Brave man, Peri thought to herself.
“Who are you to tell the Fates that they got it wrong and that you know better?” Another step closer.
He must have a death wish. Peri’s eyes narrowed and she could feel the heat of her power growing with his every word.
“Who are you—”
That was it. She couldn’t control the amount of power that rushed out of her. It poured out of her hands, her eyes, and her soul, causing the entire room to flare with so much light that Lucian had to put a hand over his eyes.
“I AM PERIZADA, HIGH FAE AND AMBASSADOR,” she roared and light shot from her mouth as well. The windows shattered and the wind from outside whipped through the room blowing the plants around so that their branches looked like arms hailing the woman before them. “I have lived thousands of lifetimes! I have served thousands, saved thousands, fought thousands, and still I stand! I will not turn away from those under my care! I will not stop fighting for them!”
A resounding silence fell upon the room. The wind was suddenly gone, the bright light from her body slowly fading. She stared directly at Lucian. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she whispered, “Until death’s kiss steals the breath from my lungs and its withered hand stops my ancient heart, I will not give up on them.” Lucian felt the power of these words, more mighty even then when she’d yelled, as a thunderous blow, finally staggering him. The light was gone and all that was left was a quiet rustling of the leaves from the windows that no longer had glass in them. Peri’s chest rose and fell as she attempted to regain control. It was in between those huffing breaths that she heard a soft groan.
She glanced down from her mate to Jacque and Fane. Her clenched jaw fell open and she felt what little breath was inside her rush out. They were moving—eyelids were beginning to open, chests were rising and falling, pulling air into their lungs. Their hearts were beating. They were alive.
Peri looked back up to Lucian who had a small crooked smile on his radiant face.
“You baited me,” she accused though her words were gentle.
He shrugged. “I never doubted your power, love. It simply needed a little push. Just so happens, I am a wolf who thoroughly enjoys pushing you.” He closed the distance between them and raised her chin with his hand, holding her there. “I am proud of you. I love you.” Lucian pressed a soft kiss to her lips and then stepped back.
Peri had never realized how much she’d needed to hear those words:I am proud of you. Her mate found her as a woman of worth and that touched her to her very soul.
“Alston will take me back to our house. I expect to see you soon.” His eyes narrowed and began to glow. “Very soon, Perizada. My wolf misses his mate. And I am in agreement with him.” He turned and walked from the room before her tongue could form words. She waited until he was no longer visible before finally stepping back and looking at the mated pair. They were both nearly sitting up. They seemed weak and were slowly pushing their bodies upright with their arms. Peri wanted to help, but she also wanted them to do it on their own, to prove to her that they were really alive.
Jacque’s head gradually rose and her eyes met Fane’s. It took two heartbeats before he had lurched forward. Probably meant to lunge, but, hello, he’d been almost dead so lurching was good. His arms reached for his mate and, just as he reached her, his legs gave out and he fell face first into her chest.
“Umph,” Jacque breathed out. She looked down at him; he wasn’t moving but he was still breathing. Then Jacque looked up at Peri. “Well, this just got awkward.”
Peri laughed and it felt so, so good. “I don’t care if he strips you and ravishes you this instant.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Fane’s voice came out muffled as he interrupted.
Peri just continued. “As long as you both keep breathing, by all means have at it.”
Jacque breathed in Fane’s unique scent. It washed over her and calmed her anxious wolf. They were alive. She didn’t know how, but all that mattered was that they were alive and would be there for their baby.
Her head snapped up. “Baby,” Jacque sputtered out and pushed Fane aside, not concerned that he fell face first into the shallow water. She jumped to her feet, her adrenaline pulsing through her body. “Where’s my baby?”
“Our baby,” Fane’s voice quickly followed as he stood, only much slower.
Jacque waved a hand at him. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Where’s our baby?” she asked again, staring at Peri. Jacque was able to ignore the pain she felt in her lower body. She was able to find energy where none had been. She could probably shove aside a mountain if it meant she could get to her child.
Before Peri answered her, the high fae made a motion with her hand and muttered under her breath. The water was suddenly gone and they were in new, dry clothes. It was good to have a high fae as a friend.
“Thank you,” Fane said as he stepped closer to Jacque.
“Let’s get you more comfortable and then I will bring him to you.” Peri placed her hands on each of them and flashed them to their suite. She pointed at the couch and told Jacque to sit.
“Sit on her if she won’t keep her butt on that cushion,” she barked at Fane and then disappeared.
“I love you,” Fane said as he sat down beside her.
Jacque turned to look at him and it finally hit her that they’d almost died, that she might never have been able to see that face again. Tears fell from her eyes as she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. Fane’s arms went around to her back and his strong hands pulled her tightly against him.
“I love you back,” she whispered against his neck where she’d tucked her face. His skin was warm against her own and her wolf rumbled with the satisfaction of finally touching their mate. Fane held her as they waited for Peri to bring their child to them. He murmured a few things in Romanian to her and she blushed when he sent the visual images of those words through their bond to her mind. He was trying to distract her and it was mostly working.
“Jacque.” She turned as she heard her mother’s voice. Her heart leapt at seeing her mom but then her eyes fell to the wrapped bundle in Lilly’s arms, and Jacque was sure her heart was going to beat out of her chest. She stood up and walked over slowly, feeling as though she needed to be quiet so that she wouldn’t scare him.
