Page 54 of Savage Crown
Cassian was standing there with…
“Fiona!”
I rushed forward to hug the heavily pregnant woman, her belly pressing warm against me.
“Got room for one more?” she asked.
“Always.”
I stepped aside as she slipped past me and headed to the dining room.
Cassian waited in the doorway, watching me with a look of relief that softened his whole face.
“Elia said you were okay, but it’s a relief to see it in person,” he said.
I pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you for everything. You’re a good friend.”
When we pulled back, he was smiling, though there was a shadow beneath it.
“I am. So does that mean I’m invited to the wedding?”
He pointed to the Aerlyn band on my finger.
I blushed. We hadn’t talked about it.
“No wedding.”
What was the point of a fancy dinner and dancing? Kaelric was mine, and I was his. That was enough.
“I’m happy for you,” he said.
Damn, he was the nicest man I’d ever met.
“Thank you, Cassian.”
He slipped inside and followed me back to the table, where my mom had pulled out two more chairs. They sat down, and we began to eat and tell stories. Candlelight flickered over the walls, and the room filled with laughter.
We ate pumpkin bread and pumpkin soup because they were in season and plentiful, and everyone took seconds, especially Fiona, who ate with unapologetic joy. My heart was full.
Having people over for dinner used to be a stress. We never did because we never had enough food to go around. Now my mother was joyously pushing more food at Fiona, telling her she was eating for two, her cheeks glowing.
I glanced at Kaelric.‘Hildreth is a special place.’
He nodded.‘My mother thought so as well.’
His mother. Valkaryn.
She was stuck in the well while I sat around laughing and enjoying my newly healed body.
And Elia’s mom was a… a captive of that monster, Harrow.
Dinner sat heavy on my tongue.
I wiped my mouth, placing my napkin down on the table and facing Kaelric.
‘This time with my family has been nice, but I’m ready to give you your crown back now.’
His lips curled.
