Moira lounged on a large downy bed, studying the starlit sky through the balcony doors across the room. Warm drafts of air filtered through the doors and open windows, carrying the scents of spice, ash, and conifer trees. Moira rolled onto her back and clasped her hands atop her stomach, breathing a contented sigh.

    She'd already taken a two hour long bath, which Kalian was now occupying. They'd been offered separate rooms by the King and Queen, but had opted to stay together. If anyone was surprised, they said nothing. In fact, Gabriel hadn't even questioned Kalian about the kiss he'd interrupted. Moira had to wonder what Kalian would say when they did ask, or if he'd say anything at all.

    The sound of draining water came from the bathroom and Moira sat up. She tossed damp curls over her shoulders, letting them cover her bare skin. The night was warm enough that she'd only bothered dressing in her undergarments. She was never able to sleep when it was hot out unless she was barely dressed or naked. She couldn't stand sweating in her sleep.

    Kalian appeared in the bathroom doorway, a towel wrapped haphazardly around his hips. "How are you feeling?" Moira asked.

    "Tired," Kalian admitted. "And also like I could use a really stiff drink. I'm still trying to process everything."

    He approached a carved wooden cabinet and opened it. The shelves inside were lined with an assortment of liquor. He selected a bottle of whiskey and poured two glasses. He joined her on the bed and Moira accepted her glass. She downed it in one draught, relishing the burn as it slid down her throat.

    "Do you feel relieved now that Dagen is dead?" She asked, setting her glass aside.

    "I do. In a way, I feel free." Kalian rubbed the back of his neck, then emptied his glass. "It sounds wrong, but I feel like all of this was smothering me and now I can finally breathe." Moira scooted closer and kissed his shoulder. Kalian flashed her a small smile. "Have you heard anything from Samson and Bellamy?"

    "Not yet, but I'm sure we will soon." Moira gazed about their room, once again admiring the beauty and elegance in every aspect of it. "How long will we stay?"

    "As long as you want."

    "Not long then." Moira averted her eyes and bit her lip. "I'm tired of staying in places where I don't feel welcome."

    Kalian gave a slow nod. "I think we should discuss what comes next for us."

    "All right."

    "I'm not ready for...more than this. I do love you and I want to be with you, but marriage..." Kalian pursed his lips.

    "Marriage can wait," Moira agreed. "I think there are things we need to do first."

    "Like what?"

    "The Ironblades aren't going to disband just because Dagen is dead. Sooner or later, someone will rise up to take his place. I think we need to try to stop the Ironblades before that happens. We might be able to reason with many of them, and there are ways to warn off the others."

    "So you want to find Ironblade units and dissuade them from continuing their campaign?" Moira nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. I'm sure Samson and Bellamy will want to join us." Kalian's face lit up with a smile. "Maybe Gabriel will come too. I imagine his wife and sister would have to come along then as well."

    "Who are they?"

    "His wife is Asena Vesper, Queen Iyan's sister, and Gabriel's unidentical twin is Esen. I don't think you've seen her yet. She had pale skin, white hair, and blue eyes."

    "Does she have those powers Dagen was talking about?" Moira asked, knitting her brows.

    Kalian shook his head. "I don't think those abilities are anything more than myths. It's common for Night Faeries to have pale features, just like it's common for Day Faeries to have dark ones."

    "Oh, I suppose that makes sense." Moira stretched her arms over her head and leaned back into the pillows. "We're in agreement then?"

    "We are."

    "So what now?"

    Kalian's gaze swept over her and Moira couldn't suppress a shiver. "I have a few ideas. One being that we could sleep, seeing as we haven't in two days."

    "Or?" Moira urged. She crossed her wrists and propped up one leg. Kalian's eyes simmered with heat. Moira's heart hammered against her ribs.

    "Or I could apologize again for hiding the truth from you. Thoroughly, this time."

    Moira's coy grin softened into a smile. "Why don't you thank me instead? Show me how grateful you are that we're both alive and that Dagen can never use or hurt us again."

    Kalian bowed his head, gliding his hand over her thigh. Moira swallowed hard as he brushed his lips against her almond skin. Tingles raced through her following the touch. Kalian kissed her inner thigh once more, higher this time. Moira let herself relax and warmth pooled deep within her stomach.

    Kalian's palm glowed with magic as he shielded the room. His hand drifted higher still and his fingers found the hem of her underwear. Moira struggled to keep her breaths even as he slid the garment off and tossed it aside. Kalian guided her legs over his shoulders, kissing one, then the other.

    "Try not to kick my..." Kalian's voice caught.

