Page 94 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“The shifters want open access to Niev. If you agree with them, any you cast out can come in freely and harm our family or your, our people. I’m not angry with you. I’m just scared and sad. Donnieand I have never fought before. He’s always had my back, and I know he feels betrayed that I didn’t have his, but I couldn’t. I don’t agree with him.”I looked up at Elias, and I wondered if the bewildered pain I saw in his eyes was a direct reflection of what I looked like.
He slid his hand to the back of my head to cup me from behind.“Cry if you need to cry, mo elma.”His whispered words brushed against my mind in such a tender caress, I couldn’t help the way my emotions spilled out. I pressed my face against his chest while he held me safely caged in his arms.“I’m here.”
Chapter
Eighteen
TEDDY
At some pointduring our private conversation and my meltdown, Kieren and his dad left. The older kids continued setting up camp, but Alastor and our fae friends stayed close.
Sniffling a final time, I looked up at the man who owned every part of me. The concern and affection I saw peering down at me almost undid me. He traced his thumb under my eyes, tucking the last of my tears away.
I loved the way he took care of me. Loved the way it felt to be held against him with his strong arms surrounding me. I just loved him.
“Will telling Alastor our news cheer you up?”he asked.
Not really.“Sure.”I smiled.
He leaned down to kiss my lips before I pried myself off him. I ran my fingers under my eyes, wondering just how puffy and red they were.
His lips lingered on my forehead. “You’re beautiful.”
I bumped my shoulder against his and forced out a dry laugh. “Sure, if by beautiful you mean my face looks like a wreck.”
He dipped his head down, and when I closed my eyes, he pressed soft kisses on either of my eyelids. “I happen to love this face and the female it belongs to.”
If a heart could swoon, that was exactly what mine would’ve done.
Together, we headed toward the small campfire, each of us taking a seat around it. I bit back a smile when Delaney slipped her hand against Javier’s hand. From the light of the fire, I saw how Javier’s eyes widened, and his lips tilted up before he looked back at her.
Alastor pulled out a bag of marshmallows from his inner pocket of magic, along with roasting sticks.
He shrugged when he caught me gaping at him. “The man growing your coffee beans makes marshmallows for me every few weeks.”
I snickered, my heart a little lighter.
After he handed out the sticks, everyone grabbed marshmallows from the bag. I pinched the fluffy snack before I slid it onto my stick. My heart ached that Ryenne wasn’t here to indulge in one of her favorite food groups, but I pushed that thought aside.
We’d be fine—both Ryenne and me, and Donnie and me. This was simply a disagreement. Friends disagreed all the time, and it didn’t mean their friendship was over.
I tasted the doubt I held in my words, but didn’t have it in me to investigate it further.
Alastor was the first to start roasting his. Unlike his first attempt several months ago, his came out perfect. A sweet, caramelized smell wafted in the air, making my stomach pang and mouth water.
“Alastor.” Elias cleared his throat. “I wanted to talk to you about, well, something that I should’ve talked to you aboutwhen we first came back to Niev.” He shifted in his chair to lean forward with his arms over his knees. “I’ve been speaking with Leah, and we think she, along with other healers, can heal the lands that once belonged to the mages. Once it’s healed, or before it’s healed, it’s yours to do with what you like. You and your people can live there.” Elias turned to include Koa and Bon in the conversation. “I’ve never been outside Niev’s borders, but when I was younger, I used to wonder if it was large enough to house as many faeries as you have. We can extend the borders too so you all have ample space to live and thrive. That is, if you want it.”
I took his hand, noting how sweaty his palms were. He was nervous, and it was adorable.
At some point, Alastor had set the bag of marshmallows and his stick on the ground. He sat perfectly still, aside from the slight bob of his throat when he swallowed.
“I think Teddy and I could help heal it.” Alastor turned his gray eyes toward me. “If you want to try. Mage land will respond best to mages.”
“Maybe some of the shifters with mage blood can help too?” I asked.
He smiled one of his unguarded, genuine smiles that showed his teeth. “Maybe.”
“I wish I could offer your people to come live in one of our cities if they chose, but?—”
