Grinning, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, then gestured to Harrison and Elijah to please open the doors. The instant we entered the room, Braxton’s eyes went straight to the wall across from us. Next to my parents’ portrait hung a large frame—concealed by a white fabric yet ready to be unveiled.
Brax didn’t need to see it to know what it was.
“You hung my father’s painting?” he asked, baffled, the amazement and happiness in his eyes fluttering my stomach with joy and warmth.
I smiled wide in turn, but he didn’t wait for a response. Walking to the wall, he pulled on the fabric, revealing the magnificent portrait of the man who had been our most dedicated warrior and strongest force. The one who not only returned hope to Caelisium by sending his son to us, but who had given me everything I never knew I wanted and desperately needed.
Imogen stopped by my side, linking my arm with hers as we both watched him. The glance we exchanged said she was as touched by the inclusion of the Harbinger in the throne room as my mate was.
“Thank you, Princess,” she whispered, and I nodded, my attention returning to the man I loved.
Braxton’s hand slowly caressed the image that now seemed larger than life. The flowers delicately engraved onto the bronze frame gleamed under the light after being properly polished at my request, and the wooden plaque with gold lettering that once fell from it now displayed the name and title of the man staring back at us.
“Khayden Skystorm, the Harbinger of Justice,” Braxton read out loud, his fingers tracing the name at the bottom of the frame.
When he turned to face me, the emotion and gratitude bursting from his eyes transformed into fiery passion, powerful and unstoppable.
He stalked towards me, his extended hand silently calling me to him. My heart shuddered in my chest at the sight of him like this, and I left Imogen’s side to meet him halfway. The moment we met, he yanked me against his broad chest, his lips crashing against mine fiercely and needily. Steps shuffled behind us, giving us privacy.
My arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as I gave in to his fervent embrace, not caring who saw us. By the time his mouth set me free, my entire body tingled with need, and my lips burned, begging to have him again.
“Thank you,” he whispered, resting his forehead on mine as we both tried to catch our breaths. “I can’t explain how much this means to me.”
“I know, but you deserve this and so much more. I’m just glad I could offer this moment to you amid everything that is happening.”
His chest expanded against my breasts with his deep breath, and he traced his thumb along my cheek, brushing a soft and adoring kiss over my lips that calmed the frantic beating of my heart.
“I love you, Evanna Skyborne.”
A grin captured my lips, and I stole one final kiss. “I love you too, Braxton Skyst—”
Loud throat clearing reverberated behind us—several actually—so we let go of each other, turning to see the guard gathering at the entrance and blocking us from something. Not something,someone.
Sighing, I faced them while Braxton took his place by my side. “You may let him pass. I summoned him here today.”
As Elijah, Islay, Harper, Arlo, and the others stepped aside, Lachlan appeared by the doors. The look my guardian pinned him with left much to be desired; he was still upset with him for how Lachlan behaved recently, and I couldn’t blame him.
The way Lachlan tensed, pulling his gaze from him with regret, gave me hope for our conversation today. Perhaps, the dear friend I grew up with, trained with, fought with, was not lost to me anymore. One could only hope this ridiculous skirmish between him, and my mate would end here and now.
Braxton and I exchanged a glance, and he nodded, knowing this was something we needed to attempt. I was certain that once my old friend learned the truth, or at least part of it, he would stop this nonsense and understand Braxton was not the deceitful man he believed him to be. He didn’t need to protect us from him. Then he would see that Brax belonged here, with me… or, at least, I prayed he would.
Whatever transpired between us, there was still a place in my heart for Lachlan, for what he once meant to me, and it would hurt me deeply if I had to let him go. I may not love him like I did Braxton, but I still cared for him.
“Lachlan,” I greeted as he moved through my guard, taking a few steps closer. “Thank you for coming today.”
Imogen held his gaze firmly when he walked past her, a clear warning to behave or else. She didn’t seem like the type to, as Braxton would say, put up with anyone’s crap.
His attention finally settled on me, and his face illuminated with a dazzling smile the instant he saw me. “I will always be here for you when you call,myprincess,” he offered, placing a hand on his chest in devotion as he stopped before me.
Something about the way he said “my princess” made me uncomfortable. A touch of possessiveness danced in his voice, making me bristle.
Instinctively, I took a step back, preferring to leave a respectful distance between us. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea about why I had summoned him here, alone, without even his cousin by his side. My movement caused his attention to broaden, soon realizing I wasn’t alone.
When his gaze caught Braxton a few steps behind me, every muscle in his form tensed. The smile that softened his features just a moment ago disappeared, replaced by a menacing stare, as though Braxton was a threat to us all that he needed to eradicate.
Gods, give me patience…
“What ishedoing here?” Lachlan seethed, his eyes never leaving Brax.
