“Yeah, well,” Delphia shrugs before her eyes flick up to the bridge, “we had some help.”
“Did you take good care of him?” I ask, following her gaze up to Ezryn. He’s been intercepted by Dayton and Farron. Day seems to have begun an epic tale, to judge by the extensive hand gestures he’s making, while Fare and Ez listen, enraptured. A flood of warmth rushes through my bond, and all three turn to look at me. My face heats under their combined intensity. More feelings rush through the bond: contentment, joy, relief. Dayton must be telling them about our mate bond.
“We took real good care of him,” Delphia says. “He neededa lotof help.”
“He’d probably still be wandering the desert if it wasn’t for us,” Nori says, words lacking any inflection.
I chuckle. “I don’t doubt it. He’s lucky to have had such capable travel companions.”
Delphia shrugs. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing to adventure with him again. He wasn’t so bad.”
“For an old man,” Nori adds.
Laughing, I grab the girls in a hug again, then turn back to the bridge, anxious to get to Ezryn. As I start ascending the stairs, a hand grabs my wrist. I turn to look into a woman’s harsh, weathered face. Based on the Pegasus feathers pinned in her hair, she must be one of the Huntresses of Aura.
“Rosalina O’Connell?”
“Yes?” I peep. Her hawk’s gaze makes me nervous.
“I am Matron Valeria. Your mate, Ezryn, son of Isidora, says you are the Queen’s daughter.”
Forcing some command into my voice, I say, “This is true. I am daughter of Aurelia.”
She looks me up and down, then nods. “Yes, I see this. Moreso, Ifeelthis. Your mate was able to command the Queen’s Army in your name.”
My breath catches in my throat. Ezryn was able to sway the Queen’s Army from his brother’s side. “Ezryn is a remarkable leader.”
“Of that, I was not certain.” Valeria’s gaze narrows. “When he first entered our domain, we tracked his movements across thedesert. He seemed determined to serve only his own interests. So, when he came to us for aid, we sent him away. However, my heart urged me to keep watch over him and his young charges. I saw how he restored faith in the soldiers who found themselves adrift. To command an army is one thing, but to win their trust and loyalty is another. I knew then that the son of Isidora spoke honestly during his plea. To see the Queen’s Army restored to their righteous purpose can only be a sign that the Queen has come again to bring balance to the Enchanted Vale. This is your path, Golden Rose, and the Huntresses will aid you and your mates in what ways we can.”
I take her hand; it’s rough and heavily calloused. “Thank you, Matron Valeria. It is an honor to fight beside you and your warriors.”
The Huntress gives a stiff nod, then melds back into the crew. I let loose a breath and begin to make my way up the stairs again. I take one step before smacking into Ezryn’s hard chest.
The moment I look up and meet his dark gaze, the bustle around us seems to quiet. Everyone else on this ship blurs away into ghosts. There’s only me and him, the air between us sparking.
It was true what I said in my mind—I never doubted him. So why do I feel like my heart is going to explode out of my chest at the sight of him here?
I search his face, trying to pinpoint it. He’sdifferentsomehow. On the outside, he’s the same: ruggedly handsome face, intense gaze, clothing made for movement. But I feel something within him, something through the bond. Quiet. A tranquility, even. Like his inner self finally matches the stillness he embodies.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hi,” he responds.
The world rushes back in, the shouts of the crew, the flurry as people attend to the ship, the flapping wings of the Pegasus nearby. Delphie and Nori have found their big brothers, and the four of them stand in a circle, talking animatedly.
“It’s really busy on the deck,” I say quietly.
“Indeed it is,” Ezryn says.
“Would be good for you and me to, you know … debrief.”
“Absolutely, we should.”
I bite my lip. “No real space up here.”
Ezryn takes a step down until we’re standing chest to chest. His dark eyes blaze. “There’s a closet below deck.”
“Perfect.”
