“I killed him,” I said, my voice almost inaudible. “He sacrificed himself because I couldn’t find a way to destroy his darkness. So I had to?—”
I raised my head, wanting to see Kade's face despite how painful I knew it would be. Storm rose and reached for my hand. “I'm so sorry.”
Vivienne inhaled a shaky breath, eyes turning white. “A gift for the one who suffered through strife, a choice for her blood, a life for a life.”
My gaze shifted back to her. “What?”
Her eyes cleared, and she smiled at me as one single tear fell from her face. “A thousand years is long enough to spend separated from my sister.” Vivienne reached forward, cupping my face gently. “Watching you become who you were meant to be has been a privilege, my queen.”
I swallowed, not sure what the seer meant. She ran her fingers through her sister’s hair before placing her hand next to Cassandra’s on Kade’s arm. She took a deep breath before making eye contact with me. “Live well, Illiana.”
Vivienne’s hand shimmered, emitting a white light. My eyes widened as the seer trembled. A moment later, her figure went limp, and I lunged forward to catch her falling body.
I didn’t understand what was happening as the life visibly drained from her.
“W-what? Why?” I stammered.
I looked at Ian, whose surprise and confusion mirrored mine.
Cradling Vivienne’s head and laying her on the ground, I heaved a breath. “What was the point? Why would she die?”
I pulled my hand back, touching Kade’s chest again as my mind swirled in torment watching another person go.
His chest dipped beneath the weight of me, and I yanked my hand back.
His chest dipped?
I ran my hands over him, trying to see if it was my imagination.
A nearly invisible wisp of shadow curled around my wrist, and I gasped.
Kade’s eyelids fluttered, and he spoke, his voice barely audible. “I knew a certain dagger-wielding princess would be the death of me.”
My heart stopped, my body frozen as I stared into the grey eyes of my mate. “Kade?”
He tried chuckling, but it turned into a cough. “I’m here, Little Rebel.” He reached up, cupping my cheek and taking me in. He closed his eyes and reopened them, like he didn’t quite believe he was here again. “Turns out Vivienne had one last sacrifice of her own to fulfill.”
“You’re alive?” I stared in disbelief, my body unable to move. He winced, trying to sit up, but before he could, I flung myself into his arms, burying my face in his neck.
I bawled until I practically lost my voice as Kade held me.
“Fucking Fates.” Storm’s choked up voice was joined by the sound of Raya crying.
Jax, of course, laughed. “I’m putting in for an extended vacation,” he said. “I need a break from this shit.”
Kade chuffed but didn’t let go of me.
I squeezed him harder, murmuring against his skin. “How?”
His hand circled the back of my neck, pressing me against his skin. “Vivienne changed places with me somehow, sacrificing herself as well. Cassandra gave me the last pieces of her magic. It wasn’t enough until Vivienne channeled whatever she had left into me. I swear I heard their voices pleading to the Fates themselves, but I don’t quite understand the rest.”
My lip quivered. For years, I’d been furious at Vivienne for reciting the prophecy, but she gave her life so quickly for his. She and her sister. Not only did they save our world, but they gave me a gift I’d never be able to repay.
“Two thousand thirty-one,” Storm said, punching Kade’s arm. “Fuck you.”
Kade laughed, but still didn’t release me. “Two thousand seventy-three.” He replied. “Guess we still have time for you to catch up.”
I couldn’t see his face, not with my own buried in Kade’s neck, but I heard Storm’s hoarse laugh.
