Page 98 of Sun, Moon & Shadow

“We’re expanding the martial academy there to include trades and the arts,” Nova explained, a genuine smile sitting above her pointed chin.

“One more question,” Callan said, tucking away his own grin brought on by her happiness. “What happened with Idrian? I was powerless to defy his commands. Why wasn’t Nova affected?”

Nox relaxed a bit, settling into his seat and resting one ankle on his opposite knee.

“It appears Nova is resistant to such abilities,” he said, his charcoal eyes meeting his niece’s silvery ones. “Perhaps one positive effect of those walls you’ve built up around yourself over the years. I had my suspicions. When we first met, I reached out with my mind to see if I could get a sense of you, but I felt nothing. It’s why I resorted to entering your dream. Your defenses were slightly lowered as you slept. Even then, I needed you to invite me in.”

Nova stared wordlessly at her uncle, who only chuckled quietly.

“I told you she was difficult to read,” he added as an aside to Callan.

“As if he needed you to tell him that,” Lucan said dryly.

“And Omen?” Callan asked, suddenly remembering the threat of the Shadowbringer.

“When I was Idrian’s prisoner, I overheard him say Omen was too weak or too paranoid to leave his Estate,” Nova said. “Idrian claimed my father promised him the support he needed to take the territory, but, as far as we know, Raven’s Isle has no army. Perhaps Omen deceived him. For now, I suppose all we can do is wait.”

“You can do more than wait,” Lucan said. “Tomorrow, you begin training with the rest of the guard. You’ll be ready to hand Callan’s ass to him in the sparring ring by his next visit.”

“I look forward to it,” Callan said. “But I’m afraid the time has come for me to depart for Nivali.”

Callan rose from his seat and bowed to the Noble Lord before turning to Lucan.

“I couldn’t have gotten her back without you,” Callan muttered as they clasped forearms. When Callan released him, Lucan gave a nod and laid his hand over his heart.

“Come with me.” Nova slid her warm hand into Callan’s. “I have a gift for you.”

Nox and Lucan retired to the study, giving them a moment alone. Callan recalled fondly how he and Nova had already shared an intimate goodbye upon waking. Twice. He adjusted himself discreetly as he followed behind her.

It was going to be a long five months.

Nova handed him a small book bound in black leather, slightly larger than his outstretched hand. He lifted the cover and flipped through the pages, the edges gilded with silver foil. All of the pages were blank.

“It’s a linking book,” she explained, pointing to an identical book on the table. “I found the set when I was searching through the high stacks a couple of weeks ago. Anything you write on the pages of your book will appear in mine, and my messages will show up in your book as well.”

“Much more convenient than messenger owls.” He grinned, turning the magical book over in his hands.

Nova brought her arms up over his shoulders, her fingers combing through the hair at the nape of his neck. He set the book down and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against him.

“I’ll write to you often,” he said. “I promise.”

“Five months isn’t so long.” Nova’s tone was hopeful, but he could tell she was trying to convince herself of the fact.

He dipped his head and brushed his lips against hers. “Five months is nothing when I know I get to love you every second for the rest of my life. Though, you could come with me now, you know,” he murmured, his mouth hovering close to hers. “Eternal winter isn’t as terrible as you might think, and I can come up with endless creative ways to keep you warm.” He pressed his hips against her, wondering if his all-consuming desire, his desperate need for her, would ever diminish.

Nova laughed quietly and ran her fingertips along his clean-shaven jaw.

“It’s tempting,” she sighed. “But we both have responsibilities now.”

“I suppose you’re right.” His smile faded as he glimpsed the unshed tears shimmering in her pale gray eyes. “I choose you.”

“I choose you,” she replied, a tear escaping from the corner of her eye and running down her cheek.

Their lips joined in a kiss teeming with desire, uncertainty, and hope. Callan wanted to lose himself in her but tried instead to memorize every sensation—the pillowy softness of her lips on his. The sweetness of her tongue as it caressed his. The feeling of her body, both firm and soft, pressed against his.

Forty-Seven

Nova paced across the ebony floor of the antechamber leading to Nox’s council room. Sweat gathered on her chest, a single drop trickling down between her breasts. She slowed her steps and tried to remember why she had insisted on wearing this particular gown. Thank the gods she’d asked Isla to style her hair up and off her neck.