"Please take it." She pleads.
Dani reaches out and tugs the necklace from Calypso—I feel the crackle of energy between them, the weight of destiny and fate. "Do what you're born to do, sweet child," Calypso murmurs, her words a benediction, a fucking prophecy. "Do notlisten to it's whispers. I know you are strong, Dani. Whatever you do, do not let this take your light."
I know those whispers all too fucking well—those insidious voices that slither into your mind like venomous snakes, sinking their fangs deep into your psyche. They worm their way into your thoughts, twisting and corrupting everything they touch until you can't tell what's real and what's a lie. They promise you power, but it's a false gift, a poisoned chalice that'll drive you to the brink of madness and beyond. Those whispers are the stuff of nightmares, and they'll tear you apart from the inside out if you let them.
Dani, my brave, beautiful Dani, clutches that stone like a lifeline, the final piece of this cursed Soul Stone. I feel her love, her relief, her fucking joy through our bond, and it's so intense, so overwhelming, that I can barely breathe.
The Faerite stone pulses with energy, feeding off the emotions of the women—amplifying Dani's already bleeding heart until I feel it in my chest, a physical ache that steals my breath and makes my eyes sting with unshed tears.
And then Calypso is hugging Dani, both crying, their tears mingling as they cling to each other. It's a moment of pure, unadulterated emotion, and I can't help but be swept up in it, my heart swelling with pride and love.
Being the observant little shit that he is, Lucian picks up on it immediately.
"Well, well, well, look who's getting all misty-eyed!" he crows, with gleeful mockery. "Is that a tear I see, oh mighty Rhyland? Don't tell me the big bad Viking is going soft on us!"
I glare at him, but it only seems to fuel his amusement.
Fucking prick.
I quickly make my way to the other side of the room, closer to my brothers, shoving Lucian none-too-gently as I pass. He stumbles back a step, laughing like the asshole he is.
"Aww, did I strike a nerve?" he taunts. "Poor widdle Whyland, getting all emotional over a little family reunion. Shall I fetch you a tissue, my liege?"
"Careful, dick," I growl, my fists itching to beat into his smug fucking face. "Keep talking shit, asshole, and I'll show you just howsoftI am."
"Ooh, kinky!" he quips, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. "Didn't know you were into that sort of thing, Rhy-Rhy. Does Dani know about your secret BDSM fetish?"
I step forward, ready to wipe that smirk off his face…
"Boys, boys," Dani scolds. "Can we not do this right now? We just saved a fucking realm, in case you forgot."
I shoot Lucian one last glare before facing my mate, my expression softening instantly. "Sorry, baby," I murmur, my voice low and apologetic. "You know how Lucian gets under my skin."
Dani rolls her eyes. "Oh, I know," she sighs, shaking her head. "You two are like a couple of overgrown children, I swear."
Lucian gasps, clutching his chest in mock offense. "Moi? A child? I'll have you know, my dear sweet sister-in-law, that I am a paragon of maturity and sophistication. It's not my fault Rhyland here has the emotional range of a teaspoon."
Seraphina giggles. Clearly in love with Lucian's shit.
I snort, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'll show you emotional, you little—"
"Perhaps we could save the bickering for later," Erik suggests, his tone dry as fucking bone. "Such as getting back to our realm."
I sigh, running a hand through my dark hair. "Yeah, yeah, you're right," I concede, my gaze drifting back to Dani. "We should probably head back. I'm sure there's a fuck-ton of shit to unfuck back home."
Dani nods, her expression turning serious. "Agreed," her fingers closing around the seashell in her hand, "We need to see what shitshow Azrael has come up with."
Lucian, never one to let a moment of solemnity last too long, claps his hands together gleefully. "Rightio!" he chirps, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Let's go save the universe and all that jazz. Hey, do you think they'll erect statues in our honor? I've always wanted a statue. Preferably one with a massive co—"
"Lucian!" Dani and I snap in unison, cutting him off before he can finish that thought.
He holds up his hands, a shit-eating grin on his face. "Alright, alright, keep your pants on. Or don't, in Rhyland's case. I know how much he loves to let it all hang out."
I sigh, shaking my head. Done with Lucian's shit. "Alright, let's head back to Gideon, grab whatever shit we came here with, and get the fuck out of this underwater nightmare."
Lucian, being the relentless little fucker that he is, just won't let it go. "Ooh, ooh, or maybe a movie!" he exclaims, practically vibrating. "I call dibs on Ryan Reynolds playing me."
"You're a fucking idiot, you know that?" I grumble.
