Page 195 of XOXO
We both laughed.
I took a deep breath, hoping my gift to Ember and her sister would be good enough.
Only a few months ago, they learned their parents had been murdered. The only thing they had to remember them by were their mated rings, which Ember gave to Cinder and Cash to use when they have their mating ritual. With nothing else to remember them, I wanted to give them something they would cherish forever.
“I know you very well, Ember, and since I do, I know you want for nothing. That made getting you a gift difficult. It was even harder gifting to Cinder since Cash bought out the entire market.” Everyone laughed, and Cash gave me a wink before I continued. “Instead of getting you normal, mundane things, I decided to get you both these.”
I pointed to two pots filled with soil and Ember eyed them.
“You got us dirt?”
“I got you two Wisteria seeds from your homeland. I figured when spring comes, they’ll be strong enough to replant at Amethyst Falls. The day we transplant them we’ll hold a ceremony to honor your parents who didn’t have a proper burial.”
Ember’s teeth bit down onto her lip and for a split second I wondered if my gift was dumb until tears filled her emerald green eyes.
My attention was brought away from her when a very happy Cinder yanked me into her. “You’re the best brother-by-mating anyone could ever ask for.”
When Cinder let go, Ember wrapped her arms around me and laid her head on my chest. “Valarian Grey, you never fail to surprise me.”
I ran my hand down the back of her bright red hair. “So you like my gift?”
She pulled back, peering up at me. “It’s perfect.”
I placed my hand on her cheek and rubbed my thumb back and forth. “I love you, my hertis rote.”
“I love you, Val.”
Later that evening, I was under the biggest Wisteria tree at Amethyst Falls, the full Snow Moon barely visible through the long branches. Teal, silver, and purple sparkles of magic dancing along the cold ground scattered away when I laid a pelt of fur down. By the time I removed my boots and took a seat, they were already back, swirling around me.
Ember handed me the two cups of hot cocoa to hold while she slid her boots off.
“These are almost cold, love.”
She took a seat next to me before taking one cup from my hand.
“Don’t worry. I can heat them for us.”
After conjuring her fire magic in her right palm, she held the cup over the small violet fireball.
My eyes widened in wonder. “You’re a genius!”
“Since there have been no battles, I had to learn to do something with my magic during this boring winter.”
She smiled before switching cups with me, heating hers next.
“I think I’m going to go visit Arna tomorrow, Val. Would you like to come with me?”
Arna was her familiar who looked like a giant eagle. She was gifted to Ember by the God of Fire before she transformed into a phoenix.
“I would love to go with you. How does she like staying on the Water Caster land?”
“She said it’s fun lying around on the sandy beaches of Cerulean all day, but she can’t wait until spring comes so she can return home. She misses me as much as I miss her.” Ember took a sip of her cocoa before turning her head toward me. “Do you think the trees will fit next to this one, Val?”
I crinkled my nose. “But this is the tree we make love under all the time?”
Her expression turned confused. “What’s wrong with that?”
“I would prefer to honor your parents further away from the spot I get naked at.”
Ember giggled, then tapped her cup lightly against mine.
“Blessed Flaik Luna, Val.”
“Blessed Flaik Luna, my love.”
I pressed my lips against hers, where they would gladly remain for eternity.
