He let out a deep laugh that rumbled through me, causing me to turn back and look at him through furrowed brows.
“What?!” I gasped with a half laugh.
“I love how and who you are. Just because I haven’t had time or foolishly chose not to be around as much in recent weeks, doesn’t mean I haven’t taken notice of such things,” he admitted, and my cheeks flushed. “Lia is fearless and sharp, just as you said. However, she is also self-sacrificing and reckless. She will be an incredible queen, but it’s our job to ensure that she gets there first. The inner workings of her thoughts often bring us into…challenging ordeals.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” I answered.
“Oh, I am.” He laughed. “It’s funny, though, seeing how much Jace has changed since he met her.”
“What was Mr. Serious like before?” I asked as my hips rocked side to side to the beat of the horse's steps, Gage’s thighs rubbing against mine.
“If you think he’s serious now, you should have seen him before,” he started. “Barely laughed, only ever focused on the war. We were losing him before we met Lia.”
“Losing him?”
“He wasn’t always this way. Yes, of course, he despised the fae, as we all did.” My heart strained as I thought about all they must have gone through at the hands of my mother’s soldiers. “But his hate stemmed from something deeper, and he was allowing it to consume him and make his decisions for him.”
My mind flashed back to the meeting before the city when we first arrived and he explained why his hate for the fae ran so deep.
“And somehow meeting Lia changed allof this?” I wondered aloud.
“She changed everything,” he stated proudly. “Not only him but also Zae and me. The whole trajectory of the outcome of a losing war—she has given our people faith in survival once again. And while they sometimes still gawk at you all with fear in their eyes, there is a hopefulness lingering beneath their stares.”
“You use your humor as a shield, but you are very wise, Gage,” I stated, and his body stiffened behind me. “You should show this side of yourself more often.”
“Well, perhaps I hadn’t found anyone worthy enough to show this to yet.” My breathing quickened at his words. “But I undoubtedly have now. I also have Lia to thank for my own change in stance on the fae, if only for making it so easy for me to fall for you.”
My heart was beating so violently, I thought it would burst in my chest. His fingers gently wrapped around my chin and guided it to where his own waited just over my shoulder.
The kindest eyes resembling pools of chocolate gazed into my own, and it took my breath away. Before I could process his intentions, he pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was gentle and sweet—his touch making me feel guarded and safe. It was then that I realized I didn’t need to find a mate to experience profound love; all I needed was a man who could demonstrate its essence.
Chapter forty-four
Elianna
Jace led me througha sea of wildflowers in Alaia Valley, and I couldn't resist inhaling their sweet scent as the breeze carried it all around us.
Nerves rattled me as I felt his own down the bond, yet he still refused to tell me where he was bringing me.
“Why do I feel as if you’re up to something?” I admitted.
He chuckled. “Oh, and what is that like? That’s a feeling I have become quite accustomed to with you, my Lia.”
He had a point.
“That’s hardly fair…I have my reasoning,” I teased. He turned to me and continued his walk backwards as he stared down at me through thickly furrowed brows. “That I,of course, will never hide from you again, handsome,” I added, attempting to save face.
“Uh-huh,” he huffed as he turned forward once more. “Well, I suppose this spot is as good as any,” he said as he brought his fingers to his lips and let out a shrieking whistle.
A loud chirping sound echoed through the sky, followed by the powerful boom of Nox’s wings as he flew in from the distance and landed before us.
“Since when does he listen to you?!”
Jace turned to me with a genuine, radiant smile stretching from ear-to-ear. “We have set aside our differences for the greater good.”
“And that would be?”
