"I can freeze time."
"And she can slow it," I added proudly. "Or even move it backward."
Armond smiled slowly. "So she is powerful."
"More than she knows," I said, pulling her close.
She ducked her head, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She never could take a compliment. But I meant every word—and one day, she'd believe it too.
Dad frowned at Ari's frozen form. "How long will he stay that way?"
"It depends; Alice is still working on that,” I said. "You'd better contact Stefan Gabor."
Dad nodded grimly. "Done." He turned toward the guards stationed by the courtyard entrance. "Guards!"
Two guards rushed toward us. "Yes, sire?"
"Take Ari to the dungeon."
All those years trapped in the Elder Dimension—fighting to stay alive, fighting to stay sane—were finally behind me.
I was home.
All because of Alice.
I glanced down at her, this fierce, impossible woman who had crashed into my life and changed everything. Who had believed in six impossible things before breakfast. Who had blown through magical doors and frozen an entire court to save me.
I would never let her go.
She was mine. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to love.
Forever.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Alice
Abrianna Acosta was the total opposite of Alanna. She cared about everyone—insisting rooms be found for all of us, fussing over Bunny's children, making sure the harpies had space to stretch their wings in the stables.
Havenwood was a castle, but surprisingly, the rooms were luxurious without being gaudy.
Not ornate like Alanna's palace. No garish pink. No cold marble. No cruelty hiding behind gilded frames.
These rooms had a homey feel to them. Dark wood paneling. Overstuffed furniture you could sink into. Thick rugs. Warm fireplaces crackling in every hearth.
This was where Darius grew up.
He was a prince.
I ran my fingers along the carved mantel, trying to picture him as a boy running through these halls. Playing with Armond. Hiding from Lucien. Learning to fly in the mountain air.
No wonder he'd fought so hard to survive. He had this to come back to.
Darius came up behind me and kissed the back of my neck. "Come with me."
He clasped my hand and led me upstairs.
I didn't ask where we were going. I didn't care. As long as I was with him, nothing else mattered.
