His massive frame did not relax. Someone his size could crush a skull with a single hand and yet he kneaded bread instead. His aura was the most beautiful lightest shade of pink. An aura of the heart—tender, kind, sensitive.
“Gggeneral Dark.” Drey stammered, wiping his gigantic flour covered hands on his apron nervously, stepping towards thedoor-wall away from me. “How—” He swallowed. “How can I help you?”
My chest tightened at his obvious fear in his dark eyes, all he saw was a monster, and suddenly I could not take a breath.
“I’m sorry.” I choked and stumbled back. The walls of the bakery seemed to shrink around me and I felt the gripping clutches of panic start to take hold.
“Good morning Drey!” Penina rushed past me, bringing the terrified shifter’s attention onto her as she hopped the counter and jumped into his flour dusted arms.
Drey laughed nervously and then stammered an apology for getting flour all over her lavender finery.
My hand clutched at my chest and I turned, stumbling again towards the door. Ineededto leave this place.
Xi was suddenly in front of me. Her hands gripping my shoulders firmly, her voice gentle. “You’re safe here Rem.” She stooped to draw my panicked gaze to her. “Breathe with me. In and out. In and out. The ground is firm beneath your feet, always steady.”
My vision blurred and I felt the trembling in my body start to climb. Then the distant roaring in my ears started again, the same tortured sound of someone in pain. Through wheezing breaths, I rasped. “No…no one is safe—around me.” Tears pooled in my eyes and the pressure in my chest felt like it was going to burst.
“Think of the king.” She brushed aside the tears. “What does he smell like again? Breathe in that, know that.”
I attempted to glare at her but through my tears I saw no humor, just concern and concentration.
“Close your eyes, Rem. Think of him and breathe.”
Whimpering, I closed my eyes. Through the thundering of my pulse I could just smell the faintest aroma of spice and chocolate. It wasn’t quite as potent as Emon’s scent but it was enough to ground myself from the uncontrollable spin my panic had triggered.
I focused on the roughened feel of his fingertips tracing my palm calmly, the gentle timber of his voice when he laid the cù-sìth mother and cub to rest, the way he watched his family with gratitude for the moment he was in, the sound of his chuckle when the shadows played with him, and then the smaller moments. The moments when his golden eyes captured me so thoroughly that thefierce devotion and immeasurable love he coveted for only me was so simple to see.
ThewhyI could not face and did not understand.
I took a deep gasping breath and then slowly exhaled.
“Little umbra.” The sexy growl of his voice forced my eyes to open and I held myself rigid to not sink with the pure relief his presence brought me.
Concern crinkled at the edges of his eyes as he crouched low to meet my weary stare. A lock of hair fell across his rugged face giving him that boyish charm that I had no defense against.
“Emon.” My voice trembled.
“I think we will take five hand pies now that the king has joined us, Drey!” Penina called in the background.
Emon reached down for my fisted hands, his eyes never leaving mine while he unfurled my clenched fingers, and with the pad of his thumb traced soothing circles into them. “You’re okay now Remnant. I’ll always be here for you, little umbra.”
I inhaled at the unguarded look he held just for me. “I believe that now.” My fingers curled around his. “I am okay. Thank you.” I said softly and then I glanced over at Xi who had taken watch by the window. “Xi. I—”
She gave me a sardonic look. “I had a friend once who reached into the jaws of a basilisk because she noticed that it had a rotten tooth that needed to be removed. That very same basilisk had been terrorizing every small fae town on the coast for months, and yet, instead of killing it, she decided to help it. Its venom could have seared off her arm. Its fire could have burned her body to ash. Its eyes could have turned her to stone. Instead, the damned thing bowed its head in thanks and slithered off back to the deep mountains of its home to never be heard from again. I thought you to be the bravest fae then. Crazy. But brave.” Xi’s voice broke. “But now, I think you are the most valiant being in this entire universe and not because of what youcando but in spite of it. You owe me no explanation, General. You never will.”
I blinked back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
Emon cleared his throat and pulled me into his side. “Good morning Drey.”
The baker looked up from Penina’s flirtatious attention and regarded the king, glancing down at his hand still holding mine and then back up at the king himself. “Your majesty…you honor me by coming here not once, but two days in a row. Thank you.” Hebowed his large head, the heavy braids of his hair falling over his shoulders.
Emon grinned widely and kissed my hand in front of him. “You have General Dark to thank for that one, Drey. She has proclaimed you the best baker she has ever had the pleasure of meeting and she has a penchant for sweet things, like I do.” He purred, winking down at me. “Do you still have that quaint little garden alcove in the back? I do remember it being the best place to cool off on a hot day.”
“Yes, of course, your majesty!” Drey beamed at him.
“Lovely.” The shifter king smiled. “We will take a tour then.”
Chapter 54
