by Meg Anne
His eyes had darkened with emotion as she spoke, the iridescent rings shining in sharp contrast against the stormy gray. She watched as he swallowed, seeming to be at a loss for words.
“If I had known that you were out there waiting for me, I would have left everything behind and walked to the ends of the world to find you.”
“Had I known, I would have met you halfway, if only to shorten the journey.”
They shared a long look, their love on clear display had anyone bothered to spare them a glance. Fortunately, everyone else was too busy watching Nial and Serena. The crowd was too eager to see what they had created for each other to notice the secret moment between their Kiri and her Mate.
Von finally dragged his eyes away from hers as his brother turned toward him. Nial’s hands shook slightly as he held one out for his brother to place a wrapped item into.
Removing the slightly crinkled paper, Nial turned back to Serena. The item in his hand sparkled as it caught the light. It was small, barely taking up the full space of his open palm. Helena’s vantage point allowed her to see what many others could not. Nial had crafted a figure with remarkable detail. Without having to be told, Helena knew it was Serena as she appeared to him. The small woman was gorgeous and fierce, her eyes glittering with challenge, even as she grinned with wicked amusement.
Nial ran his finger gently along the back of the figurine. The small figure shivered and came alive with a yawn and stretch. Serena gasped in wonder as the figure began to move on her own, her delicate golden curls fluttering on an invisible breeze, while the small mouth twisted with a war cry.
As if conjured by air, another figure appeared, this one a winged and fanged creature of legend. It could only be one of the Macabruls. Each one of its black scales glittered like jewels as it let out a silent roar. The tiny Serena wasted no time, launching itself into the air in a flying spin, using a sword that glowed with ruby flames to make quick work of the beast. As the sword made contact with the long serpentine neck, the Macabrul disappeared in a cloud of glittering smoke. The figurine landed in a crouch, before standing back up and brushing a few lingering pieces of dust off her silver armor.
Serena held out her hand and the tiny warrior fearlessly stalked toward the new territory. Sensing that she was home, the little figure dropped her sword and let out a big yawn before promptly curling up in a ball and falling asleep.
Serena looked up with wide-eyes, unable to speak.
Nial was one of the few true magic masters, there was no question of his ability. He had brought together each of the four Branches he commanded to create life out of nothing. And not just any life, a representation of his mate and her various accomplishments.
It was stunning in its detail and mastery. There were few, if any, who would be capable of ever crafting it’s like.
Serena curled her hand protectively over the figure, letting out a watery laugh as the figure began to snore.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Nial shrugged, looking pleased and embarrassed. “It’s you.”
Serena appeared nervous as she called forth a Daejaran warrior who was standing just off to the side.
The man carried a large object that had been covered with a white sheet. At Serena’s nod, the man gently set down the item on a table that had been set up for the purpose and pulled away the sheet.
“So that I may protect you even if we are apart,” Serena whispered, as Nial’s mouth fell open.
Serena was not a master of four Branches as her mate was, but she was skilled in her own right. A warrior first and foremost, Serena had created a suit of armor. It was not a traditional chest plate of leather and metal. Helena recognized the color immediately, it was the deep stormy blue of his eyes. Nial would be easy to spot amongst a crowd, probably part of Serena’s intention.
“A small punch of power, if you wouldn’t mind, Kiri,” Serena requested.
Helena raised an eyebrow in surprise but called up her power. A ball of dancing flame quickly took shape in her palm. At Serena’s nod, Helena released the fireball, launching it at the armor. As it made impact, the plate began to glow a deep and pulsing violet. There was an audible hiss and the fire disintegrated, leaving the armor entirely unharmed.
The crowd let out startled gasps and then burst into roaring applause.
“I know that our duties will not always allow us to stand together, but at least when you wear that, I will not have to overly worry about your safety.”
Nial looked between his new armor and his mate, clearly moved by her words and her gift. “You honor me,” he whispered.
Sensing their need to be together, Helena moved into action. “Now that that’s out of the way, let’s finish this up. The Mother brought you together, it will be up to the two of you to ensure that you cherish her gift and help it thrive. From this day forth, your souls will forever be one.”
The crowd exploded in cheers.
Leaning forward, Helena whispered, “Now you can kiss her.”
With a roguish grin she knew too well, Nial bent down and claimed Serena’s lips in another searing kiss. Helena looked away, her eyes moving toward her Mate.
As far as ceremonies went, it was very different from what she and Von had shared. Even still, Helena would not change a thing. From the heat in his silvery gaze, Helena knew that her Mate felt the same.
“I love you.”
Von’s eyes softened and his smile grew. “And I you.”
Using magic to enhance her voice, Helena spoke over the roar of the crowd. “Now for the part you’ve really been waiting for! Let’s eat!”
Nial and Serena were impervious as their guests made their way to the tables overlooking the cliffs and the raging ocean below, still too busy taking their fill of each other.
Chapter Three
Ronan stared into the bottom of his mug, surprised to see that it was already empty.
