Page 42 of My Salvation

Aiden looked out at the men. “You have no idea how much your presence will help. Thank you.” He placed his hand over his heart and gave a bow.

Every unit warrior around the room placed their hands over their hearts and did the same.

The Vanguard looked stunned.

Reston waved his hands about. “Sir… please don’t.”

Aiden grinned and straightened. “I can and I will. As unit warriors, we are sworn to protect the people of the pillar cities, but the Vanguard have already done their duty and served. You’re volunteering to join the fray. You have my utmost respect and gratitude.”

Reston, like the men around him, swallowed hard and nodded their acceptance.

“Can we eat now?” Meryn demanded, breaking the silence.

Cas shook her head. That woman had impeccable timing.

The shift from mauve-colored embarrassment to a heather-colored appreciation was a relief.

Priest squeezed her hand. “Want to leave a bit early?”

She scanned the room. Everyone seemed to be in a good place. Smiling, she nodded. “Maybe swing by the warrior villa so you can grab some things, then head to House Illiya? I’d like to spend my first night back there.”

“Sounds like a plan to me. Let’s go.”

*****

When they walked through the door Eion met them in the foyer. He looked pleased. “I was not sure where you would go tonight, but I prepared your room just in case.”

Cas frowned. Her childhood room had been wonderful growing up, but she wasn’t sure it’d be large enough for the two of them.

“Cassie, I had your things moved years ago to the master suite,” Eion said gently, accurately guessing her concerns.

Every muscle in her body tensed. “But, mother and father…”

He shook his head. “They deliberately moved to the east wing after you left. All the furniture in the master suite is what they picked out for you. Over time I updated the bedding and, of course, the electronics as they came available.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “They knew you would come home and wanted to ensure that you could take over House Illiya without feeling any sadness.”

“Where did they…”

Eion smiled. “In the garden, of course.”

Priest pulled her close, and she took comfort in the warmth from his body. “Is this something you want?” he asked.

She turned to meet Eion’s eyes. He nodded slowly. “I promise you, their things have been packed away for you to look at later. You will be pleasantly surprised, I think.”

She exhaled. “I want to see what they did for me,” she confessed, looking up into Priest’s dark golden eyes. At first, she thought they were brown, they were so dark, but she loved the fact that they were gold.

“Then let us go see our new bedroom.” He grinned and did a mock two-step toward the stairs.

She felt all the tension in her body dissipate as she joined him. “You make me happy.”

“Good, because I know I don’t deserve you, so making sure you’re happy and stay happy is my lifelong goal.”

“Goodnight, children. See you in the morning.” Eion bowed, then walked back toward the kitchen.

She led her mate up the stairs and toward the left into the west wing. The master suite was at the end of the long hallway and took up the breadth of the home on one side. When they reached the door, she hesitated.

“Shall I?” he asked.

She nodded, and he swung the door open. He reached around inside the room on the wall for a few seconds before the light came on. She could only stare. “It’s so different.”

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