“Jaxton?”
He moved forward, sword in one hand as he cupped my face with the other.
I felt warmth.
This was real.
He wasn’t dead.
“How are you here? Where were you?”
Wet tears slid down my cheeks, and Jaxton lowered himself a bit, his forehead pressed to mine. “I needed to come back. I’ll always come back to you.”
I didn’t understand. I couldn’t.
But I didn’t care. I threw my arms around him as flames swirled in a vortex near us. The others came forward, the spell in the fog finally breaking, and I held my mate, hoping that I didn’t wake up from this dream that couldn’t be a dream, from fate that didn’t feel much like fate.
Chapter
Twenty
Jaxton
Coming back from death when you were a wing leader, and hawk shifter meant I didn’t have paperwork, but I did have to speak to a few people.
Laurel had gone back with the coven, the three of them needing to focus on Laurel’s new powers. I hadn’t wanted to stay away from her, the mating urge between us so intense that it was hard for me to even breathe sometimes.
Though I knew I would see her soon. There was only so much distance we could give each other when I had come back from the darkness just for her.
Now, though, I needed to speak to my wing so they understood what had happened. Not that I knew precisely.
“You’re back,” Aiden said as he moved forward and bowed.
I frowned at him, wondering why he was bowing to me. We did not bow to one another.
“Stand up, Aiden. Why are you doing that?”
“You’re my wing leader. I’m making sure that anyone watching knows that I’m not taking your place.”
I frowned, tilting my head as I studied him.
“Everyone thought I was gone. Of course, someone would try to take my place. It wouldn’t have been safe for the wing not to have a leader.”
Aiden gave me a look.
“You sure do seem all-knowing for a man who just rose from the dead.”
“Hopefully, not completely risen,” Rome said from behind me, and I snorted as my friend came forward. I might need to meet with the hawk shifters, but my best friend would not leave me alone. My best friends for that matter, considering Ash was by Rome’s side. The guys were going to ensure that I didn’t disappear again.
I didn’t blame them for being worried. But I knew that I would want to be alone with my mate soon.
“I’m back. I will fight to see who needs to be wing leader if I need to. But I won’t hurt you. Do you understand that?”
Aiden shook his head. “I was the one the elders wanted. I am the second strongest after you. But I wasn’t going to take your spot.”
“Well, now that we have that settled, I guess we should go speak to your elders,” Ash said dryly.
I sighed. “That’s not something I’m looking forward to. But first, where’s my sister?”
Aiden winced. Anger rode me, and I narrowed my eyes. “What happened when I was away?” Away seemed like the best thing to say just then since on the brink of death while waiting in the In Between didn’t seem like something I should approach just yet.
“She’s fine. Safe. She’s with Aspen.”
“I came here to talk to the wing, my sister, my family, and to explain what happened. Why wasn’t my sister allowed to stay with the wing?”
Aiden let out a small growl, and Rome answered it. Birds didn’t growl. It was more of a gruff rumble. Bears, on the other hand, their rumbles echoed throughout the forest. Ash just looked between them and shrugged before moving on towards the wing.
“She didn’t feel she would be safe with the elders because she knew they didn’t want her here.” My eyes narrowed, my bird of prey moving forward, wanting to slash at anyone who came towards me. “Excuse me?
“She’s safe. We made sure of that. But we couldn’t do that with her on the aerie premises while we were trying to figure out where to go.”
“My sister is part hawk. She may only shift to a mermaid, but she is still a part of this family. I’m done with the elders and the rest of the wing thinking they can push us around because we do not conform to their ideals.”
Rome’s lips quirked into a smile. “Sounds like you’re having problems just like my bears were.” His smile wasn’t nice, yet I appreciated it. “I’ll help you make sure that what happened to us doesn’t happen to you.”
“It already did with William.” I shook my head. “Come on. We’ll meet with the elders later. I can’t do it right now.”
“Are you sure?” Aiden asked.
“I need to find my aunt. She’s broken over what William did. Then I’m going to find my sister. Then I’m going home to my mate. When I return, I’ll still be the wing leader that you need.”
Of course, it seemed I wouldn’t have time for what I wanted. I waited as the elders came forward. The way they bullied those not under their purview needed to stop. Now.
“Then tell us what happened,” Gerald, one of the elders, said from the aerie as he moved forward. “Why were you gone? What magic is this?”
I would have forced him to submit to me as someone far less dominant, but I saw the fear in his gaze. He wasn’t afraid of me but of what had happened. Maybe he needed answers, but then again, so did I. “The curse broke. Laurel is what she was always meant to be. I went with her to ensure that the town was safe from whatever backlash could hurt us. And in so doing, I went to the In Between.”
Ash cursed under his breath. “And they let you out?”
I didn’t even know Ash knew of the In Between, but here he was, speaking of it as if he had been there, too. I had questions for my friend, but not here, not in front of others.
“I have let this wing do what they need to feel safe. I am not the type of wing leader to throw around my power and defeat those weaker than me. I have tried to protect everyone I can while listening to their problems. And I have let you walk all over me in the process.”
“Jaxton, we didn’t know. There was a reason.”
