The world steadied around Damon as he set the four women down. Or tried to. Aurora didn't even give him the chance.
She launched herself at him like a missile, arms around his neck, wings flaring, eyes shimmering with divine outrage.
"Hubby!" she shrieked, shaking him like a rag doll. "You scared me! You disappeared! You didn't answer! You didn't send a message! You didn't leave a note! I thought you died! You're not allowed to die! Ever!"
Damon panted. "Can we go back home first and then have this talk?"
"No!" She pressed his face into her chest. Before he could pry her off, Lirae stepped forward, quiet, calm, trembling. She didn't leap. She didn't shout. She just placed both hands on his cheeks, forcing him to look directly at her, crimson eyes burning with emotion.
"You said you would be careful," she whispered. "You said I should trust you." Her lip quivered. "But then you disappeared for an entire day into the most dangerous place in the region without a single word."
