Page 159 of Song of Her Siren

Chapter Twenty-Six

Shiri

My eyes flew open atthe sound of wyverns squawking overhead. I smiled, remembering how I’d driven away both Enso’s and Arabella’s demons last night with Blaze by my side. Malvolia had wanted me to wait to heal Arabella and use her demon as leverage against Megaera, but I couldn’t do that to her after she’d saved the children.

Now only Drae was left, and I would heal him this morning when Tari visited, just in case we needed her to bring back his spirit. The bed swayed when I rolled into Nikkos’s arms, his feathers tickling my back as he slept peacefully beside me. I’d heard Blaze slip away a few minutes earlier and already missed him. He’d been so wonderfully supportive of me through all this. I didn’t know how I would’ve managed without him. Hearing footsteps downstairs, I wrinkled my nose when the heady smells of butter and onions wafted into our cocoon. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that powerful magic took lots of food.

“Shiri?”

I sat up, my hair falling over Nikkos’s bare chest while he peered at me through eyes thick with sleep. I gently stroked his face. “Good morning, darling.”

He blinked at me. “The children?”

“Are safe with their mother,” I answered.

“Thank the Elements.” He sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “What happened?”

“You were attacked by dragons.” I repressed a shiver, thinking how close I’d come to losing my sweet mate.

He sat up on his elbows, his gaze drifting to the curtains that hung over our bed. “Is Finn okay?”

“Yes.”

“Thank the Elements,” he said with a groan, falling onto his back. He dragged his hands down his face. “Where are Blaze and Drae?”

“Blaze should return momentarily.” I tensed, dreading telling him about his oldest brother. “Drae was locked in the dungeon after a demon bit him.”

He shot up with a gasp, looking at me with grief-stricken, wide eyes. “What?”

I flattened my hand against his chest, managing a weak smile. “I’ve learned the spell to banish demons, but this demon in him is powerful.” My voice broke on a plea. “I need your love to help me heal him.”

He grasped my hand, kissing my knuckles. “I’m here for you.”

A sob escaped me as I threw my arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re back.” I kissed his smooth cheek. “I was so worried about you.”

When he wrapped his arms and wings around me, I melted into his warm embrace. We broke apart when both of our stomachs loudly rumbled.

“Are you as famished as I am?” I asked.

Licking his lips, he waggled his brows. “For food and for you.”

Desire heated my veins as I traced the flaming tattoos along his chest. “Food first.” I bit my lip, ogling him while batting my lashes. “And then you can fly me back to bed.”

He swept me into his arms with a growl, kissing me deeply. I wanted so badly to make love to him now, but he needed nourishment first. Reluctantly, I pulled away, murmuring against his mouth. “Do you have the strength to fly us down?”

He pressed his lips to my forehead. “Of course.”

He flew us down, and Blaze joined us, sharing a tearful reunion with his brother. We greedily piled our plates with all kinds of food, stealing bacon from each other while sharing a goblet of juice. As much as I complained about the waste of food in Malvolia’s court, I was grateful for the spread this morning. Between the three of us, we’d eaten nearly everything.

Afterward, we curled up on the sofa by the hearth. I sat in Nikkos’s lap, stealing kisses while Blaze rubbed my feet. Though I was relieved to have Nikkos back, my stomach churned, dread icing my veins while I thought of confronting the demon inside Drae.

Blaze’s dark gaze settled on me. “You okay?”

I placed a hand on my roiling gut. “Nervous.”

Nikkos wrapped his arms around my waist, murmuring in my ear. “We’re here for you.”

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