One: It took him coming all the way to Vod, bringing me back from the brink of death, to realize what I mean to him.
Two: It’s too little. Far too late.
The door swings open, and Zadyn appears. “Time to go.”
I pull back to look at Jace. We search each other’s eyes for what feels like an eternity, his question lingering like mist in the air. My answer dies on my tongue.
I pull his hands from my hair and plant a kiss on his knuckles.
Then with my heart stuck in my throat, I turn my back on him.
On the new King of Aegar.
And I don’t look back.
33
ZADYN
“Stop!”
Halfway down the lawn, we turn to see Mar jogging toward us, a shadow in the darkness.
“Leaving without saying goodbye?”
“It’s not goodbye. It’s see you later,” Serena clarifies.
“Potato, potahto.” Mar slows to a stop as she reaches us. “You’re going to Hyrax, aren’t you?”
Serena nods, looking somewhat numb.
“I’m coming with you.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Mar. Things are a mess right now, Derek is—” Serena shakes her head, unable to complete the thought.
“I know. But there is nothing I can do here. I can help you find a way to get this portal closed. We can end this. For Derek.” She takes Serena’s hands.
I sling my bag higher across my chest, anxious to get on the road. My only concern right now is getting Serena out of here as quickly as possible after that attack. It’s not safe for her here. Not right now.
“Come on. It can’t hurt to have another witch on the job. One who is, you know, older, wiser, more beautiful.” Mar tosses her auburn hair over her shoulder.
A crack appears in Serena’s frown, butshe still looks torn. And we don’t have much time to debate this.
“Sure you’re up for this? It could be dangerous,” I inform Mar. She should know what she’s getting herself into.
“Even better.” She shrugs, crossing her lithe arms.
Serena looks at me. I know she wants Mar to come. And the truth is, we could probably use her help. She’s just afraid of putting her friend at risk and doesn’t want to be the one to decide.
Fuck it.I’ll decide for her.
“If you can be ready in ten minutes, you can come.”
“I’ll be ready in nine.”
Mar claps her hands together and disappears into the warm light coming from the castle. The ward masons worked fast, mending most of the exterior of the keep and wiping away the debris on the lawns.
“Are you alright?” I lay a hand on Serena’s shoulder. She shakes her head, casting a wistful glance toward the keep.
