Page 134 of Enchanted Kisses
I smiled and might have squealed.
Raysa sighed. “He’s speaking to you telepathically, isn’t he?”
“He is.” I sounded like a fangirl about to meet her favorite celebrity.
It was all I could do not to run to him and jump into his arms. It’d been a month since we moved here, and my heart still pounded like a lovesick girl when I saw him. I hoped that never changed.
“Raysa.” He nodded to her as he approached. “Lily.” He bent to my lips and greeted me with a kiss.
I sighed and melted into him.Never gets old. Part of me wanted to drag him to our suite—ever since we started sleeping together, I couldn’t get enough of him—but now wasn’t the time. He’d just seen Dagan.
Caiden intertwined our fingers. “Sorry I’m late. I wanted to be here when Raysa showed you this.” He took in the gazebo and statue, tilting his head to follow the beam of light to the sky. “I haven’t seen this since I was young, and my mother was alive. It’s more beautiful than I remembered.”
I lifted our hands and kissed the top of his.
“How do you feel?” Raysa asked Caiden and studied him closely. She worried seeing Dagan might have a negative effect on him.
He’d been like a different person ever since we moved here—happy, telling stories again, laughing. It was likemyCaiden was back, personality wise.
He said it was our vow and consummation, my healing him, and his soul being at peace—finally. If that were true, then he must have healed me too because I’d never been happier, either.
“I feel relieved,” Caiden responded. “Dagan took the news better than I expected.”
Caiden had summoned his brother to the Truce Realm to tell him about us. Raysa insisted they meet there to ensure a peaceful encounter. I offered to go but Caiden wanted to do this alone, believing Dagan would be more cooperative without me as a distraction.
“Was he angry?” I sounded nervous, and in a way, I was.
Dagan wasn’t an enemy, but he wasn’t a friend, either. I still thought of him as complicated and misunderstood, but I could never have been happy with him or at the Realm of Death. In fact, I’m certain living there would have been the death of me. A nature goddess needs sun and life, and the ability to nurture the world around.
“At first, he was upset. He doesn’t like surprises. He had tried to summon you to him,” Caiden said to me. “When that didn’t work, he knew something had happened. He had no idea our vow was the reason. He thought I was still with Bianca.”
Hoped, probably,” Raysa murmured and crossed her arms.
Caiden frowned. “I felt bad for him. He wanted to win you so badly to get back at me, but the way he spoke about you made me think it was more. He might actually care for you, which is impressive. Dagan’s never cared for anyone beyond himself.”
I shrugged. “Maybe he can find someone in the Realm of Death now that he knows he’s capable of caring?”
Caiden laughed. “I don’t see that happening. You are unique.” He kissed my forehead. “Death Sentries are all the same. Self-absorbed. Wild. If that didn’t interest him before, I don’t see it appealing to him now.”
Raysa stepped closer to us. “Maybe with you gone, he’ll be able to shine in a way he never has before. Isn’t that what he’s always wanted?”
“He’s always wanted our father’s favor, but he seems different. I suspect that has to do with you.” Caiden held my gaze, his expression one of awe.
I’d never get tired of him looking at me that way. I closed the distance between us and brushed the golden bangs from his eyes.
“I wish I could say this lovey-doveyness between you two was annoying, but I can’t. I’ve wanted this for you both for so long, I’m so happy it’s real.” Raysa patted the corners of her eyes as if to stop tears from falling.
“Raysa.” I went to her and gave her a hug.
“If it weren’t for you, I doubt we would have made it here,” Caiden said. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. I hope I don’t let you down.”
“Impossible.” Raysa opened her arms for Caiden to join our hug.
I got sandwiched in between them.
We all laughed and then separated.
“What about Bianca,” Raysa asked. “Any news on her whereabouts?”
