Page 67 of Moon Raven Rising
“Something is off about him.” I say, turning in Dax’s arms so I can face him.
“There has been something off about him for years.” He responds, looking at the spot Cano just occupied. A moment of silence passes before he continues. “But I think you’re right. Something else is off…”
“The dark magic they used on me didn’t affect me, but what if that was because of my magic? The way that I can wield all of yours? I think Soren was using the same magic; he was smoking Millard leaves… I’m wondering if it was from the residual effects.” My eyes instinctively follow the path that Cano took when he left, even though I know he won’t be there.
“You think the way he is acting is because of the dark magic he was using? Do you think he is a danger to the others? To you?” The depth of his voice becoming more and more intense. His fingers find my chin, and he turns my head to face him.
“I didn’t say that.”
“I will kill him. If he is a threat to anyone I love anymore, I will end his miserable life.” His jaw ticks as he tries to contain the fury building in him, and I place my hand over the feathering muscle.
“I do believe that he has changed, Dax. I’m not worried that he will be a danger to anyone but himself.” My eyes flick between his, and I see that regardless of what he says, he still cares about Cano in some way. I have no doubt that he would kill him if he hurt anyone else, but he would also take great personal pain in doing so.
“Enough about Cano. We have one night to just be before we are thrust into the unknown. I plan to take full advantage of you.” His lips trail my neck, and he scoops me into his arms, standing abruptly and laughing when I yip in surprise. The sound so foreign that I have to do a double-take.
The sight of his smile, the deep rumble of his laugh. He is so beautiful when he is happy. I love every version of Dax, but his happiness is what I want most for him. So for now, I will take comfort in the fact of knowing that the family we have left is safe for the time being, and I will live in the moment with the one I love. At least for the night.
Chapter fifty-two
If I could carryRaelle away and never look back, I would. If I could cut away a small pocket of the world and bring only those I love so I could protect them and keep them happy, I’d do it.
For now, it seems that one night alone will have to be enough.
“Do you ever dream about the future?” Her voice is like music to my ears. I can’t help but smile as I trail my fingers through the valley between her breasts, down to her navel, and back up again. We barely slept through the night, too busy drinking each other in.
“I can honestly say I never thought much about the future until you.” Saying the words aloud makes me realize just how sad that is. How does a fully grown, ascended Fae not think of the future? When your outlook on your life is bleak, looking ahead can seem futile…
“And now?” She asks, locking my hand in place with hers over her heart. My eyes fix on our joined hands as I think about whatto say. A long moment passes, and though she says nothing, I can feel the pounding rhythm of her heart under my hand as she waits for my words.
“Now, I haveeverythingto look forward to,” I say as I lean down, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. “We will have everything you desire. When this is over, we will build the life we want.Together.”
“I like the sound of that.” She lifts her hand, cupping my jaw and guiding my lips to meet hers once again.
“Dax?” A voice comes from the other side of the tent that was pitched for Raelle and me, and I still.
“Who is that?” Raelle whispers, and I shake my head.
“Get dressed.” I tell her before removing myself from our too-temporary pocket of peace and peeking through the flap, the bright morning light blinding me with its onslaught.
“Something is happening; I think you guys need to see this,” Trent says, taking a step back and pointing toward the caves.
“We will be right there. Don't let anyone go into the caves.” After a dip of his chin, I drop the fabric door of the tent and turn back to face my queen.
“Is everything ok?” She asks. Her forehead wrinkled with unease.
“Trent says something is happening at the caves. I guess at least we got our one night.” I pull her into my arms and tip her head back so I can taste her lips just once more before everything gets thrown into chaos again. “I love you,”
“Dax—”
“We don’t know that the future we talked about will be long and full of life or short and filled with pain and chaos. I won’t go running into another unknown battle without telling you this… You have changed my life so irrevocably. You have to know, but my love for you could withstand any test the fates would place onus, as long as we face them together.” I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her closer to me.
“Well, let’s go show the gods what happens when bonds are fueled with love and forged with the fire it creates.” Wrapping her arms around my middle, she lays her ear over my heart, and I hold onto her for a moment that feels too short before she leans back to look into my eyes. “I love you, husband, in life and death, in peace and chaos. Whatever fate gives us, we will face it together.”
Fate has chosen chaos.
Even though it’s late morning, the sun is now hiding behind a blanket of clouds, and the ice-cold air bites at our skin. We’ve barely reached halfway to the caves when the ground begins to vibrate, but the feeling is not caused by magic. Not like the rumble when Raelle and I were in the caves and the earth moved to allow us to see the pathway within the mountain…
“It’s soldiers… A lot of them.” Trent shouts as he runs forward and ushers us to follow him up a rock face that has been used as a lookout point. “They just came into view. Maki says that they will reach our outer ranks within a few hours at minimum.”
