“Because Sam signed a contract before leaving Aravoth,” Aemas replied with a look of regret. It was apparent he didn’t like the situation any more than they did. “And it would be cruel to put you through that pain.”
She faltered and looked at her mate. “What contract?”
Caius watched the heartbreak unfold when Sam stepped forward and spoke softly. “I agreed that if I ever returned to the aether, I would marry a royal heir from one of the other nine kingdoms and take my place on the Aravoth throne.”
Stassi recoiled and staggered back.
“Then don’t return,” Rory said hotly. Her hostility surprised Caius, and he instinctively moved forward to position himself between her and Sam. “She is your mate. Do you know what leaving will do to her?”
“Do you know what it will do to me?” Sam shouted back as he took a step forward.
The power within Caius registered Sam as a threat, and he attacked, slamming him to the ground. Sam could decimate him, but the need to protect his wife was stronger than fear.
“Never yell at her again,” he warned with a dangerous edge to his voice. “Be thankful she cares for your mate enough to risk the wrath of a fuckingSeraph.”
Sam’s blue eyes dimmed, and Caius watched the light drain out of him. He stood and grabbed Sam’s hand to haul him up.
“Your mate isn’t the only one who will miss you,” Caius said quietly. “We all will, and Vincula won’t be the same without you.”
Sam nodded. “I will miss you, too, brother.”
Rory pushedCaius aside and threw her arms around Sam’s middle. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
When she let go, he smirked. “No, you are not.”
Smiling with tears in her eyes, she lifted her middle finger, laughing when he grabbed it. His smile faded. “Take care of Caius.”
“Take care of yourself,” she returned and lowered her voice, briefly glancing at Stassi. “I’ll make sure she is taken care of.”
“Thank you,” he replied and hugged her again. Rory saw Lauren approach out of her peripheral, and her heart sank. They came to the realms together. “Are you leaving, too?”
Lauren waved her off. “Nice try. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Rory’s shoulders sagged with relief, and she stepped back to give the twoAngelsprivacy. Well, theAngeland theSeraph, though technically,Seraphimwere a type ofAngel.
They spoke low, their words for only them to hear, and when Lauren backed away, Rory swore she saw a tear trail down her cheek.
Adila stepped forward next. “You stayed by my brother’s side when I could not and believed me when you had no reason to. For that, you have my undying gratitude.”
Caius shifted next to Rory, and she grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze.
“You do not need to thank me,” Sam replied. “Do not abandon him again.”
Rory bit her tongue to keep from laughing. Sam was right to hold her accountable for the way she treated Caius. Adila’s reasonswere sound, but they were also weak. She could have found a way to communicate with Caius without Gedeon finding out, but she was a coward. At the very least, she shouldn’t have stopped trying.
Dume was next, shaking Sam’s hand as he thanked him for helping Rory. They didn’t know each other well, but Dume held Sam in high regard and respected theSeraphtremendously.
With one last goodbye to their friend, they stepped into the hallway, allowing Sam and Stassi to say goodbye without prying eyes.
Everyone’s heart should be granted the solace of breaking in private.
Aemas walkedinto the hallway and asked the group to rejoin them in the office.
He was still speaking, but Rory ignored him, unable to take her eyes off Sam and Stassi. They stared at each other like two star-crossed lovers, and Rory’s heart stuttered in her chest.
“My son has revealed his true form, as have I. By decree of the Fates, the memories of all lesser mystics in both realms will be wiped of having ever seen us,” Aemas announced, snagging Rory’s attention.
Her mouth fell open, and Anastasia looked around. “I already lose my memory when I leave,” she protested.