“I do not get the impression that you are celebrating.”
Ronan looked up into eyes the color of forest leaves. “Reyna.”
She dipped her head in greeting and gestured again toward his cup. “Do you want another?”
“Need and want are two very different things.”
“So, this is definitely not a celebration.”
Ronan’s lips twisted in a mocking smile. “There are days you think a wound has fully healed only to find that you have simply grown accustomed to the pain.”
Reyna’s eyes glittered with understanding. Gesturing toward the empty seat next to him she asked, “May I?”
“By all means.”
Reyna swept her skirt to the side and gracefully lowered herself into the chair. The movement was so smooth Ronan was reminded of the way shadows slid across a forest floor.
He eyed the dark-haired woman beside him. Her hair was still a wild mix of braids and long curls, but her face was wiped clean of the Night Stalkers’ iconic face paint. In its absence her skin glowed, complementing the golden flecks in her eyes. Ronan would say that she appeared more feminine, but that wasn’t strictly true. Reyna had never appeared anything but feminine to begin with. It was more a sense of being tamed, although one only need look in her eyes to see the wildness was barely leashed. She was a feral creature, more suited to the starlit shadows of the forest than the glittering decadence of a ballroom. Ronan let his eyes wander along her body, appreciating the way her dress showcased her curves, even as he wished she was wearing her black leather instead.
Reyna coughed pointedly.
Ronan was slow to pull his eyes up, only grinning when she shook her head at him. He shrugged, not bothering to apologize for getting caught.
“There are many men who have felt the sharp edge of my blade for daring to look at me that way.” Despite the threat, amusement laced her voice.
“Lucky for me, you don’t have it on you.”
The words had barely left his mouth when the shadows around them rippled and Reyna’s hand, now gripping a golden dagger,
was at his throat. “Don’t be so sure about that.”
Ronan lifted a brow, but otherwise showed no reaction. “Point taken.”
Reyna smirked and vanished her dagger. “Now, about that drink.” With a slight lift of her chin, Reyna was able to get the attention of a server. The boy scurried over, using Air to keep his tray of drinks stable while he dodged the partygoers. Reyna plucked two glasses off the tray and dismissed the boy with a brief, but warm, smile.
She was already taking a sip from her glass as she held the other out to Ronan. He couldn’t help but appreciate her sense of priorities. Apparently, he was not the only one who needed something to dull the edges tonight.
Ronan had just begun to drink deeply from his glass when Reyna said, “You were the lover she referred to.”
Ronan began to choke on his ale, barely getting his mug on the table as he coughed up the amber liquid. “You don’t pull any punches, do you?”
Reyna lifted one shoulder. “What’s the point? I am just stating the obvious. Your relationship wasn’t a secret, was it?”
Despite wishing someone else was at the receiving end of her interrogation, Ronan had to admire her no-nonsense approach to conversation. At least you would always know where you stood with the lady.
Ronan wasn’t sure which question to answer, so he remained silent.
“The Night Stalkers do not have such a narrow view of mates.”
Ronan raised a brow, waiting for her to continue.
“It is foolish to believe that there is only one person in the world that you are supposed to love.”
“The possibly of a mate does not impede your ability to love another,” Ronan stated flatly. The irony of his statement was not lost on either of them. He was clearly proof.
“That’s not what I meant.” Reyna took another deep gulp, her glass now more than half empty. “It is only that we are constantly evolving. The person that was right for me ten years ago, is not the person that will fulfill me now.”
“Your true mate grows with you. They are the piece that completes you.” It was Ronan’s turn to drink deeply. Setting his empty mug down, he added, “Although it is said that you will not find your mate until you are ready to accept them.”
“Is that not true of all lovers?”
“You’re missing the point.”
“Am I?”
Ronan sighed with exasperation. How could he possibly explain something he’d never experienced? Instead of admitting defeat he went on the offensive. Scrubbing a hand down his face, he groaned. “Woman, you are exhausting.”
Reyna’s laugh was deep and throaty. He felt it move over him like the gentlest of caresses. His body was quick to respond. Ronan looked at his lap in surprise. That was unexpected.
She shifted in her seat, placing her hand lightly on his arm. “I did not mean to insult your beliefs, Shield. I was just trying, perhaps in a misguided way, to let you know that you are not doomed to be alone just because she was not your mate. You may have lost the one you thought was your forever, but that doesn’t mean there is not another, or even many, that will bring you happiness again.” Reyna’s eyes had turned a bright, glowing emerald as she spoke.
Ronan’s mouth went dry.
“You will find her, when you’re ready.”
The words, so softly spoken, settled something that had been loose within him. Ronan wasn’t sure he was ready, but for the first time, he wanted to be.
“Thank you,” he said, his deep voice barely a whisper.
Reyna offered him a small smile and settled back into her seat. The loss of contact chilled him, and Ronan found that he wasn’t quite ready to let the conversation, or the company, go just yet.
