Page 20

Chapter Nineteen

As the shadows close in, I watch August run forward with his sword in his hand and a warrior’s roar on his lips. Metal clashes against metal as they fight one on one. Rion slashes August across his stomach when he doesn’t move away in time, and my heart is in my throat.

I feel better knowing Astrid is here, and I never thought I’d be saying that, knowing she can heal him. Still, August doesn’t stop fighting until he gets the upper hand and slices Rion across the throat. Rion falls to his knees. And then, with familiar magic, August puts his hand on him and drains him until there is no life left.

It’s over.

He’s dead.

August killed him.

And he clearly got my booster magic from the bond.

I wonder if I can walk through any ward like he can. If so, that will come in handy.

The fight continues until their remaining army gives up and leaves, most of them zipping away from the chaos.

Bodies cover the grass, and with them, a sadness fills me.

Such a loss of life, and for what reason?

I now sit in our room, holding August’s hand as Astrid heals the deep cut on his abs. We won the war, but it’s hard to celebrate. I knew a lot of those people. We might not have been close, as my father kept me away and isolated, but they were familiar faces.

And now they are dead.

I hope some heard my warning and left, choosing to turn their back on Rion.

Seeing him in battle, though, my mate is a warrior, through and through. His sword skills are so impressive, and his body is a weapon in itself. And then to use our magic for the first time with no practice?

He was incredible.

Now I have to sit here and watch Astrid with her hands on his bare bicep as she heals him. His ripped muscles are all on show, and I know that shouldn’t bother me considering the situation, but it kind of does. I don’t want her seeing him like this.

August doesn’t let go of his touch on me, keeping us connected. After seeing her on the battlefield, I know how incredible she is. It’s hard not to feel a little intimidated by that. But now that I can feel some of August’s emotions through the bond, I know that what he feels for her isn’t romantic. It’s a solid friendship built on years of history.

But it doesn’t change the fact that he once wanted her.

The cut seals up in front of my eyes. Astrid opens her eyes and lets go of him. “There you go, as good as new.”

“Thank you,” he comments but keeps those warm chocolate depths on me.

“I’m going to go and help anyone else who needs it,” she says, turning to me and offering me a small smile. “You’re free, Milana. I see nothing but happiness for you both.”

She zips away, and August pulls me closer to his body so I’m draped over him. “She’s right, you are free now.”

“I’m right where I want to be,” I reply, pressing a kiss to his hard chest. “I want to keep training, August. I want to be able to fight next time.”

“We’ll keep training you,” he promises me, kissing my temple. “You’ll be a warrior in no time.”

My lip twitches. “How did it feel using our magic?”

“Powerful,” he admits, rubbing soothing circles over my back. “I don’t know. It just felt natural. I could feel it there under my skin, begging for me to use it.”

I hum in agreement, knowing exactly how he felt.

Suddenly, the door opens wide, and I glance up to see the last person I expected to see here—my best friend, Halia.

“There you are,” she calls out, walking over to me and giving me a once-over. “You’re okay? When I heard what was going down, I came straight here.” Her eyes move to August, checking out his ripped body. “Damn, I hope my mate is as sexy as yours.”

August smirks. I roll my eyes and move to hug her. “August, this is Halia. Halia, my mate, August.”

“Nice to finally meet you,” Halia says, offering him a wide smile.

“Same to you.”

“You missed all the action,” I say, happy to see her. My mate and my best friend are with me. It doesn’t get much better than this.

“Typical.” She grins, flipping her long red hair over her shoulder. “By the way, Rave didn’t look very happy to see me.”

A bubble of laughter escapes me. “Just stay away from him. I’ve had my quota of drama for the month.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m not even looking in the direction of anyone who’s bonded. I wouldn’t mind asking Astrid if she knows who my mate is, though, because I’m getting tired of waiting around for his ass.”

When we head back downstairs, Astrid is sitting on the couch talking with Salem while Rave stands in front of them, watching closely.

“What’s that about?” I ask August, who shrugs. He’s taken a shower and dressed in a white shirt. His curly hair is damp, and he looks so good I don’t want him to leave the room.

“He’s hot,” Halia comments, checking out Salem.

