Page 23

23

Fenryr

Malice’s secret lair is a short trip from the ocean, but the journey back takes twice as long due to the powerful blizzard whipping through the land, forcing us in the opposite direction of where we want to fly. Every now and then, I’ll turn my head to check on Dagny, only to be struck by the breathtaking sight of her soaring through the storm. Her face is the picture of serenity, and an air of power radiates from her skin, rivaling the raging wind. I know the others are thinking the same things as I am. It’s mirrored in their eyes, in the rush of adoration that thrums through our shared bond. They’re in awe of her. The beauty of her mind, the light of her soul, and the strength of her heart.

I keep watching her as we fly, unable to take my eyes away, wanting to live in this moment for a while longer. Knowing that as soon as we get back to the lair, the reality of our situation will consume us all once more, and we’ll forget those few moments of happiness we shared on the cliffside. Ones we may never get to experience again.

When we finally make it back to the small clearing in the forest, it’s too soon. We lower to the ground, an ominous stillness hanging heavy in the air as the wind is snuffed out, replaced with a harmonic tinkling noise as the leaves at the tops of the welwigs rustle in the breeze.

Not wanting to stay out here in the open, we hurry toward the entrance of the tunnel, pushing Dagny through before the rest of us follow. One by one, we step into the circular room waiting at the base of the passage, blinking rapidly to adjust to the light glowing from the sconces on the carved walls.

The first thing I notice is Kaebl is standing at the center of the room. The second—and far more frightening—is the molten glow of rage in his eyes. The golden light casts harsh shadows along the panes of his face while highlighting the deep scowl creasing the corners of his mouth, making him appear far more tense than usual.

And just where did you run off to?

Before any of us can explain, Malice steps forward, his lips tipping into an answering smirk. “If you’re angry you got left out, you can just say that.”

Kaebl’s frown deepens. I’m not angry you left without me. I’m pissed you left at all. His gaze turns to Malice, his eyes narrowing in a deadly glare. Especially you. I never expected you to risk Dagny in this way. If Slaine’s scouts saw you ? —

“But they didn’t,” Roark interrupts, his tone soft in an attempt to prevent a fight from breaking out. “We were careful. Nothing happened to her. She’s safe, Kaebl.”

Shadows spread from the corners of his eyes, infecting the molten gold with inky, swirling tendrils of rage. That doesn’t matter! You took her away! You want to keep her from me! He takes a step toward Malice with deadly intent, his muscles shuddering as the last thread of control snaps and his inner demon bursts free. Just before he strikes, Dagny wrestles free of Cyprien’s hold, her body a blur of motion as she races to stand between the two demons.

“Stop it!” she yells, pushing her palms into Kaebl’s chest. “Stop fighting! This is stupid! No one is taking me away from you, Kaebl. No one. ”

Kaebl looks down at where her hands rest on his skin, the shadows retreating as a flash of yellow crosses his wide-eyed gaze. The rage rolling from his skin dissipates into the surrounding air as a blanket of calm falls over his expression, softening the creases at the corners of his eyes and the downward curve of his mouth.

He blinks, stepping back and allowing Dagny’s hands to fall back to her sides—but I don’t miss the way his mouth twitches in despair at the loss of contact. I’m sorry. I haven’t been myself lately. I’m not sure why I…

“It’s okay.” Dagny frowns, debating whether she should try to comfort him. “I think we’ve all been a little on edge.”

“Exactly! Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Cyprien pipes up, a massive grin spreading across his face. “We’re used to you being a grumpy asshole. I personally have grown to find it endearing.”

Lir cuts him a glare, clearing his throat loudly. “What Cyprien means is that we understand the outburst, and it’s forgiven. Right , Malice?”

Malice’s breath billows out in a thick cloud of vapor, his fist clenching at his side. “ Sure, Lir. I absolutely understand that Kaebl is acting like a petulant child, and I forgive him for lacking the emotional maturity to express it in a healthy manner.” He smirks. “Is that good for you?”

Seeing the bloodthirsty gleam in Lir’s eyes, Roark steps between him and Malice, his arms stretched out to the side and expression set in stone. “That’s quite enough.”

Malice shrugs. “I was merely doing what Lir asked.”

“You were antagonizing him.”

He stares unblinking into Roark’s purple eyes, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Perhaps I’m a little on edge, too.”

Roark huffs, his eyes trailing to the ceiling. “That’s it. Everyone go to the sleeping chamber— now. ”

Cyprien’s mouth pops open in disbelief. “Are you sending us to bed?”

“Yes. Now go,” Roark orders. “If I hear any backtalk, I will make it impossible for you to speak for the rest of the night.”

With a sigh, Dagny leads the way, the rest of us following like lost puppies as Roark takes up the rear, clearly not trusting any of us to behave. As soon as we make it into the bedroom, Roark points a clawed finger toward the bed of furs, the scowl on his face leaving no room for argument. “Take a seat.”

Cyprien pulls Dagny into her lap as we all crowd around the furs in a circle, each of us vying to be the closest to Dagny. Once we settle, Roark moves to the corner of the room and returns with the bottle of welwig sap clutched in his palm. His gaze narrows on us as he brings it to his lips, not willing to take his eyes off us as he drinks. His throat bobs three times as he chugs the viscous blue liquid, and with each one, the crease between his brows eases until all the tension is wiped away.