“So why are you drinking tonight?”
The warmth left Reyna’s eyes, leaving them almost black. Her smile turned sarcastic as she replied, “Can’t you tell? Preservation, same as you.”
Ronan’s brows dropped low over his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“If one more ignorant bastard makes a comment about me or my people, I will gut them. I do not want to risk your Kiri’s wrath by killing one of her people.”
Anger rose swift and sure, warming him with the intensity of its heat. “One of the Chosen dared insult you?”
Reyna’s expression softened, the hard line of her mouth curling upwards. “No, not one of the Chosen.”
“The Storm Forged?” Reyna nodded, causing Ronan’s frown to deepen. “I’ll take care of it.”
Reyna’s brows lifted in surprise. “If I recall correctly, I am not the one you are supposed to be protecting, Shield.”
Ronan snarled. “You are Helena’s friend. I protect what is hers.”
Reyna stared at him thoughtfully, her face an inscrutable mask. After a long moment, she finally said, “Then I will gladly accept the help.”
The urge to protect and defend raged within him, but now was neither the time nor the place. Seeking a return to levity, Ronan asked, “Out of curiosity, whose preservation? Yours or theirs?”
Reyna’s smile was so filled with the threat of violence that Ronan already knew the answer.
“Fair enough,” he said with a chuckle, grabbing two glasses of ale as another server walked by. “Here’s to preservation.”
“I’ll drink to that!” Reyna clinked her glass with his, eagerly tipping it back.
Ronan watched in stunned amazement as the Night Stalker drank, and drank. The way her throat worked as she swallowed threatened to distract him. Realizing she was going to drain the whole glass, Ronan quickly followed suit. She slammed her glass down on the table only seconds before he did.
“Now what?” Her eyes glowed with challenge and perhaps the smallest amount of inebriation.
“Now we dance.”
Reyna sputtered. “What?”
Ronan was already standing and holding a hand out for her to grab. “It is a party.”
“Do you even know how to dance?” she asked, uncertainly placing her hand in his.
Ronan’s answer was a confident smile. “Only one way to find out.”
“If you step on my toes…” Reyna threatened half-heartedly, seeming distracted by Ronan’s roguish grin.
Feeling devious, Ronan leaned down and whispered in her ear, “If I step on your toes, you can take it out on me any way you want to.” With that he made his way to the dance floor, pulling a dumbstruck Reyna behind him.
Helena watched Reyna trailing behind Ronan with amusement.
“What’s that face for?” Von asked.
“I’m just trying to recall the last time Ronan looked so relaxed.”
Von turned his silvery gaze on his best friend before laughing softly. “That’s not relaxed, Mira. That’s determined. Your Shield is on a mission.”
Helena studied Ronan a bit more closely, noting the calculating look in his eye as well as his single-minded focus on the dark-haired Night Stalker. “Does the name of his mission start with an R?”
Von’s dimple flashed, letting her know that she had arrived at the correct answer.
Ronan dancing wasn’t a sight Helena thought she would ever encounter. Like everything else he did, his moves were testosterone laden and aggressive. There was no other way to classify the way he rolled his hips up and into his partner. Reyna’s shock was short lived as she began to move her hips and shoulders to the beat, giving Ronan a run for his money. For each seductive move he made, she made another in kind. Both tried to remain unaffected, but it was clear from the heated looks they sent one another that neither was immune.
“I’m not entirely sure who is pursuing who.”
“Does it have to be one or the other?”
Helena shook her head. “I’m just curious which one is going to try and take credit for the win.”
Von let out a bark of laughter. “That is the kind of argument that leads to the bedroom and is never entirely resolved.”
“So, they’re both winners.”
“Exactly.”
Von
and Helena shared a long, heated look, memories of their own time in the bedroom passing between them.
“How much longer do we need to stay down here?” Von asked, brushing a kiss against her lips.
“A while yet, I’m afraid,” she answered, regret heavy in her voice.
Von scowled. “My little brother is grown and yet he continues to annoy me.”
“You can’t blame him. It’s your position as my Mate that requires your presence more so than yours as his brother.”
He gave her a scorching look. “I shall try and suffer in silence, my love.”
Helena laughed in his face. “You’re about as likely to remain silent as Darrin is to walk through that door.”
“You wound me,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back to his chest.
“That doesn’t feel like a wound to me.”
“The longer it’s neglected, the more that it aches.”
Helena knew that she had started it, but she was not prepared for the effect his words had on her. “Mother’s tits,” she gasped, pressing into him.
Von leaned forward, under the guise of adjusting her necklace, and pressed a trail of kisses along her neck and shoulder. “You’re the one that won’t let us leave,” he reminded her with a final nip at her ear.
Helena blinked a few times, trying to pull herself out of her Mate’s seductive web.
Von chuckled, stepping away from her. “So, what else is required of us tonight?”
Helena gave him a blank look, letting his words echo about her mind as she tried to make sense of them. “What?”