My spirits are high as we snowshoe through the still, snowy morning, even though snowshoeing honestly kind of sucks and I don’t have nearly enough core strength for it. I guess Rez was right when he said, “Coming your brains out isn’t a workout, Lucy.” I hate when he’s right, especially when it comes to the state of my abdominals. I am definitely going to be feeling this little jaunt tomorrow. And the next day. And probably into next week if Yaelyn doesn’t incubus magic some of the pain away. Still, I’m on top of the fucking world and snowshoeing as fast as I can, which, admittedly, is so slow that Rez offers to carry me multiple times. Nothing can bring me down today. Nothing at all.
My men, on the other hand, seem reserved, almost hesitant, despite being all smiles before we set out. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw Yaelyn so nervous, and even Reznik seems a little grumbly-rumblier than usual. I can’t fathom why: we’re in the home stretch now and we haven’t encountered even a whiff of danger so far.
Well, as long as you don’t count the very real danger of me stealing from the Renegade Library, which I didn’t. But I could have. Mark my words, Bella the Druidess, I could have stolen from your library if I wanted to. And if I get drunk enough off the contents of my secret flask of fae fire whiskey at Aron’s Christmas party and manage to sneak away from Rez and Yae, fuck it, I just might. I wonder what funishment my men would dole out for attempting to sneak in and steal from the most magical—and heavily fortified—library in existence?
“Spark? Are those the mountains from your map?” Rez points to the three peaks up ahead, sitting on the horizon, nestled together like Yule trees.
Holy tits, they are. At the base of those mountains, at the bottom of the valley beneath them, is Liora’s locket. Fuck me, I can nearlytastethe treasure, even though Rez has told me multiple times not to put treasure in my mouth. Funny how he never complains whenhistreasure is in my mouth.
I launch myself forward, ready to run the rest of the way, and instantly face plant in the powdery fresh snow.
Rez tuts and scoops me up into his arms, carrying me just like a bride, and at this point, I let him. I’m already worn out from snowshoeing as far as I have and shivering from the icy wind despite my heavy coat, hat and mittens. My demon warrior is warm and strong, and only holds me tighter when I snuggle in close.
We make it to the spot I’ve triangulated(ish) by midday and my men immediately bust out the folding shovels we brought specifically for this task. I gamely shovel for all of half an hour before my weak, limp noodle arms finally give out. Despite all the swordplay Yaelyn and I have been working on, I’m not remotely up to the task of digging through the rock-hard earth like they are.
I rub my arms through my coat with a frown, and Rez rolls his eyes.
“For the last time, Spark, your arms are perfect. Sit tight, relax, and let us uncover your treasure for you.”
He really does say the sweetest things.
They make quick work of the dirt, ice and rock and finally one of their shovels clangs against something decidedly metallic, and I leap from the old fallen log I’d been sitting on and dash over to find Yaelyn brushing snow off a metal chest.
My heart skips a beat, and then another.
“Breathe, love,” my incubus says softly.
They haul the small chest out of the pit they dug and set it on the ground before me. I kneel in front of it, looking up at both of them, a mix of trepidation and excitement rushing through me. What if it isn’t there? What if the starlight the pendant contained has faded to nothing and winked out, just as Liora did all those thousands of years ago? What if I dragged the two men I love on an absolute fool’s errand?
“Aren’t you going to open it, my spark?” Rez rumbles.
I pry the frozen latch open with my dagger then squinch my eyes shut, praying to every god I can think of that the locket is there when I open them. I take a deep breath, shove back the lid of the chest and open my eyes.
To one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
The locket is small and delicate, the shining silver engraved with swirling words in the old demonic language few speak anymore—but I just so happen to know a demon who’s been around for a very long time.
I look over my shoulder and Rez comes forward to peer down at the locket. “It reads ‘For the light of my life,’” he says softly.
I tear up a little at that and reach for the dainty pendant, only for Rez to grab my shoulder quickly.
“Lucy, wait!”
“Mischief, no!”
Too late.
Is every freaking piece of jewelry in the world a portal? Fuck, is it just portals all the way down?
My men grab me just before the magic of the pendant yanks me away from Liora and Iradil’s meeting place, and they’re sucked through the icy air of the Winter Court along with me.
We land in an inelegant heap of arms, legs and bruised noggins right in…
Right in the middle of the most resplendent, elegant, shiny, beautiful, magnificent wedding I have ever seen.
“Surprise, Spark,” Rez murmurs in my ear.
I stare at him. And then I stare at Yaelyn. And then I stare at the rows of heavy, hewn wooden benches bedecked with garlands, flowers and glittering baubles.
