Between Chapter 51-52

Synopsis: Shadows Lost, Remnant and Emon had just defeated the wraiths that had attacked Finlandia. Emon agrees to get drinks with Tyr after being gone for over 52 years and Remnant goes her separate way with her shadow force captains.

She still does realize that Emon is her soulmate but has accepted an alliance with him.

Bonus Chapter-Emons POV

The tray scraped harshly against the rough surface of the wooden bar table and I narrowed my gaze through the hazy, drunken bliss I was already experiencing. 

“Fifty two years and thirty six days. You owe me.” Tyr squinted at me, his massive tattooed body tilting the dinky table in his direction. Fifty two shots of Hydra’s Piss slid in his direction, spilling as they went. 

Slamming my forearm down, I righted the table before the drinks crashed to the floor. The raucous celebration of our battle won was hitting its peak within Finlandia’s Tavern. My people’s inebriated state allowing my best friend and I to disappear in a mass of bodies, no longer the center of their reverent attention. 

I sniffed at the drinks, the potency making my eyes water and stirring a foggy buzz in my brain. This shit may well have been poison. 

“So this is my penance?” I eyed the shots, running my hand through my hair. Fae metabolism burned alcohol well enough but that much of Hydra’s Piss would surely lay a fae out in seconds. “Here I thought you’d be happy to see me.” 

Tyr huffed, tapping the table with his finger to punctuate each word, putrid liquor sloshing with each pounding force. “You tied me up and left me behind.” 

I winced at the sharp pang in my chest. There was no use explaining to him what he already knew. I’d been desperate to find her. I needed to be able to move freely, independently, without the constant judgement and worry for my safety. And with the lands of Faerie still riddled with disease and blood–not a single blade of grass was free of painful memories that would not cause Tyr harm.  No matter how well he built boundaries to deter his empathic side. 

Tyr knew all these things. And if he’d really wanted to, he would have fought harder to stay by my side. But he hadn’t and I’d never planned to be gone that long…

And in that time, I caused him just as much pain as the blade of grass I had been trying to save him from. My absence caused a pain worse than memories, it was the pain of slowly believing you had lost the one person who understood you the most. 

“There is no use feeling guilty, fairy boy. It had to be done. Besides, you used rope, not even irons like I suggested. His complaint is childish,” my inner beast growled with irritation.

“It’s not often you defend me, cat. I think that Kraken really got to you,” I shot back at him inside my mind and then gave Tyr a wink. “That’s the second time you’ve complained about this today. Just admit it, you enjoy being tied up by me, brother.” 

Tyr scoffed, leaning back in his chair and spreading his legs wide. “You’re not the one I wished I was tied up by.” 

This time, I leaned over the table, eyes narrowed on my best friend. “I take it that this means you have not made any headway with the elemental twins—with Dragoon?” 

Pain flashed in Tyr’s eyes. Ever since we first found Remnant’s Shadow Force Captains in the ruins of the capital, the turmoil had only become deeper as the years had passed. I would never forget that day. My body had been riddled with weakness and pain and my mind devastated by grief and defeat, but I was still aware, could still see through the fog…still witnessed the moment when Tyr first connected with the elemental twins. 

Then stood by as I watched him bury it for the sake of Xi Chin and Riley Dragoon’s bond. 

“Dragoon is deeply devoted to Chin. But fuck it all if I don’t want her too? I don’t understand it, Emon, but everything inside me tells me they are both mine. Mine to protect and cherish. But fate is a cruel mistress. What kind of fae would I be to intervene, to break something that is only given once in a lifetime? A true love not forced by a bond? I could never jeopardize what they have together.”

I sighed sadly for my friend. “And what of you Tyr? Will you throw away your once in a lifetime bond too? Just because you never tried to fight for it?”

Tyr’s purple eyes penetrated mine, not even bothering to look up when he shoved a drunk shifter from falling into his lap. “That’s twenty miles for you to run tomorrow, Rodes.” The soldier cursed, stumbling away. Tyr’s gaze narrowed as he continued to address me. “It’s not that simple and you know it. Have you not done the same?” 

Was I doing the same? I wanted her to choose me. Not the bond. Not for debts owed. But for what we could be. What we were meant to be. 

My cat gagged. “I can’t take more of this heart to heart. You pathetic fairy boys don’t know how to hold your drinks. I am going to sleep before I have to bear witness to the tears.”

“Fuck off then,” I growled back, picking up a shot and holding it before me. My reflection stared back within the clear surface. Within my golden stare, I had no answers for him. I barely had any for myself. All I knew was that if Remnant Dark never chose me, not even death could force me to leave. I’d stay, like her shadows—covertly protecting her from this world even if she chose never to have me. “Will me drinking all of these truly make up for what is owed you?” 

Tyr shot me a sloppy grin, “Owed? Not a chance. Make me feel better? You bet your sweet ass it will.”

