As I watch my little witch crumple at her familiar’s feet, clutching him for dear life, struggling to breathe. I take a cautious step forward, pushing out a scrap of my magic and forcing a gust of air into her lungs. Zadyn guides her through it, soothing her in that way of his until her sobs ease and her throat relaxes.
I study the two of them locked together. They seem right. They make sense. He’s the better male. He’s the one she should be with—the one she deserves. Someone who will never hurt her the way that I have. The way I always seem to.
But that doesn’t stop me from wanting. From this inexplicable notion that she is mine, and I am hers.
Her lavender eyes find mine, and my body goes cold. Nothing can lay me bare except that gaze—that unnervingly beautiful gaze.
“Hello, little witch.”
We stare at each other unblinking as she extricates herself from Zadyn and stands. Her mouth parts.
A thousand thoughts blast through me. A thousand emotions. I want to scream at her. Ask her what the fuck she was thinking trying to put death between us.
But there will be a time and place for my anger later. Because right now, beneath the weight of her bewildered eyes, I’m melting.
“Not to cut the reunion short, but we should really be on our way.”
Serena whirls and launches herself at Kai, nearly tackling him back into a mirror. He catches her and holds tight, an unsteady laugh bursting from his dry, cracked lips.
Gods, he looks terrible.
“I’m so sorry, Kai. I’m so, so sorry.” Serena’s voice is muffled against his chest.
“You should be. That stunt with the dagger? You almost made me sweat.” He draws back, bracing her shoulders. “Don’t worry, I’m already thinking of all the ways you can make it up to me.”
“Kai, what are we looking for here?” Dover says, glancing at the assortment of mirrors.
“Dover,” Serena breathes in surprise. “Is Mar?—”
“She’s here, she’s safe,” he assures her.
Turning from Serena, Kai resumes surveying the collection.
Everyone thought these mirrors had been lost to time. But no. These ancient objects with great and terrible power have been under the possession of Vod for gods know how long. As if they really needed another advantage.
“One of these,” he murmurs, “is a traveling mirror.”
“It’s this one.”
Serena stops before a tall, thin mirror with a rusted frame carved with suns and moons. A piece in the bottom right corner appears to be missing.
“How do you know?” I ask.
“Because it told me.”
“The mirror spoke to you?”
“Kylian had one in his room. That one sang.”
I slide a wary glance toward Zadyn. But as Serena’s fingers reach toward the mirror, it comes to life, the glass giving way to a starry, dark vacuum of glittering night.
That’s when a loud crash sounds from the door. Chunks of splintered wood rain down on us as we form a blockade in front of Serena.
Kylian steps over the shattered door, a line of Stryga at his back and a murderous glint in his eye.
“My runaway bride.”
19
