Page 21 of Bound to Four Alphas (Silverthorn Alphas #1)

The Marble Halls were even more beautiful than Elian had said. As soon as they were through the mountain tunnel, the space opened into a vast collection of gleaming white spires, fresh green ivy winding up the towering blocks, polished silver gleaming from the tiles lining the roofs.

If only she could focus on all the beauty that surrounded her.

Pale-faced nobles turned in shock as they slowly made their way through the streets towards the glinting palace, Kaelen barely able to stay on his feet. He had been struck by iron-tipped spears in the fight, and all the fire-magic in the world couldn’t protect him against the blades. Ronan and Malek weren’t in much better shape, although they both walked close enough behind her that she could feel the heat radiating from them, hear the low rumbles of anger whenever anyone so much as glanced at her the wrong way.

Elian was leading them, his sister by his side. The stunning Fae had immediately done what she could to patch their wounds enough that they could walk, her hands flitting over Selena with shock.

“Are you…?”

Selena had nodded, her hands coming up to cradle her stomach. Caeda had embraced her then and there, her hair thick with the scent of lilies.

Since then Caeda had been whispering to Elian, filling him in on all the details they had missed on the road. The humans had launched a full-scale invasion, breaching the western territory line. Iveir had negotiated a temporary truce with Thyrius, Ronan’s second-in-command, and the wolves were claiming shelter in the volcanoes while they waited for word from Kaelen and Ronan.

All of Malek’s nightmares had been taken by the human forces, turned into beasts to fight for them.

“How many days until the brunt of the forces reach the gate?” Elian asked, his voice a low hush.

Caeda chewed her lip. “Maybe three? I don’t know. Father won’t tell me anything, I had to break into his office to read the reports coming in.”

Elian growled, “And you say you haven’t seen him in days?”

She shook her head. “He’s been preparing for war, I think. You know what he’s like. It’s been strange, Elian—there are people I don’t recognize, odd conversations, advisors falling silent whenever I enter a room. I don’t like it.”

Selena could sense how tense Elian was even from behind him.

They reached the palace without fuss, and gorgeous handmaidens flitted around them, expertly guided by Caeda.

“Yes, take them to healers, they all need checking. And prepare the Northern Suite—yes, the whole suite—make sure there is plenty of food and hot water for baths!’

Selena winced, her muscles aching after days clinging to Ronan’s back. It was with apology that he set such a brutal pace, and she was grateful for it, but she couldn’t deny the pain twinging through her.

Her baby was safe, though. She liked to think she could feel it, warm and nestled inside her. She may not have had time to adjust to the reality of being pregnant, but she found herself nevertheless already in love with the small being growing within her.

The healers were efficient, magical hands passing over her and healing any surface-level cuts and bruises she had managed to accumulate. The others weren’t so lucky. Elian had been warned not to expend any more magical energy for at least a day; he had nearly burned himself out. Malek and Ronan were covered in wounds and burns that were treated and bound and told to rest.

But Kaelen. It was everything she could do not to hiss at the healers as they reset broken bones, his howls rattling the glass of the windows. He was in the worst shape, and all she could do was hold his hand as the healers did their work.

“He’s a shifter,” Caeda said with one hand on Selena’s shoulder. “He’ll heal quickly.”

And he quickly did. Once the worst of his injuries were closed, it was almost incredible how fast he was demanding food and a bath, Elian rolling his eyes at the bossy tone.

And so, Elian led them to a private bathing room in the Northern Suite, the promise of hot water and steam nearly enough to make Selena drool. Caeda accompanied them, listing off facts about the Marble Halls, promising to send clothes and wine between her constant chatter. She was halfway through a story about the carving of the great engravings covering every wall when Elian tapped her on the nose and gestured to himself then the steaming bath.

“I’m not sure you’re going to want to see this, little sister,” he said. “Come back in an hour and we’ll eat together.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, giving Selena one last smile before leaving and closing the doors behind her.

Elian groaned. “Bloody hell, I forgot how talkative she is.”

“I like her,” replied Selena. “You never mentioned her?”

He rolled his eyes, “She’s younger than me. A lot younger. We don’t share a mother, and Phaendar was ridiculous about keeping her safe and shielded as she grew up. When she was little, we were very close. I used to sneak her out of the palace and take her to the sweet shop, or the theater, or the library, which as you can imagine, was her favorite place in the world. After a few years, our father put a stop to it. Blamed my … wild ways. Didn’t want any of my mischief rubbing off on her.”

“You? Mischievous?” Selena teased, poking him in the side. “I can’t believe it.”

The others were already undressing, sliding into the hot water with hisses of appreciation. The bath was more like the size of a small pond, with steps leading down to the bottom, and bottles and potions of all sorts lining the edges.

“Partly, I think he didn’t want us becoming allies as she became a female grown, old enough to hold her own in court. Two willful children teamed up against him would not have been easy to handle.”

