Page 35 of The Dark War

So damn responsive.

“So that is why I couldn’t reach you.” Her finger trailed my stomach. Evelyn found toys on the bed, playing as she rolled to the other pillow. “That doesn’t explain how I am piecing back together memories.”

“Are you sure they are memories?” I questioned. “They could very well be some sort of spell.” Clara shook her head, touching her heart. “No, Skye is real,” she said determinedly.

“I remember it much more clearly. She was helping me.” Clara paused, sitting up in the bed. “We all were, the entire encampment. We couldn’t hear you through the link then either.” Her head darted to me. “That was why we went to the palace.”

“You mean, you think this same spell we just experienced was used on us just a week ago?” Clara hummed in agreement. “I just need to know how the powder fits into this. I wish Torin would stop being a dick and let Giana heal her so I wasn’t the only one seeing these scenes be put together.” Her eyes narrowed, Torin taking control of my body.

“I need you safe. My mate needs to be safe.” He growled in her ear. She shivered and laid back down.

“Well, if you keep Giana from healing you, then you won’t get the special prize I owe you and Kane.” Clara stuck out her lip. “Like, it’s a good one too, and my heat is almost here.” She snickered.

“Is it now?” Torin purred, pulling on her earlobe. Evelyn sat up in the bed, looking at us, questioning. “As long as it involves me fucking you to oblivion, I don’t think I really care what it is.” Clara gasped, slapping our chest.

“No cursing in front of the baby!” she hissed. Evelyn crawled over, pointing to my eyes. The dark eyes of Torin stared right back at her. “Pa.” She pointed.

“Oh my goddess! She said, ‘pa’!” Clara cried. “Torin, you are now known as ‘pa,’ and Kane is now daddy!” Evelyn clapped her hands repeatedly until I came back to the surface. Picking up my little daughter, I rubbed my nose with hers.

“Is that right? Who am I now?” Evelyn turned her head. “Da!” she squealed in delight.

“That is so precious,” Clara cooed, laying back down with all of us. Evelyn continued to pick at the barbell on my chest as Clara sighed.

“You are doing better, right, love?” Clara hummed, pushing back a dark curl from Evelyn’s hair. “Right now, yes. I’m always going to worry until we figure everything out.” I smiled, pulling her closer to me.

After asking her countless times if she was safe to travel, we headed to the Golden Light Kingdom. Instead of running, we had an entire caravan behind us as we traveled. It was easier to travel with a baby in a carriage than try and strap her to our backs. We ran straight toward the light sources until we arrived at the Golden Light Kingdom.

Clara’s eyes widened as we approached, the Golden Light Kingdom much brighter than what we had experienced when we last battled. There were no pools of blood, not a single tree branch misplaced. Just over a week or so ago, you would have never thought there was a battle for the crown.

“It looks like nothing has changed.” She hummed. “Like nothing ever happened. I just hope those who lost their lives are never forgotten.” I put my arm around my mate. Her delicate heart wept for those that we lost.

August again stayed behind, taking care of those who had lost their mates. We had at least twenty of our men gone, no bodies accounted for. Some that were mated with children. Their mates, who were devastated, still held onto small children who would continue to live on until the child could take care of themselves. A small memorial service was held in the short time we had been at home, but with more impending battles with rogue vampires, wolves, and magical beings, it was back to business as usual.

“They won’t be forgotten.” I kissed her forehead. “Once we figure things out, maybe we should do a larger memorial.” Clara instantly agreed, her hand wrapping around my thigh.

It had been almost a full day, and I hadn’t gotten much time alone with my mate. Once she realized we were invited to Osirus’s coronation and bonding ceremony, she made us hop in the carriage at once, barely packing anything.

Adjusting my pants, Clara threw me a wide grin. “Are you all right, Alpha?” she purred.

Fuck no, I wasn’t all right. I had a raging boner. I was trying to be a good mate, she fucking passed out yesterday, and I was trying to make her rest as best as I can.

The carriage came to a stop, and confusion covered my face. Raine poked her head in, looking around. “Where’s Evie?” Clara handed our daughter to my sister. “What are you doing?” I growled out, ready to take our daughter back. My mate put her hand on my arm, only whispering it was all right. Instantly calming, Raine threw a wink my way and headed back to her own carriage with Dean.

“What are you doing?” Before the carriage could begin again, Clara was straddled in my lap, her lips reaching me and pushing my head back into the soft cushion of the seat.

“You’ve been so good taking care of me,” she purred. “Thought I should take care of you before we arrive.”

“You have a hidden motive,” I snapped. Clara rolled her eyes, her finger trailing down my open tunic. “Maybe, but at least we both get something out of it.”

She had a point.

Chapter Twenty

Clara

Yup,IknewwhatI was doing.

Before we came up to the palace, I knew I had to relieve some of Kane’s tension. He had been stiff as a board the entire morning before we left and while we traveled. Torin’s eyes flickered between me and the scene outside. Even Evelyn was watching him intently.

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