Woven by Gold (Beasts of the Briar, #2)

by Elizabeth Helen

Home is waking to cherry blossoms floating in my room and tea with Marigold and Astrid. Home is being surrounded by books so old the pages are stiff, and the sweetest smile peering out from behind them. Home is the smell of salt and sea, and a laugh so joyful it always brings out my own. Home is the softest touch over my body, safety behind what others fear. And home is arguing with a stupid icy bastard across a dinner table and pelting him with bread rolls, as my friends—my family—laugh with me.

Dancing around the willow tree in the middle of town at dusk on a Sunday is not exactly how I imagined my life going. But after you’ve spent months living in a castle with a bunch of shapeshifting faeries, at some point, you just have to say fuck it.

😆

The tallest one on the left looks like he just left the slopes, wearing a ski suit of vibrant purple, pink, and green. A matching neon ski mask covers his entire face, complete with huge orange goggles with tinted lenses.

Bahahaha!!! Interesting modern interpretation of a suit of armor 😂

The one on the right wears baggy acid-washed jeans, topped with a huge shirt covered in colorful squiggles and geometric shapes. His face is totally covered in shadow from his oversized holographic bucket hat, but I see auburn waves peeking out from underneath.

Wow, I can’t picture Farron wearing that 🤯😆

The man with his arm around Rosalina notices us. Rosie screams for us again, but he throws a hand over her mouth and drags her behind a boarded-up building to the right. Dayton lets out an animalistic growl. “Fine, I’m with you. This guy dies.”

Tee hee hee

Rosalina stares at us. Tears shimmer down her face. “You came.” For a moment, I can see through the fury. “Always, Rosie,” I whisper back.

😭❤️

“Day.” I throw myself at him. His arms wrap tightly around me, and I burrow into his body. “You’re hurt.” “Ahh, Blossom.” He presses his lips to the top of my head. “You’re here. I could take on an entire army.”

“I really missed you,” I gasp before throwing my arms around his neck and burying my face in his fur. The embrace of winter hits me immediately, and a fire blazes inside my chest, relieving an ache that’s been tearing me apart for the last four months. “I fucking hate you, Kel.” Then I’m falling, crashing to the floor, braced against a hard chest as arms wrap around me so tightly, I can barely breathe. Kel … Kel is a fae man. Even though it’s night. Like when we shared the cave together. He tucks his head into the crook of my neck. I want to touch every part of him. I run my hands over his muscular shoulders and tangle my fingers in his hair. A gasping sob escapes me. “My Rose,” he murmurs into my hair.

😭😭😭❤️‍🔥

I smirk. “If you’re a good boy, I’ll give you a brush next.” “I did not think you calling me a good boy would be such a turn on.”

😏🫠

“Can you not flirt with me while you’re like this? It’s weird.” But the wolf playfully knocks his entire giant head into my stomach. “I don’t think I could stop flirting with you if I tried.”

Tee hee hee. I don’t think it’s weird 😆

“The curse is not broken because we have not completed our mate bond,” Keldarion says. “Oh, like, we have to have sex?” I stand and say bluntly. He stares at me. I stare at him. Then I crumble over, hiding my burning face in my hands. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I just said that.”

ACK! *Cringe* where is the filter??? 😂

I grab the back of her neck to make sure her gaze is on me, letting her know how serious I am. “But if anyone else touches you, including that asshole ex-fiancé upstairs, I’ll take great pleasure in ending their life. Then I’ll fuck you in their blood to remind you who you belong to.”

🤯🤭🫠

“Day, you said kissing me was a mistake.” The pang of hurt in her voice stabs me deeper than any weapon. “And you don’t think I’ve regretted that every single moment since?” I crush my lips against hers and drag her into the water.

😍🔥

“This time you’re going to scream,” he snarls. “You’re going to scream loud enough for your mate to hear you and realize what an idiot he is. For that fucking asshole to feel the pleasure he can’t give you.”

🔥

“You will not deny my mate her vengeance.” The stars turn dark, and Caspian shoots a venomous glare at Keldarion. “Carving into a man’s flesh? This is madness.” “Move,” Keldarion growls. “You well know I slipped off the edge of madness years ago.” “Oh, Kel, of course I do.” Caspian’s lip curls, but then he looks to me, and there’s a strange softness in his gaze. “But she hasn’t. Don’t let her fall into the darkness as we have.”

Wait, what the heck? Actually, that’s SO SWEET 😭❤️.

Caspian grabs my hands, and something in me relaxes at his touch. The angry fire quiets, not dimming but settling to a comforting glow. “Princess, you need not tarnish your soul to know justice has been served. Lay that burden upon my shoulders. Let me be your darkness.”