“Awe. Is his majesty scared of a bit of alcohol?” 

I stilled with a sharp inhale, the scent of lilies after a night rain penetrating my senses. Tilting the glass slightly, my golden stare disappeared and emerald piercing ones replaced my reflection. 

Placing the glass down, I rose from my chair in a half stumble that had Tyr chuckling. Snarling at him in warning, I smoothed my expression and my movement to face my soulmate. 

Flanked by her Shadow Force Captains, Riley Dragoon and Xi Chin, Remnant Dark stood in a cloud of darkness that somehow outshone every fae inside this bar. Her pale skin and dark hair gleamed, freshly washed from battle. Her black leathers, now absent of blood when I had seen her hours before, fit every delectable curve of her body, and her lips curved up into an amused smile—still swollen from my tasting of them earlier.

I wondered if she could still feel me on them, like a lovesick phantom haunting her mouth, never knowing when it would taste her again… but unable to be set free from the need. 

“I think both their cat’s caught their tongues,” Riley Dragoon snickered. Arms crossed, his green hair flopped over his amused hazel eyes. 

I cursed. Running my hand through my hair. I had been caught staring but then again… so had she, judging by the faint flush to her cheeks. And even so, our eyes never dared to leave each other. 

My best friend snorted, shooting Dragoon a wink. “And who wouldn’t want a pussy… cat taking some tongue.”

Xi Chin choked behind Remnant, tugging on her white hair that was back to covering her face. “A smart one.” 

Chucking, I offered my hand to Remnant, ignoring the others. “Care to join us?” 

Remnant’s sharp gaze swept over my body. “You never answered my question.” 

Brow raised, I swung my own chair out to her and stole a chair from a nearby patron, ignoring their cursing as they crashed to the floor. Holding my hand out, I indicated for her to sit. 

Laughing, Remnant ignored my hand but took the seat. I smirked and followed her, legs spread wide framing her petite body with them and delivered her a teasing smile. “I can’t help but think you are attempting to challenge me, little umbra. After your loss on the rooftops, I am surprised you are willing to make another in such a short period of time?” 

A delicate dark brow rose and her shadows flitted playfully around my feet. Little fiends. “I believe our versions of who lost are much different, your majesty.” 

Placing my forearm on the table, I leaned closer. “Indeed. So what are you proposing this time?” 

Unafraid, she grinned, tapping the table. “Let’s call it a game of favors. We go shot for shot.”

“Not these shots, beauty, these ones are for him alone. He owes me,” Tyr huffed but I didn’t bother looking at him. All I could see was her.

Dark hair fell softly over her shoulder as she assessed the drinks on the table, “Fifty two shots for fifty two years gone.” Eyes snapping back to mine, her lips curved up. “Seeing how I am part of this, I will also partake in this… punishment. Does that seem fair enough, General Cloud?” 

Goddess help me. The way her lips wrapped around the word punishment. “Little umbra–” I began. 

“Deal,” Tyr roared, slamming his hand down, rattling the drinks and a few fae that jumped in fright. “Barkeep bring us another fifty two shots of Hydra’s Piss!” 

Smiling, Remnant waved her finger over her shoulder. “Riley.” 

I watched as the elemental twins shared an intimate look before Dragoon moved, grabbing a nearby table and pushing it into our own. 

“The winner’s table for you, general,” Riley laughed, shooting her a knowing wink. 

Sending him a flat stare, I growled, “Already betting against your own king, Dragoon?”

“Forgive me, you majesty but you simply do not bet against a shadow. Darkness is infinite, what may seem like a win early on inevitably will still be a loss one day.” Riley drawled. 

I studied Remnant. “Then I must learn to become one with the shadows,” I breathed, low enough for only her to hear. 

My soulmate’s eyes widened, that one question forming in them, one I dared her to ask with my own stare. All it would take was just one ask and it would all come pouring out. Every confession, hope, and dark secret I guarded to keep her safe. 

A tray scraped slowly across the table. “Fifty-two shots of hydra’s piss. May the Goddess protect you,” the barkeep muttered, stomping away in a huff. 

Riley snickered, turning a chair around and straddling it, his green hair flopping over his eyes. “It’s been a while since I’ve had this much fun.” 

“You’re not supposed to be instigating this,” Xi snapped back.

The air elemental expression morphed as if he were wounded, but hazel eyes gleamed back at her. “It wasn’t too long ago that we used to make similar bets, was it not?” 

Xi bristled and I glanced over at Tyr attempting to remain aloof, the strain of it miniscule, but still there. He had been masking it well for years but I knew his tells too well. 

Sitting upright in my chair, my legs brushed up against hers, stealing her attention back to me. “You don’t have to do this. These are my consequences. Not yours.” 

