Page 107 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

The Wild Pursuit always values power above all else. So when the hunt began, I should've been the one who took Morte's virginity. But neither my beast, nor any of the others, recognized mine as the most powerful.

Once Aggonid showed up, all of us took a back seat—as expected—but I'm his mate, which should make me thesecondmost powerful fae in this entire realm.

Eyeing the giant fae in a new light, I catalog his features; thick, black hair hangs to his waist in loose waves, and all manner of piercings adorn his face and body. His wings are tucked away, but if memory serves me, they're some of the most lethal pair I've ever seen.

Even in his sleep, his strength is almost palpable. A gnawing uneasiness creeps up my spine and settles in the pit of my stomach, though I can't put my finger on it.

But what really catches my attention is the tiny drop of blood at the corner of his mouth and the way Morte clings to him even in sleep. I can feel their connection, the same one that sits in my chest.

Does she even know?

This was all I ever wanted, though the addition of Az is ... unexpected. And I'm sure if Aggonid hadn't shown up, Emeric would've been part of this, too. Maybe he still will be.

He's been good to us, so I decide as long as he continues to be, I won't stand in the way if this is what Morte wants.

Metal adorns this entire room, in various shapes and sizes, yet I find a certain beauty in it. It's fitting for this place and the people within it—dangerous, yet captivating.

I slide out of bed when an urgent knock sounds at the front door. No one else stirs; we're weak after solidifying our mating bonds. Although Emeric is probably just being lazy—dogs are like that.

I'm still zipping my pants up when I reach the door. Sensing who is behind it, I relax, finish dressing, and open it.

My jaw clenched, I yank open the door to find my sister standing there, her eyes filled with fear and despair.

"What is it?" I grab her by the arm and usher her in.

She staggers towards me, her skin as white as death, and I'm stunned by the sheer amount of blood covering her from head to toe. In a voice filled with desperation, she gasps "Aggonid has to get back to the castle now!" and she collapses into my arms with her legs unable to support her weight. Incredulous, I quickly shut the door in fear of who could've done this to one of our toughest warriors.

The others, hearing the commotion, come barreling into the living room in various states of dress.

"What the hell is going on?" Aggonid strides over, his voice a mask of anger.

Iris’s eyes pause briefly on Azazel before returning to Aggonid's. "Someone came through a portal below the castle." She winces as she clutches her side, so I shift my hold. "Demanded to speak with you or they'd kill your mates."

"Mates?" Morte squeaks, her face paling even more.

"Don't be daft now, girl," Irid snaps, and a growl rumbles from my chest as I set her down and move to get between her and Morte.

Aggonid huffs in frustration before turning towards us. "Keep her safe for me." He presses a kiss to my lips before giving Morte one.

"What?" Her eyes are wide, shock clear on her face, making Aggonid chuckle before he turns and sifts out with Irid in tow. She trains her eyes on the spot they were standing in, worry engraved into her features. "Is he going to be okay?"

I give her a lazy grin, enjoying the change in her attitude towards him as I pull her into my arms and place a kiss to her temple. "He's a god." I chuckle. "They'll sift to the castle, dispatch the intruder and be back—"

A searing, burning pain spreads from my stomach and I collapse, Morte voicing the same agony as she crumples to the floor. Pain radiates from my abdomen like a hot knife slicing through me. Agony so intense I can't scream.

Az shouts, falling to his knees in front of Morte, checking for injuries while Emeric shifts into his beast, searching for an attacker.

"What's going on?" Az's voice is frantic as he moves his hands over Morte's body, turning her arms over. "Tell me where it hurts!"

Another slice of pain lashes my chest, robbing my lungs of breath as Morte wails.

My mind is so scrambled from pain it takes me a while to register I'm not actually injured. "Aggonid." I climb to my feet, stumbling when my vision goes black. "He's hurt," I gasp, shock and fear making my voice tremble. My eyesight clears, and I blink, swaying as I try to right the room.

Az's head snaps towards me, his expression hardening. "I'll keep her safe. Go."

Emeric shifts back into his fae form, his clothes shredded at his feet. "I'll come with you."

"No." Az shakes his head. "I need backup in case someone comes here."

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