Sable's knowing grin catches my attention, but Dani just looks confused as she presses closer to my side.
Bryn's shoulders tense as she takes a half-step back. "For me?" Her voice carries an edge of wariness. "I have nothing to—"
"Oh, hush." Emily waves her hand dismissively. "Trust me, watching this unfold will bemygift. Now, will you let me?"
Bryn's gaze darts to Dani, who merely shrugs, looking equally mystified. After a long moment, Bryn gives a sharp nod.
"Perfect. Plant that warrior ass right here by the tree." Emily pats the floor with exaggerated patience.
Bryn lowers herself, folding her legs beneath her. The rest of us exchange confused glances as Emily kneels behind her, positioning her hands just above Bryn's shoulder blades.
"Just relax," Emily instructs, her usual playful tone replaced with something more focused. "And try not to stab me if this feels weird. I'm going to try to give you back your wings."
Bryn twists around, alarm flashing across her face. "Wait, what?"
"Shh." Emily flicks her wrist dismissively. "Less talking, more sitting still. This spell is tricky enough without you going all warrior-fidgety on me. Trust the process, Valkyrie."
The air grows thick with anticipation. Emily begins a low chant in Latin, her voice taking on an otherworldly resonance. Every candle in the room springs to life simultaneously, flames dancing in an unfelt wind. The taste of magic fills the air—sharp and electric, like the moment before lightning strikes.
"Quod amissum est, nunc restituo. Pennas perditas revoco. Sanguine caelesti, potentia terrae, redde quod ablatum est. Surge iterum, filia aeris."
Dani leans forward, perched on the edge of the couch like she can't wait to see if this can actually work. Beside her, Sable's grin threatens to split her face. Erik remains motionless, but his stormy eyes track every movement Emily makes, muscles coiled tight with protective instinct.
The chant rises in volume and intensity as Bryn's features contort, a mask of agony twisting her warrior's visage. Every eye in the room is locked on the unfolding scene, the raw power emanating from Emily's hands commanding complete attention.
"Redde quod periit," Emily intones, her voice echoing with ancient authority. "Restitue quod ablatum est!"
Fucking wings explode from Bryn's back without warning, unfurling to their full glory in a symphony of ripping fabric. But these aren't just any wings—the left one spans out in midnight black, pure Valkyrie power—to match the icy blue of her eye, while the right gleams with angelic white reminiscent of Seraphina's celestial wings—matching her gold eye.
"Holy shit," I mutter, the dichotomy striking me instantly. The contrast is jarring yet perfect—two halves of her heritage manifested physically.
The collective gasp that tears through the room is almost as powerful as the magic itself. Dani's mouth hangs open, her eyes wide with wonder. Erik stands frozen, grey eyes reflecting a thousand emotions simultaneously as he stares at his mate's transformation.
Bryn staggers to her feet, wobbling slightly as she adjusts to the new weight and balance. She steadies herself against the tree, unaware of what we're all staring at. The wings curl forward instinctively, bringing their tips into her line of sight.
Her mismatched eyes widen as she catches sight of the contrasting colors. One hand reaches toward the midnight feathers while the other hovers over the pristine white, trembling visibly. Watching Bryn, this badass warrior—who I've seen cleave enemies in half without flinching—is suddenly undone by this gift. It hits me in a place I didn't know existed.
"By the All Father," she whispers, voice cracking. A single tear slides down her cheek, followed by another, then a flood. "They're... perfect."
Emily sits back on her heels, looking immensely pleased with herself despite the exhaustion evident in her face. "Well, the grimoiredidsay to expect the unexpected when returning what was lost." She flashes a self-satisfied smirk. "I mean, the spell promised restoration, not replication. But holy shit, Bryn—this is like, next-level badass. You're literally walking duality now."
I catch Dani's eyes widening with recognition, that mischievous spark lighting up her face.
"Wait—is this that spell we talked about at Ray's—the cooch—"
"Yes!" Sable cuts her off with suspicious enthusiasm, tossing Dani a conspiratorial wink. "Thatexactone."
My woman's smile turns downright wicked. That look never means anything good for my sanity.
"What the hell are you two talking about?" I ask, eyes narrowing as I look between them. The last thing I need is more magical surprises, especially when Dani's got that dangerous gleam in her eyes.
Without warning, Bryn lunges forward, tackling Emily in an embrace that sends them both sprawling across the floor. The massive wings curl protectively around them, creating a black-and-white canopy.
"Thank you," Bryn sobs against Emily's shoulder, all warrior stoicism abandoned. Her fingers dig into Emily's sweater like she's afraid this might all disappear. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Her breakdown cracks something open in the room. Dani's wiping tears from her cheeks. I've witnessed civilizations rise and fall, but watching someone regain a piece of themselves they thought lost forever—that's power that even immortals recognize.
Watching Bryn's transformation, I can't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The warrior who lost everything protecting my mate now stands restored—though in true cosmic fashion, the universe had its own ideas about the restoration. The duality of those wings suits her, matching those mismatched eyes that have seen both darkness and light.