Roark lowers the jug with an explosive sigh, his eyes watering as he passes the bottle to Kaebl. “Drink.”

I don’t think that’s such a good ide ? —

“ Drink, ” he reiterates, thrusting it into his chest. “Don’t make me get angry.”

“I thought he was angry,” Cyprien murmurs, causing Dagny to let out a hushed chuckle.

“Silence, thumper,” Roark snaps, pointing an accusatory finger at Cyprien as he takes a seat in the open space. “You can speak after you drink. Not before.”

Cyprien shrugs, waiting for the bottle to be passed around the circle. As soon as each of us has taken a hearty drink, Roark lets out a breath of relief, his lips curling around the bottle for one last swig. “Doesn’t everyone feel better now?”

“I suppose,” Lir mutters, his scowl already softening. “But I’m a bit concerned that your solution is always to get drunk.”

“It’s yet to fail me,” Roark replies, his lips stretching into a wide smile as he passes the jug to Lir. “Go on. You know you want to.”

“Never said I didn’t.” He takes a large sip and hands it to Dagny, a pleasurable warmth thrumming down the bond as his fingertips brush hers. “How do you feel, pet?”

Before she can answer, a high-pitched mewl draws all our attention to the tunnel we just came through, and my eyes widen at the sight of Malice’s familiar emerging through the shadowed passageway. Nya’s red eyes glow like beacons through the dark, poised on Dagny’s face with a loving warmth I’ve never seen from the cruel feline.

“Ah. Look who found their way back.” Malice turns, running his palm over Nya’s arched back, his mouth tipped in a rare, genuine smile. “What have you done with the others?”

Nya meows, turning her head over her shoulder where four other familiars are crawling through the tunnel, their bright eyes wide and searching. Instead of running directly to me, Echo bounds across the floor toward Dagny, stretching up on his hind legs and pressing his shadow-coated paws directly onto her chest. Tinkling laughter bounces off the walls as the wolf spirit laps at her face, a low-toned whine echoing deep within his chest. Comet and Honey follow suit, nuzzling their faces into her sides with their warm greeting, while Nya leaps onto her shoulders. A rumbling purr vibrates into the air as she rubs her fluffy black cheek against Dagny’s, her eyes pinned on Bo—hopping across the floor far behind the others, his ears flopping and whiskers twitching with each hurried movement.

The only one that doesn’t join in the embrace is Syn, Kaebl’s familiar. Her long golden body is curled in the mouth of the tunnel, hidden by the thick shadows swirling within. Before I can comment on it, she slithers away, leaving Dagny and Kaebl behind. When I look at Kaebl, his eyes are fixed on the spot his familiar used to occupy, his mouth pinched in a pained expression.

I think I should go.

“What? Why?” Dagny whips her head over, an aching pang ringing down the bond. “We just sat down.”

I’ve been here too long already. He abruptly pushes to a stand, refusing to look at his mate as he stalks toward the exit. Have a nice time, everyone.

“Wait!” Dagny’s plea has him freezing in place, his shoulders shuddering as he attempts to fight against her power over him. “Why don't you stay for the night? There’s more than enough space…”

I can’t.

The shadows swallow his outline as he steps through the doorway into the central room, his absence marked by a charged silence hanging heavy in the air.

“I suppose I should be going as well.”

Dagny turns her desperate gaze onto Malice, her eyes holding the plea she won’t allow herself to speak. “Malice…”

“Yes, wildfire?”

“I…” She worries her lip, her eyes lowering to her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “ I don’t want you to go, either, ” she whispers. “I don’t… please, can you stay?”

Malice lips part in shock, his chest expanding with a rush of elation as he stares dumbfounded into Dagny’s eyes. “What… what did you say?”

“You heard me,” she murmurs, a rush of heat traveling to her cheeks.

“I know.” Malice turns and takes a step toward the furs, his movements cautious as if any sudden action or sound will cause her to change her mind. “But please… I need to hear it again.”

Malice kneels on the furs in front of her, careful not to disturb any of the familiars as he takes her delicate hands in his. That glowing red orb searches her face, looking for any sign of uncertainty. “ Wildfire… do you really mean it?”

“I do,” she whispers, meeting his heated gaze with a small smile. “If you don’t mind staying.”

“It’s all I’ve been dreaming of,” he answers, his voice an awe-filled hush. “ Nothing would make me happier than to lie next to you, my beautiful mate.”

Her lips spread in a rare smile as she reaches up and cups her palm around Malice’s cheek. His eyes shutter as he leans into her touch, a delighted purr rumbling in his chest. “Come on,” she whispers, patting the bare spot next to her. “Join the cuddle pile.”

A wave of pleasure thrums through the bond, filling all our veins as Malice settles down next to his mate, taking her hand in his and reveling in the feel of her after so long apart. We just sit there for the next few hours, drinking and talking and laughing and trying to forget what will happen in the morning.

And the horrors the new day will surely bring.