Page 16 of Beyond the Storm
“You had to,” I said, recalling the night shortly after our wedding. Envy had possessed me and sent me spiraling into a jealous rage, making me believe I wasn’t enough for Warrin. Those insecure, bitter thoughts had caused me to lash out at him. A fight had ensued. I had hit him with my wings and slapped at him, screaming at the top of my lungs. Warrin had then pinned me against the wall, murmuring sweet words in my ear as he railed me. “I’m sorry I hit you that night.”
I had apologized so many times, but it would never be enough. I’d feel guilty for the rest of my life.
“Enough of this,” Warrin whispered before kissing the edge of my jaw. “The past helped shape who we are, but it doesn’t belong in our present. Leave those shadows behind. We’re together now, stronger than ever.”
“Yes. We are.” I nuzzled him, my heart rising into my throat. “Let’s go home to our son.”
The two-story cottage looked like it had been pulled from the pages of a storybook with its arched roof, stone walls, and smoke rising from the chimney as snow blanketed the ground around it. A storybook with one of those sugary-sweet romances that ended with an “and they all lived happily ever after.” It was the type of ending I’d once felt I didn’t deserve. I felt differently now.
As Warrin opened the door and carried me inside, the smell of brewed coffee still lingered in the air from the pot I’d made earlier.
“Welcome home, Prince Warrin.” Armen bowed from the entryway to the kitchen. He held baby Sorin in his arms. The nineteen-year-old—seventeen when I’d met him—used to be Warrin’s serving boy when Warrin lived in the castle. He now visited every day and helped around the house. “Are you hungry? I can make you lunch.”
“No, thank you.”
As Warrin spoke, Sorin slowly moved his head, searching, and squealed as he reached out a tiny hand. I smiled. Our little guy was just as happy to see his papa as I was.
Warrin gave me a light kiss before placing me back on my feet and walking over to them. He gently grabbed Sorin and cradled him, speaking to him in Russian. My heart was close to bursting as I watched him with our son.
Envy was quiet. Maybe because for the first time in my life, I had everything I’d ever wanted and more. My sin didn’t feel the need to taunt me or show jealousy toward anyone. Right now, anyway. He still had his asshole moments.
“His hands are so little,” Warrin said, smiling as Sorin grabbed his finger. His eyes then moved to me, and I was struck in the heart yet again at the tenderness swirling in the blue depths. “He will be slender like you when he grows.”
“But he’ll have his papa’s devastating good looks,” I added as I joined them beneath the archway. Sorin wiggled as he saw me, and I placed my hand on his chest. Warrin pressed a kiss into my hair.
“I want this someday.”
I looked at Armen. Envy allowed me to sense the envious thoughts of others, but Armen’s didn’t come from a bitter place. He smiled at us.
“Thank you for watching Sor,” I told him. “While I…”Attacked my husband in the forest.“Left to meet Warrin.”
Warrin smirked at me.
“Oh, it’s no problem at all.” Armen grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and put it on. “I’ll babysit anytime. He’s adorable. Quiet too.”
“He is an observer like his daddy,” Warrin said, slowly rocking Sorin. Seeing a big, strong male like him be so delicate with a baby caused those flutters in my stomach to worsen.
Gods, I loved him. I loved both of them. They were my entire universe.
“Will the three of you be coming to the castle for dinner?” Armen pulled a wool hat from his jacket pocket and tugged it over his strawberry blond hair. “Queen Kira mentioned she wanted to see baby Sorin. I think she’s been working on a clothing line for babies and toddlers.”
Queen Kira had her own fashion line. Along with clothes, she had also started incorporating armor into her designs. She used magic thread and special metals that allowed the warriors to transform into their dragons without their clothes ripping off.
“Yes, we’ll be there,” Warrin answered. “Did you ride a snowmobile here? More snow is expected soon. I don’t want you walking that distance in it.”
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“Good. Be sure to warm up by the fire when you return.”
“Yes, sir.”
My husband was protective over the younger male. When Armen was a child, he’d been in a car accident that smashed the bones in his right leg. His dragon powers were weaker since he was half human, so he wasn’t able to fully heal from it. He now walked with a limp. Also, since he wasn’t a full-blooded ice dragon, the cold affected him more than the others. His cheeks were often pink, and he had the sniffles.
“Go wash up,” I told Warrin once Armen left. “I’ll make you lunch.”
I wasn’t the best cook—something Envy agreed with me on—but Armen had taught me how to make some of Warrin’s favorite dishes shortly after we’d moved into the cottage. The meals, while simple, were delicious. Even if they weren’t, my husband would still eat it and say it was the greatest thing he’d ever tasted.
Warrin handed over Sorin before brushing aside a section of my bangs. “Thank you for all you do.”