“We’re allies now, shifter. Our consequences are shared, are they not?” Smokey tendrils of darkness swirled across the sticky table, before placing a shot glass in her hand. “We go shot for shot, no breaks, and the one able to stand after consuming the most drinks owes the other a favor in the future.” 

My heart stuttered. The future? Had she ever let on we had one aside from tonight? I dreamed of it for years, and now it was sitting before me in chaotic drunken foolery, loud music, and brilliant green eyes. “Agreed,” I growled back. 

“May the best fae win.” She grinned wide, a dazzling view completely wiped out every functioning thought. 

Cold liquid sloshed over my fingertips and I blinked down to see a shot placed in my hand by my best friend, his chuckling laughter following his retreating form lowering back in his chair. 

Shaking my head to clear the fog that was all my soulmates doing, I peered back up at her through the hair falling over my eyes, tapping her glass with my own. “May the best fae win.” 

***

“I’ll—I’ll tells you a secret.” I slurred, wincing at the fiery burn, my words rasping from the rawness of my throat.

My soulmate leaned in, her face flushed, eyes hooded. Beautiful. “Danggerousss secrets?” she slurred back with a tinge of excitement.

“Very,” I nodded solemnly. 

“Oh,” she hiccupped, swaying in her chair and then she smiled darkly. “Tell meeee…” 

“You’reees my so–”

“Drink up you two and stop whispering secrets!” Tyr snickered, slapping me roughly on my back and giving me a pointed look, shaking his head. 

Shadows placed another round of drinks in our hands and we both smirked at one another before chasing the poison quickly back. 

“Fifty-one!” The entire tavern roared. The patrons having joined in on the fun to count but it was Tyr and the elemental twins who shouted the loudest out of them all.  

“Sweet goddess,” I squeezed my eyes tightly, shutting out the spinning world. The only thing keeping me grounded was the heat of my soulmate’s leg stretched out against my own. 

“Youuusss—” Renannt mumbled. My eyes snapped open as her words cut off. Her entire body pitching forward towards me.

“Fucckk,” I choked, catching her face from slamming into the sodden wooden planks of the table. Soft. Her skin was so goddess damn soft. 

Remnant blinked and huffed through pursed lips, her dark hair falling over those incredible eyes I fucking loved.

“Youuuss,” she began, nuzzling her cheeks into my cupping palms while her hand slapped against my chest. “Are you conceeeddding?” 

Her fingers  trailed over the heated skin of my chest. “Fffor you, al–alwayssss.” I garbled and carefully held her head to sweep back her dark hair, revealing the perfection that dared to hide from me. 

Better. So much better. Dangerous even 

Her pink lips pulled back in a sloppy grin. “You’reee so prettyyyyy.” 

I grinned widely back. “Sooo are youuus.” 

“Can anyone even understand what the fuck their saying,” Xi commented somewhere to my right. Or was it my left. 

“Goddess if I know,” Riley chuckled, “I don’t think I have ever seen our General this pissed before.” 

Remnant chuffed, “Pissed. Hydra’s piss. Pissing gnomiessss!”

I groaned, shaking her head slightly. “Gnome piss isss the worst.” 

My soulmate giggled and reared back, swaying wildly in her seat. “One more.” She nodded aggressively once at me, holding up the next shot. “Togther.” 

Grinning, I looped my arm through hers, pulling us closer as we both raised the last drink to our lips. “Together,” I whispered before pouring the final round into my mouth. 

“Fifty-two!” Cheers rattled the rafters, disturbing the final resting place of dust that now sprinkled down between us like confetti and the floors shook violently with stomping feet that likely could be heard to the pits of Sheol itself. 

Remnant’s glass slammed down on the table with a loud boast. “Ha! Im stannndding. I win!” 

My brows furrowed with injustice. “No, no. I am the one whooooss stood firstsss.” 

The shadows swirled around us and her hands waved frantically at herself in the chair. “You are a dafffft shifter. Can’t you see I am standingssss?”

I blinked when the world spun, her entire body moving up and down. “Ppperrhaps. Perhaps, I was wrong. Yousss wonnn.” 

Remnant giggled and I slumped into her, head falling on her shoulder. I wanted to be closer to her laugh. 

“I winnnn,” she whispered, absently running her fingers through my hair. 

I purred, pressing my lips into the curve of her neck. “Yoouuu winn, little ummmbraaaa”

“Uh, who’s going to tell them that neither of them are standing?” Tyr snickered. 

My eyes fluttered open, blinking through the haze to see Tyr bumping the shoulder of the earth elemental. 

When she laughed back, I knew I had to be fucking drunk… or dead. Neither mattered though because I was basking in the soft skin of my soulmate, her sweet scent, the warmth of her darkness—and we were definitely standing, together, as we would for eternity. 

I shifted in my chair with a full pout. A bed would have been more preferable.