Page 110 of In Your Light

It felt good.

His soul felt a little lighter.

“You still okay?” Fyn asked.

“I’m very okay,” Hadeom murmured, kissing him softly.

They were standing by the fire as Fray told a story that made the faun laugh.

Even Pax caught himself smiling. He excused himself and made his way over to Fyn and Hadeom. “Evening,” Pax said.

Hadeom had to give him credit for trying.

“I’m glad you came,” Fyn said. “You can see why I like it here.”

Pax glanced over at Fray and his captive audience. “He’s funny.” Then he smiled at Cyd and Voh, who were fascinated with the kittens and forest sprites and four little raven shadows, and vice versa. “The godlings are remarkable.”

“Yes, they are,” Fyn agreed. “You should see them in their cephamorphic state. Or as little humans. Cutest things you ever saw.”

Pax nodded slowly, and then his gaze landed on Hadeom. “Cern tells me you sent information off about the mining company.”

“Yes.” It was information he had access to from his office computer. High-level clearance access on fund transfers to offshore shell companies between Bickstrom Corp and certain politicians. Information the tax department should have and details the public should know. Sawyer had been on the right track when he said to follow the money.

Sawyer had been on the right track about a lot of things.

“It should put a stop to it,” Hadeom added.

“And he didn’t even have to murder anyone,” Fyn said.

Pax stared at him.

“I was joking,” Fyn added.

“Might be a bit too soon,” Hadeom said, pulling him close and kissing the side of his head.

Pax watched them for a beat. “And you saved the human,” he said, conversationally. “Sawyer? The guy we met in the clearing.”

“Yes, he did,” Fyn said quickly, giving Hadeom a squeeze. “He has a good heart, Pax.”

He nodded slowly again before he gave Fyn a brief smile. “I’m glad we talked.”

“Same. We should do it more often. Zaq and I still want to meet for a run every other day or two. You should come along. It’s fun. Remember when we used to run for fun?”

Pax flinched, but then he nodded. “You would always stop and smell the flowers.”

Fyn threw his head back and laughed, which was possibly Hadeom’s favourite sound in the world. “Because I was so much faster than you, I could stop and smell the flowers and still beat you in a race.”

Pax smiled again then. A genuine smile that blended out the hard lines of his face. He looked younger. “You wish.”

Then Otis hollered and Pania wolf-whistled. They were looking toward the water, so everyone turned and...

There were two figures on the jetty. Very wet, very naked.

Ciaran and Sawyer.

Cheers went up, clapping and yelling, laughing.

Someone had thought to put two towels on the jetty, thankfully, which they tied around their waists before they began walking over.