Page 59

S omehow that clever master healer manipulated me into leaving Riella’s side again with the promise of sweet buttery pastries and I knew just who he got that information from.

Just the thought of Emon, had my heart fluttering with anticipation and admittedly, I was more excited to see him than I was to sink my teeth into a cherry cream cheese hand pie.

Penina’s arm snaked through mine suddenly, pulling me closer to her lavender swathed body as she greeted the people of Finlandia with energetic acceptance. Leaving me forced to awkwardly smile or nod to the people she stopped to talk to.

My former captain, Xi, trailed alongside us with a wry smile on her face. Enjoying my utter discomfort at being manhandled by the energetic shifter.

I smacked her with my free arm. “You’re enjoying this too much. ”

She raised her singular brow at me, the other half of her face covered once again. “It is a beautiful day and my friend has returned to me. Yes, I am enjoying myself immensely.”

I opened my mouth to tell her just what I thought of her cheeky comment but I was suddenly pressed back into Penina’s side, her conspiratory tone low when she whispered to me.

“So you and the king…” Her big brown eyes sparkled and she wiggled her brows, the gold piercings glinting in the sun.

“The rush of battle.” I formed my words carefully, resisting the happy sigh that wanted to escape me. Fighting alongside Emon’s formidable power was breathtaking. And then that kiss, goddess help me that kiss.

Xi snickered. “Right…I’ve seen you after battles before and never did you fuck the first fae in sight.”

“I did not fuck him!” I punched her hard in the arm.

Uncontrollable giggles bursted from the tiny shifter cuddling against me. The sound catching many frowns as we walked the white stoned paths.

We couldn't get to Griffins Gateau fast enough.

My former captain rolled her visible eye and snorted. “You’re both lucky you had clothes on or that’s exactly what would have happened.”

Penina snickered. “Then, I call that very unlucky.” She patted my arm when I scowled fiercely forwards, not daring to meet their eyes. “That’s not even the best part though. Did you see the look on Tyr’s face?”

Xi laughed outright. “His jaw hung open for almost a whole minute and the bastard actually blushed.”

“Now he was the lucky one. Lucky he didn’t get his head ripped off. I thought Emon was going to rip his head off.” Penina’s brown eyes widened dramatically.

A slow smile spread across my heated face that had nothing to do with the sun. “You both are incorrigible. Besides, I saw the way Tyr was looking at you, Xi. Care to share with us?”

“We are here.” Xi said quickly, turning to the shop and ducking under the shade.

Penina giggled. “I wish you the best of luck in understanding those three.”

I gave the shifter a side glance. “Three?”

She hummed. “Riley, Tyr, and Xi, of course. It is quite a conundrum. ”

I glanced over at my former captain who opened the door, ignoring our low whispers.

When the aroma of fresh baked bread, warm spices, and chocolatey sweetness caused my mouth to water, I filed away my intrigue for a later time.

Goddess, that smell, it almost smelled like Emon but not quite as delicious.

I jumped when Penina released me, supporting herself on her knees as she howled with uncontrollable laughter once more.

Xi’s eye was wide on her face and there was a blush spreading across her olive skin.

“Did I miss something?” I frowned with genuine confusion.

“The king…” Penina gasped, her soulful brown eyes sparkling with mirth, “the king smells…” she laughed harder. “...delicious.”

This time the blood drained from my face. “No….I didn’t say that out loud…please tell me I didn’t say it out loud?”

Xi yanked on her white hair to cover more of her heated face. “Rush of battle eh?”

Shadows burst around me. “For goddess sakes! I blame you both for this!” I practically ran into the shop to hide the utter embarrassment I had created for myself.

Penina’s laughter lowered. “Shit. She isn’t going to kill us is she?” I heard her say behind me.

“Naw, if Rem wanted to kill you, she’d let you know beforehand.” Xi said dryly.

“That’s a relief.” Penina said with genuine consolation.

I silently chuckled and shook my head. Xi wasn’t wrong but it still didn’t stop the slight sadness I felt that Penina feared me.

When I met the eyes of the large baker, Drey cowering on the back wall, I stilled.

His eyes were trained on my shadows swarming around me.

Waving my hand I snapped them out of existence but the damage was already done.

If the baker was afraid of me the first time I arrived in his shop then today he was right terrified.

“I’m so sorry, Drey, I mean you no harm. We just came for the delicious hand pies you sold me yesterday. It was truly the best pastry I have ever had.”

His massive frame did not relax. Someone his size could crush a skull with a single hand and yet he kneaded bread instead. His aura was the most beautiful lightest shade of pink. An aura of the heart—tender, kind, sensitive.

