24. Rhyland

Rhyland

24

W e thread through dense foliage, the moon's silvery beams casting elongated shadows onto the forest floor. The chill of the night air contrasts sharply with the heat radiating from Dani's proximity. I feel her hand in mine, her grip firm and solid.

"Meadow," I begin, sensing it's time to clear the air. "She's an enigma, that one. We crossed paths deep within Amara's stronghold. She has this... fire within her, despite being a nobody among the fae elite."

Dani nods, her golden eyes sparkling with keen interest as we continue our trek.

"She's the reason Lucian and I aren't still rotting in that hellhole, or worse," I say, my voice laced with gratitude. "And the girl's got some sight—visions or something like that. Sees things before they go down."

"A seer?" Dani asks, tilting her head slightly.

"In a sense, yeah. But the role she's played—damn important."

I stop talking as we approach the cave where I last saw Lucian and Meadow. We step in, and the musty cave chill surrounds us, but there's no sign of them.

"Lucian!" My voice echoes off the walls, met only by silence. "Mouse!" Again, just the echo of our own breathing and the steady plink of water from the stalactites meet our ears.

Dani arches an eyebrow at me, a silent question in her gaze. "Mouse?"

I force a half-hearted grin, unease clawing at my chest. "That's my nickname for her—tiny, sneaky, and quick, just like a mouse."

Dani remains quiet, picking up on my growing anxiety.

Closing my eyes, I send out a silent call, probing for my brother with our instinctive connection. I stretch my senses, searching for Lucian. Suddenly, I sense his unmistakable signature coming from directly overhead. Opening my eyes, I meet Dani's probing gaze.

"They're up the mountain," I tell her bluntly.

I study Dani, looking for any sign that she might be balking at the plan, but I see only determination—the same resolve coursing through me. "It looks like we're scaling a mountain," I state plainly.

Her nod is firm as we mentally prepare for what challenges the mountain has in store for us.

Under the full moon's light, we tackle the upward path. I watch Dani as we climb, her movements confident and graceful. The moonlight plays off her figure, dressed in an outfit that accentuates every curve, and my thoughts start to stray.

I force my eyes to look up and meet hers. "You know," I say, pulling back from those dangerous thoughts, "you still haven't filled me in on Axilya."

Dani rolls her eyes at the mention of her name. "She's been helpful," she admits, hoisting herself over a rock. "But I swear, her taste in clothing is designed to torture me."

I arch an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Let's just say her taste in attire for me has been more suited for a burlesque show than battle or diplomacy," Dani says, a note of frustration tingeing her voice but her lips curling in amusement.

"I gotta say, I like the view," I can't help but respond.

She playfully swats my arm. "You would. It's bad enough having Faderyn and Erik gawking without adding you to the mix."

Ignoring the comment about Faderyn, I ask quickly, feeling a sudden flare of possessiveness, "But she's on our side?"

"Yeah, she is," Dani replies. "She believes in what we're fighting for."

The back-and-forth between us is easy, each sentence stitching the space between us back into place. Dani opens up about unicorns, legendary beasts of untamed magic and immense majesty, each color representing a different facet of their power.

Eventually, we crest the mountain, the journey feeling eternal yet fleeting. I call out, "Lucian, you here?"

Lucian drops from a tree branch above, landing with precision.

"Jesus Christ, Lucian!" Dani yelps as she stumbles back into me. "You scared me." She swats his arm.

Lucian grins, aiming his smirk squarely at us. "Who, me? Scary? Never," he quips with mock astonishment, then bursts into a bout of chuckles, clearly amused by Dani's reaction.

"Scare is putting it mildly," she shoots back, her eyes thin slits of mock indignation but the corners of her mouth betraying her, twitching with a smile.

Lucian cocks one eyebrow, his dark brown eyes dancing with impish glee. "Damn, I was going for more of a 'holy shit, I just soiled myself' level of abject terror," he quips, a cocky smirk plastered across his face.

I roll my eyes while Dani scrambles to find her footing again after the shock. "Always the pain in the ass," I toss out with a gruff chuckle.

"And you're always ugly as sin—some things never change," Lucian fires back.

Dani can't help it; she lets out a laugh despite herself. "You are such a jerk, you know that?" she says, the humor clear in her voice.

