Morgan discreetly reached for her shoes. The same ones she’d worn over the waterfall. That one little piece of home that wouldn’t last long. She drew out a sheathed knife Avery had given her and pressed the blade to Rylo’s throat.
“Don’t fucking threaten me.Youdo not control me.Iam not your possession to control, and I never will be.”
Shadows mingled with golden light as the darkness crept up, like a dark mist coating Rylo’s wings and body, holding him in place. His heart was beating so quickly, Morgan thought she could hear the drumming.
“My pretty little kingslayer. How wicked you can be,” Rylo murmured. She could feel him twist under the restraint her shadows placed on his immobilized arms.
She nicked his neck, enough for a tiny drop of blood to well up. Her finger swept through it while her shadows released their hold on him. Rylo pushed forward and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was hard and cruel, and she welcomed it. She opened her mouth to him and his tongue swept in. Morgan met his tongue with hers, tangling in a passionate battle that she’d never experienced before. Damn, this man had lit a flame in her that would never be quelled. The kiss didn’t ease up as she tugged on his shirt, pulling him closer to her. He sucked her lower lip into his mouth and nipped it, drawing blood as he pulled back from her.
He was glowing in the evening light. The light shining through him seemed to dance along his perfect skin.Shit.She was so out of her league here, but she wasn’t about to let him know that. Morgan panted as she pressed her hand to his chest, pushinghim back, “I’m not yours. Learn that now because the next time you say I am yours will be your last.”
Rylo let out a cold, harsh laugh. “Oh, that will not be the game we play in Goldoth. Get used to it. You aremine.”
Chapter 25
Savine
The streets of Orofine were adorned with the harvest. Piles of winter squash, dried beans and grains in barrels, and apples spilled into the streets. It was tradition to display and share the rewards of a long, hard growing season with the whole community, and Savine made sure the tradition was being returned when Latiah needed it most.
The overstocked food that Jasper had been keeping for himself was being redistributed to the folk who were left with nothing after this war, and Bayberry had generously provided the rebel army’s winter supply to them before Jay brought the warriors home.
Avery leaned back on Savine’s chest as Jari navigated the busy streets. Savine could feel the softness of the fur coat she wore rubbed against his chest. Her bold, red gown was draped over Jari’s sides.
The day was unusually cold for autumn, with an icy rain slashing down on them as they made their way through the crowd, and Savine savored the heat of Avery’s body against his, his essence keeping them dry together. She pointed to a crowd of children playing a common game with a stick and a hoop, laughing as the children took turns pushing the hoop along Jari’s side.
Despite his doubts, Avery had accepted him as her soulmate. They were forever connected at a soul level and that bond between them had been as soul-shattering as their shared orgasm. Abyss damn him, he’d felt the tattered and torn pieces of his soul mend as the bond filled him, stitching him back together.
Savine knew the crown atop Avery’s head was a heavy burden that she didn’t want. He’d tried to teach her how to pull the dainty band back into her skull, saying she didn’t need to reveal it if she wasn’t comfortable, but it wouldn’t work. He didn’t know if it was because she didn’t have any essence running through her, or if they hadn’t found the solution yet, but her crown was stuck on display for all to see. Even with the crown on her head, Avery looked happy, and that made Savine incandescent with joy. He didn’t know how he could live with such lightness in his heart after so many years of pain.
Jay and Raikin rode side by side in front of Savine and Avery. Kyla and Garnel were behind them as other courtiers and warriors followed behind them, parading through the city, a tradition that led them to the temple to receive a blessing from Orofine’s city goddess. It was a blessing to have the Goddess ofthe Harvest in his city, especially on the most important holiday of the year.
Jay turned back to them, smiling with a wide grin. “What do you think, My Queen?”
“That sounds good coming from you! Maybe I’ll get used to being called queen!” Avery shouted above the crowds, making Savine’s ears ring. He supposed his human soulmate would never learn volume control.
“Being queen is very becoming on you. Be proud of your title,” Jay replied.
Savine could barely overhear Raikin’s chastising tone, “Please save this conversation for a more appropriate time.”
Jay turned and winked at Avery. Savine’s heart tightened as Avery laughed in reply. She turned to him, a mischievous smile on her face. “I don’t know anything about queenly behavior. You know that, right?”
“You can be as queenly as you please, my flower. Create the role you want, but wear the crown proudly. It brings you the security I’ve so desperately wanted for you.”
She waved to the crowd as they bowed before her. Savine eyed the crowd for any threat against Avery, but the faces he met were not angry or frightened. The mood was celebratory, and Avery was close enough to be safe in his arms. There was a distinct reason he’d turned down Jay’s suggestion to let her ride Dandelion beside Jari. Savine had no intention of letting Avery out of his arms, especially after the attack on her during her arrival in Orofine.
He had no doubt in his mind that there were still folk who wished to do her harm. Yet, with the crown on her head, she had the same protection he bore as the True King of Latiah. She was the True Queen, and he couldn’t help but praise Althea that Avery carried this added protection. Only a desperate Latianwould consider forfeiting their soul to the Abyss to kill Avery now.
Avery leaned her head back against Savine’s shoulder, wrapping her arm up and around the back of his head as she pressed delicate kisses to his neck. The crowd let out another cheer. Jari snorted in disapproval, but Savine allowed all of it to soak in. He closed his eyes, sinking deeper into her touch as his cock twitched.
He could not be getting an erection in the middle of a fucking parade. “Avery,” he hissed.
Jari tripped, jolting them to the side and a scream of agony cut through the crowd.
Savine looked down to see a young boy, no older than eight, between Jari’s front and back legs.
Instinctively, Jari stopped as the child’s toy rolled to the other side of the street.
