Farris looked at me then, something old and heavy flickering in her eyes.
“Thomas already told you, Abram. You have to kill him and Loma so you and Elowyn can be together, and to help save the realm. It is part of your fate. If you don’t, they will help Gilyx take over. They are on the hunt for some relics that they think will help them.”
My pulse thudded in my ears.
“How is Elowyn the key?” I asked.
Farris smiled softly—sadly.
“Maybe the heavens knew you’d do anything to have her. But I meant shehasthe key.”
“Her coven key?” I asked.
Farris nodded while studying me strangely.
"She thinks it is her coven key, but it isn't.” She stepped closer, and instinctively I braced. “Do you know what it is made of?”
I shook my head.
“A piece of the heavens.” Her tone dropped to reverence. “It keeps Philip from attaching to her. But it also will grant access to Kilryn.”
A chill crawled up my spine.
“How do you know all of this?” I asked.
Farris turned to Ezra, guilt tightening her jaw.
“This is the key you thought I had?” he asked, voice rough. “I heard that woman speaking to you about finding a key, and then you fucking robbed me.”
“It was supposed to go to you,” she answered. “But fate put it in Elowyn’s hands. Maybe it knew she’d be mated to a vyrak, and it would protect her. Especially since she has so much magic.”
I looked to Ezra, searching his expression for understanding, but his gaze was shadowed, unreadable. Farris knew too much. Either she was tangled deep in something dark, or she was far more dangerous than either of us realized.
“Philip and Loma know its capabilities, and they want it.” She looked back at me, her expression grave.
Who the fuck was Farris, and how did she know all this?
“What else does it do?” I asked.
Farris smiled faintly. “That is a conversation for another day, Abram. We need to go to Elowyn. Take us to the city of Falgon, close to where you found me.”
I hesitated, glancing between her and Ezra. He stepped closer, jaw set, and gave a single nod.
My star mist uncoiled, wrapping around us in a cool rush. A heartbeat later, the world shifted, and we were standing where Farris had been.
“Follow me.” She slipped her hood up and started toward the woods.
My heart pounded so hard it hurt. Excitement and dread warred inside me. I was about to see Elowyn again… but what if I was too late? What if her mating bond had already taken root?
My throat tightened at the thought. I couldn’t lose her. Not again.
The woods opened before us, quiet, almost sacred. I smiled faintly despite myself. The place reminded me of home. A small white cottage came into view, flowers blooming wild around the porch. My chest constricted. She was here. She had to be.
My boots pounded against the stone path as I ran past Farris and Ezra, desperate. When I reached the door, I stopped. My hands trembled as I ran them through my hair, trying to steady my racing heart.
I missed my wife.
Farris came up beside me and shoved the door open. The scent hit me first—Elowyn. Sweet, soft, unmistakable. My breath caught as I stepped inside. Every inch of the space screamedher.
