23. Danica

Danica

23

W ell, that was one steamy fae forest reunion to remember! Still tingling all over in places magical glitter can't reach, I finish wriggling awkwardly back into the barely-there overshare pixie costume while watching Rhyland's unfairly perfect ass disappear back into those snug black jeans.

Hellooo lover!

We meander back to the encampment, basking in the warm afterglow of a reunion that only soulmates divided by time could share, all under the approving shimmer of the stars above.

Emerging from the shelter of the trees, we're abruptly bathed in the flickering torchlight. My smile solidifies into a picture-perfect 'oh no' as the realization hits me square in the face. My cheeks blaze with heat under the camp's collective gaze. Their stares and half-hidden smirks tell me they caught the forest performance of our passionate encore.

Syla curled safely in my arms; she peeks her head up at the staring faces, her bright amber eyes wide with curiosity.

Here walks Rhyland, my shirtless Viking vamp, oozing nonchalance while I am shrinking into myself, wishing I could vanish out of sheer embarrassment."That was a hell of a homecoming, don't you think, Angel?" Rhyland's voice echoes, strong and commanding, across the hushed camp.

I jab him with my elbow, face on fire, "Zip it, will you?" I whisper. Casting a glance at the sea of smirks around us, I'm mentally shopping for a nice invisibility cloak.

Rhyland chuckles, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. "Don't be ashamed to let the world hear just how much I make you scream my name, baby."

"Ugh, you're impossible," I mutter, quickening my pace toward Faderyn and Axilya's tent—anything to escape the prying eyes and knowing looks. Rhyland's laughter follows me as I duck inside, my heart pounding.

Syla jumps from my arms and heads over to Axilya, snuggling up to her. Axilya looks down at the little Coatl with a soft smile, gently stroking her fur as Syla purrs contentedly.

Axilya raises one elegant brow. "Welcome back. I trust you and Rhyland have...reconnected?"

I groan, covering my beet-red face.

Faderyn smiles sympathetically. "Do not worry, Danica. We are simply glad you and Rhyland have found each other again."

Rhyland's blue eyes have turned into frosted daggers of resolve aimed straight at Faderyn. Every sinew in his body is pulled tight, his aura practically humming with fatal wrath. "Who the hell is this?" he growls, his voice rolling deep like thunder on the horizon.

Cutting off Rhyland's looming threat with a dash of diplomatic haste, I jump in with the niceties. "Rhyland, meet Faderyn," I interject, wedging myself front and center. "He's on our side— a friend—he's the one who came to my rescue—"

"A friend?" Rhyland curled his lip into a sneer. "Is that what we're calling it?"

"What?" I blink at him, taken aback.

"Don't fuckin' play dumb, Dani," Rhyland growls. "I can smell that bastard's lust for you all over him."

My jaw drops, and disbelief splashes across my face. "What…? You can actually smell his lust for me? No, Rhyland, hold up—you're way off base here!"

"Then enlighten me," he challenges, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

I snap back at Rhyland, my ire catching fire, "The nerve of you—throwing accusations at Faderyn without knowing what went down!"

"Do I?" His eyes spear Faderyn, the uncomfortable outsider to our duo.

Faderyn's lips stay sealed, and his choice is silenced, but those emerald eyes talk to me, gentle and quiet against the raging storm; that's all Rhyland right now.

"Cool your jets," I exhale sharply, pivoting to Faderyn. "Faderyn's been the good guy here, a friend and then some. He was there for me when it was a party of one." Whirling to Rhyland, my words pour out in a torrent, "I can't fathom what's got your fangs in a twist… but let's get one thing straight—there's been zero funny business between us!"

My face is on fire, probably glowing brighter than the flickering fae campfires as I dig in my heels. Rhyland's got that look in his eyes, a fury burning so fierce it could give the wildest fae spells a run for their money, his body wound up tight, a coiled spring of barely leashed rage. It's like squaring off with a thunderstorm just itching to let loose.

I manage to keep my eyes dutifully in their sockets. Rhyland's prehistoric jealousy routine is definitely getting a rain check for a serious chat.

"That's enough." Axilya's tone is stern. "I would appreciate you keeping your hostility regarding my people to a minimum." Axiliya's threat is met with Rhyland conceding.

For the moment, the storm's been dodged. Taking a step back, I give both men the 'let's get down to business' face.

"Alright, with that mess untangled, let's turn our attention to the actual bad guys, shall we?"

The room falls silent as Axilya lays out her plan, her pale green eyes calculating.

I turn to Axilya, confusion furrowing my brow. "Wait—you still want us to meet with Amara when we have Rhyland?" IshootAxilyaa determined look. "Instead of walking straight into Amara's den, why don't we return toWhispervale?Rhyland's free; meeting Amara now paints a target on us."

"She knows we've escaped. Dani is right." Rhyland confirms.

Axilyahesitates, her tactical mind turning the thought over. "Amara won't take lightly to being stood up, but... yes," she reluctantly concedes. "It may be more prudent to consolidate our position away from her gaze. I will devise an excuse—perhaps the carriage breaking— for our lack of attendance." Axilya paces the floor. "Very well, back toWhispervale," she decrees, albeit slightly reluctant.

Rhyland's voice is thick with fervor, a rough edge to his eager words. "Damn straight. We need to put as much distance between us and that bitch as possible. We need to double down on Dani's quest for that fucking stone. It's time to take the reins and drive this prophecy forward."

"Indeed, expedience would be prudent in addressing this matter—the earlier, the more favorable," Axilya concurs.

I swivel to Rhyland, laying it on him straight from Axilya's intel briefing—that Amara's packing some serious dark mojo, hogging the magic like it's her personal deck of aces, and how the Sun Court's got this exclusive magic shield that's keeping her wicked vibes at bay.

