Page 110 of A Reign of Malice
I glance up at Julian, suspicious. He only smirks in return, his expression saying,I told you so.
“Thank you,” I reply. “It’s been a lot of work, but honestly? It’s been more fun than I expected. Building something new and lasting, making a home for everyone, not just ourselves, it’s nothing we could have prepared for.”
“Well, you nailed it,” Estee says. “What you two haveaccomplished and recovered from in the last year is more than most others could have only dreamed of.”
“I second all their compliments.” Isla briefly glances around. “It might not have hurt to move the dining room closer to the front, though.”
I inch closer to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I would be happy to carry you.”
“Hey.” Asher scoops her up without hesitation. “That’s my job.”
She snuggles into him, closing her eyes, and the way he trembles from her closeness has me grinning even wider.
We’re all the luckiest shifters in Lunara.
Later that night,after Isla has had her nap, Landon has been fed and put to bed, and the men have been appeased, it’s finally our girl time.
We take over the sunroom, which Clara insisted we outfit with massive floor cushions, floating candles, and an enchanted ceiling that reflects the night sky even when it’s storming. Tonight, the stars twinkle just for us. The wind hums through the open windows, brushing against gossamer curtains as we pass around sweet wine and a tray of spiced pastries Estee brought from Selaris.
“I swear,” Isla groans, stretching her legs over Clara’s lap, enjoying her orange juice instead. “If these twins don’t start respecting my bladder soon, I’m going to shift just to give my organs some space.”
“Can you even do that right now?” Estee asks, raising a curious brow as she reaches for another pastry. “You’d probably roll instead of run.”
“Oh, bite me.” Isla snorts, flipping her off, then grins. “Actually, don’t. I’d probably enjoy it too much with these hormones.”
Clara chokes on her wine.
“Gods,” I say, laughing and fanning myself. “This is exactly what I needed. Do you know how long it’s been since I had time to just sit and breathe? Not be queen or mate or anything other than me?”
“You’ve earned it,” Clara says, nudging my foot with hers. “You all have. For once, we’re not racing to survive. We’re just here living.”
The words settle around us like a comfort. We sip and snack and slip into easy conversation. Estee tells us about how Theo cried the first time Landon said ‘papa’ and how she caught him sobbing in the nursery for a solid ten minutes after putting the baby down last week.
“He tried to say the tears were from a training injury,” she says, deadpan. “The manlimpedaway from the crib.”
Clara rolls her eyes. “Men are such babies when it comes to emotions.”
“Says the woman who’s already punched two of our guards forlookingat her man,” Isla teases.
She merely shrugs. “Those women lookedtoo long.”
Laughter bubbles around the room like magic. For a while, none of us speak. Instead, we soak up one another’s company and listen to the soft crackle of the fire mixed with the lull of distant waves.
There’s peace here. Real, honest peace.
“I still can’t believe we made it,” I say after a beat, voice softer now. “That we’re all here. Together and safe.”
“We didn’t just survive,” Estee replies. “We built something lasting to be proud of.”
“That was our job all along,” Isla adds, her hand protectively over her stomach. “To get here so that our kids will never know the world we had to burn in order to give them this one.”
That’s when we hear it.
Footsteps. Heavy, familiar.
The door swings open, and four imposing men file in like they’ve been summoned by fate—or, more likely, hunger.
“You ladies done yet?” Julian asks, looking at me like he might just devour me in front of everyone. “Because I’ve given you three hours, and now I miss my mate.”
