“You look like you’ve been through hell,” he says, his tone light despite the concern in his eyes.
“Feels like it too,” I reply, giving him a soft smile. “But we made it out.”
Seraphina glances around the glade, her eyes wide with wonder. “This place is beautiful.”
I smile at her. “It is.”
Nero’s gaze shifts to Kai and Seraphina, taking in the sight of our weary group.
“Kai,” he says, pulling him in for a hug. “Thank you for bringing her back.”
“I’d go to the ends of the worlds for her,” Kai replies.
My chest warms at his words, and I’m unable to tear my eyes away. Every detail about him draws me deeper, the way his muscles ripple just beneath the surface of his skin as he absently rubs his chest, the subtle shadow of dark-blond stubble that graces his strong jawline. His lips curve slightly, a hint of a smile that makes my heart skip a beat, and then there are his ocean-blue eyes that seem to sparkle with a light all their own.
In this moment, it’s impossible not to be struck by how incredibly handsome he is, a raw beauty that exudes strength and power in equal measure. But more than that, it’s the knowledge that this incredible man, with all his intensity and rugged charm, belongs to me.
“And who is this lovely creature?” Nero asks, folding his arms over his chest as he stares at Seraphina.
“Sera met Nero, a close friend of mine. Nero, this is Seraphina.”
Seraphina blushes slightly and smiles. “Hello.”
“Nice to meet you, Seraphina,” Nero says as he stretches, his joints popping. “Let’s get you back to Nesrin’s. It’s the quickest way out of Faerie with those ley lines and all.”
“Please, get us out of here, Nero,” I reply. “I never want to come back here again.”
Nero raises an eyebrow, his tattoos moving across his arms and neck. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard please fall from those lips before,” he teases.
Seraphina’s eyes widen as she stares at him, then slowly she drags her gaze to me. “I’d like to go to your world. Meet the others that are like me.”
“Okay. Then let’s get you out of here,” Nero answers with a grin.
Nero’s tattoos shimmer and converge, their dark hues intensifying. Uttering a few quiet words and making a sweeping gesture, he conjures a doorway that appears out of thin air in the middle of the glade. It has the appearance of a mirror, but the reflection is strangely distorted, like an image in a funhouse.
“After you,” Nero says, looking over his shoulder at us.
Stepping through the doorway, an inexplicable sensation of weightlessness overtakes me, like the ground has vanished beneath my feet. The world around me distorts, a blur of color and light swirling in a dizzying vortex as I plummet downwards. Suddenly, I’m engulfed in a shock of cold.
Before I can fully process what’s happened, two more splashes resonate around me, their ripples stirring the water. Instinct takes over, and I kick my legs, pushing upward.
Breaking through the surface, I gasp for air, pushing my hair away from my face. The first thing I hear is Nero’s laughter drifting through the invisible doorway above us. “Sorry, I forgot to say watch your step.”
A playful growl escapes from me.
I swim to the embankment, the water gliding along my skin as the others follow closely behind. The air is cool against my face as I emerge from the water. The dress I wear clings to my body, heavy and soaked, but I couldn’t care less.
I’m home.
Seraphina comes to a stop beside me, her dress drenched and clinging to her frame as she starts to wring out the excess water. I glance over at her for a moment before turning my attention back to the river, inhaling deeply and savoring the tranquility of our surroundings. The gentle sound of the water as it laps rhythmically against the shore is like a soothing lullaby, gentling my racing thoughts into a calm stillness.
Above us, the sky is a breathtaking canvas of pinks and oranges, the colors blending together in a soft gradient as the sun prepares to dip below the horizon. It’s a scene so serene, so untouched by the chaos of our journey, that it feels almost otherworldly—like we’ve stumbled upon a hidden sanctuary at the edge of the world.
I close my eyes, allowing the peace of this place to seep into my very bones. The tension coiled tight within me for so long begins to unwind, and for the first time in what feels like an eternity, I allow myself to truly relax. It’s a strange sensation—this quiet, this calm—but it’s a welcome one. And in this rare moment of stillness, I can finally breathe easy, knowing that, at least for now, we are safe.
Kai’s strong arms wrap around me from behind, his warmth seeping into me as he pulls me close. I can feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back. His hold is firm but gentle, a protective embrace that speaks volumes without the need for words.
My eyes drift back to the river just in time to see Nero emerging from the water, his movements slow and deliberate as he shakes off the droplets clinging to him. His dark hair is slicked back, water streaming down his face, but there’s an unmistakable gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. I can’t help but grin, a chuckle escaping me as I shake my head at the sight.
