Page 91 of A Trial of War
I moaned, collapsing as I reached the peak of the mountain and plummeted over the edge.
He lowered himself over me, his teeth scraping my mark as he roared against my neck, coming with me. A wave of love washed through our bond—a connection reestablishing after so much time spent apart in these last weeks.
“That… That was—” I couldn’t finish the thought. Nothing I could say matched how desperately we’d both needed this.
Still seated inside me, Daxton drew me against his chest, leaning in to claim my lips. I smiled into our kiss, reaching behind me to thread my fingers through his hair. This time, I kissed him more slowly, savoring him in this perfect moment together.
“Come on,” he said against my mouth. “Let’s get cleaned up before I leave to retrieve our guests.”
“If we must,” I teased before kissing him once more. “The pasta dish is about done.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Skylar Cathal
The aroma of the meal filled the sitting area outside the library at the Summit Palace. Fresh mozzarella, herbs, and warm bread consumed the space as slices of my pasta dish lay on plates, served along the table in the corner.
There were no silver platters, no polished glasses. Something that was just us. I glanced around the area and smiled to myself, seeing all our friends and family gathered in this special place. They were sprawled across couches and cushions, with a cup of wine or tea in hand, laughter bouncing off the walls like rays of sunlight through stained glass.
It felt right. Real.
No titles, no crowns. Only hearts beating together in the calm before the storm.
I nudged a cushion toward Idris, who cradled Ember in her arms, the tiny newborn blinking up at the firelight with wide and curious eyes.
“Careful with that mug,” I teased. “You don’t want tea spilling on you or the little one.”
“I wish it were wine.” Idris laughed, a warm sound that made my heart sink in a wave of comfort.
“Ah, right,” I said, glancing down at Ember. “Well, I’d say she’s worth the sacrifice.”
Idris smiled, her eyes softening as she looked at Ember’s beaming face.
“I agree,” Adohan said, draping an arm over Idris’s shoulders, his gaze gentle as it rested on Ember. “But I must say, our daughter is only so beautiful because she takes after her mother.”
The baby cooed, tiny fingers stretching toward her mother’s face.
“Yes, little one?” Idris whispered.
Ember’s eyes widened at the sound of her mother’s voice, then darted toward Adohan.
A wide smile spread across his face as he leaned closer. “Let me have her for a moment. I’ll take her for a trip around the room.”
Idris nodded, trusting him completely. He cradled their daughter in his arms before lifting her above his head and spinning her gently through the air.
“She loves that,” Idris said with a sigh. “It’s the same flying game he played with the boys when they were little. They adored it.”
Astro and Finn were already in Solace, looking over our army in preparation for our arrival tomorrow.
“Perhaps she’ll take to the pegasi like her brothers,” I said, smiling as Ember happily cooed in Adohan’s arms. “Causing all kinds of trouble in the skies, I assume.”
Gunnar leaned back against the couch, watching the scene with a grin. “I’m sure she will be a handful. But thankfully, she has all of us to help look after her.”
“You?” Idris arched her brow at Gunnar.
“What? I can’t lie. I have a soft spot for babies. The little toes and noses are so cute.”
“This… coming from the general of Silver Meadows?” I glanced at my cup of wine. “How many of these have you had?”
