Closing my eyes, I decide to look at it. This sky within me.
And it’s not so dark. In fact, some of the clouds are already starting to drift away. And all the facets of me start to twinkle. Stars making up the light map of my life.
They shine like the constellations of freckles across Billy’s face.
“You’re still protecting me, little brother,” I say. Then I wrap an arm around Thrand’s thick neck and walk with him toward the keep, where the warm glow of Autumn’s hearths calls me home.
67
Dayton
Giving a yawn, I stretch, my arms knocking Rosie and Fare oneither side of me. Pale light streams in from beneath the curtain. It must be very early morning.
Fuck, I love this giant-ass bed. It’s been a crazy few days since we made it out of the Below. All our focus went to supporting Farron and his family as we prepared for the funeral. The day after was quiet. Mostly, we all went our own ways with our own reflections.
But last night, all six of us ended up in here, each staggering in at different hours. There are so many decisions and plans to be made. But for this moment? I’m just going to enjoy being surrounded by my family.
Farron gives a huge yawn and throws an arm over my waist, letting his cheek rest on my chest. I tug him in closer.
Farron, High Prince of Autumn. My mate.
The first time we made love after that discovery was something I’ll never forget. Stars, the memory of me contained in the orb of ancestors will boast about it for centuries to come.
He’s a part of my soul now, the life that keeps my heart beating and the blood pumping through my veins. A softwhimper sounds on my other side, and Rosalina curls in, her leg slinging over mine.
And so is she.
My mates, my life in every sense of the word. Could a man ask for anything more?
Movement rocks the mattress as someone turns over. Ezryn, on the left edge of the bed, hooks himself around Rosie’s waist. On the right side, Cas shuffles, subsequently elbowing Farron and nearly pushing Kel off. Kel gives a rumbling groan and pulls the blankets over his face.
Well, I could ask for brothers, for friends I’d trust with my life.
I truly am blessed, far beyond my magic.
“What you thinking about, Day?” Farron blinks up at me.
“How lucky I am to be here with all of you,” I reply. And I feel it.Life.Safely tucked between my mates, the soft press of silken sheets on my skin, the warm touch of the morning sun…
“We’re so lucky to be with you,” Rosalina says, her voice welcome as a sunrise. She pushes a strand of hair out of my face and kisses the corner of my mouth.
Her lips linger a beat too long. Then another.
A spark flickers in my chest.
Ezryn hums low in his throat. “It’s too early,” he says lazily, but his hand slides beneath the sheets, dragging across Rosie’s waist. She arches, breath catching.
Farron grins, his palm splayed over my stomach. “Too early for what?”
On the far side of the bed, Keldarion groans dramatically. “If you lot start without me again, and I wake up with Rosie over me…”
Cas sits up and runs a hand in Keldarion’s snow-white hair. “You liked that.”
“And I’m pretty good at not being enthralled anymore.” Rosalina presses on my chest to look over at them.
“Shall we test it?” Caspian raises a brow.
Ezryn’s pillow hits him square in the face. “I swear to all the gods, if you ruin this bed with your little thorns?—”