Lucian's voice oozes with his signature snark, "So this explains what you chased when you put on your brood-mood face." He shakes his head, amusement lacing his tone. "Should've guessed. But hey, Princess, I'm thrilled he stumbled upon you. Dude was a bee's dick away," he holds up his fingers, barely apart, "from completely losing his marbles."

Dani sighs and looks up at me with worry in her eyes.

Having Lucian here, solid and real, chips away at the anxiety that had been lodged deep within me.

Dani recounts recent days to Lucian—the allies she's rallied, the scuffles she's weathered, and the chess moves she's had to play in this twisted game of courts and power. Respect lights up Lucian's eyes while he listens, his gaze flickering over to Dani with a glint that's damn near close to admiration, recognizing the steel in her.

"And where's Mouse?" I interject as Dani finishes, my concern for the small fae that helped us still lingering.

Lucian calls out, "Mouse, it's time to make an entrance. The coast is clear—no big, bad wolves are here."

Meadow lands with a gentle thud among the leaves. Her big, round eyes lock onto mine before swiveling to Dani.

"You're Dani," she says, her voice hushed, as if speaking of something sacred.

Dani responds with a smile as kind as summer. "And you're Meadow, I take it."

A step forward, wide-eyed, Meadow breathes out, "The Light, you're the Light in my visions."

Dani's brows knit together in a visual question mark, a silent signal for me to jump in.

"Meadow here's got some tricks up her sleeve," I say, drawing Dani into the circle of my arm. "Those visions I mentioned to you? You're a star player in them, sweetheart."

Meadow bobs her head eagerly. "I saw storms and lightning, and you were right in the thick of it."

As I'm about to dive deeper, Dani's attention snags on something else—Meadow's hold on the book, which looks like it's seen better days.

"What do you have there?" Dani asks, gesturing toward the worn tome.

Meadow looks down as if surprised by its presence. "Oh, this? It's... it was supposed to be the answer. I thought it would have the spell to break their collars." Her gaze lifts to mine, then drifts to my neck. "Your collar—it's gone!" Her voice rises with excitement.

My hand lifts on its own accord, fingertips brushing against the smooth skin where that damn collar used to weigh me down—cold, unyielding metal no more.

A grin breaks out across my face as I turn to Dani, who's so much more than she knows—hell, my savior in every damn way. "Magic didn't stand a chance," I say, voice swelling with pride. "Dani busted me out with something packing way more punch."

Meadow shuffles closer, eyes full of something deep and bright, gazing at Dani like she's just been handed a legend in the flesh.

Lucian barges in, all tact forgotten as usual. "Hey, maybe we could press pause on the heavenly meet and greet for now?" he drawls, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "There's just the tiny, insignificant matter of this fashionable hellhound accessory situation." He gives the collar a disdainful yank. "That fantastic disappearing act you pulled with my brooding better half? Think you could work that magic trick again for the stubborn blonde in the back?"

Dani arches an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Well, look who's getting his panties in a twist over a little accessory. Hate to break it to you, Luci, but this isn't a drive-thru service. Let's not put the cart before the horse," she interjects, her expression serious as she locks her eyes with Lucian. "First order of business, you've got to drink my blood."

Lucian's face lights up with a mischievous gleam. "Oh, shit yeah," he drawls, that trademark smart-ass tone that could turn anything into an innuendo kicking in. "If that's an open invitation to get up close and personal with a gorgeous creature like yourself—"

"Dial it back, Casanova,"Daniinterrupts sharply. "There's nothing remotely sexual about this unless you're into getting your ass kicked by light magic."

Lucian's eyes light up with a wicked glint as he interjects, "Listen, I've been stuck slurping on rodents and whatever other fairy-tale rejects I could get my fangs into for weeks now,"Lucianlaments, his tone dripping with that trademark sarcasm. "So if that's your subtle way of offering me a taste of the top-shelf stuff..." He pauses deliberately, eyes twinkling as he leans in with a roguish grin. "Well then, I'm definitely not going to turn down that kind of invitation, sweetheart."

I clench my jaw, involuntarily reacting to the thought ofLucian's fangs anywhere near her. Before I have a chance to let loose how pissed I am or explain anything,Daniwhirls on me with a challenging look in her eyes.

"Hold up, Mr. Overlord—put a sock in it," she snaps. "Or are you keen on your sibling sporting that chic throat bling permanently?"

