Page 104 of Gilded Curses

Elsa glanced uneasily between Orin and Del before her gaze settled on Sahira’s brother. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Del said, though Orin felt the vamp’s eyes still boring into the side of his head.

They were almost to the drawbridge stretching over the moat when Lexi burst out from beneath the portico. Her auburn hair billowed behind her as she sprinted toward them.

Her sobs carried on the air as she held her arms open and practically knocked Sahira over when she plowed into her. Orin and Del managed to keep Sahira on her feet and righted her while she and Lexi embraced.

Not far behind his fiancée, Cole emerged onto the drawbridge with Varo. Their feet thudded across the wood as they ran toward them.

Neither of them slowed as they came at him with their arms open and grins on their faces. Orin had never been much of a hugger, but he gladly fell into the embrace of his oldest and youngest brothers.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN

It was after lunch by the time the three of them washed, dressed, and sat to eat. They gathered in a small sitting room around a table loaded with food that was just big enough for all of them. As they ate, Sahira, Orin, and Elsa told Del, Cole, Varo, Lexi, and Maverick about everything they’d endured.

Shade was curled in Sahira’s lap, purring so loudly he sometimes drowned out the words of the others. The cat smiled as he held his head in the air while Sahira petted him.

As they spoke, they revealed the pieces of the story they didn’t know. For the first time, Orin heard how Sahira found the stones, and she learned what happened to Desmond and Sheree. When they finished talking, the others sat stunned before their gazes fell to his and Sahira’s joined hands.

Cole waved a hand at Orin’s missing one. “You always went out of your way not to lose.”

“Who likes to lose?” Orin asked with a laugh.

“Who likes to cut off their hand?”

The smile slid from Orin’s face. “They weren’t going to control me anymore.”

“Crazy bastard,” Varo muttered.

“This is true,” Orin agreed.

“Will the remaining dagadon be a threat to us?” Lexi asked.

“No. The servants will eventually destroy the remaining Elite. They hate them too much to keep them alive for long. After that, who knows what they’ll do, but without the stones, they can’t trap anyone again,” Sahira answered.

* * *

Sahira’s heart was full as Lexi sat beside her and Shade kneaded her brown skirt. She’d missed her familiar while away from him and felt like a piece had been returned to her now that they were together again.

Del had tried to sit on her other side, but Orin refused to relinquish the spot. That had led to anger, but her brother eventually relented and sat across from her. Del leaned across the table to place his hand on top of hers.

Orin hadn’t left her side since they returned; they’d even showered together before joining the others. Despite his profession of love, Sahira had secretly wondered if he’d take off and find some other woman as soon as they returned.

He showed no interest in doing such a thing, but things were different now. They weren’t forced together anymore, and she wasn’t his only source of nourishment.

He loved her; she didn’t doubt that. He wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t true, but he was a dark fae, and their instincts were to go forth and screw as many as possible. Yet, he remained by her side with his hand on hers and a defiant expression when the others all gaped at them.

“How long were we gone?” she asked.

“Three months,” Lexi answered. “Three very long months.”

Three months of her life she’d never get back. Three months that had changed, beaten, and nearly broken her.

Three months that had given her Orin, and because of that, she wouldn’t change a thing, even if she ended up with a broken heart. It had all been worth it.

When their eyes met, he leaned over to kiss her temple. The others all gawked at them.

After an uncomfortable silence, Elsa cleared her throat. The others closed their mouths and exchanged glances before focusing on the three of them again.