“We are all a part of the cycle. And though the seed may always be a part of us, nothing stays the same.” He pauses, helmet downcast. “Nothing stays.” “So, that person may always be a part of us,” I whisper, “but we don’t have to hold on to them.” “Does the river hold itself back from running?” “It’s sometimes hard to let go of that person,” I utter softly. “The one we used to be.” “I’m still trying,” he says, then

“Here’s a lesson, Rosie,” Dayton says, his wolf’s smile strangely similar to the man’s. “The best way to get Keldarion to do something you want is to do it wrong. He’ll be sure to correct you.”

Rosalina dives into the middle of the nest. She’d ran into her bedroom and changed into a light pink nightdress. Warmth spreads through me. Short sleeves. Dayton crawls beside her and tugs the blankets over her body with his mouth. I sit awkwardly to the side, watching them. Keldarion’s curled in a tight ball, but Dayton lays his snout on the white wolf’s haunches. Rosalina curls between them, nearly engulfed in white and gold fur.

Awwww!!! Doggy sleepover 😆

He trails off, then knits a hand through his hair. “I’ve been talking about mushrooms for a long time, haven’t I?” “Yes, but now I’m dying for that portabello stew you mentioned.” I throw an arm over his shoulder and bring my lips to his ear. “I love when you talk shroomy to me.”

😆

“Are you sure about this, Rosalina?” I blink my eyes open to see his turquoise gaze sparkling, his full lips parted in that strange smile of his, the one just for me. “I know you have a mate. I’d understand if you only want him.” He looks almost embarrassed. My heart bleeds from the vulnerability he’s showing me. I take his face between my palms, knowing I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. “You make me smile even when the whole world seems dark,” I tell him. “You protect those you care about with a fierceness I admire. You’re brave and clever, and every time you laugh I do too, and I want—I want you, Day.” “Careful, Blossom,” he whispers, and there’s a warmth on his face that could light up an entire room. “If you keep talking like that, I might just fall in love with you.”

😭🥰❤️‍🔥

You look as deadly as you are beautiful.” But I didn’t need to hear your thoughts to know you forgot your panties, Rose, Kel’s voice sounds in my mind. I would have smelled you the moment you removed your cloak.

🥵❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

snatch Caspian by the lapel and shove him against the stone counter. “And stop speaking in Rosalina’s mind. Whatever dark sorcery you’ve conjured, leave her out of it.” His eyes flick down to the notebook he’s holding. I recognize it now, one of the blank pads we use during our research. Rosalina’s handwriting is scrawled over the front⁠— I snatch the book from him, and he cries out, reaching for it. And with all the anger built in me, I rip the pad in two and throw it to the ground. Caspian lets out a strangled sound and falls to his knees, gathering the shredded pieces.

Awwww!!!!! Nonono! Poor baby, my heart bleeds for him 😭. I wanna give home a hug 😢

Ezryn grabs Dayton by his shirt, lifting him up so they’re nose to helm. “I don’t care if she calls you Goblin,” Ezryn says. “If our woman requests pleasure, you give it to her.” Dayton clasps his hands tight over Ezryn’s bracers. He smirks, wavy strands of blond hair falling across his brow. “If you say so, Daddy.”

“I could kiss you, Ez. In a mostly platonic way. The metal throws me off a wee bit.”

I’ve failed you. How can you bear to look at me?” “I’m not looking at you.” I clutch his face. “I see you.” He tries to pull away, but I hold him firm. “No, listen. You pretend to hide in Castletree because you don’t care. But that’s not true. All you do is care. For the realm, for the princes, for me.”

“I think you’re about to change your opinion on handcuffs, Marigold,” I hiss, “because we’re about to be in some.” “Oh goodie.” She winks, then frowns. “Though it’s not as fun if I’m clothed.”

Bahaha 🤣

“I know you’re there, Farron,” I say. “I’ve come to find you. I will always find you. And I’m not frightened. You don’t have to be either.” The wolf growls and snaps at the will-o’-wisp that flutters around its snout. “You and I are alike, Fare. The world has always been too big for us, hasn’t it? Too loud. Too bright. But when we’re together, I can face the whole damned realm and everyone in it. Because you are my strength. You are my courage. I feel it here, within my chest.” I clutch at my heart, reveling in its steady beat. “My fire is within. I’ve always been afraid to see what happens when it burns. But I will light the whole world up for you.” I take a step toward him, chin held high. “I will light up for you.”

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

The Enchantress gave me a second chance. So, I could love Rosalina. So, I could be loved by her.

“I need to know, are you crying because you hurt me? Or because you have marred the most gorgeous body in the world?” “You’re such an idiot.”

😆

Without death, the threads of life would never tie together to create the binding of the world. The bounty of our harvests would not be as precious; the ground would never be filled with leaves; and we would never see the beauty of embers after a roaring fire. Yes, Autumn is death. And I shall become death to save the living.