My heart hammers against the confines keeping it in place, and I narrow my eyes. This feels more difficult than when I was fighting with the other Marked Ones in the battle. More important, too, because this is something I should’ve known how to do but was stolen from me.
More, because I am learning it forme.
When I was waiting to be Given, I was living by other people’s rules. Suns, I waited for my life to begin for so long I nearly lost everything in the process.
I’m done with that.
The flames dance again, and I force my will into them, like Jasper said. And this time...
The fire flickers, then vanishes altogether. The coin vibrates, slowly at first but then picking up speed, and it hums, glowing a bright blue as though it’s lit from within.
Grinning, I proudly proclaim, “I did it.”
40
MORE FUN THAN CHASING YOU
GABRIEL
“How many is that?” I’m petting Mist, the two of us lounging on the bed while Wren arranges a series of tokens that she imbued with magic on top of our dresser.
According to Soren and Jasper, nearly anything can act as a vessel for their power, but some materials take to it better than others. So far, everything Wren has suffused holds a small amount of magic. At first, it took her hours to put her power in one object, but today she was able to accomplish it in a fraction of that time.
After, we went for a walk around camp before Wren visited with Skyler while I sought out Alaric to ask the captain to get a message out of camp for me. It took me longer to track him down than I’d have liked, and by the time I had returned, it had nearly been dinnertime.
Wren and Skyler had laughed and giggled the whole time, their heads bent as they whispered. I’m not sure what they were talking about, but it definitely wasn’t magic. We sat with Skyler, Soren, and Jasper in the main hall, enjoying a hearty meal of roast chicken and rice before walking back to our cabin in the waning daylight.
“This is my fifth one,” Wren says, answering my previous question. She turns around with a smile, smoothing her dress. “Can you believe it?”
My lips twitch. “Of course I can.”
“Really?” She looks shocked, and the fact that this incredible woman doesn’t know how wonderful she is boggles my mind.
That is something I will have to rectify.
“Yes. You are amazing, Wren, and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.”
That’s one of the many reasons I love you.
The words rest on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t say them yet. This isn’t the right time, but I know I won’t be able to keep my thoughts inside much longer.
Loving Wren isn’t something that snuck up on me. I’ve been falling for her since the first time she ran from me and I gave chase. At first, I resented her for the way she captivated me. She made my job difficult and stopped me from getting the promotion that was within my reach.
But now this gods-blessed has become my whole world. I will follow her wherever she goes.
Nothing is as valuable as her—she is the jewel of my life, and I will spend the rest of my days protecting her. Not because she isn’t strong and can’t fight her own battles, but because she’s mine, and I take care of those who belong to me.
Wren blushes, and the sight sends blood rushing to my cock. She’s so fucking stunning, and she doesn’t even realize it.
“You sound so sure,” she murmurs.
“I am. Look at all you’ve already accomplished.” I gesture to the dresser. “Admittedly, I’m glad you’re focusing on your magic instead of running away from me.”
Wren juts out her hip, placing a hand on it. “I thought you enjoyed chasing me, Gabe. Isn’t that what you said in thetavern?” Her voice drops, and she mimics me. “‘You’ve made my job interesting, and I’ve had fun chasing you.’”
The words are mine, I said them in Mora, but they sound like they came from a different person. It’s hard to believe that was mere months ago—it feels as though years have passed since then.
“Itwasfun, Birdie.” I stand, and Mist unfurls from the bed, hopping to the floor and prowling beside me as I cross the room.
