Page 160 of Crown of Slumber

He flinched from the harshness of my tone. “Aurelia, please?—”

“Our alliance will remain intact, but only if youtake your forces andgo.” This was more mercy than he deserved. Fire burned within me, begging for me to slice open his throat for attacking Fenn.

But I needed to be diplomatic. And Fenn had been right—my court needed allies.

Callan nodded stiffly, then turned to a soldier and muttered something. The soldier shouted orders through the cavalry, and row by row, the forces began retreating, turning back toward their castle.

I stood, watching them go with a stony expression. Callan looked at me, his mouth opening as if to say something. But my glare had him closing his mouth and turning away from me without a word.

Together, Mal, Fenn, and I remained standing in the grass, our eyes never leaving the retreating army. Even long after they vanished from view, we stood there, unmoving.

At long last, I let my shoulders droop, overcome with fatigue. In seconds, Fenn had me gathered against his chest, crushing me in a tight embrace.

“Gods above, Aurelia,” he murmured, stroking my hair, his hand cradling the back of my head as he held me. “I love you. I love you with all my heart. I should have said it before.”

I sagged against him, letting him hold me as if he could piece together every part of my shattered soul. I inhaled his delicious cool mint scent, memorizing the warmth of him, the feel of his hands on me.

“I love you, too,” I whispered, feeling fresh tears drip down my face.

He withdrew to look me over, his eyes full of concern. “Are you hurt? Did she hurt you?”

“My shoulder was injured, but when I awoke from the dreamscape, it had healed. I think passing through the realms brought some of the witches’ healing magic with me. Or it was my dragon magic.”

“So, she is really dead? The Dream Mage?”

I nodded. “I watched the life leave her eyes, Fenn. It’s done.”

He laughed in amazement, then drew me in again, bringing my lips to his. His mouth claimed me, his tongue pressing between mylips as he infused all his desperation and emotions into that singular, bruising kiss.

When he withdrew, he pressed his forehead to mine, and I focused on the feel of his breath, his heartbeat pulsing in time with mine.

A cacophony of roars filled the air, and we broke apart to find Jorey and four other dragons flying toward us. I grinned widely, waving them toward us.

As soon as Jorey landed, he pounced on Fenn. Fenn yelped, falling to the earth as Jorey licked his cheek.

A delighted laugh burst from me as I surveyed the others—the twins, a pair of auburn dragons named Calliope and Desdemona, a crimson dragon named Leo, and a tall bronze dragon named Raddigan.

I surged toward my dragons, arms spread wide as they nudged closer to me. Calliope pressed her snout into my shoulder, and Desdemona tenderly licked my ear. Tears pricked at my eyes as I embraced them. Part of me hadn’t believed I’d really communicated with them. Part of me feared I had imagined the whole thing.

But they were here. They had heard my call and come to my aid.

“The army has left,” I told them. “We are safe. Thank you for coming to assist us.”

Calliope purred, nuzzling further into me. For a moment, I did nothing but hold my dragons, reassuring myself that they were here, they were unharmed, and we had saved the kingdom. Just for this moment, I needed that peace.

“What happens now?” Fenn asked. He had risen to his feet and was scratching under Jorey’s chin.

I turned to look at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“You got your memories back. Your kingdom is safe. What will you do?” A rare note of vulnerability laced his tone.

I drew closer to him and pressed the flat of my palm against his cheek, feeling the prickle of stubble on his face. “Now, we return to my court and ensure the curse is broken. I’ll introduce you to my family as my betrothed. And then, we plan our wedding.”

A slow smile spread on his face. “You—You wish to marry me? Even after everything?”

I kissed him again, long and sensuous, my tongue sliding alonghis lower lip with agonizing slowness. He shuddered, a growl building in his throat as his hands came around my waist, gripping me firmly.

“Yes,” I whispered against his lips. “I will marry you, Fenn. If you’ll have me.”

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