“Just glad I found you, and that you were willing to fight for us.” They’d had a lot to overcome, but they’d made it. That was all that mattered.
“I had a feeling you were worth it.”
“Mmm. Preddari have good instincts.”
“Very true, my mate.” Rodric grinned and held her tighter, pressing a kiss to her lips. “I was wondering… do you think we could get away for a few hours?”
“Probably. Cat can handle things here for a while. What did you have in mind?”
“I’d like to go back to the tavern and thank Drake for his interference. Maybe finish our dance. You left before it ended.”
“Mmm. I suppose I’m amenable to that.”
“Oh, you suppose, do you?” Rodric quirked a brow.
Celina turned fully so that she could thread her fingers through the hair at his nape, pulsing a bit of magic through the bond as she did so.
“Rodric, haven’t you realized? Dancing in your arms is the only place I want to be.”
Dark green eyes sparkling with intense love met hers as he bent to kiss her. “Then come dance with me, my mate.”
“Always,” she whispered the promise against his lips as a fresh twinkling of snow began to fall around them.
Epilogue
Ravensmere Keep, Realm of Calderre
QuietactivitybustledaroundRodric with an unobtrusive hum as he made his way to one of the many training rooms on the estate. Inside, Brenna worked with a mage whose abilities were close enough to her own to guide her.
Various types of metal were laid out in front of her. She lifted each, assessing it with her magic and answering questions before moving on to the next piece. Heightening his magic in a specific way he’d been practicing that allowed him to see magic in use, he watched molten red light surround her hands and the piece she held, delving into every divot of the metal.
Her instructor indicated for her to go ahead with the next exercise. Going back to the first piece, Brenna twisted and shaped the metal, slowly molding it into a new design. Sweat beaded on her brow as if she were standing at the forge. Joy filled him as a huge smile split her face.
He’d been studying as well, though at the moment, Celina was his primary instructor. At her advice of the unusual nature of his two magics, they’d decided to keep his dual abilities secret. After long thought, he’d decided he’d much rather openly use Avery's healing magic. There was a time and place for his mental magic, but he was too conscious of how easily it could be used for the wrong reasons by the military. It would be a while before he was willing to trust anyone that much.
Knocking on the door, he held back the grin that wanted to take over his face. It took some effort to keep the serious mask in place. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need to take Brenna early today.”
“Of course, Lord Rodric. She made extensive efforts today, so it won’t be a problem.” The instructor ushered Brenna out quickly after she put away her tools and materials.
“What’s going on?” Brenna asked, walking beside him.
“Jed got into some trouble, and I need your help to corral him.” A highly plausible lie.
Brenna laughed. “Oh no, what was it this time? The cook was so angry when she found him in the dry storage room last week.”
“This is why osas shouldn’t be pets.”
“Rodric! Jed is family. You can’t send him away. He belongs with us.”
“So you and Celina keep telling me.” He sighed with a familiar, exaggerated exasperation.
The little osa had earned his place in the family. Not only with his rescue assistance to Celina in Eldridge, but with his actions on the long journey to their new home. Jed had moved continually from child to child, comforting their nightmares and making them laugh. The little saddlebag he’d made for the creature had been moved to a new horse each day during the trip.
Though Celina couldn’t guarantee it, Rodric suspected the creature was highly sensitive to emotions. Somehow, he’d managed to pick the person most in need of soothing to ride with each day. Though not nocturnal by nature, he’d shifted his hunting times toward evening and early morning so that he could spend the rest of the day with his people.
“Shortcut?” Rodric asked, pausing at the door that opened to one of the many courtyards.
In the summertime it might be an actual shortcut. During the winter, filled with snow and ice, it really wasn’t. But all of the children, Brenna included, loved the snow. Glancing at her attire, he decided she would be fine for the short jog.
