But she stepped away, her expression stormy. She crossed her arms and moved to Brenton’s side, her disapproval unmistakable.
“I’m going whether you want me to or not,” Brenton said, voice steady but laced with warning. It made my magic quiver in anger. “You can’t stop me any more than we could’ve stopped you from tearing through the veil to reach Teddy.”
“This is different.”
“This is the same.” Brenton shoved my chest hard enough to make me stumble back a step.
My canines pulled down. I circled him, watching his tells so I’d know when he’d strike. I preferred us fighting on equal grounds over forcing him into submission.
Teddy pushed between us, her hands braced on our chests.
“I don’t know what the hell’s going on, but it stops. Right now.” Her glare cut between us. “Right now.”
I took a slow breath, trying to fill myself with Teddy’s scent. Brenton exhaled and shook out his hands like he could toss the anger away.
“Why is this the same as Elias coming to my realm for me?” Teddy asked, her attention locked on the male that magic and blood had made her brother.
While Teddy had given Brenton her blood in the hopes of saving his life, her mage blood had bound Brenton’s and her souls together as siblings. It was a bond both had desperately wanted.
Brenton let out a short, humorless laugh while he rubbed his hands over his face. That sadness that he tried so hard to hide was evident in his glistening eyes. “Finley’s my soul-bound mate, Teddy.”
Breath whooshed from her lungs. “She’s the one who rejected you?”
“She’s never actually rejected me,” he said softly. “Our bond is still there, but she took on Etienne as her intended.”
Teddy’s growl was impressive. She turned around, ready to storm through the castle and destroy Finley herself.
Although she didn’t possess the same power that made others submit, energy punched from her limbs in a way that resembled mine.
“It’s fine, Ted,” Brenton said, catching her wrist. “I don’t care who she picked, only that she’s safe and happy.”
Teddy turned those blazing, furious eyes on me, and I had the good sense to cower.
“He’s going with you, Elias.” She didn’t wait for me to protest. “You’d be a mess if it were me going to the human realm. You’re taking him, and if you try to leave without him, I will personally drag him through the veil.”
I squirmed under her fiery glare while Brenton grinned in victory. He knocked his shoulder against hers.
“Thanks, sis,” he said.
While her attention stayed on me, her lips twitched. Justas Brenton did, she knew she’d won. I just hoped this triumph didn’t cost me another person I loved.
Brenton was quick to kiss the top of her head before he started back into the castle to sleep the few hours we had left before daybreak. Teddy curled herself close to my side, her arms wrapped around my waist. Rather than rest her head on my chest, she tilted her head up to look at me.
“Are you angry with me?” she asked. “It’s okay if you are, but if I’m being honest, I’m glad Brent is going with you. He’s the only one going who loves you, and while I know you’ll do everything to protect the others, he’s the only one who’ll have your back entirely. Maybe Alastor too, but I feel better knowing he’s going with you.” Her voice was thick with concern.
I kissed her nose. “Are you done rambling?”
She smacked my shoulder, and I rubbed it as if she’d hurt me. I smiled when she kissed the same spot she’d hit.
“I don’t want Brenton going for those exact reasons,” I told her. “I can’t handle anyone else I love dying.”
“I can’t handleyoudying.” Her lashes fanned over her cheeks, and I hated the way tears held on to them.
Even now, even through her worry and grief, she stood firm. Fierce, steady, and protective. She’d make a mighty queen. One our people would rally behind, not just because of her power, but because of her heart.
“It would take more than death to keep me from you. Even then, I’d find my way back to you.” I took my time kissing her cheek, her chin, her throat. “Besides, you and Death are besties. I’m sure Eiran would give me back to you if you asked nicely.”
Teddy turned to rub the tattoo Eiran had given her when she’d traveled into the astral realm tofight for Brenton’s life.
