“So I have to just sit around while my brother and sister go on a dangerous mission. One that doesn’t promise you can even return, even under the best of circumstances …” Chasen’s voice was dangerously quiet, laced with agitation.
“I don’t think Kali would do something like that. I know she’s desperate for her brother to be returned, but she isn’t like that. I’m sure she’s only saying it out of desperation.” Jin refused to believe that Kali would really kill Freja. She had come to know her, and this wasn’t the person she was.
No, she knew Kali. She was bluffing. She was sure of it.
“That part really doesn’t matter, to be honest. Reiya would go anyway,” Hunter said quietly. He rubbed Freja’s arms while she stayed silent. His gaze swept over her as he waited to hear what she thought about all of this.
“Could you two please excuse us, so we can talk?” Freja finally spoke, her green eyes locking on Chasen and Jin. They both nodded and immediately left the room.
Hunter shifted Freja around on his lap so he could see her face. Her hand came up to his cheek, and she leaned in to rest her forehead against his. They stared into each other’s eyes, their soft breaths the only sound in the room.
“I’m sorry, Freja,” Hunter said as he reached up and cupped her cheek. “I will make it back to you. You know I will.”
Freja smiled softly. “I’m worried. I’m worried about all of it. The war that’s coming up. The demons we have to fight. And then you going into this black hole. What if you end up trapped in there? How do I get you out? But …” Freja pulled away from him. “But even though I’m worried, I know you can do this. I want you to be there to protect Reiya. And even though I’m not a fan … having you as a mate is more than I could have ever asked for. So I also feel like we owe it to Selene.” She smiled at Hunter and ran her hand over his face. She felt him kiss her fingers as they traced over his lips. “I’ll wait for you. No matter how long it takes … I’ll be waiting for you. If you get lost in there and it takes you years to emerge, I’ll still be waiting for you.”
Hunter closed his eyes under her tender touch and breathed in the scent of his mate. “I’ll come back to you, Freja. No matter what. I’m going to make it back to you. We have a future to live out together. And babies to make along the way.” His hands found her waist, fingers pressing into the curve of her hips as he drew her flush against him. The heat of his body seared through the thin fabric separating them. He leaned in, his breath warm against her mouth for one suspended heartbeat before his teeth caught her lower lip. A gentle tug, then another, each one sending sparks skittering down her spine. His tongue swept over the tender flesh, soothing and teasing in equal measure.
He growled against her lips. “Maybe we should practice a bit more … just to make sure we know what we’re doing.”
Freja giggled, but then she jolted upright. Her attention was away from Hunter and on the far side of the room.
“What is that?”
Hunter turned his head and then grumbled under his breath. “Chasen must not have his aura up. It’s just a little house brownie. It probably came here because it sensed Reiya.” He smiled softly. “This is your first time seeing one, huh?”
“Yes it is. I’ve seen your messenger fairies, but never one of those.” She smiled. “It’s really cute. Can I … can I hold it?”
Hunter chuckled. They could continue what they’d started later. He stood up and squatted down, holding his hand out. “Come on over here.” The brownie scurried over and crawled into his hand and he carried it over to Freja. “They’re actually little troublemakers.”
“Well then, I guess they fit right in here, huh?” Freja smirked at Hunter. “You are adorable. Were you looking for Reiya? Sorry you missed her this time. Maybe next time she visits.” Freja slowly lowered it back to the ground. She watched it scurry along and run through the wall. Her eyes widened, and she turned to Hunter to see if that was normal.
Hunter chuckled. “I’ll take you to Elysia soon. There are so many different fairies I want to introduce you to.”
Freja grinned at Hunter and wrapped her arms around his waist. “So what’s our next move now? Should we get in contact with Jester to see what the vampires know about Slayer?”
Hunter nodded his head. “I thought about asking Ciana if she would deliver a message for us. And I’m going to send out a fairy messenger for my mother. Then, Reiya will be trying to gather information on her end as well. Surely we’ll find something.”
“Let’s get those messages out, then. The sooner the better. We don’t know how much time we actually have.” Freja tugged on his side, and he leaned his head down to her ear.
“Okay, but tonight … tonight, I’m going to need some of my favorite dessert.” He leaned down to her neck and licked over his mark.
Freja turned and giggled at him. “Hunter Chain. If you get me pregnant before this demon war, I’m fighting anyway. So don’t even think about it.”
“You probably would fight anyway.” Hunter looked at her with amusement.
“Try me, wolf boy.” Freja quirked her eyebrow at him, and he chuckled lowly. He brushed his lips against hers with a smile.
“I love you, Freja.” His silver eyes shone at her. He loved her more than he ever thought possible. She was more than his mate. She was his life. He could not make it in this world without her. He was certain of it.
“I love you too, Hunter. But I am serious about the whole pregnancy thing,” she scolded playfully. She pulled his hand, and they both chuckled together as they walked out of the room.
Drip. Drop.
Drip. Drop.
“Do you think it was wise to tell them about everything?” Kali asked as she stared into the bubbling pot in front of her.
“I think they deserve that much. They are risking their own lives and future. They deserve to know.” Selene looked at Kali with a frown. “I don’t like you using Freja as a tool, though.”
