Page 180 of Ashborne Phoenix

I could feel the battle that waged within him at that news as he and Gil strode across the room toward us, their boots echoing on the wooden floor. And I grinned.

His body reacted—he wanted me. But his fear flared, and that stifling sense of protection. Both were quickly tangled with delight. Nerves, anticipation, wariness—he felt all of it at once, and so deeply, I wanted to pull him into a hug and soothe his poor, battered heart.

Voski was… precious. And infuriating in his overprotection. But so careful and sweet in his love. And since coming home, he’d opened to me like a flower in the morning sun—slowly, but without hesitation.

Our link had grown stronger. I understood him in ways I hadn’t comprehended before. He’d opened his heart so fully, it felt like I walked in his skin, sometimes. And I loved it.

Because he loved me. He loved me desperately. So, no, I wouldn’t complain when he grew firm in his questions to Terra about my healing, or hurried in his cautions to me about moving back into full work too soon. I wouldn’t chastise him for snapping at Bren once, when our sister came to visit and bumped me by accident. Because, as infuriating as he could be… it was all love.

I couldn’t wait until we no longer stayed in the castle, and could return to my loft alone. Or the treehouse!

My belly fluttered at that thought, and Voski’s eyes flashed.

‘Keep those thoughts to yourself, or I’m going to embarrass us both here in front of the Queen’s Physician, and Gil.’

I smiled at him, but pretended my attention was fully on Terra, who explained the test.

“Just climb the strap, Grace. In a posture as close as possible to the one you’d use for mounting Koa. All we need to see is that your body doesn’t pain you.”

So, I did. I ran across the hall, despite Voski growling that there was no need to move so quickly—I wasn’t being timed. But I was determined to get out of this castle! I ran as far up the wall as I was able—only two or three strides—grasped the strap, then climbed.

And it was hard. I’d had weeks of inactivity before we returned home, then I was injured, and now had spent almost a month doing nothing while my body healed.

I ran out of breath quickly, almost lost my grip before I made it to the top—but I did it.

I squealed as I reached the top of the strap, patting the large brass ring with one hand to prove I’d done it, then scrambling back down so quickly, I almost fell the last few feet.

Voski rushed forward to swing me up into a hug when I reached the floor once more.

It wasn’t until he’d set me on my feet and stroked my hair that I realized Terra was speaking.

“You’re going to be fine, Grace. Well done. And congratulations on returning to your place as a Flameborne. I can’t wait to see you pinned!”

I bounced on my toes, squeezing Voski’s arms as she waved and left the hall, leaving us behind.

When I threw my arms around Voski’s neck and pulled him into a kiss, Gil groaned.

“I mean, I’m happy for you both, but geez…”

When we broke apart, Voski’s eyes were tight over his smile, and he held my hips, keeping me close against him. I could feel that tangle of emotions in him, but he didn’t stop me when I turned to Gil.

“Are we in time for the team meeting?” I asked, almost afraid to hope.

Gil swore and looked at the sun out the window. “If we hurry, I think so,” he said. Then, as if remembering, he looked at Voski.

My mate stared down at me, his midnight-blue eyes clouded behind the strands of black hair that still fell over them. But after a deep breath, he nodded. “Let’s go,” he said hoarsely.

I squealed, and pulled him out of the room and through the castle.

‘Did you hear, Koa?’

‘I heard, Firebird!’

The dragons greeted us with calls, and swooping dives, when we ran out of the castle.

I was sweating and had lost my breath well before we made it to the Academy building—Voski chiding me that I needed to give my body time to regain some condition. But my heart hammered as much with excitement, as impatience.

Voices called to me or Voski as we trotted up the stairs in the main Academy building, but both of us just waved and continued on, Gil running in Voski’s wake, though he didn’t look particularly pleased about it.