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I frowned. It was dark and very possible the riders would be active—if any remained in the area, that was. They surely didn’t have an unlimited supply, and we’d taken out quite a few of them over the course of the long day. But the truth was, the drakkons really couldn’t stay here. Aside from the fact their bulk filled the courtyard, there was no guarantee someone wouldn’t try to get too close or make some move that spooked them into reacting. The situation was simply too new for everyone not to be cautious.

“Be careful,” I said, removing her harness. “Tell me when you reach the aerie.”

Will. She accepted another scratch, then, as Mom and I stepped back, rose on her haunches and bellowed long and loud. It was, in many ways, a declaration of acceptance.

This place was now her home, and she had no intention of losing it to man or winged monster.

As the sound echoed through the farthest reaches of the fortress, she launched into the air, her scales gleaming molten in the many lights lining the walls. The two younger drakkons followed suit, and a murmur of awe ran around the courtyard as the three of them disappeared into the darkness.

Footsteps approached. My father and Damon. Mom stepped in front of me and held out a hand, finger raised. “There will be no reporting this evening, Rion. Bryn is dead on her feet, and she needs?—”

“Marin, I love you and all, but your habit of jumping in before I can even speak can be rather annoying.”

Mom raised an eyebrow, amusement teasing her lips. “And is that not the true purpose of a wife?”

He rolled his eyes, stepped past me, and enveloped me in a fierce hug. “That was one hell of an entrance, Bryn. Where did you pick up?—”

“Rion,” Mom cut in. “Honestly, you cannot be trusted. Come, let us depart and leave the two newlyweds to their hellos.”

My father made a grumbly sound that rather amusingly reminded me of Kaia’s responses, then hooked Mom’s arm through his and guided her away.

Leaving me staring at Damon.

“Nice to see you alive and well, wife,” he said, amusement teasing the lips I ached to kiss.

“Good to be alive and well, husband,” I replied evenly. “Thank you for that timely save up on the wall.”

“I could hardly let them destroy you when I’ve barely even begun to play with you.”

“I’m not sure I’ve the energy to play right now.”

“Then I shall do all the work.”

My pulse leapt at the thought. “There is another problem.”

He raised that eyebrow, the movement languid and decidedly sexy. “And what might that be?”

“I desperately need a bath. I’m a mess and I stink.”

His blue eyes slowly and very thoroughly scanned my length. It felt like he was caressing every single inch of me, and my skin burned in response.

“I’m afraid I would have to agree with that statement.” He paused, and amusement crinkled the corners of his bright eyes. “I am, however, ridiculously turned on by both.”

I laughed and threw myself into his waiting arms. He held me close and kissed me long and hard, with all the fervor and passion a woman could want.

Then, with a warm chuckle, he swept me up into his arms and carried me up the steps into the palace and then our bedroom, where I was bathed, fed, and then loved. And he did indeed do all the work.

It was the perfect way to end a day in which death had come far too close, far too often.

And yet, as sleep finally folded around the both of us, I couldn’t help but think such happiness couldn’t and wouldn’t last.

Vahree was never one to let his prizes go so easily, and he would come hunting us all again far too soon.