“Luckily,” Talon continued, “my wolf’s magic was amped up from the fight and wouldn’t tolerate that shit. I was able to overpower his barrier and break through. He blasted me with a burst of magic that hit me like a hammer to the chest, but I was able to recover in time to snap his neck in my jaw.”
“You didn’teathim, did you?” Neera’s face went pale.
“No,” Talon answered quickly. “But… can’t lie and say I didn’t taste him.”
“I’m so glad my animal is a deer,” Neera said, thankfully not vomiting along the path. “I think, after that story, I might become a vegetarian, though.”
“That mage was fortunate I was busy dealing with a hunter,” Rhea growled. “No one puts my mate in a cage and has the honor of a quick death.”
Talon gave Rhea a half-smile and looped an arm around her shoulder. “You’re as deadly as you are terrifying, my love.”
Rhea turned and kissed his crooked nose. “No one but me is allowed to best you, Talon.”
“When I let you,” he countered.
Rhea raised a brow at her mate, bucking up her chin so she could meet his cocky grin. “Do you want to sleep outside for the rest of the week?”
“As long as you’re with me, I’ll happily sleep anywhere.” Talon laughed, pulling Rhea closer, the only one who would ever dare to see her threat as playful mocking.
I sighed. Seeing them together tugged at my center, the longing for Daxton daring to pull me under in a wave of grief.
“Don’t give in, Spitfire.”I swear, I could hear Daxton’s voice inside my head.“Don’t tell me you’re doubting the magic of our bond… You know I’m right about this.”
I huffed a laugh, closing my eyes and picturing Daxton’s amused grin. A true smile that exposed the hidden dimple on his cheek.
“You all right?” Shaw asked with Neera close at his side.
“As good as I can be,” I answered, looking at him.
He nodded, not pressing the matter further, which I silently thanked him for.
“Where was Magnus last seen?” I hated asking, but I needed to know.
“When we buried Mother,” Neera said with a shaking voice. “When we laid the stones on her grave, Father, he—”
We would both need time to grieve the loss of Julia, but right now, we had to be strong. And I needed Magnus.
We all needed him.
“Magnus shifted and disappeared into the forest and headed north,” Talon said. His grip on Rhea tightened. “The loss of his mate—” Talon, for once, had trouble articulating his words. “It’s…”
“You don’t have to explain,” I said quickly. “I get it.”
Talon and Rhea both nodded as we continued marching onward.
“There have been sightings here and there. He hasn’t left the pack lands, but we’ve been unable to reach him. We can’t communicate with him even in our animal forms,” Shaw added.
“I tried,” Neera said, reaching for my hand, which I extended to try to comfort her.
“The reason he’s still here,” I said in a calm, steadying voice, “is because he still has you, Neera. He could never abandon you. I don’t believe he’s gone. He’s just lost. We’ll get him back.”
“Promise?” Neera asked.
“Promise.”
Her soft smile amongst her freckled cheeks held relief as she sighed. “Thank you, Sky.”
“It’s the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you, and you know it.”