Her words slam down like a final verdict; she isn't about to put up with any of my shit while she's set on savingLucian.

Lucian, the insufferable smartass that he is. "Oh, my fuck, that's fan-fucking-tastic!" He crows, clapping his hands together like an overexcited toddler. "Mr. Overlord? That's like, the most perfect nickname ever. Of all time."

He sidles up to Dani, slinging an arm around her shoulders and grinning like a lunatic. "Dani,baby, you are officially my new favorite person. Seriously, can I just, like, carry you around in my pocket? Pull you out whenever I need a sick burn to lob atRhy-Rhy?"

Ignoring Lucian's bullshit, "I'll be damned if I let that bastard sink his fangs into you,Angel," I growl through clenched teeth. "We'll figure out another way to give him your blood, but not straight—"

"Oh, absolutely not. Our fancy gear? Stashed away in good oldWhispervale. And look atLucian, turning more and more into a ghost right before our eyes—practically a stiff breeze away from being next week's gossip. Plus, sunbathing's not exactly in his repertoire unless we plan on toting around a king-sized parasol."

With a pissed-off growl, I snap my jaw shut tight and throw her a dark nod, keeping my damn objections to myself.

Dani's toned arm reaches out towardLucian, her blood singing a damn near irresistible tune for the monster he's got caged inside.Luciancloses in, every step screaming lethal intent. He locks eyes with her, some playful devilry dancing in those brown depths, then snatches up her wrist, pressing her flesh to his lips with a deceptive gentleness.

As I watch this little show, a primal rage boils up inside me, fierce and demanding ownership. Maybe she's impervious to it—maybe it won't mess with her as it typically does. I step up, sliding my arms aroundDani's waist, locking her in like she's the last damn thing I'm ever gonna let go. I feel every fiber of my being scream in protest asLucian's fangs puncture her flesh—a sharp intake of breath fromDanisends a shockwave through me.

Lucian's moans vibrate againstDani's skin as he feeds. The sound alone should be enough to set me off, to send me into a goddamn frenzy tearing him off her. But reason overrules instinct. I get why he needs this. Her powerful blood is like armor to him—he'd be straight-up fucked by her divine glow.

Dani's body softens against mine, her tension melting away as the vampire's aphrodisiac venom seeps into her bloodstream. Her head lolls back onto my shoulder, and I take advantage of her exposed neck. My lips graze her earlobe, nibbling gently before whispering dark promises meant only for her. "You have no idea how beautiful you are and how bad I want you again," I murmur into the shell of her ear. "How I'm going to take you—hard and unrelenting," I speak through our mental bond.

Her pulse flutters wildly under my tongue as I trace it down her neck. My hands slide over her abdomen, pressing her closer until my body fully traps her—my presence.

"Imagine all the dirty fucking things I'm gonna do to you," I growl into her mind, my teeth sinking into her soft lobe. "I'm gonna make you ride my cock while I leave my dark kisses all over you. I'm gonna slam my cock so deep inside you and fuck you senseless."

Danimoans, her body melting against mine as I claim her with every word. "And when we're done," I growl hungrily, feeling the possessive need coursing through me, "I'm going to claim every inch of your delicious body... again and again—starting with this perfect little ass that you've been teasing me with."

Lucianlets go ofDani's wrist after a final, greedy drag that sucks another sharp breath from her. His gaze cuts to me over her shoulder, a whole conversation in that look, silent but clear as day.

When he backs off to clear the air, I ratchet my grip onDani, staking my claim while calming the storm in her.

She spins around in my embrace, her honey eyes deep with desire.

I crush her lips with mine, all raw and hungry, savoring that sweet taste. The rest of the world can go to hell; it's just her and me and the goddamn fire we've got between us that's burning everything else away.

Tonight is about survival, but once we are done with this bullshit, I will make good on every wicked promise whispered intoDani's mind—until she is breathless and I'm buried deep inside her.

AsDanikisses me back hungrily, the intoxicating taste of her lips makes me crave so much more. But I force myself to slow down, hyper-aware that my brother andMeadoware mere feet away. This is not the time or place to lose control, no matter how badly I want to devour every inch ofDani's body.

I lean in, my mouth grazing her ear, and whisper hotly, "Don't worry,Angel. I intend to follow through on every dirty promise... later. But right now, it's your turn. I need to heal you."

