Page 175 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

Alec beams and tells me, “I have planned this evening for years.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You said the stars haven’t aligned for me to be in The Capital for Samhain until now.”

“I did not want to celebrate your birthday this way until The Capital was your home, too.” He stares at me unsure for a beat before adding, “It is your home now, yes?”

Putting both hands on his face, I plant my lips against his. “Yes.”

At that moment the sky lights up with fireworks, colorful sparks shooting across velvety black in loud pops. Alec stands abruptly, bringing me with him. When we reach our feet, he pulls me to him and dips me low. I let out a surprised gasp that he steals with his mouth.

“Happy birthday, Ellya,” he murmurs against my lips. He pulls me back up, exuding pure happiness, and brings his lips to mine again.

I’m suddenly overtaken by being lightened from a lifetime of unfulfillment. A calming peace so bone deep it nearly makes me lightheaded. A warmth soft and bright, smoothing all my frayed edges. I’m filled with endless excitement and joy so pure, I’m sure I’ve never known true happiness before it.

I’m filled with such profound purpose that I believe any possibilities in life are mine for the taking—as long as I have my mate by my side.

And relief. Endless, utterly freeing relief.

I realize Alec is feeding me all those things through his kiss; but they are already familiar to me. Because I know all the same things for him.

He pulls away and surveys me with reverence. “That is what you mean to me.”

Alec’s head lifts to the fireworks in the sky, my eyes trailing after his, and we finish watching the show in silence. When it’s over,the festivities continue to rage on around us, becoming louder and more fervent, Samhain now truly here.

“I have something I would like to show you,” Alec tells me with a mischievous glint in his eye.

I shake my head in disbelief. “I don’t know how on earth you could possibly top the last several gifts you have given me.”

He laughs. “You will learn to always expect me to outdo myself for you. I will never stop trying to win you with grand gestures, even though you are already mine.”

Alec turns quickly, giving me his back and glances over his shoulder. “Hop on,” he says and playfully slaps his shoulder before dropping his arms and wiggling his fingers.

Grinning, I place my hands on his back and leap. He catches me behind the knees, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he starts walking.

“Why don’t we just jump?” I ask in his ear.

“We are not far. And besides,” Alec smiles back at me wickedly, “I cannot resist a reason to have your legs wrapped around me.” I squeeze my thighs against him and bite the side of his neck, making him laugh.

I enjoy the ride through the city, taking in the people still celebrating while the tail of my dress flows and bounces with Alec’s steps. I didn’t realize we had made it so close back to the palace, and after a few blocks, I notice that we’re already back in the Vahnsing District.

The crowds have thinned in the neighborhood, and noise of the celebrations deeper in the city becomes more muted and muffled. The residential streets are peaceful and quiet, like a sleeping child after a day of excitement.

Alec walks past the gate of our private driveway, and I furrow my brow. “Where are we going?”

I hear the smile in his voice when he replies, “You will see.”

We continue to walk down the sidewalk, along the tall privacy fence, until Alec stops suddenly at a large gate and puts me down.

I frown at him. “Another park?”

I’ve been to the small park on the outskirts of our property a few times. I search my brain for any reason why he would want to bring me here, but I come up blank and give him a questioning look. Alec reaches for my hand and places it on the gate before whispering an incantation in my ear and commanding me to repeat it. I do, and the gate swings wide.

“Not a park anymore.”

Alec guides me through the entrance and closes the gate behind us. I gasp at the sight in front of me.

The park is nothing like it was before with its palms and tropical flowers. Instead, it’s littered with large and ancient magnolias, oak trees, and crape myrtles with their trailing pink blooms. A cliff made of mountain rock has been built up, and from it comes a cascading waterfall into a serene pool. I peer down to green grass at my slippered feet, resembling that of a very familiar forest.

I turn to Alec wide eyed. “This looks like Brhadir.”