Selena helped him shrug out of his clothes, keeping her eyes resolutely on his face despite his teasing wink. She sucked in a breath as he spun her around and started working on the lacing at the back of her dress, loosening the fastenings until the dress pooled to the floor at her feet, leaving her skin bare to the cold air.

She turned slowly, considering his words. “That sounds like a lonely way to grow up,” she said carefully, her hands cupping her stomach instinctively. “I hope that’s not what you think this one will grow up experiencing?”

“Not a chance!” called Ronan, his muscular arms splayed out on the rim of the bath behind him, head thrown back, “Our little pup will grow with the other children, as is right! They’ll tumble and play together and learn how to be loyal. That’s how it was with my siblings.”

“You have siblings?” Selena peered around Elian’s naked body with a raised eyebrow. He looked at her incredulously.

“Of course I do. Dozens, it sometimes seems like. Some full, some half, some adopted, what does it matter?”

Elian rolled his eyes, muttering something no doubt insulting under his breath as he slipped into the water. Selena squeaked as her shield was gone, and quickly followed him in, where he pulled her against his chest.

Magical beings seemed altogether much more comfortable with nudity than humans, as she was coming to learn. They certainly had no issues baring their skin in front of each other, or her, and often teased her for her bashfulness.

“What about you?” she turned to Kaelen, who was furiously scrubbing his arms.

He stopped, his eyes unfocusing, his jaw setting. “No. I don’t.”

She swallowed but nodded. It seemed lack of family had plagued him for decades. Her heart squeezed, and she half-swam over to nestle into his side. He didn’t say anything, just dropped a kiss on the top of her head, but she saw a slight wetness in his eyes.

“I know this wasn’t planned,” she said to the males, casting her eyes downwards as she cradled the soft swell of her lower stomach. “ I’m sorry if any of you… if this wasn’t what you wanted.”

Kaelen’s arms tightened as he looked down at her in horror. “Omega, I think I can speak for everyone here when I say the babe you carry is the greatest gift any of us could possibly hope for. The only regret I have is that your safety, and the safety of the child, is at risk.”

There were murmurs of assent from the others as Kaelen pulled her in closer, his own hands drifting lower to cup her stomach. She felt the heat rising in her cheeks as a smile broke free across her face. There was plenty to discuss, to prepare for, but that could wait. For now, she just wanted to enjoy their company.

Even if she was having to concentrate very hard on not letting her thoughts slip into dangerous territory. She was suddenly aware of every inch of wet skin pressed against her, the heat radiating from Kaelen’s powerful body, his huge hands resting on her stomach.

He chuckled, lowering his head to her ear. “There will be time for such things, Omega.”

Her face was definitely on fire.

Ronan’s booming laughter sent ripples skipping over the water.

“So about your father not letting us in,” she said to Elian, forcing her voice into a somewhat measured tone. “Why do you think that is?”

Elian stretched, blond curls damp from the water sticking to his neck, golden skin vibrant against the marble. “Phaendar has at least ten reasons for everything he does. I have no doubt that he’ll summon us to him in his own time. We’ll get our explanation then.”

“Arrogant bloody Fae,” Ronan grunted.

“At least we don’t live in tents,” Elian countered, eyes narrowing playfully.

Ronan was unfazed. “Your mother certainly didn’t complain when I showed her my tent.”

Kaelen laughed low in his chest, sending pleasant vibrations rippling over her skin, and even she couldn’t stifle a giggle when Malek cocked his head inquisitively.

“Why would Elian’s mother be visiting your territory, Ronan? And sleeping in your tent, no less?”

As Elian sputtered with indignation, Ronan reached over to slap Malek on the back in a friendly way, booming with laughter. “Trust me, sleep wasn’t what she was after!”

Malek frowned, and Selena wondered that he had ever frightened her at all. He looked almost sweet in his innocent confusion, and she felt inclined to take pity on him.

“Ronan’s mocking him,” she said, elbowing Kaelen when he snorted. “Ignore him.”

“You wound me, sweetness,” Ronan’s grin was feral. “Then again, you’re the only one I want sleeping in my tent .”

She rolled her eyes, something deep within her warm and content at the easy banter between her mates after the fear and terror of their journey. Something just felt so right about it, so natural. She was struck with a sudden vision of the five of them, surrounded by a few children tumbling over each other and hanging off their fathers’ arms in bids for attention. And her, in the middle of it all, basking in the warmth and security of a family .

Of a pack.

It seemed too good to be true. How had she gone from weeping sacrifice to willing mate so quickly? Perhaps it was because part of her knew from the moment she first laid eyes on them that they weren’t actually the monsters she had thought them to be. And now, she knew with all her heart that they weren’t.

“Come on,” she smiled at Kaelen as his rumbling stomach broke her from her reverie, “let’s get you all something to eat. The Gods only know how you manage to consume so much, you must be starving.”

“Oh yes,” purred Ronan, his grin feral, “absolutely ravenous , sweetness.”

Their gentle laughter followed her as she haughtily climbed out of the bath, sticking her tongue out at all of them.