Danica would be furious when she found out what I was about to do, likely aware of how much it would cost me. But I would make my wishes clear to the man who had stood by me when I was little more than an untested child.
Agaliarept wasn’t asleep. But the oath he swore also bonded him to me, which meant I could silently urge him to take a nap.
It seemed to take an eternity. I reached for the bond between us, so much thinner and lighter than the bond I shared with Danica. I poked and prodded at it until an echo of surprise reverberated down the bond, followed immediately by determination.
I paced some more. Finally, when I was ready to give up, he appeared.
Agaliarept looked more exhausted than I’d ever seen him—even after he’d given up much of his power to bring Vas through the underworld’s portal. But some of the tension around his eyes smoothed away as he stepped forward and slapped me on the shoulder.
“I apologize,” he said as he drew back. “It took me some time to fall asleep.”
“I understand. I don’t have long. Already, I am weakening.”
Concern flashed through Ag’s eyes, but he nodded. “I’m listening.”
“I need to ask you for a favor. I heard rumors, long ago, that your mother broke her bond with your father.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he nodded once more. “It is not as simple as you are likely imagining, and there were severe consequences–”
“But she lived.”
He sighed. “Yes. But she would likely have preferred that she did not.”
My little witch was stronger than that. And she was surrounded by people who loved her. “If it seems all is lost… if you believe I am about to fall, I need you to break the bond. Danica will never attempt to do such a thing herself, and sheneedsto live.”
From the acknowledgement in Agaliarept’s eyes, he agreed, if not for the reasons I did. I needed Danica to live because the thought of being her downfall, of the world going on without her in it… it tore into me. But Ag knew that her devastation would eventually be tempered by vengeance, and she would find a way to kill Lucifer and save our people.
“I will begin researching,” he said. “There is a demon in our realm who knew my mother, and I will speak with her.” His expression tightened and I reached out, squeezing his shoulder. Ag would lose much by helping me with this.
Vassago would likely remain one of Danica’s closest support systems. And he would be unlikely to forgive what he would see as a betrayal of his queen by his own uncle.
I was weakening faster than I had imagined, our connection fading. Ag flickered back and forth in front of me.
“Don’t give up hope yet,” he said. “If anyone can save you, it is your witch.”
* * *
DANICA
We didn’t bother going back to the tower. As soon as we left the unseelie realm, we drove back toward the portal to the seelie realm.
I was mentally picking apart every word in the document. I couldn’t help Kyla personally, but Finvarra had said nothing about using my resources. I had friends in different factions throughout Durham. Kyla wouldn’t be alone.
“It’s going to be okay,” she said.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry. This is all my fault.” I’d known she was a werewolf, relatively dominant, who didn’t back down from a challenge. I’d also known she had impulse control issues, and I’d taken her with me anyway.
She let out a frustrated growl. “Enough, Danica. It’s my life. I’m going to steal the sword and give it to him, and it’ll be done. I’ll prevent the seelie king from slaughtering him and creating a huge power vacuum, and I’ll show Finvarra why he shouldn’t have fucked with me.”
I opened my mouth and then clamped it shut. I wouldn’t have wanted someone picking apart my decision when I’d made my deal with Samael. I’d been kicking myself enough.
We left the car on a street near the seelie portal. While Aubrey had wanted us to make an entrance last time, this time, we wanted to keep our visit on the down-low.
“Do you know where the Dearg Due is?” Kyla asked as soon as we’d crossed the portal.
“Aubrey told me where he saw her last. But that doesn’t mean she’s still there.” I flicked my gaze toward the creepy forest and Kyla froze.
“Oh hell no.”
