35. Alandra

Hours later, totally spent, I smiled and stared down at my lover, my mate, and stroked his cheek. His eyes were closed, and though he'd told me he wanted only a moment to recover before we joined his family, he'd fallen asleep.

Rising from his side, I stretched and patted the shadowed grass that even now, despite the bright moonlight, refused to accept the moon's beams.

I'm definitely going to love it here.

Hearing a trickle of water nearby, I cast a small protective spell around Aerolus, using his power now as easily as I used my own. I walked into the cool stream and washed away the sweat of our lovemaking, as well as the lingering sensation of having nearly died.

"I just wanted to thank you for what you did," I said quietly to the source of my and Aerolus' well-being. "And I appreciate the privacy you allowed us."

No one responded, not that I'd expected anything. But with Aerolus' elemental magic in addition to Tanselm's incredible core of energy increasing my latent magic, I could feel that other presence who had helped before.

With a smile, I added, "I just want you to know that I owe you my life, and his as well. I won't forget that, but I won't speak of it either. Since by your silence, you seem to expect silence in return."

I stared at a small patch of Darkness that didn't seem to belong to the shadow of the forest in which it dwelled.

True love should never be denied, echoed in my mind.

The Darkness seemed to thicken before it vanished.

I let out the breath I'd been holding. Not nervous, but very thankful for the chance at happiness I'd been given.

After returning to Aerolus' side, I nudged him awake. "I'm sorry, my prince, but we need to let your family know you're okay. Before we get any unexpected visitors." I glanced wryly at our nudity.

He yawned and smiled up at me, that grin hitting me right in the heart. On a breath, he spelled us clothed in ugly jeans and clingy T-shirts from the mundane world we'd escaped.

I grimaced but had to laugh at his challenging expression.

I readied my magic to meet his dare when the sound of racing footsteps approached.

Aerolus placed me protectively behind him.

I thrilled at the act and hugged him from behind. "I'm so glad you love me."

"It wouldn't kill you to return the sentiment, you know," he growled from the side of his mouth.

Upon seeing his family nearing, we both relaxed.

"Thank the Light. You two are alive and well." Darius — I could tell from the red eyes — breathed a sigh of relief and reined in his horse. "We've been looking everywhere for you for hours."

"That's odd." Aerolus frowned. "You should have been able to feel us here."

"Yes, we should have." Marcus stared at us, his grin widening. I suspected he'd noticed the rosy glow of satisfaction on my face. "I knew when I felt that certain spark you were okay. But damn, Brother, you had us severely worried."

"I did?"

"Yes, you did," Arim said, suddenly appearing next to Marcus on foot. "According to your brothers, you were at death's very door. What happened?"

Aerolus explained what he knew, but I understood there was more to our recovery than arriving in Tanselm. I wanted to share my theory but needed privacy and an audience with my future husband, alone. He would accept the Shadow in our lives, but I wasn't so sure his family felt the same. Not yet. With enough time and effort, though, I knew I could bring them around.

I clutched Aerolus' hand tight, thanking fate for him in my life. Light or Dark, he was mine to have, mine to keep.

"Alandra?" Aerolus squeezed my hand then tried to loosen my grip.

I didn't want to mention our mysterious helper and suddenly recalled what Lidra had told me. "I've got some bad news."

As expected, everyone froze and watched me.

"Did you know I've got distant Light Bringer in me?"

"I know you just had some in you," Aerolus said under his breath.

Darius laughed long and loud.

I blushed, amused and embarrassed at my mate's crass comment, something so unlike him. I was already having a good effect on him, which pleased me. "Aerolus."

"Welcome to the family, little sister." Marcus' approval annoyed me, for some reason.

"Oh, so you wouldn't have welcomed me without that —" I began before Aerolus cut me off with a kiss.

"Thank the Light, he's learned something about women from us," Darius quipped. "Now before you two get hot and heavy again, we need you to go see Mother. She's been worried to tears and won't rest until she sees your pretty face again, Aerolus."

"He wanted to say, ‘ugly face,' but even he's not that stupid, at least not all the time." Marcus grinned at us, ignoring the gesture Darius shot him. "I tell you, the habits he's picked up from Samantha are crude, not to mention insulting." Marcus turned to him. "You two are perfect for each other."

"Funny, but I saw Tessa giving you that same finger just yesterday, little brother," Darius added with an arrogant smirk.

Aerolus chuckled and brought me in for a hug. I felt warmly content for perhaps the first time in my life. My new brothers were going to be a handful, a challenge I was thrilled to accept. And my new sisters. I'd always wanted sisters and already liked the sound of them.

"Come, Alandra." Arim offered his hand.

I looked at Aerolus, who smiled and nodded.

"You need never fear harm from me again," Arim said, his smile gentle and wow — attractive. He looked so much like Aerolus just then. "Your spirit guides our Wind Mage; your heart is his heart. In your love shines a beauty that will forever be pure."

"Oh, he's good," I said sincerely. "Aerolus, you might want to take notes."

The others laughed and ribbed their uncle.

As we all left to meet Queen Ravyn, I turned to see a shimmer of magic in the air, and a pair of ghostly blue eyes winking out of sight.