Page 87 of In Your Light

Then, overhead, a large raven circled, letting out another shrill cry, high-pitched and piercing, and it was the most wonderful sound Fyn had ever heard.

“I know him,” Fyn said. “It’s Hadeom.”

Ciaran put his hands up toward Pax and Bre in a placating gesture. “It’s okay.”

Grinning, Fyn ran to the centre of the clearing, looking upward, his heart full and happy, and he waved.

Hope had never felt so good.

Fyn never flinched as the raven swooped down toward him, then momentarily pulled up from the ground with all his shadows and feathers drawing inward as he landed in the form of Hadeom. His black boots pressed into the earth without a sound, his coat flitting out behind him like wings.

It was the most beautiful thing Fyn had ever seen.

“Hadeom,” Fyn murmured before launching himself at him and collecting him in his arms. Nothing had ever felt so right. “You’re here. You’re okay.”

“I had to find you,” Hadeom murmured. “You were there, and then you were gone.”

Fyn pulled back, holding Hadeom’s face in his hands, and without stopping to think, without doubt or fear, Fyn pressed his lips to his. It was exhilarating and perfect and warm and everything Fyn had dreamed of.

Hadeom gasped and tightened his arms around Fyn, melting against him, and deepened the kiss.

“Fyn,” Pax growled.

“It’s okay,” Sawyer tried.

“Fyn, you will get back now!” Pax snapped. “Get away from that... thing.”

Fyn broke the kiss and pulled back to turn and glare at Pax. “Thing? Did you call him a thing?”

“What evil is he?” Pax cried. “He is made of shadows and darkness.”

Hadeom’s shadows swirled and swarmed, angry, but Fyn put a calming hand on his arm.

“Uh, now’s not a good time to ask that,” Sawyer said, making a face. “Believe me, it’s best you probably don’t know the answer to that.” Then he shrugged at Hadeom. “Nice to have you back, by the way. You’ve got some explaining to do.”

Hadeom almost smiled, not taking his eyes from Fyn’s. “I know.”

“Fyn,” Pax tried again, his eyes wild. “What is the meaning of this?”

“He’s.... He’s my...” Fyn wasn’t sure what to call him. “I love him.”

Hadeom’s breath left him in a rush, and he grinned, his shadows aflutter, his dark eyes soft. “Fyn,” he whispered.

“It’s true,” Fyn replied, taking Hadeom’s hand and threading their fingers together. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Then Fyn spoke to Bre and to Zaq and Eva. “He won’t hurt you. You’re safe with him, I promise.”

Before anyone could reply, Pax scoffed, appalled. “You left your herd for this?”

Fyn spun and stalked toward his brother, unable to stop from shifting to his true form. His horns were heavy, and he wanted nothing more than to crack heads with Pax. “I left the herd for me,” Fyn spat. “Because I was not welcome. Finding him was a bonus.”

Pax shifted on instinct and huffed his disdain. “You would entwine yourself with someone who is not faun. He is not one of us, Fyn.”

“Genius observation,” Fyn seethed.

Pax sneered at him. “If you weren’t ostracised already.”

Hadeom was in between them then, sneering at Pax. “You’ll do well to remember your tone when you speak to him,” he said, voice eerily quiet. His shadows darkened. “Threaten him again, and I will bring Pan to greet you.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Ciaran said, intervening. He led Pax away, who went easily. He looked a little pale, and Fyn was pleased.