Page 75 of Masked Fate

His lip twitches. “Yes, I’d like kids. Wouldn’t you?”

“I mean, yes,” I reply, licking my icy lips. “One day.”

I’ve never really thought about it too much because I never thought this would be a reality for me. Bending down, I let go of Soren’s hand to pick up a handful of snow. Shaping it into a ball, I scoot away from him, throwing the snowball at his face, then hide behind the tree.

Soren laughs, a deep sound that brings a smile to my mouth. “I like the chase, little witch. Or have you forgotten?”

“I haven’t forgotten anything,” I reply, preparing another snowball. “I remember what you said. ‘That shit is like foreplay for me.’” I imitate his deep tone, and he laughs harder.

The sound is just what this castle needs.

And then I run into the forest, and my tracker chases.

***

“I mean, you really won against the old Witch Queen,” I hear Rave tell Soren as I step into the dining hall, a smirk playing on his lips.

I raise my brows. “This I have to hear.”

Rave laughs. “Your half-fae kids will be next in line for the throne. We’re slowly taking over, one kingdom at a time.”

“Hey, your kids will have succubus and angel blood in them,” Astrid points out, grinning. “Sorry for diluting your line, shadow daddy.”

Rave’s eyes flicker with heat, and Soren and I share a look. I roll my eyes, and his lip twitches. “My beautiful mate,” he murmurs, standing up and holding his hand out to me. Since we’ve been in our own bubble, coming back here has been a dash of cold, hard reality.

Rave killed Declan.

Milana is still in the dungeon.

August is a fucking mess.

And with the warlord’s death, we have brought war upon us.

Soren’s hand intertwines with mine.

I look up at him, taking in his handsome profile.

Not all is lost.

I’m dressed in leather, ready for an impending battle.

Sinda steps into the room, Nico by his side, their shoulders touching. They are dressed for war, armed with swords and daggers. “They are on the move.”

I only have one dagger on me.

I don’t need weapons.

I’m my own weapon.

“How many?” Rave asks, kissing the top of his mate’s head.

“They have about a thousand soldiers,” Nico replies, his jaw tensing. “Maybe more. Sage was right. And we don’t know what magic we are dealing with. We have about six hundred warriors.”

Rave nods, slightly turning to me, and I nod in return.

I can even those odds.

“How much time do we have?” I ask.

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