Page 90 of Beyond the Storm
Elasus joined our lips before withdrawing one of his hands from mine. He then reached into his pocket and pulled something out but kept it enclosed in his fist. Curious, I stared. He was full of surprises that day. Anticipation built in my chest. Excitement did too.
“It occurred to me that although we were wed all those years ago, we never had rings.” Elasus knelt in front of me and kissed my knuckles before opening his fist and revealing a silver ring. The band was flat and had a black stone at the top. “So I made this for you. Forged with titanium steel with a black star sapphire. A date is engraved on the inner band. 394 BC. That’s how long I’ve loved you.”
I stared at the ring for several stunned moments, and when I lifted my gaze to his, I blinked back a sudden surge of tears. “It’s beautiful, Elasus.”
He slid the ring onto the fourth finger of my left hand before standing. He then withdrew another ring from his other pocket. “I made myself one as well. A matching pair. They have flaws, as it was my first time forging anything like them, but—”
“Elasus.” I took his face between my hands. “They’re perfect. Thank you.”
When he smiled again, it wobbled a bit. “Melancholy may trick your mind sometimes and try to convince you that you’re not meant to be loved or to be happy, so let this ring be a reminder that you are the most precious thing in my eyes.”
Overwhelmed by the intensity of my feelings, I hugged him hard and released my wings. They then enclosed around him too. I wanted to wrap myself around him and never let go.
Elasus’ lips slid across mine, light at first. “My raven.”
“Yours. Always.”
As the sun set, we made our way back into the house and cleaned up from dinner. Each time I saw the ring, my heart fluttered. Elasus then picked me up and carried me to our bedroom. I grinned as he tossed me on the bed and pulled off his shirt.
And as we made love, he slid his hand into mine, threading our fingers together. We were bound in every way possible: souls, hearts, and our bodies as he joined them. We no longer had to worry about the rising of the sun and what might become of us come morning.
We were home.
***
“Let me see!” Gray pounced on me—he no longer liked to be called Gradyn. He grabbed my hand and touched my ring. “Oh, it’s shiny. Don’t let Cas see. He likes shiny things and will steal it.”
“I will not,” Castor said with his mouth full. He had just taken a huge bite of the taiyaki Kyo had made. It was a type of Japanese pastry in the shape of a fish and filled with red bean paste. My brother had grown quite fond of them since he’d moved to the water dragon palace. “I’m not a dragon who hoards shit.” He grinned at his mate. “You are.”
Kyo cut his eyes at him. “Keep eating. Maybe you’ll choke.”
“You’re so mean to me, little dragon.” Castor then laughed as Kyo threw his arms around him, trying to tackle him.
Baxter walked into the living room. “Can you two not break my house? Thanks.”
“You’re the one who wanted us here,” Alastair said from the recliner, a cup of tea in his hand. He took a sip.
“Horrible idea, I know,” Baxter responded. “Next time I suggest something so dumb, please hit me.”
“Can I hit you anyway?” Phoenix asked. He and Bellamy were cuddled together on the couch. “I’ll do so gladly.”
Bellamy breathed out a laugh before nuzzling the demon’s black collar. “I fucking love you.”
“You better.” Phoenix swatted him with his tail.
“Whyarewe here?” Daman asked. He held Sorin against his chest, and the baby’s silver hair was messy from having just woken from his afternoon nap. When Castor went over and lightly tickled his chest, his little face scrunched up in a cry.
Kyo laughed.
Warrin placed a hand on his son’s hair and softly spoke to him in Russian. Sorin stopped crying and grinned as he reached for him. Daman kissed the baby on the head before handing him over to the ice dragon.
“You’re here because maybe I kind of, sort of missed you guys,” Baxter said. “Only a little bit though.”
“Finally, he speaks the truth.” Penemuel walked in from the back patio where he’d been writing on the terrace, laptop in one hand and an empty coffee mug in the other. His brown hair was shorter than the last time I’d seen him, but he still wore black-framed glasses, although he had no use for them since, as an angel, he had perfect vision. He, Clara, and Sirena had come to the island as well.
Baxter scoffed at him. “I take it back. All of you can go to hell.”
Lazarus stepped in after Penemuel, his expression icy as usual. It thawed as he saw Alastair though. Alastair stood from the recliner and met him beneath the archway leading from the kitchen. Seeing them together made sense to me now. Lazarus softly smiled at my eldest brother and pulled him closer.