    "I won't," Moira promised. She angled her feet away from the stumps of his wings as much as possible.

    Kalian brought his head down and the first slick stroke of his tongue had her writhing with delight. Moira threaded her fingers through his hair, gasping in pleasure. Kalian's tongue flickered over her in teasing sweeps, coaxing a whimper from her lips. Moira's eyes rolled back and her hips bucked. Kalian braced his forearm over them, holding her steady against the bed.

    "Kalian," she panted, clutching his hair tighter. Moira cried out as his thumb joined his tongue, working in taut circles. Briefly, Kalian's lips replaced his tongue. Moira groaned, her hips jerking beneath his arm.

    She saw Kalian smile before he kissed her again. His lips met her inner thigh while his thumb kept massaging a more sensitive spot between her legs. Moira couldn't hold back another pleased gasp. His thumb dipped in and she moaned. Kalian didn't pull back immediately. He moved his thumb from side to side in short strokes. Pleasure swelled through her and a shiver wracked her body.

    "Keep going," she rasped. "Please!"

    "Like this?" His voice was just a low rumble. Moira melted at the sound. "Or is there something else you want me to do?"

    Moira pulled on his hair, dragging his head back down. Kalian laughed, but yielded to her silent demand. His mouth closed over her completely, sucking and licking while he continued to tease her with his thumb. Moira couldn't stop her hips from rocking, though Kalian's arm held her down. Each caress of his tongue elicited louder cries from her.

    Pleasure spiked, sending stars across her vision. Moira began to tremble, her chest heaving as she gulped down breaths. Kalian kept going, repeating the moves she favored, especially the ones that coaxed loud moans from her lips.

    The wave of pleasure swelled until Moira couldn't fight it anymore. Release erupted through her, sweeping into every inch of her being and sending hot lightning through her veins. Kalian didn't pull his mouth away until she was limp and shuddering. Then, he sat up, swiping his tongue over his lips. Moira swallowed hard.

    Kalian bent over her, his gaze searching hers. Her eyes fluttered shut as he pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. He cupped her cheek in his hand and slanted his lips at a different angle. Moira made a soft sound. Kalian kissed her once more, then pulled her against his chest and lay still. Moira didn't fight the drowsiness that crept over her.

    Just as sleep beckoned her away, she heard Kalian whisper, "I love you." And she knew nothing more.

☽◦༻◦☽◦༺◦☽

    Kalian didn't know how long they slept. Only that he didn't move once; nor did he dream. When he finally blinked his eyes open, sunlight streamed through the balcony doors. Moira was still curled close to his side, one of her hands splayed across his chest while the other was hooked under his arm and over his shoulder.

    Kalian smiled to himself and brushed her stray curls aside, touching a soft kiss to her temple. He carefully twisted out of her grasp and rolled off the bed. He was surprised to find his clothes sitting on a table nearby, freshly washed and folded. Kalian dressed quickly, but paused when the bedcovers rustled.

    Moira sat up, squinting against the sunlight, and shoved hair out of her face. Kalian's grin stretched wider. "Good morning," he called.

    "Morning," she mumbled, swinging her legs off the side of the bed. Kalian briefly admired the curve of her hips, before she gathered up her own clothes and began to dress. "Should we ride to Tower Dawn and find Samson and Bellamy or wait for them here?"

    "Let me talk to Gabriel first," Kalian said. "Some of his soldiers might know if they've been seen lately. Besides, we'll need to gather news on Tower Dawn's status before heading there anyway. We don't know how badly they were hit, or if they were attacked at all."

    "Point taken." Moira smothered a yawn and pulled her hair back into a low ponytail.

    "Are you hungry?" Kalian asked.

    "Not yet. Give me a few hours to wake up and I will be."

    He offered her his hand and she took it with a smile. Together, they left the room and headed down the stairs. When they reached the second floor, voices drifted from the cracked doorway of a sitting room. Kalian led Moira over to it and lightly rapped his knuckles on the doorframe.

    Instantly, the conversation broke off and Gabriel appeared, opening the door further. "Just the person we wanted to see," he said. "Come in." His amethyst eyes darted to Moira. "You too."

    She tensed and Kalian drew her closer to his side as they entered. Gabriel closed the door behind them. He returned to his seat beside his wife. Kalian remained standing, noticing that there was only one other vacant seat. The others were occupied by King Arius, Queen Iyan, Esen, and the Witch, Sybella.

    "You wanted to see me?" He asked, fixing his gaze on the King and Queen.

    "Yes." Only sorrow lay in the King's sapphire and silver eyes. Kalian braced himself, knowing what he was about to ask.