They’ll work it out.”
“How do you know?” she asked, watching her husband like a hawk. It was the quiet ones you had to look out for.
“We did.” Two little words that meant everything. “If we could work it out and be incredibly happy, then they can too.”
Warmth unfurled in her chest. “Such sweet words. I still won’t go easy on you.”
“Do you really think you can escape me?” he asked, a challenging glint in his gaze.
She smirked. “Catch me if you can!”
She feinted to her left, then darted to the right and was out the door. Tehl cursed, and she released a peal of laughter, putting on a burst of speed, rounding a corner to her left. That was where their strengths lay. He could catch her on a straight path, but she was nimbler when it came to obstacles. Sage took the servants’ stairs and arrived at their room. No sign of Tehl.
Sage slipped into their chambers and scanned the room. There weren’t many places to hide. She heard running footsteps, then ran around the bed and dove underneath it. Her heart raced, and she covered her mouth with her hand to hide her breathing. The door slammed open, and Tehl strode inside. Her heart skipped a beat when he closed the door and locked it.