Page 40 of Taloned Heart

He’d thought for a few moments that Goliath was right behind them. He knew the gravelly tones and the scent of dwarven magic that filled the air. Abraxas knew it all that so well that it made him hesitate.

Such a mistake could have cost them their lives. Or it could have delivered them somewhere a little better than this.

Sighing, he turned around and straightened his shoulders. The dwarf who stood behind them wore a familiar grin on his face. His ruddy cheeks were wind burnt and bright as a tomato over a long beard that matched the color. His eyebrows were winged and wild above expressive green eyes that sparkled in the sunlight. Riotous curls spilled down his shoulders, equally red and glistening in the sunlight like burnished copper.

This was not Goliath, but it certainly was a dwarf.

Abraxas had thought they were all but gone. And they weren’t living in these fields, or at least, that’s what he remembered from when Goliath had been here. His old friend had come here seeking the help of the dwarves. As far as Abraxas knew, they were all gone.

Frowning, he glanced at Lore, expecting to see the same shock on her features. But she wasn’t surprised at all. She stood slowly, dusted her hands off on her pants, and then nodded at the man who stood before them.

“I am a long way from home.” She eyed the dwarf up and down, then lifted a shoulder. “Is there a home any more for the elves, though? You’ve all made your kingdom far underneath the earth. Lucky you.”

The dwarf tilted his head back and burst into laughter. The sound was too loud. Even Abraxas winced and took a step away from the man. Did he really have to shout with mirth?

“I forgot about the humor of elves!” The dwarf shouted before wiping underneath his eyes. “I haven’t seen one of your kind in many years, I’ll admit. Although some of the others talked about you barging in when that shadow king had us under his thumb. They saw you, you know.”

“Saw you?” Abraxas repeated, frowning and looking down at her. “What does he mean by that?”

“No one filled you in on the dwarves we found? They were the ones that made the Umbral armor.” She gestured at the other man. “Apparently those suits weren’t conjured by magic after all. Beauty said they helped free the dwarves from their chains after everything happened. Where were you?”

Probably still stuck in his madness. They’d likely told him all about the endless wealth they’d found in the dwarven kingdom, the armor and swords which would help them continue to hold Umbra as they desired. But he had been focused on nothing other than the loss of his mate. Of Lore. Of a memory filled with starlight and hope that had sent his world into a downward spiral.

Instead of telling her all that, he shrugged. “I must not have been listening.”

A shriek echoed across the battlefield and this time he felt the ripple of a change running over his entire body. What now?

Except when he looked up, smoke already curling out of his nose, all he saw was Beauty charging down the hill with her arms spread wide. She let out another joyful shriek and then gathered the dwarf up in her arms with a giant hug. The man grunted, his cheeks somehow turning even more red.

“Mirin!” Beauty jerked away from him, her hands on his shoulders so he couldn’t get far. “I thought you were all gone? You said you were leaving!”

Abraxas crossed his arms over his chest and felt the fires die inside of it. Amusement took its place as the young man in Beauty’s arms blubbered like he’d forgotten how to speak.

“Well, uh, yes, uh. We did say that, didn’t we? Considering the company you were keeping at that point, we, uh, we couldn’t afford anyone finding out what was going on. You see?” Mirin scratched at the back of his neck. “I’m awfully sorry to have lied to you, Miss Beauty.”

True to her nature, Beauty rolled her eyes and shrugged. “Oh, you know I don’t hold grudges.”

That they all did. No one could look at Beauty and assume she was anything other than a kind person. She didn’t hold grudges when she should, and she overlooked significant flaws when she should see the red flags waving in front of her.

What Abraxas was more curious about was the bright red cheeks the young man had and the way he shuffled his foot on the ground. The boy had a crush, and a big one if Abraxas was seeing this right.

Mirin caught his gaze, and that expression hardened, as though Abraxas hadn’t noticed everything that had just occurred.

The young dwarf cleared his throat and said, “Seeing the company you keep now, I think it’s fine to let you know we’re still here.”

“The company she keeps now?” Lore asked, her eyebrow lifted in surprise. “And what company would that be?”

Mirin nodded at her. “Yourself, miss. The Fallen Star.”

Now both of Lore’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a new title. I haven’t heard that one yet.”

“Considering you’re here to save the kingdom, I think it’s fine to let you know the dwarves have been around for a long time yet. And we’re not going anywhere.” Mirin puffed out his chest, all bravado and bravery when he likely had no reason to feel that way. “We’ve been preparing all this time, you see. It’s been a long time of waiting for you, though. Even as long lived as we are, dwarves can get real impatient.”

Abraxas had never tested his ability not to smile. Now, he realized it was rather hard to keep that emotion in check when something hilarious happened in front of him. He’d always been the man no one couldgetto smile. And yet, right now? It was taking all he had in him to not laugh at the expression on the young man’s face.

The dwarf wanted to impress Lore so badly. He wanted all of them to look at him with shock and awe.

Instead, all he got was three people who were tired, hungry, and dealing with a grief that burned through them. It was a shame. Abraxas could have given him quite the show if they’d been warned that dwarves might still be around.

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