Page 66 of Within the Flames

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"No more than usual," Cam muttered dryly.

Macey cracked a smile. She shouldn't have expected any less from the mage. They didn't see eye to eye even if they were on the same side and there wasn't anything anyone could actually do about it.

"So everyone is safe?"

"We had a couple of casualties but everyone else is, yes."

She nodded, though that didn't rid her of the guilt even a couple of deaths caused her. She knew she wouldn't be able to shake them from her mind easily. In reality, she'd be carrying around their memories for the rest of her life. But that was how it should be. Leading an army shouldn't be easy, there was so much more to it than just standing at the front and barking orders. She'd known that going in and wouldn't change it for the world. She owed as much to the people supporting her.

"Do you have any other questions?" Cam asked softly.

"Yes." Her voice cracked, but she ignored it. They had important things to discuss. "Where did you go?" she asked Luc, meeting his gaze.

Surprisingly, he looked straight at her with an honest glint in his eyes. "I didn't know if the Mahoun could sense me. I went to go find out so I could let you know and we would plan accordingly. But you came to the castle before I could do that."

"But the fight..."

"I'm not sure, I assume it was some kind of magic to sense danger? It's not anything I've ever come across before. Nor do I have any desire to encounter it again. Once is quite enough for me."

She gave him a weak smile. She had to admit it was enough for her too. Though she also knew their fight to save the world wasn't even nearly done. They still had a tough fight ahead.

"What will you do now?" Her voice shook a little at the end but not from the same kind of fear as before.

"That depends."

"On?"

"Whether you still need a guide or not." This time the quiver was in his voice. She wondered what it meant but thought it better not to dwell on it too much. That was one way to end up with an open can of worms. One she didn't think she was quite ready to open yet.

"I'd have thought you were the one to decide that."

"No," he replied, a forlorn look crossing his features. It was so at odds with how he normally looked, she almost asked him what the matter was. "It's up to you, Macey. Your need of a guide is what brought me to you. If you don't need one anymore then the lack of need will send me away."

Conflicting emotions warred to life within her. As infuriating as the daimon was, it was nice to have someone other than Cam know what they should be doing. And there was still a lot to do. She'd need all the help she could get.

"Stay," she whispered. "Please?"

He nodded. "If that's what you wish, Macey."

Luc turned away from her and panic gripped her stomach. "I thought you were staying," she blurted.

"I am. But not in the room." He didn't turn back to face her as he spoke and she wasn't too sure why. "But I'll see you in the morning and we can talk then." He didn't wait for a reply and left the room quickly.

Macey frowned, unable to get a handle on how she was feeling.

"He's left us so we can be alone, Macey," Jared whispered, the seduction pouring from his voice.

She felt herself relax as the words rushed over her. She doubted he was using his powers on purpose but she didn't mind if it got her to stop thinking about her troubles and enjoy the moments.

And she'd heard it said that sex had healing properties.

"Do you want us all to stay?" Rónàn asked, speaking for the first time.

Macey nodded instantly. She didn't want to be without any of them in that moment. She'd come too close to losing them all. To losing herself. She needed the reassurance of their bodies connecting and the intimacy that would bring.

A smirk lifted the corner of Jared's mouth and excitement began to build in Macey. She looked around her men, meeting each of their gazes and seeing the love and longing lingering there for her. She knew all eyes would be on her.

"No touching, selkie." Jared growled slightly.