"I know all about that hag's twisted dark magic. Looks like compulsion shit to me—but that crap doesn't fly with us vamps." Rhyland sits down in a nearby chair. "She's dabbling in some serious shadow fuckery too—almost on Azrael's level."

"Compulsion?" inquires Axilya, aghast. The color visibly fades from her face. "She possesses the capacity to dictate others' actions at her mere whim?"

"From the dirt I've picked up, yeah—but it's a bitch to lock down. Like I said, that crap's got no play on us." I reach Rhyland's side and run my fingers through his hair. "Looks like she's got everyone dancing to her tune, whether they're willing or not, that's the damn question."

"What of Alinar?" Axilya quickly asks. I quickly take note of her look and glassy eyes.

"He was there, cozying up and sucking up to that repulsive hag," Rhyland confirms.

Axilya drifts off toward the tent's rear, and I can feel it in my bones—she's not just upset; she's carrying a world of hurt. I move to tail her, maybe offering an ear, but Faderyn's putting up a stop sign. "We should rest up for the night. We have a long journey home tomorrow."

I filledRhylandin on the whole saga that unfolded during our time apart — his face was a cocktail of worry and inquisitiveness while I spilled the beans on my aquatic brush with the reaper and Faderyn's timely heroics.

"And get this—Erik tracked me down afterward. He's been training me," I say, a bit of a brag in my tone.

Rhyland smiles knowingly. "Ah, Erik schooling you, huh? Should've known he'd take you on as his new protégé."

Planting my hands firmly on my hips, I give my hair a theatrical flick over my shoulder. "That's right, I've picked up a few tricks. So watch it, don't push me, or you might find yourself flat on your ass, Viking." I say with a playful but challenging spark in my eye.

Rhyland's laugh rumbles deep. "I'm itching to test these new moves of yours, baby. Think we should arrange a little one-on-one later." He shoots me a smoldering glance that sends a flush to my cheeks.

His face hardens, the playfulness slipping away. "Listen, about that shit with Faderyn earlier... I'm sorry I got so riled up. When mates are bonded, we can legitimately smell it when someone else hungers for our other half. It triggers some fierce protective bullshit in me."

My eyebrows arch high with intrigue. "Well, that's a new one."

Rhyland firms his jaw as he nods. "Yeah, it's like an extra sense that kicks in." He takes my hands with a gentleness that belies his rugged nature. "I'll call out any bastard who dares to lust after what's mine."

I flash Rhyland a sultry smile, my heart racing with a thrill I can't deny. As much as his possessive streak isn't needed, it kindles something wild within me.

My hand lifts, fingers gently tracing the contours of his face. "Listen to me, Captain Complicated. There's only you. This whole 'being apart' gig has made me a sentimental sap. Yeah, Faderyn's been a decent friend, but that's where it ends." I lean in, my kiss barely grazing his. "This heart right here? It beats for you, only you, forever and always."

Rhyland's stance softens, the stress melting from his broad shoulders. I back up and lean against a tree, still feeling the heat from Rhyland's gaze. "So tell me, how's that stone-faced brother of mine keeping his shit together?" he demands, a trace of brotherly unease roughening his voice.

"He's been Mr. Stoic, as usual," I smirk. You know Erik—he acts like he can bench press a mountain but gets all gooey inside when someone needs help."

Rhyland's lips twitch in amusement. "Classic Erik, always the rock. He's been taking care of you?"

"Taking care? Please, it's me who's been keeping him on his toes with a bit of rough and tumble in our training sessions," I retort with a sly smirk, feeling a burst of pride bubble up inside at the thought of my own progress. "But I'll give you that—amidst all the craziness, he's been as solid as a rock."

Rhyland nods, his vivid blue eyes glinting with approval.

"He was the one who kept air in my lungs when the bond felt like it was suffocating me," I say with a soft smile, the memory of Erik's steadfast presence comforting me through countless nights. "He'd chase away the nightmares that tried to take hold, dry my tears, and keep my outlook looking up, aimed straight at hope." Pausing for a breath, I continue, "But honestly? His relentless training—it was a lifeline. It kept my mind from spiraling; it might've kept me afloat through the worst of missing you."

In a heartbeat, Rhyland's before me, his firm grip coaxing my chin upward. My gaze lifts to lock with his deep ocean blues, "I'm so damn sorry you had to deal with that, sweetheart. It kills me that I put you in that situation. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to ensure nothing like that ever happens again." His lips softly brush against mine. "And then I'm going to tear Erik a new one for laying a finger on you."

I raise an eyebrow mischievously. "What, you jealous that your scary right-hand man—brother— turned out to be a cuddly teddy bear? Maybe I should be the one getting territorial over him." I punctuate it with a playful wink. "I could watch you two wrestle it out...preferably shirtless and covered inbabyoil." I gesture up and down atRhyland, "my smoldering, alpha-licious Viking."

Rhyland flashes a roguish grin, his eyes glinting with mischief, before letting out a low growl as he nestles into my neck. "You're just begging for it, aren't you?" he growls into my neck, his teeth grazing my skin, "begging for an ass-whooping with your sass." he punctuates his words by gripping two handfuls of my ass and squeezing.

A chuckle escapes me while Rhyland's teeth playfully graze my skin, the man oozing jealousy and possessiveness like it's his day job. Honestly, wouldn't have him any other way.

I quickly shift the conversation, "We need to go get Lucian."

Rhyland nods his head, his expression turning serious. "Come on, Angel."

As we head out, I match his stride, determination fueling my steps. It's time to save the smart-ass known as Lucian and maybe come up with some more creative pet names for Rhyland along the way.