“Gggeneral Dark.” Drey stammered, wiping his gigantic flour covered hands on his apron nervously, stepping towards the door-wall away from me. “How—” He swallowed. “How can I help you?”

My chest tightened at his obvious fear in his dark eyes, all he saw was a monster, and suddenly I could not take a breath.

“I’m sorry.” I choked and stumbled back. The walls of the bakery seemed to shrink around me and I felt the gripping clutches of panic start to take hold.

“Good morning Drey!” Penina rushed past me, bringing the terrified shifter’s attention onto her as she hopped the counter and jumped into his flour dusted arms.

Drey laughed nervously and then stammered an apology for getting flour all over her lavender finery.

My hand clutched at my chest and I turned, stumbling again towards the door. I needed to leave this place.

Xi was suddenly in front of me. Her hands gripping my shoulders firmly, her voice gentle. “You’re safe here Rem.” She stooped to draw my panicked gaze to her. “Breathe with me. In and out. In and out. The ground is firm beneath your feet, always steady.”

My vision blurred and I felt the trembling in my body start to climb.

Then the distant roaring in my ears started again, the same tortured sound of someone in pain.

Through wheezing breaths, I rasped. “No…no one is safe—around me.” Tears pooled in my eyes and the pressure in my chest felt like it was going to burst.

“Think of the king.” She brushed aside the tears. “What does he smell like again? Breathe in that, know that.”

I attempted to glare at her but through my tears I saw no humor, just concern and concentration.

“Close your eyes, Rem. Think of him and breathe.”

Whimpering, I closed my eyes. Through the thundering of my pulse I could just smell the faintest aroma of spice and chocolate. It wasn’t quite as potent as Emon’s scent but it was enough to ground myself from the uncontrollable spin my panic had triggered.

I focused on the roughened feel of his fingertips tracing my palm calmly, the gentle timber of his voice when he laid the cù-sìth mother and cub to rest, the way he watched his family with gratitude for the moment he was in, the sound of his chuckle when the shadows played with him, and then the smaller moments.

The moments when his golden eyes captured me so thoroughly that the fierce devotion and immeasurable love he coveted for only me was so simple to see.

The why I could not face and did not understand.

I took a deep gasping breath and then slowly exhaled.

“Little umbra.” The sexy growl of his voice forced my eyes to open and I held myself rigid to not sink with the pure relief his presence brought me.

Concern crinkled at the edges of his eyes as he crouched low to meet my weary stare. A lock of hair fell across his rugged face giving him that boyish charm that I had no defense against.

“Emon.” My voice trembled.

“I think we will take five hand pies now that the king has joined us, Drey!” Penina called in the background.

Emon reached down for my fisted hands, his eyes never leaving mine while he unfurled my clenched fingers, and with the pad of his thumb traced soothing circles into them. “You’re okay now Remnant. I’ll always be here for you, little umbra.”

I inhaled at the unguarded look he held just for me. “I believe that now.” My fingers curled around his. “I am okay. Thank you.” I said softly and then I glanced over at Xi who had taken watch by the window. “Xi. I—”

She gave me a sardonic look. “I had a friend once who reached into the jaws of a basilisk because she noticed that it had a rotten tooth that needed to be removed. That very same basilisk had been terrorizing every small fae town on the coast for months, and yet, instead of killing it, she decided to help it. Its venom could have seared off her arm. Its fire could have burned her body to ash. Its eyes could have turned her to stone. Instead, the damned thing bowed its head in thanks and slithered off back to the deep mountains of its home to never be heard from again. I thought you to be the bravest fae then. Crazy. But brave.” Xi’s voice broke.

“But now, I think you are the most valiant being in this entire universe and not because of what you can do but in spite of it. You owe me no explanation, General. You never will.”

I blinked back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

Emon cleared his throat and pulled me into his side. “Good morning Drey.”

The baker looked up from Penina’s flirtatious attention and regarded the king, glancing down at his hand still holding mine and then back up at the king himself.

“Your majesty…you honor me by coming here not once, but two days in a row. Thank you.” He bowed his large head, the heavy braids of his hair falling over his shoulders.

Emon grinned widely and kissed my hand in front of him.

“You have General Dark to thank for that one, Drey. She has proclaimed you the best baker she has ever had the pleasure of meeting and she has a penchant for sweet things, like I do.” He purred, winking down at me.

“Do you still have that quaint little garden alcove in the back? I do remember it being the best place to cool off on a hot day.”

“Yes, of course, your majesty!” Drey beamed at him.

“Lovely.” The shifter king smiled. “We will take a tour then.”