I shook my head at Gerald. “Have your meeting with your elders. We’ll meet soon, and you will tell me exactly why you chose to disgrace who you are within this wing and who we are as a people. We are Ravenwood. We were sent here to protect those who needed it. Ravenwood should be a safe place. And it’s not the witches breaking us down. It is not the magic. The way we are in-fighting is bringing our wing down. We cannot allow this to happen again. I was in the In Between, but I was still here, watching as much as I could. You pushed my sister away. You pushed me away. You won’t do that again. I’m done holding your hand and trying to get you to come to the future we are in. No more. Meet with your elders, meet with your side of whatever fight you think we are on, and then come to me. You will know exactly where we need to be. I am done pretending for you. I am not submissive. I am the fucking leader of the Ravenwood wing. And we will fight the darkness. But we will no longer have darkness within ourselves. Do you understand me, Gerald?”
Gerald lowered his head and tilted it to the side to submit. “I understand, Jaxton. We’ll explain. I promise.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted their form of explanation, but I nodded. “Fine. I’ll be back tomorrow. We’ll discuss it then. I’ve always been all-in with this wing, Gerald. I regret that you haven’t seen that but know that the wing is part of the town. The fact that you haven’t seen that for so long is on your shoulders and mine. We will not have that again.”
Gerald nodded again, then he walked away, Aiden following. “I’ll make sure he gets home.”
And that was the wing we should have been. Aiden, as a dominant, helping the more submissive Gerald find his way home to be safe.
When they disappeared, that left me with my two friends as they stood on either side of me, Rome giving me a look I had never seen before, and Ash looking far off into the distance. I had to wonder what was wrong.
“I need to find my sister. And then I need to go to my mate.”
“I’ll stay with your wing,” Ash put in.
I blinked. “Really?
“To ensure that nobody decides to try to take out your wing leader back from the dead and because they are hurting.”
“You can feel their hurt?” Rome asked, voicing my question.
Ash gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t know anymore. And that’s the problem, isn’t it?” And then he left to follow where Aiden and Gerald had gone, leaving us standing there wondering what would happen to our friend once there was nowhere left to hide and no one left to fight for.
“I’ll go watch the coven and do what I do best. You find your sister.”
“No need,” Aspen said from the trees as he came forward. Nelle was at his side, and she gave me a look as if she were studying me to make sure I was real. And then she ran. I held out my arms, and she jumped into them, before settling back, her body flashing from her fin to her legs again.
I shook my head, kissing her hard on the forehead before holding her close. “You must be freaking out if you can’t hold your shift.”
“Shut up. You died. You really died.”
“I’m back. I promise. And I wasn’t dead. I was more in stasis. Waiting.” It seemed like the only thing I could say just then since nothing made sense when it came to magic.
“I’m glad you’re back, wing leader,” Aspen said softly. “It wasn’t time for you to leave us.”
I hated when the fae king got all mystical like that, but I didn’t say anything since I agreed with him.
“Never leave me again. I was so mad. So broken.” Nelle closed her eyes tightly and leaned against me as I held her close. “I’m sorry. For everything. I’m going to find our aunt and hold her and tell her I’m sorry for what William did. I hate what happened. And when you find Laurel, make sure she knows that I’m sorry, too. And then I’ll tell her.”
I froze and moved away. “Why do you need to apologize to Laurel?”
Nelle ducked her head, her pale cheeks reddening. She didn’t have her kohl eye makeup on. Instead, her hair was piled on the top of her head, and she looked far younger and more innocent than I had ever seen her. “I didn’t say anything mean to her, but I was angry, and I took it out on her. I walked away. I didn’t want to talk to her. I’m sorry.”
I closed my eyes and cursed. “You’ll be telling her that to her face. But Laurel will understand. She loves you.”
“I love you, big brother. But never do that again.”
She held me close, and I looked over her head at Aspen. The fae king looked at my little sister as if she were his entire world, and I raised my chin. “When it’s time, you and I will have a discussion, too.”
My sister punched me in the ribs, and I rolled my eyes as Aspen just smiled. The fae leader looked forward. “I figured as much. Maybe it’s time that both of us stopped waiting in the wings as it were and moved forward to keep our town, our people, and our...families intact.”
And with that, Aspen pulled my sister away, and they moved in the direction Ash had gone.
I shook my head and looked at Rome. “I wasn’t gone for that long, was I?”
“Three days is a long time when it comes to death and losing those you love. Go to Laurel. She’s waiting.” Rome rubbed his chest. “I can feel Sage waiting for me.”
I put my hand over my heart, the small mating bond between Laurel and me barely warming.
I was not a phoenix. I could not turn to flame like my mate could, but I could bolster her power like she could ramp up my strength. We were two sides of a coin and would forever be entangled. Now I knew we had a chance to fight Renee, William, and Oriel. To protect our town.
I gave Rome a nod, stripped off my shirt, and shifted. It felt so good. As if I’d been waiting for this for eons, and yet it had only been a few short moments. The wind billowed beneath my wings, and I found a stream to glide over the trees and around the forest dotted with small homes. Finally, I headed toward Laurel’s place. My other home. Or perhaps it was just she who was my home.
