“Nice catch. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Ah. You’re made of tougher stock than that.”
My lips twisted. “You’re right. I am.”
He carried me inside, then set me down, grabbing a pair of pants as we walked through the entry tunnel. I shivered as the essence of the lost kingdom washed over me. The voices of the families who once lived here echoed in the halls, along with their truth. The name of their killer was finally revealed—vengeance meted out for their deaths. I’d like to think they were at peace now.
As awful as it was, I couldn’t shake the thought that Alaric and I weren’t so different. He’d once had everything, and I’d had nothing—yet neither of us possessed the one thing that could make us whole. Not all the riches in the world could buy that.
“You okay?” Thorne threaded his fingers into mine.
“Perfect.” My pulse skipped a happy beat, and I peered up at him. “It’s strange being back here.”
The sparkle in his eyes dimmed. “Do you think…?” he hesitated, expression pained. “Do think he’s really—”
“I do.” I squeezed his hand. “Alaric is gone.”
Though his crimes still lingered, the ghost of his misery clung to all it touched. “Let’s not spend a minute longer here than is necessary. Already, we’ve spent far too much time living in the shadow of this place.”
“Agreed.” The tension in his face softened.
“Throne room first,” I declared. “After, we’ll search for Speck.”
Firm arms circled my waist, bringing me up short. My mate’s fiery scent filled my senses. “Since saving an entire kingdom, you’ve gotten bossy.”
I turned into his embrace, nuzzling my nose to his. “Perhaps I’m simply eager for another swimming lesson.”
His beautiful blue eyes flashed with mischief. “You’re right. Let’s hurry.”
I squawked as he heaved me over his shoulder, barking a laugh as he sprinted through the castle ruins.
Once we reached our destination, the world spun, and my feet touched down.
“Your throne, my queen,” Pyrrhus’ former prince declared, sweeping out an arm.
I shoved disheveled curls from my eyes, my head spinning. Spotting the hollowed-out remains of Pyrrhus’ devastated tree, I crept closer, clutching the stone I wore around my neck.
“You’re sure about this?” Thorne asked, growing somber.
“Yes, Hathor showed me her plan while I was lost inside the arbor.” The memory of that place still clung to me. Its beauty, its endless peace, the way it had tried to coax me to stay. But what had felt like paradise had also been a gilded cage, and I had no desire to be trapped again.
My hands trembled as I unclasped the chain at my throat. The tiny seed within pulsed faintly as though it knew what I was about to do. I sank to my knees in the crumbled remains of the ruined arbor, the scent of burned sap thick in my lungs. Gritting my teeth, I burrowed my hands into the cold dirt, carving out a divot.
With the little seed cupped in my palms, I whispered a prayer. “May the goddess bless you and keep you safe until we meet again.”
After placing a kiss on the rune-etched stone, I nestled it into the soil, tucking it below the dirt. Next, I set my palms over its resting place, infusing the earth with a burst of Hathor’s magic. Beneath my fingers, light flashed, the ground trembling. When I drew my hands back, a sprout no taller than my thumb stood where there had been only ruin, its leaves glossy and wet with newborn radiance.
Thorne claimed my arm and helped me to my feet. “How long?”
“I’m not sure. It could take decades. Until the sacred arbor is ready to bond with a new protector, Gravestone Mountain and its wards will keep the sapling from harm.”
“And me,” said a small voice. “I will protect it.”
I spun, breath catching in my throat. In the center of the throne room, bathed in a glowing shaft of light, was the figure of a young man. Body mended, freckled cheeks flushed with life, he strode toward me without a limp.
Over his head was a tiny glowing orb the size of a firefly. It swirled in a tight circle before it shot into the ceiling, disappearing from sight.
“Speck!” I ran so fast I almost slid on the smooth tile. He met me halfway, and I scooped him up, spinning, his laughter bubbling against my neck. I set him back and cupped his face, tears blurring him into a smear of gold. “You’re you again. How?”
