My eyebrow arched as I caught the man in question glaring at Bash. Broody commander Steele was in full force. Normally, I would’ve left him to it, but instead I brushed my shoulder against his in quiet solidarity. The smile he gave me was small and fleeting, but it ensnared my heart all the same.
Niz stepped out of the house last, wordlessly handing a folded set of clothes to Ronan. My lips twitched at the thought ofRonan not just being a Beast Tamer or Shadow Commander, but also theKeeper of Niz Not Being Naked After Shifts.
Above us, various colored wyverns flew through streaks of gold sunlight that played along the clouds encircling the city. My heart soared alongside them, seeing them rightfully inhabit Alfemir once more.
“The wyverns are patrolling alongside the Alfemir guards appointed by Gabe’s mom,” Niz murmured, a thread of shock in his tone. “I knew it was going to happen after our talks with my parents yesterday evening when setting up the meeting for today, but it’s something I never thought would happen.”
His gaze met mine, eyes full of hope as I offered a soft nod and smile of affirmation. “It’s happening, Niz.”
Ronan adjusted the pack on his shoulder after tossing Niz’s clothes in, catching my eye with a grin. “You good to go, Beauty?”
My wings instantly unfurled at the question as determination burned brightly in my chest. “Yes.”
9
KIERAN
The wind caughtour wings as we rose, the others close behind, their beats steady and sure in the morning air. Bastian quickly took the lead toward the castle, black wings cutting through the bright sky. Niz flanked my right, his massive shifted form streaked in black and green, stark against the golden morning light and blue sky surrounding us. Steele and Gabe held the back, while Ronan drifted alongside my left side.
Below us, Alfemir stretched wide. The area where my execution and the battle had taken place was already under repair. Scaffolding climbed along the broken walls while Elementalists directed currents of wind to lift fallen stone into place. Nearby, Beast Tamers guided their pegasi through the streets, the creatures steady under the weight of timber strapped across their flanks. The city still stood, steady and alive.
The castle of Alfemir rose ahead, its white spires gleaming and upper towers catching the light off the clouds. The sight of it rising in the distance stole my breath as memories battered my mind. It was where I’d run into Gabe once again and we’d proceeded to break into the archives and found the book the fallen army needed, along with my dagger. The same place I’d once run to for escape through the portals within its walls, whereBastian had caught Ronan and me mid-escape plan. Back when Niz had just been Ronan’s adorable beast.
So much had changed since I’d last set foot in the halls, where we were now about to hold a council meeting for those willing to discuss restructuring Alfemir’s hierarchy and leadership.
Nervous energy bundled in my stomach. While we had undoubtedly overcome many challenges already, there were still many to come. I could only hope that we had the right people around us to question new processes and structures to leave a lasting, peaceful legacy for the future. One where wyverns, fallen, and angels could all coexist in harmony, as it used to be.
As we descended, the great doors stood open to greet us. We all touched down, waiting a moment for Niz to touch down nearby and shift.
“Take your time, wyvern prince, we’re on your schedule,” Bastian called out as Niz’s large clawed feet touched the ground. “Should I just carry you in my arms next time to avoid the shift?”
I rolled my eyes, though a smile still managed to slip through. The banter between those two that had evolved from Bastian once trying to win over Niz in his wyvern form was hilarious.
Niz’s massive form folded inward as scales rippled into skin and the sickening sound of bones crunching and shifting echoed through the air. The last shimmer of magic faded from his shoulders as he straightened to his full height.
In all his naked glory, he lifted a hand before flicking Bastian his middle finger. “I think you just don’t want Kieran to be reminded of how much better I look than you.”
My cheeks flamed with being put on the spot like that–especially when I was already struggling desperately to keep my eyes on Niz’s face and not the rest of him. It was hard when he had an impressive display in all facets.
Bastian let out a mock scoff of indignation as Ronan tossed the clothes to Niz. “I’ll have you know that I am quite confident in my appeal to my Darling.”
His eyes cut to me, as if wanting me to confirm that in front of everyone. A heavy sigh fell from my lips as my head shook and I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Niz was tugging on his clothes as I gave each of them a stern look. “Don’t drag me into any of your spats. I am a neutral party that has equal love and needs for all of you.” Bastian’s lips pursed like he was going to drag this out and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t do it.”
His lower lip stuck out in return as he blinked back at me. “But, Darling…”
Steele let out a sigh as he lifted his hand to rub at his face harshly. For a moment I expected him to snap at Niz and Bastian for their antics, but instead I was shocked to see his lips tugging into a smirk as his hand fell. “There’s really no need to argue over this. Gabe and I satisfied her enough to not even think about needing you all for some time.”
Gabe lifted a hand quickly in an attempt to smother his laugh as my mouth dropped open, but it wasn’t fast enough.
My eyes lifted to meet Ronan’s, quietly begging him to help me wrangle these unruly men. I saw the way his eyes narrowed on Steele slightly, as if not quite accepting him entirely yet, but he buried it quickly. “There are important people waiting to meet with us, so maybe we should table this conversation…” my head nodded in agreement, but then quickly stilled as he continued, “until we are in private and can settle this with who brings Kieran to an orgasm quickest.”
Not him too.
I lifted my hands into the air, completely exasperated with them. “I give up! I’ll be heading inside now if any of you care to tuck your dicks away and join me.”
They all laughed before managing to pull it together as they encircled me once more, similar to our flight formation. Despite my stern tone with them, inside I was a complete puddle for how obsessive they were over my pleasure and desire for them.
