Bastian’s brows folded together, and he nodded. “As long as you tell Anna so she knows that I’ll be back at her side as soon as I’m able to, it’s fine if I need to stay here for a while.” His eyebrows shot up. “Or...do you think I could have a looking glass and contact her myself? At least then, she and I could talk. I won’t tell her anything about where I am or who you are, obviously.”
Jax laughed softly. “Yes, if you’d rather tell her yourself, I can get you a looking glass.”
Bastian grinned. “Perfect. Our plan’s settled. I’ll hang out here, talk to Anna every day, and enjoy a life of leisure while you go save the kingdoms.” I burst out laughing, and Bastian winked at me. “Just let me know when it’s safe to head back to Anna. But in the meantime, if I can talk to her, you don’t need to worry about me. Being able to speak with her will tide me over. Not to mention, it’d be nice to spend my mornings sleeping in. The shipyard’s schedule can be brutal.”
Jax released a breath, and his face lightened. “Oh, brother, how I’ve missed you.” He laid a hand on Bastian’s shoulder, but before Jax could pull back, Bastian seized him and yanked him into a hug.
“I never thanked you properly for what you’ve done for me, J.” Bastian’s words turned gruff, his joking nature calming. “You risked your life, your friends’ lives, yourmate’slife...all to save me.”
Jax’s throat worked in a swallow as the brothers held each other, and a sharp ache formed in my gut. Relief filled me that he finally had Bastian back at his side, but I would have been lying to myself if I didn’t also feel a twinge of envy. I was so thrilled the brothers were back together, but a part of me wished for that too...to have a sibling so I could experience what they had.
Jax squeezed Bastian tighter. “You know I would do anything for you. You’re my brother.”
I could have sworn a coating of moisture filled Bastian’s eyes. “And you’re mine, but it’s more than saving me from the Faewood king that I’m thankful for. You’ve never seen me as a half-breed either. Never, in all the seasons since you found out I was your brother, have you ever treated me any differently. I don’t know if I’ve ever properly thanked you for that.”
Jax pulled back, his gaze sharpening. “That’s not something you ever need to thank me for, and you shouldn’t. Everyone should treat you with kindness and respect regardless of who your father and mother are. It’s despicable that our culture allows half-breeds to be treated as they are, asyou’vebeen treated your whole life.”
A burst of pride and love bloomed through me as the fierceness of Jax’s words penetrated my soul. He believed that, truly believed that, and not for the first time I saw the courage and perseverance that made my mate who he was.
It was Jax’s unwavering belief thatallSilten fae—both siltenite, half-breed, and wildling—deserved equal treatment and fair laws. Those beliefs and seeing the injustices in our land had forged his path to becoming the Dark Raider. And I had a feeling that if the day ever came where Jax was the king of Stonewild, it wouldn’t be just his raider acts that strove to perform justice. It would be his ruling hand as well. Real change would come under Jax’s leadership. I was certain of that.
“Elowen,” Bastian said, grinning over his brother’s shoulder, and I realized he’d been staring at me as I remained wrapped up in my love for my mate. “Come here and join us.” He opened his arms to me, Jax doing the same, and before I knew it, the two brothers had me crushed against them as the three of us embraced.
I laughed, and Jax did too.
“My brother’s a lover and a jokester,” Jax said in a chuckling tone. “I did warn you of that, didn’t I? Expect to get hugs regularly from him.”
I laughed more. “I can get used to that.” I’d received such little affection in my life, and I was coming to learn I quite enjoyed it.
Hugging them one last time, I finally pulled free of the two large males. Standing apart again, Bastian surveyed the chambers. “So now what?”
Some of the lightness in Jax’s expression vanished, and he placed his hands on his hips. “I’ll get you a looking glass so you can talk to Anna whenever you want while the others and I work to stop what King Paevin’s doing. Once I’m certain it’s safe to return you home, we’ll get you back to Anna.”
Bastian nodded, and then, in a sudden burst, he jumped backward and landed on the bed with his arms spread out. His leap was so big some of the pillows bounced off the mattress, and one flipped upward and wedged right between his antlers. He freed the pillow and flung it to the side. “I suppose I can get used to this in the meantime. I’ve never lived in luxury before.”
Laughing again, I nodded toward the walls. “And when you’re hungry, all you have to do is ask the enchantment for whatever it is you want. It’ll deliver any kind of food you’re craving.” I eyed Jax teasingly. “Someone forgot to mention that tidbit when I was caged here. I thought servants were sneaking in when I wasn’t looking to deliver food. It nearly made my heart stop in fright.”
“Wait, my brother held you captivehere?” Bastian’s eyes grew entirely round.
Jax scrubbed his cheeks. “It’s not one of my proudest moments.”
“Don’t worry, Bastian,” I added. “I’ve forgiven him, even though he nearly starved me.”
Jax hissed, looking sheepish. “Damn. I’m a horrible captor, aren’t I?”
I grinned and pinched him teasingly. “Good thing you eventually made up for it.”
A sly smile lifted his lips, and he drifted closer to me, putting his hands on my hips and then drawing me against his chest. “Perhaps you could join me in my private chambers now, mate? Considering I don’t intend to let you sleep in any other chambers ever again?”
I arched an eyebrow. “Keeping me captive again?”
“Definitely, but your new captivity comes withlotsof fucking. An added perk. It’ll be better than the first go-around. I promise.”
Bastian covered his ears. “That’s your cue to leave, you two. I’m glad you’ve found your mate, J, but I don’t need to hear the details.”
A flush of embarrassment rushed up my neck, but so did a bolt ofwant. It hummed through me, and Jax’s burst of hunger—that had nothing to do with food—shot toward me on our bond.
I draped my arms around his neck. “Well, with a promise like that, how could a female refuse?”
