Page 117 of Defy the Fae

At the same time, our brother vaults to her. And he seems to have forgotten his injuries, the endless weight of his wings. Neither of them gives a solid fuck.

Halfway across the expanse, they fling themselves at each other. Their movements are succinct, Lark’s body slamming into Cerulean’s, and his arms snapping around her.

Their heads burrow into one another’s necks, frames shaking, breaths uneven.

“Lark,” he whispers harshly. “Minn ó Lark.”

“Cerulean,” Lark shudders over and over, lurching back to ply his face with kisses. “I thought I’d lost you. I love you so mu—”

Her words are silenced by Cerulean’s mouth, which captures her in a long-suffering kiss. Lips and tongues invade my hearing. These fated mates have never been subtle in their displays.

Now I have no clue where to direct my attention. The last resort is Puck, which I have opinions about. It does not take a genius to know he’s admiring the scene with another of his pompous smirks.

I’m glad for these reunions. Nevertheless, a grunt drops from my mouth.

I peek at the huddle across from me. Cove is resting her head on her father’s shoulder, but while the other two participants are clearly savoring Lark and Cerulean’s reunion, my lady’s gaze is on me.

I see relief that I’m unscathed. I see comfort that I’ve returned my brother to her sister. I see something unconditional.

Those glittering eyes drown my being as she mouths,I love you.

The rhythm of my heart shifts. I love her more.

But has she forgiven me? Can I ever forgive myself?

After a moment, Cerulean whispers something. Lark drags herself from him and rushes to her family. I listen to the hug expand, arms folding and squeezing.

Thorne heaves the final name—“Lark”—as though it’s made of air. Sniffles and congested breaths overwhelm the enclave.

Finally, Lark inches back. There’s a teary but snarky tilt to her voice. “Took you long enough, Papa.”

Thorne chuckles and sucks up his tears. “The best things do.”

I sense Puck tipping his head down, mirth crooking his lips. He likes that answer.

A slender body slithers up my calf. Its presence nudges a smile from my mouth, so that I squat and offer the water snake my bent arm. Lotus twines himself around me and rattles off a small, appreciative hiss. He senses Cove’s mood and is pleased by it.

“And who’s that?” Thorne muses with recognition.

Cove laughs at the prompt. “He followed me here. We found out his name is Lotus.”

“Here, I’d thought the little rascal simply discovered a way out of the sanctuary after you left.” Thorne clears his throat. “It seems he approves of your, erm, suitor.”

My head jolts toward the word. “I am not her suitor. I am her lover.”

Cove squeaks, a blush darting up her cheeks.

My frown deepens. What did I say wrong?

Puck tsks. “Might want to pace yourself, luv.”

I grumble, “You did no better from the moment you darkened the threshold.”

“Aww, come on. Everyone eventually loves me, including you.” He blows me a wet kiss, which I do not reciprocate.

“Not lover in the sense that it’s temporary,” Cove rushes to explain to her father. “What he means is lover in the permanent sense. Or rather, not that I would choose someone temporarily, or that it’s bad to do that. But well, this is somethingmore.”

She crosses to my side and cups my jaw. I want to burrow my face in that soft palm but restrain myself as she takes my hand, the temperature of her fingers seeping into my skin. “This is my Elixir.”

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