I landed on the back porch and shifted to human, making my way naked to the back door. Laurel opened it quickly and threw herself at me. I held her close, letting her pepper my face with kisses as she grinned at me, her eyes bright. There were still flames within them, and the scars on her side from the curse might never fade, but it didn’t matter. I kissed her hard on the mouth, holding her close.
“You’re naked, and I don’t care. I mean, I like that you’re naked.”
I smiled against her. “I’ve missed you.”
“I know you had to go see the wing and your family, but I don’t want you to ever leave my side again. How can you be here?”
I walked her inside the house and closed the door behind me as I just held her close. “I don’t know how I’m here, other than the In Between didn’t want me.”
Her eyes widened. “You were in the In Between?”
“It was dark. As if the darkness that came from the necromancers pulled me in but didn’t know I could get out. I don’t know how I knew where I was, other than knowing I could leave when it was time. And seeing you fighting, seeing Renee come at you like that?” Even as I said the words, anger filled me. “I knew it was time. I didn’t know how much time had passed, and I was worried it had been too long, but then I was able to come to you. Because I was there for you. As you will always be there for me. I feel like we’ve wasted so much time waiting to see who we could become, but I don’t want to wait anymore, Laurel. I love you. You’re mine, and I love you.”
She lowered her feet to the floor as she cupped my face and kissed me again. “I love you, too, Jaxton. And you’re mine. I was so afraid for so long. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to fight by your side, live by your side, and just be yours. I can feel you here.” She put her hand over her chest. “In my heart. And I know the mating bond is still there, even though I couldn’t feel it while you were in the In Between.”
“But I’m no longer there. I’m here. And I’m stronger than I was.” Not just in physical strength, but in who I could be. “We’re going to fight. We’re going to win. And I’m not going to lose any more of my wing or this town to this fucking necromancer who thinks they can take us.”
She grinned at me. “I love when you get all dangerous and growly. Makes me hot.”
“Good, because you’re far too clothed.”
I pulled off her shirt and tugged down her sweats, leaving her bare to me. I dropped to my knees as she widened her eyes, and I spread her. “Hold onto something, mate of mine. Things are about to get steamy.” And then I latched my mouth to her pussy and sucked.
Laurel slid one leg over my shoulder as I kissed her intimately, needing her taste, just needing her. We were standing in her living room, and I felt as if I were living outside myself, watching me make love to the woman I loved. When she came on my face, I stood and kissed her again, needing her.
“That’s a way to say hello,” she muttered against my lips as I picked her up and slowly carried her to her bedroom.
“I’ve missed you,” I murmured.
“I’ve missed you, too. I feel like I’ve been missing you all of my life, afraid to want you more than I already do.” I soothed away her tears as I laid her down on the bed before gently nipping at her lip and kissing her again and again. “I don’t want to live for the past or even tomorrow. I want to live for right now.”
I smiled and kissed her one more time. “It’s just you and me.” Even as I said that, I knew it wasn’t completely true. We would always miss Trace. The person who was our best friend and could have possibly been more. But fate had decided against it. However, it was the two of us now, and I wasn’t letting anyone take her away from me. Not a curse, not even death itself. She was my flame, and I was her spark. And the world would have to get on board with that.
I left gentle nips between her breasts as she lay back a
nd let me love her. And when I licked her burn scars, she smiled down at me, no fear in her eyes this time, just promises of a future that was ours. I shifted, my hand still between her legs as I gently brought her to climax again. And then I settled between her open thighs, met her gaze, and entangled my fingers with hers.
“Ready?” I whispered.
“Always. Please. Be mine.” As I kissed away her tears again, I slid deep inside her, both of us groaning at the feeling.
I rolled to my back, letting her take control. I didn’t mind. Because right here, we were only Laurel and Jaxton. I might not be the growly predator shifter that people thought I needed to be, but I was still a leader, still dominant. But this woman, my mate, was my equal. My everything.
I would burn down the world for her. We had nearly done that for each other. And now as she rode me, my balls tightening and my dick hard, I knew that this was only the beginning. It had to be.
The mating bond snicked into place between us, my hawk gliding over the bond towards her flame. Her phoenix danced with my anchor, and my eyes widened as she grinned.
“Whoa,” she whispered, and then she came again. I clung to her, both of us rolling to the side as we held each other.
Those attacking the town would come for us. I knew it. But for now, I would simply hold my mate and know that we had gotten our second, third, and infinite chance.
I had promised myself I would never stop trying. And I wouldn’t. Yet I knew this was it. It had to be.
I had died once for Laurel, and I would do it again. But if fate shined down on us, with the curse fully gone, our mating bond would be forever. And death was only our beginning.
Chapter
Twenty-One
Jaxton
Magic pulsated within the bookshop, and I leaned against the doorway, my gaze on my mate and my family.
Though the curse had broken for Laurel, it hadn’t for the others. Darkness still surrounded the town, and Ash was still dealing with his personal scourge. For now, I knew the coven in front of me was doing their best to focus on what they could fix and what they could change.
Dusk Unveiled (Ravenwood Coven Book 2) Page 16
