He flinched. “Why would I feel guilty?”
“Because we hurt your pantheon today,” I said as if it were obvious. “Oh, crap. Is it your daughter? Is Ishtar dead?”
“No,” he whispered and looked up at me. “She's fine. I saw her trace away.”
“Good. That's good, right?”
“Yeah,” Sin smiled gently at me. “That's good. And I'm not upset about the others. They deserved what they got.”
“Then why are you so sad?”
Sin's jaw clenched and his stare settled on me. He leaned forward onto his knees. “I miss you, V. Those days when you lived with me were some of the best of my life. I know you were heartbroken and it's probably wrong of me to have enjoyed being with you, but I did.”
“Oh,” I whispered.
“With the battle over, I don't have a reason to visit you,” he went on. “It's stupid, but I think I'm sad because the war is won and now I have to go back to Bahrain.”
“No, you don't,” I said softly.
“I don't?”
“I'm not saying there will be anything between us,” I clarified firmly. “But if you don't mind keeping our relationship a friendship than you're more than welcome to live at Pride Palace with us. As soon as I rebuild it, that is.”
“You'd let me live with you?” Sin gaped at me.
“Ninkasi too, if she wants.” I nodded. “You helped me get my territory back. The least I can do is share it with you. You'll have somewhere safe, where no one can bust in and catch you unaware ever again.”
“Thank you, Vervain,” Sin whispered.
“Of course.”
“No, truly.” He lurched up then pulled me to my feet to hug me. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.”
“I don't abandon my friends, Sin. You stood by me when I had no one. You've been a better friend than I could have asked for. You have a home with me as long as you want one.”
“Damn it, woman, just stop already,” Sin growled. “I'm in love with you enough as it is.”
I went tense, and he released me.
“Sorry about that,” Sin mumbled.
“No, it's fine. Never apologize for loving someone.” I smiled softly. “I love you too, just not in the way you'd like me to.”
“I get it. And don't worry; I won't make any trouble for you or your family. I just... it just came out. I won't say it again.”
“You can say all you want.” I leaned up on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Just don't say it in front of my men.” I stepped back and winked at him. “That could be dangerous to your health.”
Sin chuckled. “Deal.”
“Good. Now, how about we go and get something to eat? I'm starving.”
“That sounds great,” Sin said as he walked out of the palace with me, “No offense, but I'm glad the Jinn went back to their territory. There's no way I could eat with the Ghouls around.”
“No kidding. Even a dragon has to draw the line somewhere.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
I strolled through the celebrating gods and over to my faerie husband. Arach stood near one of the fire pits, far enough away from the tents that the only light hitting him came from the fire. It warmed his pale skin and sent shadows skittering beneath his sharp features. He looked more dragon; all fey and fierce. So incredibly beautiful that I had to take a moment to stare at him. Arach shifted his vibrant stare to me, heat rising in it that had nothing to do with the fire before him. He slid his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. I settled in against his side and we sighed together.
“I want to see our sons,” I whispered. “It's time to go home, Arach.”
“It is,” he agreed immediately. “I'm ready as well. I miss them, and I miss our home. It was glorious to fly with a dread of dragons into battle, but the Fire Kingdom calls to me.”
“Shall we return together?”
“I'll use my ring so I'll return a day before you. Then I can meet you at the Great Tree.”
“Why?” I frowned at him. “I'll just use my ring...” I trailed off as I realized where, or rather when, I'd return to if I used my Ring of Remembrance. “I'd be going back to just before you returned to forge the weapons.”
“Yes. Things have gotten complicated with all of my back and forth as well as the travels of the Hunt. I think it's better to not risk you telling me something that might interfere with the outcome of the battle.”
I sighed. “You're right. And I'm sorry; I know how you hate having to wait.” I stretched up on my toes to kiss him.
Arach lifted me off my feet to kiss me passionately. Our dragons rubbed against each other through our skin, bringing ardent growls up our throats. My fingers dug into his shoulders and his erection pressed urgently into the cradle of my thighs, but we broke our kiss before things could go further. Both of us wanted to get back to Faerie.
“You are always worth the wait, A Thaisce.” Arach rubbed his forehead against mine then stepped back, just enough to give himself the space he needed to use his ring. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Dragon.”
I watched as Arach used his ring, vanishing back through time and the realms, then headed inside to use Re's tracing room. I didn't bother to let anyone know I was leaving; I could use my ring to return to a few minutes after I left. No one would miss me.
I traced to Faerie, reforming before the ancient tree at the end of the road that led to the Castle of Eight. Arach was already there, waiting with a regiment of Red Caps and a carriage hitched to a team of four phookas.
I grinned and hurried over to my husband, glancing over his shoulder into the empty carriage. “Where are the boys?” My grin faded as I absently waved to the red
