He reached up and gripped one of my hands as they rested on my lap. The callouses from his years of sword use and battle training were rough against my palm.
“And Avery…” I reluctantly looked back down at him. “I still wish to know everything.”
The corners of my lips tilted upwards as my heart fluttered. Gage pressed his lips to the back of my hand briefly and then stalked forward to join Zaela and Veli at the very front, maneuvering around Landon and Finn.
The warmth of his kiss lingered and I couldn’t help but stare down at where his lips met my skin.
I loathed that my brother and Landon were right—I had become a shy, giddy thing. However, I also realized that what I hated even more than what I have become…was the sight of Gage walking away.
Chapter fifteen
Elianna
The wind roared inmy ears as Nox descended upon the endless rolling hills with grass that swayed in hues of green. The heat of the sun was diminishing as it hung low in the sky, setting the valley aflame under its light.
“Alaia is vast, fixed with our main headquarter city, Anerys, and neighboring villages spread through the countryside. It's ever-growing and changing. The city isn’t far from here,” Jace said as my eyes wandered around the scenery before us.
“It’s beautiful,” I admitted softly while Nox gently landed.
He reached out and tucked my flowing strands of hair behind the tip of my ear and then moved to guide me down to the earth with him. Jace leapt from Nox’s saddle and then effortlessly caught me in his arms after I jumped out from behind him only a moment later—our laughter floating around us.
“Wow,” I whispered as my gaze roamed once more.
“It’s almost entirely untouched by man. When they began to build, originally, the idea was to have a mirrored city to Ellecaster on the opposite end of the passageway,but it was later decided to push it a few miles from the entrance—gods forbid we were ever discovered or attacked. This way, the city wouldn’t be visible upon exiting the path between the mountains.”
“That’s very smart,” I interjected. “I can see why the mortals named it a valley. Does it all truly look like this?”
“Aside from our colonized areas, yes. And there is still much uncovered.” He paused for a moment. “There's so much I wish to show you, so much I have been eager to have you experience—with me.”
The corners of my lips tilted. “Show it all to me, handsome.”
His eyes gleamed with love as he reached for my hand and firmly pressed his lips to the back of it.
Behind him, the endless fields and rolling hills of wildflowers stretched out infinitely, and the scent in the air was intoxicating—a fragrant blend of floral sweetness and the earth beneath us.
Suddenly, shouts were being called out in the distance. My neck snapped in the direction the calls rang out from to see two figures on horseback galloping toward us.
Jace lifted his arms above his head and began waving his hands in the air at them as he marched forward, yelling back in their direction.
I glanced back at Nox. “Be nice, please.” He huffed out a breath of hot air through his giant nostrils, and I shook my head with a laugh in response.
I moved to follow my mate as the horses and their riders drew closer. As they approached, I could make out an older gentleman with salt and pepper colored hair and awell-kept beard to match. The other rider was a woman with short blonde hair whipping around her face as she rode with grace at his side.
“It’s about gods-damn time, Cadoria,” the man called as he brought his horse to a halt before us. A smile formed on my face at their effortless banter beginning so soon.
“Wonderful to see you as well, Leon.” Jace crossed his arms and smirked as the man leapt down from his mount.
He reached out his hand to shake Leon’s in greeting, but the man laughed in his face as he extended his arm and wrapped it around Jace’s back, pulling him into his chest for a hug. “A handshake. How rude of you, lad.”
A giggle slipped from me as I watched from a few feet behind them.
The woman then gracefully lowered herself from her mare.
“Nephew,” she greeted him then went in for her own hug the moment Leon released him.
Once their embrace ended, they all turned to me, and heat instantly rushed to my cheeks. My heart fluttered as nerves eagerly tried to take over me.
Jace cleared his throat. “Aunt Lynelle, General Vern,” he began, and Leon huffed out a shocked breath at the use of his title. “This is Elianna Valderre.”
