Tell me what happened. Please, Tristan. Show me.
Very well, sweet human.He sends me a rapid series of images, showing me his point of view during the battle. I’m shocked to learn about Prince Finn’s involvement with the orcs and the trap he set for the Summer Court army. But it’s over. It’s truly over.
Though it wasn’t easy, Tristan succeeded in killing Prince Finn, and the abrupt arrival of King Haratt made the orcs think twice about continuing the battle. The Summer Court king, as it turns out, hurried to Sorsston after receiving a warning from a high priestess who’d had a vision about the battle.
In the end, the orcs surrendered after watching too many of their comrades fall and realizing they’d been used by the Exiled Prince. The surviving orcs were allowed to return to their various territories, under the condition that they don’t attack any more fae settlements or take up arms against the fae in any manner for a full five years. A temporary armistice, but still apleasing outcome. Perhaps during that time, more peacekeeping efforts could be made.
That’s it, sweet human, he tells me.That’s the battle. Please rest assured that the servants will be freed from the dungeon, and they will be treated better going forward. I have already appointed a new warden who I’m confident won’t be as merciless as the previous warden, nor will he tolerate cruelty from the soldiers under his command. Now, I have a surprise for you. One I think you’ll like.He withdraws from the kiss, and we both struggle to catch our breath.
What kind of a surprise?
I gave King Haratt my resignation as general, and to my surprise, he took it well and appointed his oldest son to take over the leadership of the Summer Court army. I want to take you somewhere peaceful where we can start a brand-new life together.His dark eyes glimmer with excitement. I was thinking about a beautiful fae settlement called Giarrla. Prince Lucas lives there with Yvette. Unless you’d like to stay in Sorsston. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, sweet human. All I care about is that we’re together.
Oh, Tristan.Tears burn in my eyes, and I’m unable to stop them from falling. I wrap my arms more tightly around my mate and hug him as though I’ll never let go.I’m willing to give Giarrla a try, I tell him.I don’t want to stay in Sorsston.
Although Sorsston is my home city, it holds too many bad memories. My throat burns as I consider my mother and sisters. Oh, gods. They still don’t know what really happened to me.
If you would like, sweet human, Tristan sends down the bond,I will take you to visit your family members before our departure. But not your father. That vile man doesn’t deserve to see you.
Thank you, Tristan. I would like to visit my mother and sisters before we leave for Giarrla. And I agree, not my father. I have no wish to see the man ever again.
I will make the arrangements. In fact, I’m confident I can make it happen today.He kisses my forehead, then we collect my bag and the untouched sack of provisions.
I exchange a heartfelt goodbye with Riley, and we promise to write to one another.
Tristan scoops me into his arms with a playful growl and carries me out of the castle.
CHAPTER 30
AMELIA
Freshly bathedand wearing in a brand-new nightdress, I’m seated across from Tristan as we share a meal. He’s also freshly bathed and wearing something other than his usual black, form-fitting uniform—a pair of dark blue pants and a white tunic—and I wonder if I’ll ever get used to seeing him dressed so casually.
Darkness has fallen, and fireflies flit by outside the tent. The chorus of nighttime insects swells louder, and so does the trilling of frogs.
It’s been a long day, and I am exhausted, but I’m also eager for the night to come, and I can’t stop stealing glances at the huge bed. The bed I know we’re going to share tonight. Finally.
I take a slow sip of wine as I consider all the events that transpired today. I discovered Tristan is my fated mate, and I also learned I’m an usshan. The Summer Court army prevailed over a force of thirty thousand orcs. I ran into Riley and spent a few hours with her. I also enjoyed a reunion with my sisters and mother, all of us together at the same time, a reunion that Tristan arranged to take place at my oldest sister’s house.
“Amelia?” My mate’s deep voice washes over me like a balm to my soul. “Are you all right? I sense you’re deep in thought, but I must confess, I’m having difficulty reading all your thoughts.”
I glance at him and swallow hard. “I’m okay. I’m just thinking about today. I can’t believe my father abandoned my mother, but I’m glad Mama is happily living with my oldest sister, Agatha.” To my great shock, I learned my father recently fled Sorsston with the last of his money, leaving my mother destitute. Mama suspects he traveled to Trevos to find his former lover, the widow he impregnated over a decade ago. I hope Mama and my sisters never hear from him again.
“I know that was a surprising revelation for you, sweet human,” he says, “but your mother does seem content living in your oldest sister’s household. I’m glad you had a happy reunion with them today, and I promise we can come back to visit whenever you’d like.”
“Thank you, Tristan.” I take another sip of wine and push my plate aside. I can’t help but sneak one more glance at the bed.
Are you so eager for me to claim you, sweet human?His voice is a teasing rumble in my mind.
I smirk at him.You’re just as eager as me. Don’t even try to deny it. We can sense one another’s thoughts, remember?
In that case, perhaps we should retire to the bed.His gaze becomes heated, and his nostrils flare wide. I know he’s already detected the slickness that’s gathering between my thighs. He knows I’m aching to be claimed.
“I’ve never done this before,” I blurt.
“I’ll be gentle, sweet human. I won’t hurt you.” He sends me a surge of affection through our bond, and his eyes glimmer in the dimness of the tent.
My breath hitches and I find myself pressing my thighs together as I squirm in the chair. The aching in my nether area is almost too much. Through the bond, I sense the depths of hisdesire for me, and I know his fully erect cock is pressing against his pants.