Page 86 of Fated for Dawn

I laughed, giddy with the discovery of this new power. “Holy crap,” I breathed. “I can’t wait to try that again.”

We spent hours exploring the skies, and I tested the limits of my new phoenix abilities. By the time we landed, I was exhausted but exhilarated.

Transforming back to human form, I grinned at Ryker. “That was amazing! I’ve never felt so free, so powerful. Eris is going down.”

I wrapped my arms around Ryker, laughing. We were both naked and grinning like fools in the courtyard. His muscled body radiated heat, and I felt a different kind of fire ignite within me.

“You know,” I said, tracing one of his tattoos with my finger, “we’re already undressed. Seems a shame to waste the opportunity.”

Ryker’s eyes darkened, his gaze locking onto mine with a heat that made my breath hitch. Instead of answering, he gripped my waist and pulled me flush against him before crashing into me, claiming my mouth in a searing kiss.

I giggled, breathless and giddy. “I’ll take that as a yes!”

34

Lucien

Isquinted at the words in the book I was reading, trying to distract myself from what lay ahead, but my mind drifted to Evelyn. The battle against Eris was in a couple of days, and the thought of losing her again made my stomach churn.

The door burst open with a bang. I jerked upright, scowling as Chad and Rafe stumbled in mid-argument.

“No way, dude,” Chad was saying, gesturing wildly. “A hellhound could totally take an angel in a pillow fight.”

Rafe’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand. Why would we fight with pillows?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Can you two idiots take this elsewhere? Some of us are trying to read.”

Chad’s face lit up. “Aw, look at you, all grumpy and adorable again. You know, you’ve really mellowed out since mating Evelyn.”

“I have not mellowed,” I growled, but even I could hear the lack of venom in my voice.

“Sure, sure,” Chad said, winking. He plopped down in a nearby chair, kicking his feet on the table. “Speaking of mating, our boy Rafe is the last man standing. What’s the holdup?”

Rafe’s cheeks flushed pink. “I just want it to be perfect. For Evelyn.”

“Aw, that’s sweet,” Chad cooed. “But you know, if you need some pointers, I could hook you up with educational videos. You know, the kind that really shows you what to do and whatnotto do.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please tell me you’re not suggesting that Rafe watches porn.”

Rafe’s eyes went wide. “Oh! No, I couldn’t. The only female I want to see like that is Evelyn.”

Chad clutched his chest dramatically. “Be still my heart! Rafe, you’re making the rest of us look bad with all this sweetness.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. These idiots were ridiculous, but they were my idiots. And they were just as ferocious as I was when it came to keeping our mate safe.

As if summoned by our conversation, Evelyn strode into the room, her long black hair loose and wild. Before she could even say hello, Chad leaped up and pulled her onto his lap.

“Hey there, beautiful.” He grinned, nuzzling her neck.

Surprisingly, I didn’t feel a single sting of jealousy. Chad’s grin made Evelyn laugh, the sound lighting up the room. Watching them, I realized we all had our place in her life—different but essential.

“So, Rafe,” Chad piped up, “how exactly do angels mate? Do you guys, like, glow or something?”

Rafe’s eyes sparkled. “Actually, we give our mate a feather.”

Chad snorted. “A feather?”

“Our feathers,” Rafe explained, his voice softening, “are imbued with our essence. Evelyn will place it over her heart, and it will dissolve into her. A piece of me, always with her.”

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