"I wasn't that bad." I conjured another ink rune and murmured the incantation before the rune sank into his flesh, just over his heart like Jasper's.
"Actually, you were," Bastian told me, pulling his shirt up to show the same spot I'd placed the runes on the twins.
"I was a dick," I admitted as I walked over to him, shaking my head. "But I didn't mean to be."
I made quick work of placing his rune, and he let his shirt fall back in place.
Aimon sighed as he lifted his shirt in a similar manner as Bastian had. "You didn't mean to be, and Fawn knows that now. But she didn't back then."
Finishing up Aimon's rune, I wiped my clammy hands on my robe. "Good point," I grunted my acknowledgment, hating how I'd treated her when we had first met. She definitely didn't deserve even an ounce of my attitude. Then I formed my rune quickly and tossed my shirt and robe back on. "When do you think Fawn will be back?"
"She's right here." Samantha's voice echoed through the room, making me jump and turn to see both her and Fawn walking back into the room. "Are you ready for hers?"
"Always ready for her," I murmured, feeling my entire demeanor soften as I stared at her.
Fawn smiled, her hair falling over her eye before she pushed it back. "Feeling's mutual, Silas."
She glided over to me with the help of her air magic, and I swallowed the lump in my throat that always seemed to form when she was around. Spirits had truly blessed me by putting her in my path.
I placed a gentle hand on her cheek, and she leaned into my touch, making my heart throb with desire and belonging. It was a mixture of emotions I'd only felt around her.
"The rune will go over your heart." I glanced over at Casper and Jasper, who had their runes on display since they still hadn't put a shirt on. I wasn't even sure where their robes were. "It's the best spot to protect both your body and your spirit, and I did the same for the guys and myself."
"We need that protection now more than ever," she said, parting her robe and using her magic to slice her dress down the middle until it exposed the flesh above her heart.
I sucked in a sharp breath, willing myself to focus on the rune and not the swell of her breasts before my fingers traced an invisible pattern of the rune in the air. My voice resonated with magic as I drew upon the forces behind my ink power.
"With ancient magic and ink's grace, I ward off malice in this sacred space. By Hexarium's spirits, let protection bind, both body and mind." The shimmering ink swirled and danced into the form of the protection rune. I carefully floated it into the skin above her heart. I couldn't help but reach out and dip my fingers into the rune as it radiated a soft glow. "A shield of power shining bright, weave a shield and block all harm. Spirits of Hexarium, heed my call, wrap this rune in your protective shawl. Ward off all dangers, visible or concealed. Spirits of Hexarium bless."
Fawn's breath caught, and I could feel her heart beating below my fingers. "Silas..." Her voice shook with a familiar need, and I moved my hand to look at the intricate glowing rune that pulsated softly in sync with her heartbeat.
It was the same rune on all of us, but it looked even more magical on her.
"It's perfect," I rasped, remembering the way she felt wrapped around me. Fawn was so beautiful that it almost hurt to look at her.
Thiswas why I hadn't wanted to fall in love. We had a mission, and we weren't completing it. We were slacking, but I wouldn't want to do it any other way. I would rather prepare for the mission her way, something I never thought I would want. It was impossible not to fall in love with her.
"Thanks to Samantha's suggestion, the six of us all have protection runes for both our bodies and our spirits." My gaze dipped to her rune. "Your rune turned out the best."
"You know," Samantha told Fawn. "I get it now. He's an asshole, but that mage has a soft spot for you I didn't see until now."
Fawn's blue gaze met mine, and the bond flared with a sense of love and excitement. "I've seen it."
13
BASTIAN
The grasslands stretchedout below us, and the sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow on the lush greenery as we left Samantha's home in the capital to fly through the Allura Empire on our way to the Revivium Empire. Fawn believed that it would be smarter to travel by broom rather than teleport directly into the castle, and I agreed with her.
It was good to see the state of the world as well, and just like we expected, there were monsters everywhere. They were rampaging towns and attacking innocent mages. Every which way was a bloodbath.
We flew over Hex's Pass. The wide river wound its way through the landscape, reflecting the sky like a shimmering mirror. The gray clouds had finally parted, showing a mostly clear sky.
I couldn't help but glance over at Fawn, who led us on our travel, and admire the way that her iridescent robe shimmered as it billowed behind her. We were all absolutely entranced with the legendary elemental mage, and I wanted to lean into all of the feelings that we had for her.
It was odd to be soul-bonded, especially since we weren't technically just bonded with Fawn. We were bonded with each other as well. But the men of the shield were also like my brothers, and I preferred it this way. We were truly a family.
As we navigated higher up than usual through the open skies, I reveled in the exhilaration of being in the air. Oz had jumped out of Fawn's rune and perched himself on the edge of my broom to feel the wind. It rushed through my hair, and my eyes scanned the horizon diligently for any signs of destruction we could stop.
