Page 94 of A Trial of War
Neera and Seamus sat a short distance from the main cluster of laughter and chatter, their presence quiet but unmistakable. They weren’t hiding, but they simply moved through the room differently, cautiously, as if still learninghow to belong. We’d allowed him to attend tonight, knowing there may not be a tomorrow.
Magnus and I watched them, noting the gentle way Neera’s hand rested near Seamus’s, her fingers brushing his now and then. These small gestures spoke volumes about the patience and trust that were slowly being built.
“I may not understand it,” Magnus whispered, lifting his cup to take a drink, “but I’m working to accept it.”
“I’m proud of you, Magnus.” Neera was his baby girl, and no one aside from her true mate would be able to sweep her away from him.
Across the way, I noticed that Seamus’s shoulders were tense, but there was a flicker in his eyes I hadn’t seen before—a spark of hope, fragile but real. My heart lifted slightly. He’d been through so much, and the weight of Minaeve’s reach still shadowed him.
Daxton, ever perceptive, followed my gaze and promptly made his way toward them. His presence drew attention, subtle but commanding, and even from this distance, I could sense the shift in the air around Seamus.
“Seamus,” Daxton began, the deep baritone of his voice slow and steady, “thank you for being brave enough to do the right thing, even when it cost you everything. The choice wasn’t easy, but you made it.”
Seamus’s jaw tightened, his eyes flicking to Neera, then back to Daxton. A moment passed, heavy with unspoken words, before Daxton continued.
“I hope, in time, we can all learn to trust you again. You’re protected here, Seamus. Inside these walls, surrounded by people who once cared for you, you’re safe.”
The tension slowly released from the High Prince of Aelius, a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, and relief crossed his face. Neera’s hand moved deliberately to rest over his, a silent affirmation that he wasn’t alone.
Rhett, usually stoic and reserved, joined our group, leaning closer to inspect Ember, who then grabbed his finger. He looked mildly alarmed but somehow proud. “I think she likes me,” he murmured.
I laughed, teasing, “Careful, Rhett. Babies don’t trust easily. Consider yourself officially… inducted.”
Seamus, sitting beside Neera, let out a low chuckle as he looped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close.
“Thank you, Rhett, for freeing everyone’s memories, and for…” I stumbled over finishing the thought. I never told him who I saw at the crossing, but I believed with all my heart that Stark was waiting for Rhett. However, that wasn’t my story or secret to share. “We owe you a great deal.”
He smiled. “I made a promise to fight, and I will keep fighting until I no longer can.”
Daxton’s gaze found me again. His eyes softened as he walked to my side. “And you, Skylar,” he said. “My mate, my alpha queen… my wife. Together, there is nothing we cannot face, nothing we cannot endure. Whatever tomorrow brings, whatever Solace holds, we do it as one.”
I felt warmth rise in my chest, and a light laughter bubbled up before I could stop it. “Gods,” I said, smiling. “Sorry, I’m laughing like this.”
Daxton tilted my chin up, smiling at me. “You never stop surprising me.”
I swallowed my nervous laughter, meeting his stare. “Tomorrow, we leave for Solace,” I said, voice shaking a little, “but tonight… tonight, we eat, we drink, we laugh, and we remember that even in the shadow of war, we are more than warriors. We are united.”
Laughter and conversation continued as our family resumed enjoying their meals. Even amid the warmth and noise, my thoughts flicked to Réalta. Through the letters we’d exchanged on the parchment I gave her, we learned that she’d rallied more troops to our cause, ready to march the moment I called. It was a quiet comfort, knowing we weren’t alone, that her forces would be waiting when the time came to face what lay ahead.
Adohan leaned down, whispering to Ember, and the baby’s tiny fingers wrapped around his pinky. Idris smiled, eyes glistening with quiet pride.
Gunnar nudged me gently, grinning. “Well, that was inspiring.”
I shrugged, smiling as I sipped my wine.
Even amid the warmth, my eyes found Talon seated on cushions, reclining against the couch with Rhea at his side. Relief flooded me that he was here tonight. That my fire magic, combined with my healing powers, was enough to help alleviate most of the shadow rot—for now.
I moved toward him, my steps quiet but deliberate. “Talon,” I said, voice carrying the weight of gratitude I felt in every fiber of me, “thank you for saving me from Minaeve’sarrow. I swear, I will find a way to make the shadow rot disappear for good.”
He gave me that crooked half-smile. His pale blue eyes held a mix of humility and stubborn pride.
Rhea leaned closer, her hand brushing his arm as she spoke. “We’ll travel to Solace with you, Skylar,” she said, her words blunt as always. “Talon is too weak to fight, but he can help in other ways, I’m sure. And I’ll remain on the outskirts of the battle, helping lead the group of archers.”
I nodded in agreement.
“And I’ll help,” Neera said from behind me. “Seamus has been teaching me how to shoot a bow, and although I’m nowhere near as good as you in battle, Sky… I believe I can help make a difference.”
“With more practice, you’ll be lethal,” Seamus said with a soft smile, brushing her cheek with his fingers. “But I pray you’ll never have to. I wish I could join this fight to help keep you safe.”
