Page 52 of Oath of War
‘Fine, but you’re choking me,’ he answered with a laugh.
After a moment, I reluctantly let him go to focus on my dragon and the treasure he held close.
‘Vahin, give Ani a chance to breathe, please,’ I said, my throat tightening with emotion.
‘So you can crush her next?’ he retorted with a glee. Vahin slowly unfurled his wing, allowing me to see my Nivale. She was battered and bruised, dressed in a strange grey robe that seemed opalescent in the sunlight, but she was alive. I could see a fresh scar where something had pierced her shoulder and various half-healed cuts across her body, but none of that mattered.
She smiled at me, and suddenly, all I knew was her radiance and the love warming our bond. Every rational thought left my mind, and I couldn’t move, shaking at the realisation of how close I had been to losing them.
‘You made it back in time. I heard Vahin when ... I thought I’d never see you again,’ she said, reaching for me, andstill, I stood there like a dumb rock, afraid that if I moved, if I tried to touch her, she would disappear. Annika frowned as her outstretched hand hung in the air. ‘Orm, I’m here. Aren’t you happy—?’
I didn’t let her finish. In seconds, I was by her side, sweeping her into my arms.
‘Happy?’ I growled, my voice shaking. ‘I’m fucking furious. I’mneverletting you leave my side again. I’m gone for one day,and you and this rogue vanish to gods know where. I watched youdisappear—both of you! Do you have any idea—’ My voice broke, the weight of my fear choking me. ‘Vahin was ready to destroy the world, Ani. And I would’ve helped him. You’re my everything,’ I said, forcing myself to take a breath. ‘And you need a fucking healer.’
Alaric cleared his throat beside me, resting a hand on my shoulder. ‘If you think I’ll let another healer touch my domina, you’re mistaken,’ he said, his tone light. ‘I’m her healer, and I recommend Ani be waited on by both her Anchors in a tension-melting bath.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. Vahin wouldn’t fi—’ I began, but the words caught in my throat as realisation struck. My eyes darted to Alaric’s chest, where his curse marks had been. ‘Ari?’
He grinned and Annika jumped up to kiss my neck. ‘What thefuckhappened on your little detour?’ I demanded.
‘It was bound to happen,’ Annika replied, though her expression was tinged with confusion. ‘When we ... when we ...’ She trailed off, glancing at Ari, who shrugged.
‘Don’t even try, sweetheart. You know how the trial’s details are kept secret,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry, Orm. I don’t think we’re allowed to talk about it.’
I frowned but relented. ‘Fine, but your curse—’
‘Is gone,’ he confirmed.
I let out a disbelieving laugh, overwhelmed by a rush of emotions. ‘We need to celebrate,’ I said, closing my eyes against the onslaught of relief and joy. ‘Fuck, I can’t believe it.’
‘Warn me before you start anything amorous so I can fly high enough that your celebrations can’t reach me,’ Vahin grumbled. ‘One experience of your bathing antics was more than enough for this old dragon’s mind.’
We burst into laughter before a sharp voice shattered our moment of happiness.
‘Annika Diavellar, how long will you make me wait?’ Talena sounded furious, and I realised we’d been ignoring everyone in our happy little bubble.
Annika stiffened, a dangerous glint in her eye. ‘I am going to knock her teeth out. Let me go, Orm. I have some issues to put to bed.’ She pushed away from my chest, her body trembling with restrained energy that left no doubt she meant to do exactly what she said she would.
‘I’m sorry, love,’ I said with a wry grin, wrapping my arm around her waist. ‘We still need her, so please try to be satisfied with watching her eat her humble pie. Reynard and Valaram have already handled it.’
‘Oh?’ she asked, but I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.
‘You’ll see, sweetheart. You’ll see.’
Annika narrowed her eyes but allowed me to guide her towards the royal dais. She met Talena’s venomous glare with a smirk, unbothered by the hatred radiating from the dark fae empress.
‘Congratulations, human,’ the empress sneered. ‘Alaric’va Shen’ra is cleared of his crimes and may live freely in the Care’etavos Empire.’ Her expression was so sour I wondered if she was chewing on a pickle.
‘And?’ Valaram prompted softly.
Her lips curled in distaste, but she continued. ‘Andmy brother is free to command the dark fae army for a year. If he wishes, he may also serve as your king’s advisor.’
Annika’s eyes lit up, and she turned to the older fae with a triumphant smile. ‘You got the army,’ she said.
Valaram stepped forward and kissed her hand reverently. ‘I knew you could do it, lara’mei. You were incredible.’
Before she could respond, Ari’s voice cut through the air, cold and razor-sharp. ‘She is not yourlara’mei. Are you challenging me, my lord?’
