Ididn’trealize I was crying until the sound of Byn saying one wordover and overgrounded me back into my body.
“Avi, Avi, Avi…”he murmured repeatedly, stroking my hair and being my source of comfort, even when hedidn’tknow exactly whyI’dneeded it. Even his familiar scent—sweet magnolia blossoms and fresh rain—was a comfort Ihadn’trealizedI’dmissed.
If I hadn’t been absolutely exhausted, I was confident my zirilium would have acted up somehow.
“I’ve missed you,” I said, mycries turning to sniffles.
“I know, my love.I’vemissed you, too.”Hesighed. “Saying I simply missed youdoesn’tdo the feelings I experienced justice. I yearned for you,achedfor you, every moment you were gone. When I could hardly feel you anymore, Teagan practically had to drag me back to The Haven by my ear,” he said, causing me to let out a surprised chuckle.
“You know, for somebody that hasn’t slept in a real bed in nearly two weeks, you still manage to take my breath away,” Byn said after pulling back to look at me, that handsome smirk of his quirking up his mouth on one side.
I rolled my eyes, then teased, “Shut up and kiss me,Thorntier.”
And that was all the encouragement he hadneeded,his lips crashing into mine a split second later. It was a hungry, devouringkiss full ofclaim and needand desire. I finally understood him when he said he burned for me—I felt so many things at once for him, Iwouldn’thavebeensurprised if I broke out into flames just outside of town.
Just outside of town.
I gasped, pulling back and locking eyes with my husband, my cheeks flushing pink.
“I was just getting started,” he complained, but I could hear the playfulness in his voice and feel his delight in my chest.
“Another time, love,” I said, untangling myself from him and standing on my own two feet again.
“So…” Byn said, looking over my head. “You three were at least somewhat successful.”
I turned, following his gaze until my eyes landed on Quinn and Ezra.
They were kneeling before each other, Quinn holding her husband’s face as they simply marveled at each other. They were so close, I knewthey’dalready been wrapped up in each other, and I was just catching thetailend of the interaction.
Byn slipped his hand into mine and began the walk over. But once we got near, my heart cracked at what I heard.
“I didn’t break, Gem. I thought of you, and Iknewdeep down that I’d see you again. I knew I couldn’t live with myself if I broke, so I thought of what you would do, and it worked. Ididn’tbreak. Ididn’t break.I didn’t break.”
Soon, fresh tears were rolling down Ezra’s face,and Quinn pulled him close, as though if she held on tight enough, she could undo all the hurt that had befallen him.
“Iwouldn’thave cared if you had, Ezra. I just wanted you home safely.” She pulled back and cupped his face again, her own eyes welling anew. “And you did that. You made it. You survived, Ezra.”
Ezra laughed then, as though he could barely believe it himself.
He caught sight of Byn then, his focus shifting for just a moment as he said, “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“Never, my brother,” Robyn said, his voice cracking slightly as he leaned over to place a hand on his shoulder and squeezed softly. I could feel the joy radiating from Byn so strongly, andit reminded me of the fire he wielded.
I knew Byn wanted to speak to Ezra more, to hug him and make sure he wasalright, but hewasalso aware that Quinn had him now. And that was reassurance enough.
I watched as Byn turned to Rayven and Matea. On making eye contact, Rayven placed his fist over his heart and bowed his head. Byn smiled, mimicking his friend’s hand movements. The look of respect and appreciation that passed between them was something I wasgratefulByn had. It seemed like a whole conversation had passed between them, without a word needing to be said.
Facing Matea, Byn dipped his head to her and said, his voice full of appreciation, “Thank you. Whatever you need or want,it’syours. Just let me know.”
Itwasn’tjust the appreciation in his voice that I noticed, though. I could feel the mixed emotionshe’dharbored before unraveling as he softened toward my half-sister. Now all heseemed to befeeling towards her was gratitude.
Matea, whose eyes were full of pride for her accomplishments, waved a hand dismissively and responded, “It was nothing.”
Her utter nonchalance caused Byn to laugh. I smiled, his laugh like flawless music to my ears.
Oh, how I’ve longed for him,I thought.
He headed back over to my side after making sure Matea truly knew he was there if she needed anything, then slipped his hand back into mine. It was as though hecouldn’tstand not to touch me in some way.
