Page 283 of Lady of Starfire

He shifted some, and then she was being jostled, as if he were going to pass her off to someone. Odd, but she didn’t fight him. Cassius would hold her just as tightly. Cyrus. Eliza. Rayner.

But there was no ash or smoke to fill her senses when new arms wrapped around her.

This was spring rain and pine.

This was—

She jerked her head up, looking into hazel eyes with flecks of green. Brown hair. High cheekbones and a soft smile.

“Callan?”

“You did it, Scarlett,” he said, his voice gruff and hoarse.

“You’re alive?” she managed, reaching up to cradle a cheek.

“Seems that way,” he said with a huff of laughter.

“You’re alive,” she repeated, her own laugh of disbelief escaping. “You’re alive.”

She didn’t care how, only that it was real.

She threw her arms around his neck, and he returned her embrace. He didn’t belong in her darkness. That had always been truth. But he had always been a light for her. The first glimpse of the stars in a void of unending dark. Despite the mess they had become, despite the crowns they now bore, despite the new loves and partners, this would remain. A bond forged between two kindred souls.

A soulmate.

Chapter50

Talwyn

It was still jarring to wake up in the Fiera Palace.

She hadn’t stayed here in decades, and now Talwyn was waking up in a guest suite.

Even more strange was having Azrael beside her. The strange part wasn’t him in her bed, of course. But having him at the Fire Court after so much animosity between all of them was…

Well, it would take getting used to.

She felt out of sorts these days anyway. She did not really have a place to call home anymore. The White Halls were reserved for the Fae Queen of the Eastern Courts. To be honest, Talwyn didn’t think she could stomach living there anymore, even if it was an option. So many memories. So much guilt and grief and anger in those Halls.

She had just finished braiding back her hair when Azrael came into the room. He had been in some meeting or other. Something she was no longer invited to, and that was fine. She was more than happy to be here, resting and healing. She was, however, anxious to go see Thorne in the Wind Court.

“How are you feeling?”

She sighed in annoyance. “I am fine, Az. Just as I have been every other time you ask this.”

Talwyn hadn’t been able to fight in that final battle in Windonelle. Briar and Ashtine had appeared, said Azrael was needed, and they were gone. Less than a minute. That’s how long it had taken. She had still been sitting at the table with a fork halfway to her mouth when Azrael had met her gaze. He hadn’t said anything. They rarely did. She saw it all in his eyes.

It was an hour later when a wind portal had appeared and Ashtine came through. She’d smiled softly, and together the two of them had sat and waited for two Fae Princes to come back alive.

She stood from the mirrored vanity table, flicking her braid over her shoulder. Comfortable pants and a tunic. That had become her daily attire as she slipped her stockinged feet into boots. “Can we go see Thorne now?”

“There are some things to be discussed first,” Azrael said, watching her carefully.

“Can they not be discussed elsewhere?”

“They are waiting for us.”

“Who is they?”

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