Free Gideon's Promise (Sons of Judgment Book 2) by Airicka Phoenix, Morgana Phoenix

to statues, she kept shifting like her legs were getting tired. Her lips were twisted in a grimace. She raised a hand and tugged on the collar of the dress, then on the skirt. It was adorable. Until the girl on her right, Serinda, Gideon assumed, elbowed her.
    With a huff, she straightened, but he could see her frustration glimmering behind her eyes. Then those eyes darted to the right and widened. Recognition flashed. Her mouth slackened into an O of surprise.
    Gideon grinned widely and raised a hand to give her the slightest wave. And for a second, just a split second, her lips quirked. Her eyes shone with silent laughter as she started to wave back.
    Her sister hissed at her and muttered something low that had the light fading from Valkyrie’s eyes and her shoulders slumping.
    With a last look at him, she turned her gaze forward. But if she had hoped that would deter him, it hadn’t.
    While the council spoke of unity and peace, of joining forces and banding together for the greater good, Gideon watched her. Everything about her called to him, sang to his soul. Part of him wondered if she was part siren, a beautiful creature with the power to render men weak and helpless before dragging them to their watery graves.
    Her gaze flicked to him from the corner of her eye. Her mouth quirked on one side in an almost conspiratorial grin, like they shared a secret. Gideon dared a glance at her sisters, then at the rest of the room, but everyone was focused on the table.
    “Hello,” he mouthed.
    Her grin widened. “Hello.”
    There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to ask her, but he wasn’t sure he could mouth them all without giving them away.
    “How are you?” he asked finally.
    Valkyrie shrugged, her blue eyes rolling heavenward.
    The movement caught the attention of her sister and she was given a sharp glare and an even sharper jab in the side. Valkyrie pursed her lips and went back to staring grudgingly straight ahead ... just until her sister wasn’t looking. Then she shot Gideon a smirk that sent his insides whimpering.
    A fire was lit in a wooden bowl in the center of the table. Queen Tiana held her hands over the leaping flames. Her dark eyes were closed as she hummed softly. Gideon had never seen a fire elemental at work and stared fascinated as the flames licked her fingers. She seemed immune to their sharp nips. Carefully, she slid her palms down the sides like she were petting a dog and pulled away when she got to the bowl.
    The Keepers rose. A sleek, silver dagger was given to Gideon’s father. Gideon watched as the edge was gouged into his palm and dragged lengthwise from finger to heel. His mother flinched, her protective mate instincts prickling at the sight of her husband’s blood. But she didn’t stop him as he lifted his fist over the fire.
    “Liam Avery,” he pronounced clearly. “Water elemental of the north.”
    Three drops of blood hissed as they landed at the bottom of the bowl. He pulled his hand away and it was all Gideon’s mother could do to keep from taking the injured hand in hers. His father smiled lovingly down at her as his free hand touched her lightly on the back, a gesture of reassurance.
    Then it was her turn and Gideon saw the tight bunch of his father’s jaw as the cut was made across her palm. Unlike her restraint, after she had declared herself, he took her small hand in his and lightly kissed the heel, unabashed, not caring that the others were watching. Her smile to him was dazzling and scorching with all the love she felt for him.
    Gideon would have been mortified if he hadn’t been so used to their absolute devotion to each other.
    The others went next, each one stating their name and elemental position. Each offered blood for the fire. After Cressida went with a quiet murmur, the flames turned a blinding blue that had everyone squinting and averting their eyes. Then, just as suddenly, it puffed out of existence and the bowl remained, unscathed.
    It was