Peri snatched the opportunity to change the subject. She began to relay to Serapha the story of Skender and his past. More than two hours later, the draheim up to speed, and Peri found herself wishing the wolf had done more stupid things so the story was longer. Night had fallen, and when she glanced over at Galan, she saw Torion was furled up against the adolescent draheim’s chest.
“So you want Skender to stay here so that the people on the other side of our veil don’t kill him,” Serapha said.
“Exactly.” Peri snapped her fingers at the draheim.
“Do you think he should die for his crimes?”
“Six months ago, I would have said absolutely,” Peri admitted. “But now”—she tilted her head back and looked up at the star-covered night sky—“I need to believe that even someone who’s made Skender’s choices can be shown mercy.”
“We all make mistakes, Peri. That is simply the nature of an imperfect being. Some mistakes are greater than others. And the consequences are more dire. That does not mean that mercy can’t be granted. But you aren’t giving your family a chance to show you love and grace by hiding from them.”
The draheim was right. Peri knew she had to face her mate and the rest of her pack. She took a deep breath and nodded. “One more day,” she said. “Just to let me gather myself and plan a way to keep Jen from killing Skender the minute she sees him.”
“This Jen is a fierce warrior?” Serapha asked.
Peri shrugged. “You could call her that. But those of us who know her call her batshit crazy. Most of the time, the two are indistinguishable.”
Serapha’s gigantic head pulled back as she frowned. “I do not understand the human sayings. How can the droppings of an animal be mentally unstable?”
“It’s better not to overthink anything the humans say.” Peri walked over to Torion and rested her hand on his shoulder. “It will start killing brain cells.” She flashed her and the boy to just outside the cave. Torion didn’t stir. He laid at her feet in the same position he’d been sleeping in when curled against Galan. “I hope you two are dressed,” she called out. “If I have to alter my memories to forget the sight of you two groping one another, I will be very put out.”
A few seconds later, Tenia emerged from the rear of the cave.Thank the Great Luna she has clothes on.
Tenia’s eyes dropped to her son. “I see that you’ve worn him out.”
“Surprisingly, you are not worn out. Skender must be a lazy lover.” Peri clucked her tongue. “Strong intimacy is the backbone of any healthy relationship, Tenia. Don’t let him start out with mediocrity beneath the sheets. It will be all downhill from here.”
Tenia’s eyes widened. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”
“Sometimes ignoring her is the best response.” Skender marched past his mate and straight to Torion. He scooped the boy up and turned before walking briskly back the way he’d come.
Tenia turned to follow Skender and glanced back over her shoulder. “Are you coming? Surely you need some sleep before we have a talk about our next move.”
“I will be in shortly. Tomorrow we will have that talk, but tonight, we rest.”
Tenia’s eyes softened. “By rest, you mean avoid the inevitable hell that’s going to break loose once we leave this realm?”
Peri nodded.“Astute as ever, Tenia.”
“I’ll agree to that,” Tenia said, surprising Peri. She was sure the fae would argue with her. “For Torion’s sake, we’ll have one more night.”
Peri watched Tenia until the woman disappeared to the rear of the cave after her mate and child. Then Peri stood there for a good twenty minutes, arguing with her mate-starved soul. Her subconscious was giving voice to the part of her that was scared to move forward. Though Peri hated to admit it, she was frozen with fear—unable to go back and do things differently, yet unable to move forward and face the consequences of her actions.
“Dammit.” She huffed and then flashed from the cave opening, reappearing in front of the draheim veil. She stared out at the group of supernaturals currently resting on the ground in various states of repose. Some sat. Some lay on their backs or their sides, but all looked exhausted.
The image brought back so many memories of times she’d been in some forest or another with these very people, fighting the good fight, protecting those who need protecting, and yes, even attempting to break into closed veils. “My, how the mighty have fallen,” she whispered and snapped her fingers. A chair appeared next to her. Peri tucked her robes under her and took a seat, crossing one leg over the other. She leaned forward and rested her elbow on her knee. As her eyes ran over the group again, she realized Lucian was not among them. Peri’s heart clenched painfully in her chest. Her eyes were hungry for the sight of him, and yet he was nowhere to be seen. Had he tired of waiting? Had he given up on her?
“Is this what the great Perizada has been reduced to?” Peri said to the empty forest around her. “Pining pitifully after friendships that I damaged and a mate that I pushed away?” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “Why am I so afraid?” The words stumbled from her lips, then she snorted. “And I’m talking to myself.” When she opened her eyes and looked at the veil again, Peri was startled to find Elle standing just on the other side, looking straight at the gateway. The fae’s brow drew into a deep V on her forehead. She appeared to be concentrating intensely. Peri knew Elle couldn’t see her. The ward she’d set on the veil was too strong for the younger fae to penetrate, not to mention Serapha had lent Peri some of the draheim realm’s magic to reinforce her own power. But her comrade still stood staring as if she could will her eyes to see beyond the magic.
Movement behind Elle caused Peri’s eyes to shift. Jen stood up, her mouth moving as she walked toward Elle. She took up a place next to Peri’s longtime comrade and looked from Elle to the veil. Jacque was up next. She took a place on Elle’s other side. Jewel and Stella joined the women next. Then Peri watched as Anna took Heather’s hand and pulled her up from where she’d been sitting with her mate. They walked her over to the line of women standing in front of the veil.
Peri gingerly pushed up from the chair, her movement hesitant. She watched the other women continue forward. Next came Myanin, Lilly, Jezebel, and, finally, Nissa. Eleven in all, standing mere inches from her, yet she felt as if a great chasm separated them. Each of these women held a special place in her heart. They’d been through the fire with her in one way or another. They’d forged unbreakable bonds because of the trials they’d faced together. Had she really thought about throwing that away? Before Vasile had sought her out several years ago, Peri had simply been an ambassador. She’d followed the Great Luna’s commands to keep communication open between the other supernatural races, though she specifically represented the wolves more often than not. She’d taken on the role, like the rest of her race, as the supernatural police. In some ways, both positions had set her apart and kept her from having any sort of deep friendships. But then something happened to change all that. The prince of the Romanian pack found his true mate. Their relationship seemed to be the catalyst for all that had followed in Peri’s life. Since then, Peri had been pulled into the fold of their pack, and they’d held onto her just as tightly as she’d held onto them.
The ice that Peri had wrapped around her heart before she set the world on fire was gone. She was no longer protected from the painful emotions that came from caring for someone else. Seeing Elle, remembering the last words she’d said to the female fae, gutted Peri. And she deserved to feel every ounce of the pain because of the hurt she’d caused Elle and the others. Peri knew it had to happen. Like a physical wound needed to be debrided, washed, and bandaged, emotional wounds had to be purified through the process of confession, humility, and a willingness to accept one’s responsibility for the injury. Before this instant, she hadn’t been ready to let the process begin. Fear ruled her heart and kept her from being what the Great Luna called her to be. Now, standing before people she’d willingly die for, and who she knew would die for her in return… Maybe shewasready. She’d wasted enough time. Though the fear still held on tightly, her need to restore the broken relationships was stronger.
“I can feel you, just on the other side. Either your shields are dropping, or you’re just getting old and tired.”Elle’s voice filled her mind through the unique bond that Peri had with each of the fae she’d commanded over the centuries.
Peri’s throat threatened to close when she heard the familiar voice filled with worry.“You wish. I age like a fine wine. I get more delectable with time,”she said, easily falling back into the familiar banter they’d always shared.