“No,” August and I say at the same time.

“What? Why? I think a tear just ran down my leg,” she whispers.

I make a choking sound while August throws back his head and laughs. This gets everyone’s attention—all eyes now on Halia.

Rave looks annoyed.

Astrid throws a dirty look at Rave.

And Salem licks his lips.

“Multiple tears,” she moans, and I shake my head. My best friend is crazy. She’s always balanced out my perfectionist and sometimes uptight personality.

Salem stands, stretching to his full height and stalking toward us, his muscles rippling with each move.

He’s huge.

Easily the biggest male I’ve ever laid my eyes on.

I have to look up and up to stare into his dead, light-green eyes. A cold smirk curls on his lips and when he speaks, his voice is menacing and calm but with an edge to it. “She won’t tell me who my mate is. You might do until then.”

“At least he’s giving up on Pandora,” August mutters, pulling me closer to his side.

Salem’s eyes cut to him. “Once mine, always mine,” he fires back, picking up a lock of Halia’s hair and enfolding it through his fingers. “I like this. A lot.” He lowers his face to smell her.

She looks at me with a clear what-the-fuck look in her blue eyes. She clears her throat, and I quickly grip her arm and pull her away. “Stay away from him,” I whisper-yell, and she laughs.

“Yeah, I’m impulsive, but I’m not insane,” she replies, stopping when we reach the dining room where Axe is sitting on the table, shirtless, drinking some ale. Ripples of muscles line his abs.

“Chaos is hot-guy central.” She swoons, fanning her face.

August overhears that and grips the back of my neck. “You better not be noticing that, love.”

“I only have eyes for you,” I reply, turning around and pulling him down for a quick, closed-mouth kiss.

Although I’m not blind, Halia is right.

I share a look with her that says so, and she grins.

Bane decides to walk into the room next, dressed in all black. His inked neck and hands are on show.

“Wow,” Halia mutters.

Bane is then followed by Soren, who rakes his hand through his blond hair, his biceps bulging in the shirtless black tunic he’s wearing. I know she’s met Soren before.

Silver and Sage then step in, followed by Shadow.

The brothers are all so alike, yet so different.

I can hear Halia gulp. “Going to need to change my panties.” She then pauses and asks, “What the fuck is my cousin doing here?”

Ah shit, I totally forgot about Reef.

“Long story,” I mutter.

“Tell me,” she demands. “Pretty sure his ass is meant to be in Shelly.”

“It was bring-your-ex-to-lunch day.” I smirk.

She gives me a knowing look. “You’re the queen of petty, Milana. That’s why you’re my best friend.”

I suppose she’s right. I did put August in a cell because he did it to me first.

I smirk and glance over at Reef to see he’s having a drink with Axe and Kai, with Saylor nearby, probably wanting to ask him about his cock.

August growls at the mention of Reef, kissing the side of my neck. He might not have anything to worry about, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like his possessiveness.

It gets even better when he suddenly zips me right into our bedroom, undresses me, and pushes me up against the wall.

“Keep those eyes on me while I fuck you, Milana,” he growls, sucking on my neck.

“Halia is?—”

“She’ll be fine. Right now, you need to take care of your man,” he replies, pushing down his pants. He slides the head of his cock against my entrance, then pushes in a few inches and pulls back out before slamming all the way in.

“I only want you, baby,” I pant.

He fucks me harder. “You’ll only get me.”

My legs wrap around his hips. He changes the angle and keeps driving into me, his lips lowering to my nipples. He sucks and bites them just how I like it, and my fingers tangle in his curls I love so much.

“Come now, love,” he moans, and I let go, coming all over his hard cock. He curses as he finishes with me, stilling and giving me a gentle kiss when he’s done. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, August. You’re the first person to love me for me.”

He set me free from my cage.

No more expectations or pressure.

No more being used.

He loves me simply because I am me.

Unconditionally.

He carries me to the bed and lays me down, still inside me. He peppers kisses all over my face and neck. When I feel him getting hard again, I know Halia might have to amuse herself for a little longer.

But knowing my best friend, being blinded by all those abs, it won’t exactly be a hardship.