Page 158 of The Edge of Darkness

This time, it was not from lightning.

Sparks shot high above the tree canopy, and a singular pop shook the forest. Golden, glittering lights rained down through the trees, and everyone gasped in awe.

Fireworks.

I smiled as another boom echoed from somewhere in the distance, and a rush of red burst into the night, twinkling into existence with another punctuating pop. Every fae stopped their revelry and watched in amazement as the fireworks lit the sky one after the other. I turned to look up at Niall, just in time to catch a flash of green light on his face.

He smiled. “This was Aremis’s mating gift to you.”

When we were in Benmoor, Aremis had said he would bring fireworks to Calledan for me. And so he had.

I raked my eyes across the glade, finding Niall’s second, his hand draped around Maeson’s shoulder as they watched the flashes of color.

“Tell him ‘thank you’ for me,” I said to Niall.

A moment later, Aremis turned, found me as well, and gave me a wink.

I settled back into Niall’s arms, feeling the deep booms of the fireworks radiate through my body.

Silas stepped up to our side, keeping his eyes on the sky as he said, “You’ve probably heard it a dozen times already, but congratulations.”

I placed a thoughtful hand on his forearm, but it was Niall who beat me to replying. “Thank you, Silas. And thanks for what you did back there in the temple.”

“Of course.”

“That was an impressive right hook. I’ve been wanting to do that to Killian myself for a good hundred years or so.”

“Don’t know how you lasted that long without putting him in his place.”

“Honestly, neither do I.”

Silas crossed his arms and adjusted his wings behind him. “I’m guessing we haven’t seen the last of him?”

“Unfortunately not.” Niall glanced at Silas’s empty hands. “Drink?”

He shrugged. “Maybe later.”

A rush of sparks shot into the sky, dozens of them, crackling and sizzling as they climbed higher than the rest. Then, bursts of white light exploded, and sparks fell like diamonds, tinkling through the trees and disappearing at our feet. The guests broke into applause, expecting that to be the end, but the fireworks kept launching.

Niall leaned around me, lifting my chin with his finger and bringing my lips to his. “We can stay as long as you’d like, or leave whenever you’re ready.”

I rested my head against his chest, feeling relaxed and warmed from within. The drink must have been a contributing factor. It was potent, but in a way that was delightfully relaxing, nothing like elderberry liqueur.

“As much as I want to stay and enjoy all of this, I’m ready to enjoy you,” I said, flashing a smile at him.

“Say no more.” He turned and clapped Silas on the shoulder. “Don’t let things get too wild without us.”

Silas gave him a curt nod, and we vanished.

Wind and the chilled night air rushed against my face, but my body felt light as a feather as Niall held me to him. When we materialized, I knew exactly where we were: high enough to kiss the clouds, with nothing but the glittering stars and the gods to see us.

The Lookout.

We found our footing, just as more fireworks launched, the sound reverberating through the valley below. I watched as the streams of light climbed higher, then detonated, sending swirls of light spinning through the atmosphere. The vantage point from here was unbeatable.

Before I could even react, Niall grabbed me by the arms. He spun me around and his mouth crashed onto mine in a searing kiss. I opened for him, matching every movement of his lips with my own, instantly lost in the delicious way he worked his jaw. A moan climbed up my throat, breaking free the moment his tongue slipped in. His strokes were needy and deep, carnal and claiming. He tasted of whiskey and desire.

His hand slid up the back of my neck, finding the bun and yanking the pins free. My hair unwound down my back as his other hand tugged my hips into his, pressing his arousal against me.