Page 124 of The Weaver

There was true fear in Lacey’s green eyes, and Ahmya’s heart hurt for her.

“I can’t make any promises,” Ahmya said with a smile. “But I will try.”

“I will always be her shield,” Rekosh said. “I weave my words into a bond.”

She looked at her mate. His crimson eyes bore as much conviction as his words.

“My turn!” Callie announced, slipping past Lacey to steal Ahmya into her own embrace. “You had us all so worried.”

She eased back and ran her large brown eyes over Ahmya, frowning. “Whathappened?”

Ahmya knew what Callie was seeing, considering her blanket-turned-dress didn’t hide much. Scratches and deep purple bruises covered her skin, and there was a silk bandage wrapped around her forearm where Rekosh had dressed her stab wound.

“It’s…a long story,” Ahmya said. “But I can say that I helped defeat the Queen of Ash and Bone.”

“The what?”

“Let’s just say there were some loyalists of Zurvashi who strung up her remains thinking that she would come back after a few…sacrifices.”

Callie’s eyes widened. “What?”

An alarmed murmur swept through the surrounding vrix as the thornskulls picked up on that name—Zurvashi.

Now standing beside his mate Nalaki, Garahk raised his arms, hushing the crowd. In a booming voice, he declared, “The Blooddrinker Queen is no more. We have slain her followers, and made her into dust.”

Callie’s black brows furrowed as she looked from Garahk to Ahmya. “What’d you do?”

Ahmya grinned. “Set that bitch on fire and sent her back to her grave.”

A laugh burst from Callie as she drew Ahmya in for another hug. “Badass.”

When Callie stepped back, Ivy stood before Ahmya, eyes brimming with tears. A sob escaped her as, holding Akalahn to her chest, she clutched Ahmya in a tight, one-armed embrace.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Ivy said, voice thick. “After losing Ella… I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you too.”

Ahmya’s chest constricted, and tears burned her eyes. Theywere all still mourning the loss of their friend, who’d been taken from them three months ago.

Taken by Zurvashi.

Only Ketahn and his sister, Ahnset, knew what had truly happened, and neither of them had been willing—or able—to describe Ella’s death. But having seen Zurvashi in the flesh, Ahmya and the other humans knew the woman’s end had been horrific and cruel.

What Ahmya had done to Zurvashi’s remains hadn’t taken away her sorrow, but it eased her grief a little to know that Ella would be remembered fondly while the reviled Queen of Ash and Bone was slowly forgotten.

“You didn’t lose me,” Ahmya said softly.

“I’m glad you’re both safe and back with us.” Ivy sniffled and eased back. She offered Ahmya a smile, then chuckled as she wiped her eyes. “I’m also a hormonal mess right now.”

“You just had a baby. There’s also nothing wrong with crying.” Ahmya grinned and peered down at Akalahn, who was wide awake and alert. His violet eyes were bright against the black of his skin, curiously taking in the world around him.

Ketahn whisked Ivy into his arms, making her yelp, and clutched her to his chest. He leaned his head down and nuzzled her face. “But I do not like when my heartsthread cries.”

Ivy laughed and pressed a kiss to his mouth as she curled her arm around his neck. “I missed you.”

“And I missed both of you,” he said after lifting his head, turning his adoring gaze to Akalahn.

Ahmya watched Ketahn stride away with his mate and broodling until Will and Diego approached her.

Diego shook his head as he looked Ahmya and Rekosh over. “Looks like you two had fun out there.”

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