I gaze at the brutal gash on her neck, a result of my hungry bite, and the two wounds on her wrist inflicted byLucian. Wasting no time, I sink my teeth into my wrist and press it againstDani's lips.

She doesn't hesitate for a second, greedily latching on with her soft mouth, moaning in sheer pleasure, her eyes closing as she drinks from me.

The sensation sends blood rushing straight to my cock, making it rock hard once again. "That's it,baby." Her honey-gold eyes latch onto mine, swirling with raw desire and unmistakable lust. I can practically taste her craving, mirroring my fierce need.

A visible shiver runs throughDani's body at my words. I pull my wrist away, the wounds already healed.

She takes a steadying breath, clearly affected by the heady effects of arousal from my blood and the venom. Turning, she glances atLucianandMeadow, conversing in hushed tones beneath a towering tree.

Daniswats my chest, giving me an exasperated yet amused look. "Really,Rhyland? Getting me all revved up while your brother has his fangs in my wrist?"

I offer a shrug, a half-hearted, sorry smile on my lips. "My bad, I just couldn't help myself. Wanted you clued into my headspace—and to dodge the bullet of you going all hot and bothered from his chomp." I snap my teeth together in a playful manner as I downplay the truth, keeping the deeper motives to myself. She doesn't need to know all the whys… yet.

Dani's eyes go big as saucers, a mix of shock and sly humor dancing in her honey-golden gaze. "Wait, seriously?" She bursts into laughter, the sound rich with disbelief and a touch of challenge. "You couldn't have tucked away those scandalous promises for a more private rendezvous? And what's running through your devious mind—that I'd pounce onLucianlike he's the last piece of chocolate in the box? Please."

I growl at the mental image, pullingDaniagainst me possessively. "Hey, I can't be too careful with you,baby. You're irresistible."

Daniflicks a dismissive glance, the faint hint of a blush betraying her quickened pulse. She steels herself before she struts back toLucian. My gaze sticks to her, a mix of raw hunger and admiration churning inside me. She's a force to reckon with—my formidable, stunning mate.

Daniinches towardLucian, her expression softening. Her fingers hover nearLucian's collar as if touching something delicate. Her brow is knitted in deep focus. Her hands are hesitant, barely grazing him, like she's tapping into a secret place—that is hers alone, nudging the dormant brilliance inside.

I'm spellbound, witnessing her transformation—it's magnetic. The air crackles with life, weighty with the thrum of power.

Her typically warm honey-gold eyes now shine with a fierce, ethereal light. It's as if her core is rising to the surface, the long-slumbering force within her coming alive, manifesting in a spectacle of light and life.

I've never seen her eyes glow. Did my blood do that?

From the gentle pressure of her palm, a soft glow spreads, bathing us in its comforting embrace. It's not mere light; it's living, throbbing with the same cadence as our hearts, weaving aroundLucian's collar in a dance of pure gold.

Dark shadows squirm under its guise, vestiges of old curses scrambling for retreat against the relentless advance of her light. The collar heats up, glowing an angry red, then seems to dissolve, defeated by her radiant energy.

Lucian, motionless, gazes atDaniwith unflinching trust. There's a silent accord in his eyes, a faith that she'd wield this formidable power without harming him.

The heavy yoke that grippedLucian's throat crumbles to nonexistence, not leaving a trace of dust in its wake. As the remnants of the collar fade, so too does the gleam fromDani's palm. She steps back gently, her breaths coming in deep, labored pulls as her eyes revert to their natural honey-gold hue.

Her glance flicks up to mine, searching for confirmation or maybe to share in the awe of her own deed. Wordlessly, I close the space between us and crush her in an embrace, my heart surging with pride and love for this extraordinary woman who's eradicated the shadows armed solely with her innate radiance.

"Oh… thank fuck!"Lucianexhales dramatically, rolling his neck with an exaggerated feline stretch. "Note to self—keep my shit tightly wound around the celestial badass over here." He shoots her an appraising look through hooded lids, mouth quirking into that trademark smirk. "Wouldn't want to end up on the receiving end of divine retribution from the 'Angelof Fucking Mercy' herself. The holy fury beneath the halo is no joke."

"The Light,"Meadowrepeats, a whisper of realization in her voice.