Page 36 of Wings of Snow
“Ilara...” His voice turned to that of wonder as he lifted a finger and trailed it across one of my white feathers.
A shiver shot all the way to my toes, andBlessed Mother...that sensation felt amazing.
“How?” he said, confusion painting his features.
I shook myself and tentatively felt his chest. Warmth and firm muscle greeted me. “It’s really you?”
His jaw locked, and he gave a single nod. “I’m here.”
I flung my arms around him, and in the same beat, he crushed me to his chest.
“Truly?” Cailis asked, spinning toward the crown prince’s guards.
“It’s us, love,” Sandus replied.
“I feared I’d never see you again.” I pulled back and cradled Norivun’s cheeks between my palms as the impossibility that he was here pounded into me.
“I got your note.” He smirked, his lips curving up as his four guards spread out around the Lochen king, their hands on their swords, their expressions filled with intent.
Drachu and Tylen took a step back and watched them warily.
Understanding hit me. “You found it?”
“Yes, my love. It was clever of you to hide that letter where you did.”
“Norivun.” I hugged him again and breathed in his scent of cedar and snow. Something within me calmed and for the first time since I’d learned of what Drachu had done, fear wasn’t consuming me.
My mate’s hands settled on my hips. His pounding aura threatened to consume me. Wings snapping out around us, he shielded me from view.
“How?” he said again on a low growl as he began pressing urgent kisses along my neck. Possessive kisses. Desperate kisses. “How do you have wings?” Blazing sapphire eyes stared down at me when he lifted his head. His face swirled in darkness as he skimmed over my features, his expression oscillating between one of fury, fear, desperation, and love.
“God Zorifel.”
His eyes widened. “Did you—” He glanced toward the top of the temple.
I nodded. “The God of Power gave me my affinities back, along with two more.” I nodded toward my wings, then said, “Turns out I did have a warrior affinity slumbering within me as well as whatever gave me these.” I flapped my wings.
Something flashed in the prince’s eyes. Pain or perhaps fear. I couldn’t tell. He swore softly beneath his breath. “Are you okay?”
Tears welled in my eyes anew because I wanted to say that yes, I was fine, but I wasn’t. I was anything but okay.
I shook my head as a tear spilled onto my cheek.
The prince’s jaw locked, the muscle bulging like a marble. His power rose like an avenging demon. Wings snapping in tight, he released me from his caged shield, as he shot a glare to the Lochen king. A brush of his death affinity caressed my soul as it stirred around him.
“What did you do to her?” Norivun demanded.
Drachu glowered. “Nothing that will hurt her, so put that lethal force of yours back where it belongs.”
“Did he hurt you?” Norivun asked me.
My nostrils flared because this battle was mine to fight with Drachu, but I also knew that Norivun wouldn’t relent.
“He says I’m tethered to him now.”
“Fuck!” Norivun’s eyes squeezed shut just as a huge burst of power erupted from his pores.
“I’m sorry,” I cried as the mountain rumbled beneath me. “I didn’t know.”