Page 168 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

This time when I hold out both hands and close my eyes, the blade I summon isn’t one I’ve ever seen. It isn’t defined by the laws and rules of an army. It is uniquely mine, as my magic is. The blade that forms isn’t glass or steel—it is starlight made solid. It doesn’t just glow. It thrums, steady and alive, in time with my heartbeat.

In my hand, is the most beautiful blade I've ever seen. Crafted of pure starlight. It’s over two feet long, the blade looks like it has been crafted from iridescent diamond, trapping an ethereal light beneath. The guard is a crescent shape, the hilt a luminescent gold that shines like it’s been forged in the hottest fire and then shined to perfection.

As I lift it to my face, studying the different angles, a series of runes appear down the blade, and in a language I don’t know, small words appear.

My eyes burn as I study it. This…this is what I need. I need to drop the preconceived notions of who I am supposed to be, and embrace who I am.

I hold the blade out, twisting it, the light from its edge reflecting in my eyes. The forest goes silent. When I look up, the skepticism in the warriors' eyes has vanished, replaced by an awe that verges on fear. They sink to their knees, not because of my title, but because of the raw, celestial power pulsating from the weapon in my hand. Ryker is grinning, his ice sword vanishing as he recognizes the equal he always knew I was.

“Now,” Finn says, his voice steady and grave, “we can begin.

Chapter 62

Raea

We return to the caves, buzzing with energy I haven’t felt in weeks. I’ve already told everyone about our new living quarters. Carys agreed it was the right move. Brynna stormed off like she always does, ignoring the rest of us.

“Clara’s going to be sad,” I say. “She’s done well here.”

Ryker brushes the stray strands of white hair out of my face. “She’ll be okay. I’m sure Finn will introduce her to all the children there.”

I nod, kissing him. His hands find my waist as his tongue parts my lips. Gods, the taste of him lights every nerve in my body on fire. It takes moments before he has me pinned against the wall of our room, my legs hooked around his waist as he devours me like he’s a starving Fae male.

My hips shift as I grind myself against him, needing friction. It’s been weeks since I’ve had him. Every night, we barely have enough energy to wash the sweat off before crawling into bed. I’m out most nights before my head hits the pillow, but today gave me a high like I haven’t had in a while.

I still feel giddy when I think about the blade.

Ryker groans when I rock my hips against his solid length. “Gods, I need to be inside of you right now,” Ryker says into my mouth. “I need to worship every inch of this powerful body. Reward you for that beautiful blade you crafted.”

My hands tug at his silky strands as I pull myself impossibly closer. When Ryker’s mouth moves to my neck, I can’t help the shiver that rolls through me. His sharp canines graze the sensitive skin, and I wish more than anything he’d sink them into me while he thrusts into me, claiming me and breaking me. I want to shatter in his hands because I know he’d so beautifully put me back together.

Dirty thoughts I’ve never had before, positions, and a wild sort of desire courses through as my chest heaves against him. I’m seconds from begging when a soft knock sounds on the door between our room and Clara’s.

“Aenai,” Ryker breathes, his voice wrecked. He holds me pinned against the wall, both of us gasping for air. When he does pull back, his eyes are darker than I’ve seen. “Are you willing to share whatever those thoughts are that made you feel this way?”

His smirk pulls across his mouth. “Because whatever you were thinking,” he whispers, his voice velvety and seductive, “yes. I want you every way.”

Another knock has me sucking in a sharp intake of air as I release my legs. I feel drunk from whatever that was.

Ryker kisses me once more as he sets me down before swinging open the door, a smile in place for his sister. The door opens wide enough for me to see Clara’s tear-stained face.

“We have to leave again?”

Ryker can’t stop glaring at Finn as he gives Clara a piggyback ride through the gateway. Our arms are empty thanks to another useful magic. With the snap of his fingers, Finn had all our wardrobes moved into his house and put in our rooms. Aolyn’s stuff was packed into a trunk and placed in a closet. Clara giggles as Finn tells her about getting to swim with the mermaids.

“Calm down,” I whisper, placing a hand on Ryker’s shoulder. “He’s not doing anything wrong.”

Ryker’s jaw clenches, his hand tightening around mine. “That’s the problem. What’s his deal?”

I honestly wish I knew. I’ve seen him with the other children, and he’s always friendly. He’s the first to get down at their level and speak with them or play with them, but I have noticed that he spends extra time with Clara. I’ve never asked if he has younger siblings. Maybe he has a sister…or had one. That thought immediately makes my heart hurt.

Clara squeals in delight when the lake comes into view. Overhead, the sun is setting, so the sky is painted indigo with stars twinkling into existence, but the lake glows as if it has its own light source. At the center, three mermaids wave at her. Two females, one male. The male who had been tossing the kids in the water earlier.

“Holy shit,” Tate whispers, walking beside us. “Mermaids. How do you think they…” He makes a gesture that looks an awful lot like two people banging. “Do you think the scales disappear when they’re…done?”

My hand flies back, slapping his chest as Ciara slaps the back of his head, walking on the other side of him.

“What the hell is wrong with you two? You’re so violent. I’m just asking questions.”