Page 99 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

She tipped the quaich to her lips with both hands as she heard Artem say, “Careful, Empress, it’s strong.”

That spurred her on to drink the full vessel dry. Another cheer erupted from the clan. She handed the vessel back to Artem with a cocky smile. “I know what it is. But I am a Blacksteel now.”

A flare of pride flashed in Torin’s eyes, and he took a step closer to her. “In this body, I will die, but what my heart feels for you will be eternal, Emara. Even when my bones are dust and my soul twinkles amongst the stars, what I feel for you will not change.” His fingers coasted down her arm and he took her hands in his. “I am forever yours. And you are forever mine.”

Emara’s breath caught in her chest, and before she could say anything back to him, his mouth was on hers. His hand slid around her waist, pulling her into him, and she melted into the kiss, falling against his chest. The cheering of the crowd faded and it was just the two of them in the universe. Just Torin Blacksteel kissing her, floating between the pink and golden clouds. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave in to his demanding mouth as it sent flames down her spine. He pushed a large hand into her hair, and tingles spread all over her body. Her spine curved so that her body arched into him, and he greedily took everything he could get from her.

A cough came from their officiant. “That’s enough, you two.”

“It’s never enough,” Torin whispered, only to her, not breaking away from their kiss entirely.

A little bashful, she pulled back to see Artem Stryker grinning from ear to ear.

“It is my utter pleasure to say that I now pronounce you husband and wife,” he announced.

Her lashes fluttered shut as white rose petals rained down on them. She turned to face the crowd and saw Sybil’s hands in the air, controlling the flow of petals that fell from above them. Her eyes were brilliant with delight, and a giant smile breached her lips. Emara mouthed, “Thank you,” and the Empress of Earth grinned wider, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Artem leaned in again, catching her attention. “I would say it’s time to kiss your bride, but you took that liberty yourself, Tori-boy.”

“I couldn’t wait a moment longer.” Torin’s gaze didn’t leave Emara’s face.

“Well, on that note, let’s get pissed.” Artem called out, and laughter bellowed all around them. “I am starving, though. Let’s eat first, shall we?”

Emara let out a choked laugh, relief spilling from her heart. “Yes, let’s.”

As Emara walked through the congratulating crowd, holding her husband’s hand, she wondered how she could make this happiness last forever.

The stars of Caledorna watched them dance, sing, and rejoice, but Breighly was sure that the night creatures prayed to the Gods they would stop soon. Emara had disappeared with Torin just moments ago, taking time to themselves, and as Breighly watched them leave hand in hand, an envious streak pulled apart her heart.

She wasn’t envious of them—the Gods knew they deserved whatever happiness they had left—but when she looked at them, she wanted what they had. Emara had looked so beautiful as she walked to where Torin had stood at the edge of Lake Rhiannon. Her hair had been braided with flowers and her beautiful dress had trailed behind her like a sparkling snowdrop. She had looked at peace as she walked towards the man she would spend the rest of her life with. And she had never seen Torin Blacksteel so smitten in her whole life. His eyes had burned brighter than the sun as she had walked towards him.

She had witnessed the Empress of Air marry the Commander of the Blacksteel Clan, and that was epic as fuck.

The Wolf Moon was just one night away, and it was clear the clan was feeling her effects. The men were either blindingly drunk or edging towards a witch, drawn to feel the touch of someone under the mating moon. Even though the alcohol had started to make her bones a little soft, she knew that what she really needed was a decent run under the moonlight. She always felt the need to shift into wolven form when the moon was swollen; it made the Shifter magic tingle through her veins and her feral heart thump louder in her chest.

Moving silently into the forest, Breighly removed all of her clothing and let the moon soak in her bareness. It felt incredible to take off her tunic and drop her weapon belt from her hips to the grass. A gentle breeze washed over her skin, and she sighed in relief. Her eyes closed and she blocked out all the distant chatter in the background. She was finally alone. She was comfortable being naked, but what she really longed for right now was to be running on all fours as fast as she could until the beams of the moon’s magic couldn’t keep up with her. Finally, she shrugged off her boots and felt the light touch of air swarm around her ankles and toes. The pads of her feet found the mossy earth, and she took in a huge breath, releasing it with a smile.

Shifting, she made off as swift as an arrow.

There was no target, no goal, only trees, moss, and the feeling of the earth beneath her paws. Even the other wildlife cleared a path for her. She veered to the left and then to the right as the branches of the trees combed her face.

To feel the summer air carrying the starlight through her fur was exactly the medicine she needed. She could smell the pine trees and the swirling smoke from the campfire. Breighly could taste the summer berries growing around her, their sweetness on the wind as it hit her lips. And the sound of her paws bounding on the slightly damp moss was ritualistic as it matched the rhythm of her heart.

But it would have felt more wholesome had Roman been with her, snapping at her ankles to be quicker. She wished Eli were running alongside her, racing Waylen to be at the head of their pack.

She ceased as a tight pain went through her heart, her paws skidding on the ground. She dug her claws into the earth and finally halted.

They wouldn’t be together again, not all of them. Eli was gone.

Forever.

And it was unbearable.

A broken howl shattered through her throat, and her neck craned back as she called up to the moon or Vanadey or anyone that would listen to the pain in her cry.

Why would the Gods let the Dark Army take Eli? He had been one of the good ones. He was an integral member of the pack, a great wolf through and through. He was the most mellow and charming of her brothers, kind and affectionate, always protecting her.

And he had met with such a violent end.

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